I haven't done any popper fishing here, til the other day. I don't do much gamefishing here. Then I lent the rod to a young bloke who signed up for the Napier Mega fish comp - waitangi w/end. A few YF were caught - north of us, and the 2 day window appeared. Suddenly - after not using it in 2-3 yrs since setting it up, I needed it back. I wasn't going fishing for a YF without my popper rod. So it has done all of 5 mins popper fishing here.

There is a bit of a technique - depending on your rod /popper setup. Not getting it flying out of the water is a key part. Practise on a calmer day for starting would prob be a good option. The choppy water adds another layer of difficulty.

You need fairly strong gear - rod/reel  , otherwise it is a pocket knife to a gunfight. At least make sure you have a machete, if not a gun. The taller rod makes you more vunerable to rod breakage - high sticking - compared to standup game rods. So the rod technique becomes important too. I have broken a few on fish like this - particularly when near the boat - the angles get a bit more acute - so pay attention to how hard you are working the rod. That was my biggest fear when the thing was running me around the back of the motor, under the boat etc. If you need to, back some drag off to get out of a sticky situation.

Alan 

I have a Saragosa 20000 for a reel, with 80lb braid. I run a 100lb leader I think. The popper on the day was one I bought at Burnsco for $35. It is about 160mm - slightly bigger than the small one I normally run. But I bought it for the choppy seas. The small one is tricky in choppy water - tends to load up and fly out. You want one that will carry a bit of weight and be a bit more steady. The issue is when they fly out and wrap the line with the trebles. You waste a lot of time.

The rod is approx 8ft Shimano casting rod rated up to 80lb. Don't know exact specs - not with the rod right now.  You want a reasonably stiff rod - otherwise the flex just absorbs the effort you are putting in to the popper. These are just my thoughts - I am self taught. All I know is what I have tried and what seems to work and not work.

Alan

Four days more than me Martyn! 27 to 80m straight out is what I'm hearing. Look for birds

You won't get one sitting on the verandah. Keep going.

Alan

To be honest, I woke up, looked at the sea and went back to bed. Plan cancelled. I still had a day up my sleeve. Then I lay there getting p....sed off with myself, and finally made myself drop the boat in. The sea wasn't that bad - 10knts at 6 am, and rising to 15 over the morning.  Just crappy chop on a 1m swell. I wasn't going to be in any danger (but no one else thought it was a good idea to go out that day) , just wasn't going to be the nicest day. Tomorrow was. But my plan was to target a YF in this window. I have plenty of days -  but not many when I am not trying to accomodate someone else. Well school is back, and so the neighbours kids are gone, others are back at work etc etc. .   So I had a 2 day weather window to myself.  Rare. The first day was looking scruffy and 50/50 when I went to bed that night. I nearly talked myself out of it next morning.

The rest is history. My mates (2 x 2 boats) only got 2 mates, went out today for zilch.

Alan 

Having fished with Alan L a few years ago in Vtu I've seen his tactics first hand.  When Alan says he tows poppers around it's not the same as towing lures where one positions the lure behind the boat and drops the rod in the rod holder.  Alan works the rod continuously in a lifting, sweeping motion to get the popper working.  The rod is around 8ft long, probably a little more.  The results speak for themselves.