How to Fish for Stripers With Poppers

Poppers are a common lure when fishing for stripers, or striped bass, near the surface. Fishing with poppers is relatively easy because it doesn't require a special technique. Landing the fish, however, is more challenging because of the often unpredictable nature of fish. On any given day, stripers will seemingly feed relentlessly, but that can quickly change. Talking to locals around the lake you will be fishing at and reading guides will give you an idea of what to expect in your area.

Instructions

    • 1

      Cast the popper into open water. Let it sink approximately 2 inches and then reel it in for about a foot. Let it sink 2 inches and repeat until the popper is back to the boat.

    • 2

      Cast the popper again and repeat the process. You may have to try this many times until you are able to land a fish.

    • 3

      Pull the reel up when a fish bites down on the popper. This will lodge the hook into its mouth.

    • 4

      Let the fish take some line if it has a lot of energy and is moving in the opposite direction from your boat. Reel in when the fish stops pulling hard and reel in fast when it swims toward your boat.

    • 5

      Net the fish for the highest likelihood of getting the fish into the boat or grab it from the bottom lip. Stripers have big mouths to grab onto.