At work, we’re almost always asked to do more with less. It can be pretty frustrating, but it’s a great option when fishing gets tough. Conditions like super-clear water mean it’s a good idea to do more with less – lighter line and a smaller lure often is key to success. Rebel’s Micro Pop-R is only 1-1/2-inch length and weighs just 1/16-ounce,
making it right for fishing on super-ultralight line (2- to 6-lb) or on a fly rod. In place of a pair of treble hooks, it has a single barbless tail hook, making it legal even in special regulation waters requiring single, barbless hooks.
I fish this little bait in rivers and small waters for smallmouth and largemouth bass, but I put it to tougher tests as well. Big lures catch big fish, but small lures catch small fish and big fish. This season I filmed a Bill Dance Outdoors television segment that we called “When Light is Right!”
Water temperature was 86 degrees and the barometric pressure was falling. The lake was very clear, and it had a lot of vegetation. The action was non-stop that hot day. A lot of fish were small — in that 3/4- to 1-pound range. But we caught a number of 2-pounders and a couple of fours.
This bait works best when tied with a loop knot. I also have better control and can get it to “pop” better with my rod tip closer to the water. (With the rod tip high, there’s a tendency to jerk it out of the water.)
That’s how I was working it near an isolated patch of lily pads, popping it with wrist action and short jerks. Pop, pop…pop. Then came the hit, and I knew this was no dink.
The big fish headed into the pads. I couldn’t haul her out with my light — but I kept the pressure on. The fish came out and jumped – we caught the jump on video — and we knew for sure what size of fish we were dealing with.
The bass headed deep into the pads. I followed the line in with the trolling motor this time. When I got to him, the line was wrapped around the pads. I reached in and lifted him from his world into mine long enough to pat him on the head, say “thank you,” and wish him good-bye. That fish was more than 7 pounds!
As a footnote, the Micro is a safe way to introduce young anglers to fishing with artificial lures. Even if they should accidentally hook themselves, the barbless hook enables safe and simple removal. By Bill Dance.