DryFlySam Loc: Key Biscayne

I fish with a 9 foot, 8 weight, fly rod, and I'm new to popper fishing for bass from my kayak. What would you recommend for leader/tippet, weight and length? I'm guessing the length should be shorter than my rod to keep the line to leader knot from hanging up on the rod tip while landing a fish. Also, is a loop knot necessary on a popper?

Salesrep Loc: Maryland

A four foot leader is plenty of about 12-15 pound test and no tippet required.The loop knot is not necessary.
Salesrep

DryFlySam Loc: Key Biscayne

Thanks, Salesrep. Look's like it's the KISS principal. Good advice and easy to follow.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

I do the same as Sales rep but I use 5 foot and 10 pound. I expect both will work equally well. More important than tippet is technique with poppers. Keep it as slow as you can then slow down twice as much. I make a ripple ring with soft pop or twitch then wait until ring is gone before doing it again. I suggest you try a panfish size popper in relative clear calm water that is full of bluegill that you can see under the popper. Just let the popper sit. Eventually one of the bluegill will hit or peck at it. You will be amazed at how long a fish will sit and look at the popper. A fish will even swim away a short distance then return. You will learn that a few seconds seem like an eternity. You can learn a great deal doing this including what generates an actual strike. It does not matter if the fish is 3 inches or monsters. Just an after note: this will also improve your ability to fish large plugs and plastics. Like I said, a few seconds seem like an eternity.

Salesrep Loc: Maryland

One other note, slow the cast down, it’s not like casting a fly.
Let that back loop straighten out before doing the forward cast.
JUST SLOW DOWN.
Salesrep

DoFish Loc: Western North Carolina

I like to use a swivel for flies I want to 'wiggle' or otherwise move, even on the surface

Salesrep Loc: Maryland

A swivel will make the fly sink.
Don’t understand your theory on using swivels.??????
Salesrep

DryFlySam Loc: Key Biscayne

bapabear,

This is somewhat the same technique we use dry fly fishing for trout on mountain lakes. We let the initial wave-ring move out quite a distance before moving the fly just a little. Seems the fish sense the wave and come looking for the cause. All movements are minimal to appear as a natural insect movement. I appreciated you insight on slowing everything down. No doubt a lot of bass are watching the popper trying to decide whether or not to hit it.

DryFlySam Loc: Key Biscayne

Salesrep,

Thanks for the casting advice. It's a lot to unlearn. I presume it's easier to feel the back cast load with a medium rod vs. a fast rod. I have both, so I''ll start the popper lessons with the medium.