Last Updated on October 10, 2022 by admin_hunter
The most exciting way to catch striped bass and bluefish while fishing with lures is to use a popper lure. There are many types and sorts of Poppers. The majority of them are made of hard plastic or wood.
Many of them are flat or blunt on the front and are intended to make noise and spray water when recovered along the top. They’ll be unable to fulfill their objectives unless they possess this quality.
When other surface lures such as Danny-type surface swimmers are more appropriate, use night bait only. Poppers are mostly fished with a moderate retrieve rate, with the rod tip positioned up high. When the activator is squeezed, a popper will glide on the surface at a certain speed necessary for its function (usually).
The fundamental retrieval is carried out with a breaking motion on the line while retrieving constant speed. Maintaining a firm grip on the bait is censorious since if the line is detached and not caught, a fish may strike—the more water and surface movement from the bait, the better.
Poppers, on the other hand, are great for use in windy conditions since their bulk and weight prevent the wind’s impact.
It’s best to avoid submerging Poppers before they reach the water since doing so will result in a failed return. Begin your retrieval immediately; the lure enters the water unless you’re sure the popper you’re using will float. After releasing the bait, allow it to settle for a few seconds before repeating; do this a second time with a shorter break amid pops. Begin by making a loud noise. When a fish approaches after hearing the initial pop-and-stop, it will generally bust the lure with massive force.
Making fishing lures from wood is a lot of fun, and it’s an excellent approach to teach youngsters about fishing. Catching fish increases self-assurance. It’s fine to make a fantastic fishing lure with only a simple instrument or equipment. On the water, the topwater popper-style lures are a strike.
Cut Wood to Size
I planned to cast topwater lures with a maximum diameter of roughly one inch at the lure’s mouth. I decided to make two lures simultaneously, so I used my coping saw to cut the wood down to around 6 inches long, roughly double the length of one lure.
Prepare and Mark Wood
To make the end of the board straight, begin with a grinding machine or sanding block.
Using an amalgamation of pencil and square, draw a line along the center of both sides of the wood board.
Make a 1-inch circle and a 3/8 inch diameter circle in the middle of each board using plaster. The lure’s mouth and body will have a diameter of 1 inch, whereas the tail will measure 3/8 inch in diameter.
Shaping the Wood
Using the grinding machinery to sand the wooden block into a 1″ diameter dowel, as indicated in step #2. Using the grinder to sand a board into a 1″ diameter dowel, turn the block while sanding to take off material equally from the sides until you reach the 1-inch diameter marking.
To guarantee that the wood is removed equally along the whole length of the log, check it occasionally.
Make 2 inches marks from each end of the dowel down the length with the combination pencil and square once you’ve got a 1-inch diameter dowel. The 3/8 inch diameter circle outlined in the preceding step will be completed with this line.
Cut and Shape the Lure Mouth
Using the coping saw, cut the tapered dowel in half. It’s 6 inches long and needs to be chopped in half with a coping saw. The rough lure bodies are built here.
We used a belt sander to create the concave front of the lure. On the rounded edge of the belt sander, press down firmly on the lure while keeping it positioned against the concave surface. You may modify the mouth’s size by sanding off more or less wood.
Drill and Install Screw Eyes
Make a centerline down the bottom or belly of the lure from the mouth to the tail. Attach the hook to a carabiner or another part after passing it through the hole.
The screw eye will be installed at the 3/8inch diameter tail of the lure’s hook. Using the 1/32-inch drill bit, drill three pilot holes into the three marked locations as formerly instructed.
When everything is in place, fasten the screw eyes to the holes to ensure they’re incorrect.
Remove the eye bolts and add 5-minute epoxy to the holes. Insert the screws into the screw holes using epoxy and then push them into place.
Seal, Paint, and Finish
Before the paint is applied, the EnviroTex must be applied to the wooden body. Cover a surface with newspaper for simple cleanup. Combine EnviroTex with water to make a uniform layer, then apply it with a throwaway paintbrush. After the lure has been entirely covered in EnviroTex with a clip through a screw eye, dangle it to dry. Allow the bait to air dry for 20 minutes. If you’re using a lure like a frog hook bait, wait 20 minutes before cleaning it and use a hard piece of paper or cardboard to wipe off any extra EnviroTex. Allow the bait to dry for a full day.
Draw the scale pattern next. I drew the scale design on the lures with an old scrubbing brush. You’ll need two distinct paint hues to create the scale pattern. The scale pattern’s undercoat will be the first hue. The base color of the scale pattern will be the second color, which will be the actual scales’ color. Start by painting the lower part of the lure with the base coat color. Only apply the undercoat to the place you want the scales to show. Use a fine mist to apply the sealer. Allow each light layer to dry fully before applying another coat. The paint seeps beneath the mesh and forms a filthy scale design if it isn’t firmly pressed against the lure.
In the same manner as previously, lightly spray the paint over the spine of the lure with the mesh connected. Finish the paint job with a red finishing spray or dip. Allow at least 12 hours for the liquid to dry fully.
The final topcoat, EnviroTex, can be applied after the eyes and paint have dried. Give it 10 minutes before stirring. Allow 10 minutes for the EnviroTex to absorb any bubbles before removing them. To clear any specks from the EnviroTex, use a torch to pass a small flame over the lure’s surface quickly.
Attach Hardware and Test
The surface should now be dehydrated. Attach the split rings to the lure screw eyes and the hooks. The bait has now been completed. Fill a sink with water to test the lures. Then, go fishing.