By Luke Wyrsta
Chuggers, bloopers, pencils and stickbaits. In the tropical war zone they are big lures with one purpose, to attract the biggest fish possible by broadcasting and resonating irresistible splashes and vibrations – like honey to a bee.
These lures are permanent mainstays amongst the highly dedicated surface luring (popping to be specific) fraternity the world wide. They provide for some of the most visually astonishing spectacles and adrenalin pumping found in modern sports fishing today.
What constitutes a surface lure? I use the term “surface lures” and “surface popping” very loosely, as you will find that some of the lures used aren’t strictly surface – albeit very close. One lure type of particular interest kicking up this stir is the stickbait – here’s some quick info to help get you acquainted. Stickbaits, although not new to the fishing world, have made an aggressive campaign as a “must-have” tool in the big fish surface luring scene. Are they a surface lure? Yes, they are – but they have a couple of unique characteristics that sort of throw them completely outside the square. Possessing a standard body profile but lacking a cupped face, the stickbait not only has the ability to thrash around on the surface with the best of them, but to submerse just below the surface, annoyingly darting and jutting around – getting some big ticks in the XOS fish department. It is this ability and action that has really put stickbaits on the map of late.
Whether it is that first cast of a popper into foaming tropical waters or the deliberate erratic retrieval of a stickbait – surface luring is where is it at – let me explain to you a bit about each and their uses…(continuation
of this article can be seen here)
This Le Poisson Banane Big
Bang 200 popper
proved to be the downfall of this GT
What are bloopers/chuggers & when do I use them?
A blooper/chugger (aka – big popper) is a surface lure that is designed to ‘pop’ and displace water. This water displacement creates waves of foaming white water, sending crunching vibrations and striking visuals to predators that prey is around. Most bloopers/chuggers are generally between 15 to 25 cm in length coming in two common configurations, short and thick, and, long and slender.
The longer configuration can sometimes be compared to the size of your own forearm (a slight exaggeration!), they have a cupped face and have 2 anchor points on which to attach large barbless treble and sometimes single hooks.
Chuggers/bloopers work best in slight to choppy waters, however, they can be used during all sea conditions. They are particularly effective in low light conditions and when fish are holding deep, the noise and disruption summons fish to the surface, usually with savage pace and excitement.
I have always been of the opinion that the largest chuggers/bloopers (in excess of 25cm) have the ability to raise mammoth fish more than any other surface lure. Yes, they do require more effort to work but I believe that these are the sizes that really start to appeal to the big boys. I only ever bring these lures out in territory that screams big fish. The slow and dramatic retrieve style used in conjunction with larger chuggers/bloopers tends to not stimulate smaller fish from striking, those of which seem to be in an endless and excited frenzy on some days never leaving your lure alone.
A selection of GT poppers
How do I work a blooper/chugger?
The purpose of this lure is to create a big and visible surface commotion. This is best achieved by moving the rod from a forward position (in front of you) and then jerking back towards your body, or, by placing the rod in a forward horizontal position then giving a big jerk or sweep to the appropriate side, wind in the slack quickly. Leaving the popper stationery for a few seconds or winding very slowly until the next ‘bloop’ or ‘chug’ is up to angler preference. I have found using a gimble belt to rest the rod in while jerking the rod directly back towards the body is not only an effective way to action the lure but also one of the most comfortable, least tiresome and also puts you in the best position, poised for strike.
What are pencil poppers and when do I use them?
Unlike bloopers/chuggers, pencil poppers are slender and move through the water with relative ease. They create a long bubble trail with splashing wake as they convulse at speed on the water’s surface. The pencil popper is usually 20 to 30cm in length with even larger sizes not uncommon; they are thin in comparison to bloopers/chuggers and can sometimes lack a cupped face.
Pencils work best in calm to slight conditions. These conditions also allow for the easiest retrieval when used in comparison to other conditions, retrieving such a lure quickly in rougher conditions can sometimes cause the lure to bounce and track off on wave crests – much to an anglers frustration. Although they can be used at all water depths, they are ideally suited to shallower applications where the action doesn’t need to travel very far for it to be noticed. A take on a pencil popper can be amazing, at such fast paces you are literally stopped in your tracks.
A selection of GT pencil poppers
How do I work a pencil?
Working the pencil as quickly as possible to imitate a fleeing and frightened baitfish is the aim. This style is best achieved by positioning your rod in a forward position, holding the rod tip high and cranking as quickly as possible. Add some up and down movement with your rod-holding hand with some occasional pauses thrown in, again, you can also rest your rod in a gimble, keeping the rod tip high. This is very similar to a ‘walk the dog’ style. If you can see a big fish shadowing, slow down! This style works best in low swell and wind conditions.
Another effective retrieve for the pencil is to position the rod lower and ‘sweep’ the lure so that it dives just beneath the surface. This causes the lure to ‘funnel’ and ‘jet’ for several metres before breaching the surface, then repeat the action. Draw up the slack and be prepared for strike.
This Fisherman Long Pen pencil popper
proved to be the downfall of this GT
The rest of this article can be seen
here.
| 
