Popping through the surface, you'll appreciate the excitement of seeing hungry fish chase and engulf these baitfish imitations.
Tied on the Mustad S/W range, they’re tough too.
The Mylar Popper has been specially designed for surface fishing for European sea bass and is particularly recommended for attracting sea bass on the surface in grassy areas where they feel safe.
Fields of hymanthales and sargassum are best explored when the top of these plants (in a vertical position) is covered by less than one meter of water.
The edge areas with clumps of bladderwrack are also good places for popper fishing.
My professional and personal choice as a fly fishing guide specialized in saltwater fly fishing for European sea bass.
Available hook size: #01 & #2/0
Color: Chartreuse & White
Tip to use
The closer you get to the end of the outgoing tide, or at the very beginning of the rising tide, the pockets of water left free in these vast grassy areas are to be prospected in priority.
It is not recommended to use too light leaders when fishing for bass with a popper: a 12 lb tippet is the lower limit you should go to, as it is necessary to be able to extract the bass from its habitat where it will inevitably take refuge.
The small model size #01 can be cast without any problem with a rod of power 7 to 8, the big model size #2/0 is rather recommended for rods of power 8 to 10.
We will logically use floating specialty bass lines.
To be tied at the end of the leader with a loop knot to improve its action (Perfection loop & Homer Rhode knots).
Ideally a fluorocarbon SW tippet type Rio and SA from 12 to 20 lbs.
As for fly retrieve, you can let your imagination run wild. In my experience, you can use a soft landing, then a big pop followed by a still phase which may be enough to trigger the attack, but all variations are possible.
The Blue and White pattern is best for bright conditions, while the Chartreuse and White is particularly effective in overcast and low light conditions.
The best times to popper European sea bass in the weed beds are at dawn and dusk.
Popper Mylar Chartreuse & White (Group 8)
263101 #01
263120 #2/0