[Blake R.]

Does anyone throw topwater baits to target kings or maybe the BFT? Seems like it would be a blast if you could get on them.

 

[Chris V]

I've caught a lot of big kings and jacks on them. I've hooked a few tarpon on them as well but I try to avoid trebles with tarpon.

The Rapala skitter pop and yo zuri hydro tiger are two of my favorites. We don't have the close-in tuna action here in bama but I've caught tons if blackfin and yellowfin offshore with them and don't see any reason why the wouldn't in close.

 

[JD7.62]

I was thinking about bringing a popper next time Im out just in case the BFT are still around, should be a blast.

There is a guy on Navarre Pier that ONLY throws poppers and gets lots of kings and his wife snagged a nice BFT a few weeks ago on a popper as well.

 

[Blake R.]

OK, I'm a recently converted bass guy, so when yall say popper I am thinking fairly small?

 

[Chris V]

Think a little bigger. Something in the 4"+ range that weighs an ounce or more.

 

[rfh21]

I love me some top water action. Gonna have to give it a shot on something bigger than specs and reds.

 

[Blake R.]

I love me some top water action. Gonna have to give it a shot on something bigger than specs and reds.

Exactly what I was thinking

 

[Aqua Uno]

I have used catch 2000's Blk/silver right outside the east pass and love to see the kings come up out of the water 3-4' like a rocket . Lost several lures this way but caught some nice kings as well!

 

[prgault]

Not kings or bft but have had a blast catching bluefish and big hardtails on skitter pop over wrecks, and usually throw that or a pencil popper when we run into mahi...

P_

 

[sharkpunch]

how do you setup your leader and line for popper use in the gulf. new to the offshore, but most of my inshore rigs are set up with uni to uni knots for my leader connection. not sure what i can get away with offshore. thanks.

 

[Contender]

All the poppers mentioned plus there are a couple of plastic flying fish that work well, found a really small one the other day that I haven't tried yet. Never done it from a 'yak and so it might be different but when tossing poppers from a boat at Tuna, distance is important, so a long rod with a soft tip and lots of back bone is the ticket. Nothing quite like seeing a 50+ pound fish blow up on a top water lure.

Uni / Uni, Bob Sands and Albright Special to tie the leader to the braid. Uni, Clinch or San Diego Jam knot to tie the lure to the leader.

 

[sharkpunch]

Uni / Uni, Bob Sands and Albright Special to tie the leader to the braid. Uni, Clinch or San Diego Jam knot to tie the lure to the leader.

Thanks for the info!

 

[pompanopete]

how do you setup your leader and line for popper use in the gulf. new to the offshore, but most of my inshore rigs are set up with uni to uni knots for my leader connection. not sure what i can get away with offshore. thanks.

Good question.... what do u use for leader materal with them toothy fish.. I use seven strand for myy king rigs but not sure if that would work with a super spook..

 

[jeff912]

Last week i was off chicken bone beach and was casting a mirrolure over some bate and got a small cobia.
​

 

[Buck306]

What is a BFT? From ohio and coming down in the spring so i am doing my research off this web sight

 

[Bo Keifus]

What is a BFT? From ohio and coming down in the spring so i am doing my research off this web sight

Black fin tuna

 

[rfh21]

Good question.... what do u use for leader materal with them toothy fish.. I use seven strand for myy king rigs but not sure if that would work with a super spook..

I don't see why a steel leader wouldn't work if you leave a decent loop. Just tie a haywire twist and make sure your loop is smooth. Or in your case using seven strand a crimped loop.

 

[prgault]

OP, just saw your PM and replied...

P_

 

[timeflies]

rapala x walk is my favorite for kings. They will sky the sh** out of that bait!

 

[Aqua Uno]

Good question.... what do u use for leader materal with them toothy fish.. I use seven strand for myy king rigs but not sure if that would work with a super spook..

I have used short piece of 7 strand but alot of times just tie 50-60lb flourocarbon and get alot more action but as previously stated I have lost several lures. Just depends how they hit it. Nothing like seeing a fish fly out of the water with your lure in his mouth!Good luck!! AU