The Big Poppa first originated from the difficulty of finding a commercial popper with a trailer hook suitable for big salmon. Most commercially available salmon poppers and/or ‘wogs’ (often tied on traditional salmon style hooks) can result in tongue hooked fish which can lead to bleeding or further injury during hook removal, both of which can be detrimental to the well being of a released fish. A trailer hook on the other hand allows the hook to slide across the mouth as you strip-set, improving the chances of landing in a much more desired purchase point such as the corner of the mouth.

Tied with larger (6mm) foam that’s simple to work with, the Big Poppa makes for a quick and easy popper pattern that silver salmon can’t resist, but is also much easier to cast than most commercially available poppers. A long bunny tail rigged with a trailer hook helps to drape subsurface for an effective “wiggle” factor while also reducing short strikes as well.

Fuchsia has become a desired alternative color to the standard ‘bumble gum’ pink of old. Intended for Alaskan silver salmon, the Big Poppa also works great for stillwater bass fishing as it can be tied in a multitude of different color combinations, including one of my favorites; yellow and black. Here’s how it is tied.