A Fisherman's Secret #3 When fishing topwater lures, there is nothing like a fish exploding onto your lure. Fishing poppers are a unique topwater fishing bait that get their action from a cupped face carved or molded into the front of the lure body. Cast your popper out to the target area and let it settle. Using a twitch-and-pause retrieve, the lure “pops” along the surface, imitating the action of prey, such as insects, frogs or even a small injured baitfish. You should resist the urge to set the hook immediately when the fish strikes – let it take the popper under the water first – then set your hook firmly.