Trophy Grade Topwater Poppers

Micro Chug Poppers

A compact, high-floating topwater popper built for microbait and high-pressure feeds. Its clean, minimal splash pop and precise control make it deadly for false albacore, bonito, and other selective feeders when small forage is the key. Matches silversides, bay anchovies, and juvenile squid, excelling in slick water, along estuary mouths, and in open-water blind-cast situations.

In southern New England, the Hogy Micro Chug comes into its own during late-summer false albacore and bonito runs when the bait is small and the feeds are selective. Along estuary mouths, quiet landings and subtle sound cues pull fish up without alerting the school. Offshore edges and open-water slicks see the Micro Chug excel in blind-cast scenarios, especially when larger plugs have been refused.
Watch Video

“Topwater for when topwater isn’t normally a thing...”

Micro Chug Popper:

The Hogy Micro Chug Popper is the precision topwater choice in the Hogy lineup for microbait conditions and high-pressure surface feeds. Compact in size with a balanced hard plastic body, it floats high and sits ready to respond to the lightest twitch. The forward cup face delivers a clean, deliberate pop with minimal splash, keeping presentations subtle when fish are spooky and the water is slick.

Rigged with a single VMC belly treble hook and a trailing flag, the Micro Chug holds well in the strike zone and avoids spooking fish with unnecessary commotion. It matches small forage such as silversides, bay anchovies, juvenile anchovies, and squid, producing crisp surface pulses that mimic wounded bait.

Purpose-built for finicky feeders, the Micro Chug Popper combines stealth, control, and a lifelike surface presence that consistently draws strikes when other topwaters are ignored.

Clean Deliberate Pop

Forward cup face produces crisp surface pulses with minimal splash, ideal for slick water and pressured fish holding near the surface.

Build & Endurance

Rigged with a single VMC belly treble hook and a trailing flag, built to handle repeated hits from fast-moving pelagics like false albacore and bonito.

Conservation-Minded Lure Design

Single treble plus flag configuration reduces injury and improves release health for targeted species.

It’s a ridiculously fun lure to fish. The takes are super visual, the action is responsive, and it’s one of the few topwaters that works in both blind and sight-cast scenarios. For that reason alone, I think it might be the perfect filming lure. And if you fish anywhere where silversides or bay anchovies show up small and early, it might be the perfect lure, period - Hogy Pro Staff Ray J.

FAQ

Quick answers for most commonly asked questions about the Micro-Chug Popper and fishing applications.

When should I use this lure?

The Micro Chug Popper is built for microbait scenarios when predators are keyed in on small forage like silversides or bay anchovies.

It excels in flat water and under high fishing pressure, when larger splashy plugs shut the bite down.

In Buzzards Bay, the Vineyard’s south side, or similar clear-water zones, it’s deadly during “micro seasons” when bonito and albies are feeding on fry by the millions.

TIPS & TECHNIQUE

CHARTER GRADE POPPERS

Cape Cod Topwater Popper Bonito Fishing

Salty Cape TV joins Capt. Ray Jarvis on an exciting day of topwater bonito fishing in Buzzards Bay. This video captures an exciting fishing adventure off the coast of Westport, Massachusetts, where anglers target Bonito using topwater poppers. The action takes place in late July

How To Clinic: Fishing Top Water Poppers Around Structure For Stripers

Join Capt. Mike for a few pointers in a clinic format for casting poppers on light tackle in and around structure for stripers. In this video Capt. Mike showcases how to fish structure for striped bass, the best way to approach structure, recommended tackle and lures, and what to expect.

In the Field Blog

Deep Dives

Hook Types: J Hooks vs. Treble Hooks

When choosing J hooks for your lures, it's crucial to understand the various types of J hooks and how their orientation can impact the lure's performance. Here’s a detailed guide that includes factors like hook types, number of hooks, size, wire gauge, and orientation for swimming plugs, poppers, and pencil poppers.

Performance of 1 vs 2 Hooks On Plugs

First, let’s decompose (one) hook vs (two) hooks in performance terms: One Hook Pros: Efficiency: Easier and faster to release fish, thereby increasing lure time in the water. Improved Action: When rigged properly, or designed for one hook, many lures perform better with a single hook with less hardware to encumber the action.

Plug Casting Rods

Built with a soft, yet sensitive blank, these rods resist accidental breakage due to high sticking but still offer high sensitivity to light bites on smaller presentations, plus they have plenty of backbone in the blank to apply added pressure for larger inshore species. Paired with an appropriately sized reel, these are a pleasure to fish for daily applications.

  • Mod-Fast Action Black For Increased Sensitivity.
  • Premium Grade Cork Grip
  • Heavy Duty Locking Aluminum Reel Seat
  • Premium Ceramic Guides

Shop Now