Popper and Topwater Fishing - Enticing the Take?

Enticing the Take?

Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Popper and Topwater Fishing
Forum Description: If you're into a bit of action on top, this is the forum for you
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=61177
Printed Date: 06 Jun 2026 at 4:04am

Topic: Enticing the Take?

Posted By: fish i
Subject: Enticing the Take?
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2011 at 10:01am

Went out yesterday. Caught a heap of rats on the jigs. When using the stick baits it seemed the bigger models were interested. Had a hard time sticking one thou. Had some massive fish trying to attack and smash my stick baits, that is; a lot more than follow, but couldn't hook up. I simply continued my action on the sweep and wind. In such situations can you do pauses or something else to get them to smash it? Frustrating, but great visuals. Saw a huge king get airborn smashing a bait fish right next to the boat.

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6th place in the inaugural Te Kauwhata Regionals paddle crab division

Replies:

Posted By: timfish
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2011 at 12:26am

Yeah mate if ya got one going hard slow it down and make it easy for it to hit the lure, maybe just wind at medium pace nothing jerky, get the lure running straight.

Posted By: unlimited
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2011 at 12:35pm

what lures are you fishing with fish i

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keeping it reel

Posted By: ginga
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2011 at 12:58pm

You do have a few options in this scenaio, but first and most important thing is that you have raised the fish to your lure and that is always the hardest part.

If the fish are passive and simply following the lure then you will need to cahnge something to get them in the mood, for example slow down to a short twicth and pause anstead of long sweeps. If the fish are aggressive and actually swiping at the lure then dont change anything, if you get lucky one will eventually take it.

This is also a time where oyur mates can help(or take advantage) another lure quickly cast out beyond the fish will often induce a strike, especially if the fish turn around and all of a sudden find another helpless bait right in front of them.

If all that fails then tie on a Carpenter

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www.extremesportfishing.co.nz.
Agent for Carpenter, Orion and ASWB products

Posted By: fish i
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2011 at 3:42pm

Thanks Ginga, that's gold.

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6th place in the inaugural Te Kauwhata Regionals paddle crab division

Posted By: photog
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2011 at 10:48pm

Sometimes you might find that a sub surface stick bait may not work quite as well a surface popper. I have seen days when both will bring fish up but one will outfish the other.

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If I'm not taking photos I'm fishing. If I'm not fishing I'm taking photos, either way I'm having fun.

Posted By: hookerpuka
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2011 at 7:29am

Seen it swing in round a bouts throughout the day though, at some stages the stick baits out fish then there mood changes and the poppers will do the damage for a bit. have also found quite often that a pause in the midst of a retrieve will often induce a strike when fish are following but not hitting.