Popper Screw Placement

[benm98]

I have made a popper and I am having an issue with placing the line tie eye. I made the mouth just a little bit too deep for the line tie so would on the top of the lure or below the mouth? Thanks

 

~Ben

[mark poulson]

Ben, 

Do I understand what you're asking?  You think that, if you put the line tie into the cupped face, it will be down in too deep to tie the line easily?

I have never shaped a popper like that, but, if I did, I'd put up with the hassle of having to thread the line through the recessed eye, instead of putting the line tie above or below the mouth.

Poppers work because they trap both water and air when they're popped, and I don't think moving the line tie above or below would let you do that.

Have you already painted the bait?  If not, and you think the cup is too deep, bite the bullet and remove some of the outer lip, so it's not so deep.  Having to shave the outer edge again isn't that big a thing compared to making a popper that won't pop.

I put my popper line ties just above the center of the cupped mouth, and then I tie my line and slide it down toward the bottom of the eye to get a really good pop/bloop/spitting action.

I tie line on and cut it off at the Palomar knot several times first, and slide those knots up around the eye, so when I finally tie on the actual fishing line it stays toward the bottom when I'm done.  I anchor those knots with some crazy glue.  It doesn't hurt the action of the lure.

My biggest fish on a homemade popper is 8.37 lbs, so I know it works.  It got me big fish for my club for the year.

Edited August 9, 2013 by mark poulson

[benm98]

Yep! That was my issue! I'll take your word and anchor the screw where you said! Thanks.

[oldtoolsniper]

I have a few like that. Just make a threader and your in business. Just go to Google and look up threader in pictures and you will see one. Threads needles and floss through braces. You don't want the pipe one. 

 

I just fold a piece of line in half, pinch the folded end to make it pointed and then thread my line with it.

 

Here is a link to one that has instructions, you get the idea from it how to do it.

 

 http://www.jjneedles.com/products/Sewing-Machine-Needle-Threader-%252d-Single.html#

[mark poulson]

I have a few like that. Just make a threader and your in business. Just go to Google and look up threader in pictures and you will see one. Threads needles and floss through braces. You don't want the pipe one. 

 

I just fold a piece of line in half, pinch the folded end to make it pointed and then thread my line with it.

 

Here is a link to one that has instructions, you get the idea from it how to do it.

 

 http://www.jjneedles.com/products/Sewing-Machine-Needle-Threader-%252d-Single.html#

 

I made my own by pinching a large split shot onto the ends of a mojo sinker sst wire.  I use it for threading line through the level wind on my baitcasters, and for getting flashabo through the eyes of my trebles when I'm tying feathered trebles.

[oldtoolsniper]

You can use the same system to add marabou or other types of feathers to a  rubber bait. Cut the tail off a twister tail grub bait and thread feathers into the butt with a loop and an upholstery needle. Remove the stem of the feather of course.    

[mark poulson]

You can use the same system to add marabou or other types of feathers to a  rubber bait. Cut the tail off a twister tail grub bait and thread feathers into the butt with a loop and an upholstery needle. Remove the stem of the feather of course.    

 

I use it to thread silicone skirt "legs" through the sides of my plastic craws and worms.

[benm98]

What I ended up doing was putting a leader on it, with a swivel, so as to keep retying to a minimum, because it sure was a pain getting the line through that eye.

[mark poulson]

A clever solution, if it works.

How does it swim?  Does it pop like you wanted?

Be sure and check the leader often.  It would be a shame to lose it after going to so much trouble.

Edited August 13, 2013 by mark poulson

[benm98]

I haven't tested it yet. School started this week and that certainly has limited my availability to fish. I also am not sure how it will swim and pop since the placement of the screw eye is kind of off center, but cut me some slack! I'm only 15. I'll post a picture of the lure later and inform you how it swims.

[mark poulson]

Slack cut!  

Good luck when you do have time to fish, and I hope you do well in school.

[benm98]

Thanks man. I'll need it this year lol

[mark poulson]

Remember the old adage: "Luck is the residue of hard work".

I like to say, "Attitude plus effort equal success".

Put in the time and effort, and it will pay off, both in fishing, in school, and in life.