The biggest, most selective bass often turn down pinpoint presentations of go-to flies, soft plastics and plugs. I have found, however, that big stripers have one weakness—they can’t resist the raucous, aggravating, spitting, popping, downright intrusiveness of a popper. For one, big bass are territorial, aggressive animals that view a loud popper as an intruder. Sure, there are cases where a striper hits a popper because he thinks it is a wounded baitfish, particularly when big bait is around such as herring, mullet or bunker. But when stripers are on small baitfish, time after time they will wallop a big popper rather than a small artificial. Thus, during a significant grass shrimp or small crab hatch, a big bass will slap that popper with its tail three times for every one time it will go after it with its mouth.
Best Times for Rockin’
I’ll work a popper along the rocks in any situation. However, there are optimum times to try it, such as first light, when most surface activity occurs. If it’s calm, better yet, for the sole reason that you can keep better track of the lure. Poppers also tend to work well along the rocks on overcast and even rainy days.
Tidal current plays an important role in success. Incoming or outgoing, I don’t think it matters much, just so long as it’s moving at a good clip. I’ve done best popping the rocks during the first hour and a half of each tide. Some prefer to fish outgoing tides because bait from the estuary gets washed by the rocks but I’ve had success on both tides.
Popping Tackle
When I’m working a flyrod popping bug I choose a 9-weight, fast-action flyrod overlined with an 11-weight fast-taper (short head) weight-forward floating fly line. Lines made specifically for tarpon, stripers or big flies work well for this. Because foam poppers are rather large, getting them to turn over can be difficult with anything less than a 9-weight. Overlining will allow you to punch that big fly out there while maintaining a tight loop, with fewer false casts. And you’ll also load up for short-range casts more easily.
Chug that plug with vigor to attract big, agressive stripers.
This may be a departure from tradition, but my leader never exceeds four feet overall, and I prefer straight 20-pound fluorocarbon. Longer leaders can prevent the fly from turning over. Once a big striper locks onto that noisy popper, it will not detect the end of your fly line.
Regarding spinning gear, I use a light-action, 7-foot graphite rod that will allow me to make quick flips and fast forward casts with 1⁄2-ounce popping plugs right to the edge of the rocks. I’ve found that braided line allows for more distance, especially into the wind. Plus you can spool a lot more line with low-diameter braids, which is often necessary when dealing with bigger fish.
Don’t skimp and settle for a cheap reel. Make sure you have something with a good drag as the possibility of a 30-pound-plus striper of a lifetime is not out of the question.
