Popper Question?

[bagleybaitman]

Trying my hand at tying small bream,bluegill and bass poppers, I seem to be having a problem with getting the foam head to adhere to the hook shafts, I have tried superglue,hot glue works but is messy,and head cement, is there something better that anyone uses or a trick to this?

Thanks
BBman

[Len]

Try putting a thread bed on the hook shank first then glue the foam head or body onto the thread!

[gabulldog]

what he said

[macon123]

you can also wrap the hookshank with chenille, tying it off with thread....then using the 5 minute epoxy on the chenille before pressing it into the slot in the foam.....I use a soft fabric chenille for this, not the shiney plastic type of chenille. The thread wrap also works well.

[AtticaFish]

I have had trouble as well, usualy I get it to stick until I catch a few fish and then the hook begins to spin inside the foam or cork.

This may not answer the question but mat be another option for you, I have given up almost all together on solid bodies. I make my poppers out of deer hair. Not the bucktail, this stuff comes on a patch of skin and is much finer hair. Start with a single layer thread base. Cut a pinch of the hair and place on hook shank with half of the pinch on each side and make one loose wrap around. Make the 2nd wrap tight and the hair flairs out in every direction. You may have to repeat depending on hook size. I knot to finish and glue my knot. Once dry, use sharp siscors to make any shape you want. The shaping is the largest part of the work.

I caught my personal best lrg mouth on a fly rod with a mouse shaped one I made. I'v also been playing around with ones for crappie but have to wait for warmer weather before I can try em'.

[bagleybaitman]

Thanks guys, will try all methods mentioned,great bait for large gills and Lg Mouth , Thanks Again!

[8fishermen]

Not sure what they are called, but they make a hook with a "z" in the shank that helps prevent the hook from turning over. Two part epoxy is by far the strongest adhesives that I am aware of.
If you use cork, use thread on the "Z" shank hook and a drop of superglue to hold it in place and then coat the entire hook, hook slot, and cork body with epoxy. This can be painted with just a oil topcoat or oil primer and then a acrylic topcoat. It is just about bullet proof.
The deer belly hair bugs and mice are awesome. I taught my kids to tie them. They love "making a rat". I use to catch a lot of heavily pressured bass on them as they did not see them often. Something about a slow swimming furry thing that gets a bass in trouble ever time.:D I can relate though, it happen to me ever time I pass by the Bass Pro Shop, It just sucks me in.:D:D:D

[8fishermen]

BTW, I found a box of those hook. The ones I have are made by Mustad and called "Kinked Shank Popper Hooks". Hope this helps.