Tying Instructions

Shape the cork.  Put the cork large-end-down on the table and slice straight down with a razor blade, removing about 1/4 of the cork.  This is the popper "bottom".  Put the popper on its bottom with the large end toward you.  Slice down on the large end at about a 10 degree angle in from the top thereby creating the "popping face."  Cut a slot running end-to-end for the hook in the popper "bottom". Make sure this slot is centered along the popper bottom for its whole length.

Attach the body to the hook.  Fit the hook in the slot. The hook shank should be more or less flush with the popper "bottom". The eye should protrude near the bottom of the popper face just enough to allow tying on the tippit.  The rear of the cork should end just short of being even with the hook point. When viewed in profile, the cork should look "level" with the hook shank. When satisfied with the fit, glue the hook in place with 5-minute epoxy and let dry.

Paint the Popper.  The "Halloween" name came from using a black/orange color scheme.  Any colors sceme can be used. I use Testor's ACRYLIC Model Paints NOT the enamel type. Make sure the "face" of the popper is one you can see well on the water.  The color of the bottom and back end doesn't matter.  I usually make them the same as the face.

Tie the tail.  I prefer sparse tails, or no more than "medium" amounts of bucktail.  The length should be close to the overall length of the hook.  Tie the trimmed  butt-end of the bucktail flush with the back of the popper.  Tie off.

"Extras."  Push a large needle through the body about 1/3 of the way behind the face and then pull the leg material through with a bobbin threader.

 

How to Fish

 

"Fishing in place" - Drop the popper onto a target area (shoreline vegetation and docks/piers etc., usually on more still water) and “pop” it without moving it more than a few inches.  Pause and repeat.  Vary the length of the pauses up to as much as a full minute. You can substitute even smaller "twitches" for the pops when fishing for Bream.
”Chugging" - used for rougher and, usually, more open water, like over weed beds out away from shore. This is essentially one "pop" followed quickly by an "elongated" "pop" - sort of bulling the popper through the water for about a foot or so. Follow immediately with a steady pull (just to make a wake) for about 18"-24" and then another big pop and repeat the sequence.
Underwater - tied onto a sinking or sink-tip line, the HP can be made to bounce along underwater but over the top of submerged structure.