Popping
Pop fishing or "popping" is one of the most exciting ways to fish as you can witness all the action close to the surface of the water.
This style of fishing involves dragging a lure known as a popper across the surface of the water with a short sharp retrieving action. The lure slaps against the water creating a popping sound and fires up nearby fish.
Equipment required for Popping
To target fish using the popping technique you will require a rod that has the ability to cast long distances, a reel that can retrieve the popper with speed and standard line to suit your fishing environment.
The lure used is known as a popper, as thanks to its unique shape at the front of the lure, it is able to create a unique and enticing sound for nearby fish.
Species to target when Popping
There are a lot of species to target: Pike, Black Bass, GT, Dentex, Bluefish, Kingfish, Tuna, Saratoga, Barramundi, Striped Bass and any fish species that are often found close to the top of the water surface.
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Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) is often referred to as one of the most iconic and exciting fish to catch in all of Australia. They live in the northern regions of Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia. The maximum weight is about 60 kg (130 lb).
MORE INFO >Barramundi
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Black bass (Micropterus) is a common name for several species like the largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and spotted bass for example. Famous for its great fighting skills, they are a very sought after game fish. Black bass are found in fresh water in the Canada, United States, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and France. Black bass are mostly caught spinfishing. They can grow up to 60 cm / 25 in.
MORE INFO >Black Bass
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The Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) is known by anglers as being a fast, aggressive and strong fish of the ocean. They are fun to target and give a real challenge to anyone who comes across them while fishing. They inhabit temperate and subtropical waters around the world. Bluefish have extremely powerful jaws with razor sharp teeth. They can grow over a meter and weigh over 10kg.
MORE INFO >Bluefish
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Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) are also commonly referred to as dorado, dolphin or dolphinfish. They are recognizable by their bluntly shaped heads, long dorsal fin and their bright colouring, dark blue and green on their dorsal side and yellow on their sides and underside.
MORE INFO >Dorado
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Distributed throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, the Giant Trevally - also known as GT - (Caranx ignobilis) is the most wanted species for popping lovers. They can be 1,70 cm long and reach up to 80 kg (175 lb)!
MORE INFO >Giant Trevally
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The king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) or kingfish is a common fish species of the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. King Mackerel can grow to up to 40kg (90lb) and have razor sharp teeth.
MORE INFO >King mackerel
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The leerfish (Lichia amia) is known by anglers as being a fast, aggressive and strong fish of the Mediterranean Sea and the coastal waters from Western Africa to south Africa. Leerfish are generally found in small and loose groups rather than large schools of fish. They can grow up to 1,70m (5.5ft) and weigh up to 25kg (55lb).
MORE INFO >Leerfish
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Talang Queenfish (Scomberoides commersonnianus) are a Pacific fish that are highly reflective, shiny and are known to travel in schools. At times they fight so hard that they’ll die due to exhaustion before being released back into the water. They also have pointed spines that can inflict wounds if not handled carefully. Queenfish grow to around 15 kilos, but are most commonly encountered around half that size.
MORE INFO >Talang Queenfish
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The yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) is a type of amberjack found in the Southern Hemisphere. They can grow up to 180 cm (70 in). Yellowtail kingfish can be caught from New Zeeland, Australia to Chile.
MORE INFO >Yellowtail Kingfish
Best Places to try Popping
Any area that has either rock structure, a wreck close to the surface or a reef environment is great for using a popper lure to target fish species.
Locations such as New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, United States, Zanzibar and Papua New Guinea are great areas.
Best Popping Fishing Charters
Aqua Adventure I
Puerto Armuelles, Panama (Panama)
Chasing Blue
L'Hospitalet de l'Infant, Tarragona (Spain)
Wahoo 1
San Sebastian (Donostia), San Sebastián (Spain)
Coiba's Spirit
Montijo, Panama (Panama)
Maverick Sea
Port de Sóller, Mallorca (Spain)