The topwater bite is really starting to heat up in this neck of the woods so we always have several styles of baits ready to go. One of those is a popper.
Like any genre of lures, having different sizes, colors and actions is the key to maximizing the amount of bites you get. Obviously, it helps to have the ability to present the fish with an alternative when they get shy or turn off on a specific plug.
One of our go to poppers is the Jackall SK-Pop Grande. It has caught a ton of fish for us over the last few seasons.
The SK-Pop is on the smallish side in spite of its name weighing in at 5/16 and measuring only 2.6 inches in length. However, this little bait packs a lot of features into the diminutive frame.
A Closer Look
The cup on the front of the bait is designed with the upper lip extended so that it spits water out in front of the bait as opposed to straight up and to the sides. The distended belly allows the bait to walk well across a broad spectrum of line weights. The glass eyes along with the molded in features and paint schemes are exceptional in their quality and execution. It has a feathered rear hook that holds up exceptionally well to multiple fish unlike some others. The hooks are painfully sharp right out of the box and the other components are top notch.
Typically we will throw this using no heavier than 10 pound line. It casts well on either a bait caster or a spinning reel. We prefer a medium light or medium action rod with a moderate to fast tip.
Finding The Money Retrieve
You can throw it tight to cover while using a short, sharp retrieve that not only makes the lure pop and spit but also gives it a short walk the dog action. Usually when we’re doing this, we will give it 1 – 3 quick pops of the rod tip then allow it to sit static in the water. You would be surprised how many times the strike has come while the bait is motionless.
Another productive retrieve has been a medium-fast, constantly popping, no stopping, all the way back to the boat. It’s always exciting when you’re able to see the V-wake of a good sized bass coming up behind your bait while the fish is tracking it. When they commit, they absolutely crush the SK.
One thing that the angler has to keep in mind when using a bait of this type is that they are not designed to be used in heavy wind. To much wake on the surface will make this bait seem like a rowboat tossed around in a gale force wind. It simply will get lost in the surface commotion.
This is a very productive bait to throw at night if you prefer fishing after the sun goes down. The various triggering features of the SK have the ability to call fish from distance while at the same time allowing them to hone in on the disturbance for a potentially easy meal.
Consistency is Important
We’ve fished two patterns, Ghost Minnow and Chartreuse Shad. We always make an effort to get at least two of every bait so that we can compare then side by side to see how consistent they perform.
Jackall has a quality control system in place that is very efficient in terms of putting out baits that are amazingly consistent.
The SK-Pop is no exception. Both of our baits behave like identical twins with the only difference being the paint job. This kind of consistency allows the angler to know exactly what to expect every time a particular lure is tied on.
When you start talking price you have to consider what competitors offerings go for as well as what you’re getting for the difference in price from one to the next.
The SK retails for about $15. This is on the high side for a lure of this size but it is worth the money. It draws strikes when other poppers fail, period.
Another factor to consider is how easy it is to use. The Grande requires almost no prior knowledge to use effectively. A child can grab this, tie it on and use it well.
Just a side note
Recently I took a friend of mine fishing that has never, ever fished for bass. Within minutes with some barebones instructions, he was using the Jackall as though he had fished it hundreds of times before. It took all of about 8 casts for him to hook up and land his first ever bass. Nothing is more satisfying than watching the excitement of an individual holding their first fish.
The Jackall SK-Pop Grande is fun, simple to use, has exceptional finishes and flat out catches fish.
| Jackall's SK-Pop Grande | |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating |   |
| An extremely effective, popper | |
See ya’ on the water …
