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.
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“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.
Hogy Micro Chug Poppers:
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.
When should I use this lure over the Hogy Charter Grade Popper?
Choose the Micro Chug when subtlety is the key to success. While the Charter Grade Popper moves more water and calls fish from farther away, the Micro Chug’s smaller profile and crisp, minimal-splash pops match the size and behavior of tiny bait. It’s the better choice for spooky fish, slicked-out conditions, or when targeting finicky albies and bonito that refuse bigger offerings.
Are there ways to customize this lure?
Yes. The Micro Chug comes rigged with a belly treble and a trailing flag, but many anglers opt for a single inline belly hook to improve release health.
Color swaps can be highly effective — pink for albies, bone for all-around versatility, amber for squid or in low light, and clear when fish are especially wary.
Adding a light fluorocarbon bite leader can protect against bluefish without killing the lure’s action.
What is the best outfit for this lure?
A 7' medium spinning rod with a softer tip for imparting subtle pops, paired with a 3000–4000 size reel, 10–20lb braid, and 12–20lb fluorocarbon leader.
This setup offers the finesse to land quietly in the strike zone and the power to handle hard-running pelagics like albies and bonito. Capt. Mike fishes his with a 12lb fluoro leader to maintain stealth in clear water.
Can you walk me through the color options?
Pink is a proven albie killer and a favorite for bonito. Bone works in nearly all conditions as the universal match-the-hatch shade.
Amber shines in squid-rich areas or at first light, while clear is ideal for glassy, bright conditions when fish are ultra-finicky. All colors are chosen to imitate small baitfish while keeping the presentation understated
TIPS & TECHNIQUE
CHARTER GRADE POPPERS
How to Fish a Chug Popper for Bonito
Topwater Bonito | Fishing Fast and Slow
Cape Cod Topwater Popper Bonito Fishing
How To Clinic: Fishing Top Water Poppers Around Structure For Stripers
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
