Freshwater Lure of the Month: Rebel Pop-R

FishingEnthusiast.com's December Freshwater Lure of the Month

Rebel Pop-R

"America's Number 1 Popping Lure!"

Often called the “Secret Bait of the Pro’s”, the Rebel Pop-R has been around for nearly three decades.  It is one of the most highly imitated lure of all time – but never duplicated.  Still today it remains the standard by which all other topwater plugs are judged.  It’s popularity is largely due to it’s versatility.  It can be fished shallow, around weed lines, and over submerged cover.

Twenty or so years ago, when Zell Roland was in his fishing prime, he launched the Rebel Pop-R into the national spotlight after he won the Super Invitational in Chattanooga on the Tennessee River.  Zell is one of the most highly respected professional fishermen of all time, and the Rebel Pop-R is one of his favorite lures.  Following this tournament, the lure was put on sale for the general public and stores across the country couldn’t keep them on their shelves.

 A 6 1/2 - 7 foot medium action rod with a limber tip is the best for these top water lures. A rod of this design compensates for the natural reaction of anglers to “set the hook” when they get a top water strike. The limber tip of the rod allows the bass time to eat the lure before the angler over reacts. The medium action soft tip performs even better with a heavy 12 –15 lb test monofilament line.        

The secret to correctly getting the Pop-R to create the “pop” and “chug” sound and the “spitting water” effect is all in the action of the wrist as you move the rod tip. Some anglers actually sand the lure down smooth the give it a slight “walk the dog” action of side to side motion as it is chugged along.     

  Experiment with time that you pause between pops and pauses until you find what's right. The fish will soon let you know what they like. In warmwater shorten the time between the pops, and as the water cools down in the fall seen, take longer pauses between pops in order to produce better results.