How To Choose A Proper Hook For Your Poppers? - Fishermanshub

How To Choose A Proper Hook For Your Poppers?

Popper fishing is one of the most exciting angling techniques, offering explosive surface strikes and heart-pounding action. Popper fishing in India is done both on Fresh water and Saltwater but considering Indias Coastline and the availability of Fish like Travell, Snakeheads , Kingfish and more it is more preferred for larger size and more aggressive species. However, choosing the right hooks for your poppers can make the difference between landing a trophy fish and losing it mid-fight. Here's how to select the perfect hooks for your poppers.

CHOSE A PROPER HOOK FOR YOUR POPPERS

But firstly what are the Indian Fish Species you can target with Poppers Popper fishing is one of the most thrilling methods for catching aggressive predatory fish, thanks to its explosive surface strikes and visual appeal. India, with its diverse ecosystems ranging from freshwater rivers to vast coastlines, is home to a wide variety of fish species that respond exceptionally well to poppers. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the best species to target, categorized by water type and region.

CHOSE A PROPER HOOK FOR YOUR POPPERS

Freshwater Species

India’s rivers, lakes, and reservoirs are home to several aggressive fish species that readily strike surface lures like poppers.

  1. Snakehead (Channa species): Found throughout India, especially in the northern states like Assam, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, snakeheads are notorious for their aggressive surface strikes. They are most active in shallow waters during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons.
  2. Mahseer: Though traditionally targeted with spinners or spoons, mahseer in rivers like the Ganges, Cauvery, and Brahmaputra occasionally take well-presented poppers, especially in areas with strong currents where they hunt smaller fish near the surface.
  3. Indian Barramundi (Bhetki): While primarily a brackish water species, barramundi are often found in large freshwater reservoirs and rivers in states like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal. Their aggressive predatory behavior makes them an ideal target for poppers.
  4. Indian Featherback (Notopterus chitala): Found in central and eastern India, the featherback’s feeding habits and occasional surface activity make it a lesser-known but exciting target for poppers in calm river stretches and reservoirs.
  5. Tilapia (Mozambique tilapia): While not commonly sought by anglers, large tilapias in freshwater reservoirs occasionally strike small poppers, especially during the breeding season when they are highly territorial.

Visit ADK Instruments | Apparel & Clothing | Bait Runner Reels | Bassday | Best Sellers | Bravvo Fishing | Buck Tails | Daiwa Rods | Featured Products | Firstdart | Fish Finders 

Saltwater Species

India’s 7,500+ km coastline and numerous estuaries and islands are teeming with fish species that offer incredible opportunities for popper fishing.

  1. Giant Trevally (GT): The ultimate prize for popper anglers, GTs are found around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and rocky coastlines of Goa and Kerala. These hard-fighting fish are known for their explosive strikes and relentless power.
  2. Barracuda: Found in abundance along the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Goa, and the Andamans, barracudas are fast and aggressive predators that ambush poppers with sharp, quick strikes.
  3. Queenfish: These acrobatic fighters are common in estuaries and near rocky shores, especially along the western coastline. Their speed and aerial displays make them a favorite among anglers.
  4. Snapper (Mangrove jack): Found in brackish waters, mangrove jacks are aggressive hunters, often attacking poppers near mangroves and rocky outcrops along the eastern and western coasts.
  5. Indian Threadfin: Often found near estuaries and sandy beaches along the coasts of Gujarat and Odisha, threadfins are responsive to poppers, especially during dawn and dusk when they actively hunt.
  6. Bluefin Trevally: A close relative of GT, bluefin trevally are smaller but equally aggressive. Found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, they are known for their speed and striking coloration.
  7. Cobia: These large, powerful fish are often found around offshore structures and reefs, particularly along the coasts of Karnataka and Kerala. They aggressively strike large poppers, especially during their feeding sprees.
  8. Groupers: Though often caught with jigs, groupers lurking near coral reefs and rocky underwater structures will strike large poppers when hunting near the surface. Found along most Indian coasts, they are a worthy challenge.
  9. Milkfish: While not traditionally targeted with lures, milkfish in shallow lagoons and estuaries occasionally hit small poppers during feeding frenzies. They are found along India’s eastern coast and around the Andaman Islands.
  10. Tarpon: Though rare, tarpon are occasionally encountered in Indian waters, particularly in brackish estuaries along the east coast. These spectacular fighters are known for their acrobatics and take poppers with enthusiasm.
CHOSE A PROPER HOOK FOR YOUR POPPERS

Regional Highlights

  • North India: Rivers in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the northeastern states are hotspots for mahseer and snakeheads.
  • South India: Freshwater reservoirs in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala are ideal for snakeheads and barramundi, while coastal regions are prime spots for GTs, barracudas, and groupers.
  • Western Coast: Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat offer opportunities for queenfish, snapper, and trevally.
  • Eastern Coast: Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal provide rich fishing grounds for barramundi, threadfin, and mangrove jack.
  • Islands: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep are unparalleled for targeting GTs, bluefin trevally, and cobia with poppers.

Explore Lucana Kokari 135 Popper | Lucana Sabalo 135 Popper | Lucana X Popper | Men's Angling T-Shirts - The Popper | Mustad Burpy Popper | Popper iPhone Cases | Rapala Max Rap Popper 

When choosing between a single inline hook or a treble hook for a popper, consider the following factors:

Single Inline Hook

  • Advantages: Better for Catch and Release: Causes less injury to the fish.
  • Improved Safety: Safer to handle for the angler.
  • Durability: Less prone to snagging on debris or vegetation.
  • Hydrodynamics: Slightly better action in the water as it reduces drag.
  • Disadvantage: May result in a lower hookup rate, especially for aggressive strikes.

Treble Hook

Advantages

  •        Higher Hookup Rate: More likely to secure the fish during a strike.
  •       Tradition: Often standard on most poppers and trusted by many anglers.

Disadvantages:

  •  Harder on Fish: Can cause more injury, making catch-and-release more difficult.
  • Risky to Handle: Greater chance of accidental injury to the angler.
  • Snagging: More likely to catch on weeds or structure.

 

Recommendation

  • For Sports or Catch-and-Release Fishing: Go with a single inline hook to ensure better fish survival and ease of handling.
  • For Max Hookup Rate or Targeting Larger Predatory Fish: Use a treble hook, especially if you’re fishing in open water without much debris.

 

You can also experiment with the placement (front or back) and try modifying one hook type at a time to see what works best for your target species and fishing conditions.

With the right approach and gear, popper fishing in India can be incredibly rewarding, offering anglers the chance to target diverse species in some of the country’s most stunning fishing locations.

Blog posts

Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published

Your title

Write or copy/paste Liquid code