Fall 2018
The original Cotton Cordell Pencil Popper is, in essence, a large, skinny popper (hence the name). It’s a long stickbait with a cupped mouth designed to be walked across the surface, spitting water as it does. By that definition, modern-day pencil poppers include the IMA Little Stik 135 (and its big brother, the Big Stik), the Evergreen SB Topwater Plug and the Lucky Craft Gunfish.
The Gunfish may be a surprise addition to that list, but by the original definition – long, skinny walking bait with a cupped mouth – it is a pencil popper. However, most pros would classify it as simply a walking bait. The reason would be the size and weighting. When pros like Gagliardi or Suggs say, “pencil popper,” they’re talking lures in excesses of 5 inches and 1 ounce.
BOMBING TOOLS
The length/weight distinction of pencil poppers from other walking baits in important because of how they’re used. You’re not pitching these things up to cover or even walking them down the
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Cotton Cordell Pencil Popper
Anthony Gagliardi finished 5th in the
2017 FWC
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