Finicky Albies? Fear no more, the Hogy Protail Fly is here! In this video, Capt. Mike shares one of his favorite secret techniques when encountering finicky false albacore feeding on micro bait.
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"The Popper Draws Attention. The Fly Closes the Deal."
The Pop N’ Fly:
The Pop N’ Fly isn’t a product. It’s a technique — and the technique that solves the hardest problem in Northeast inshore fishing: what to do when everything in the box gets ignored.
The Pop N’ Fly cracks that code. It combines topwater commotion with a perfectly matched finesse trailer: a Hogy popper (hooks removed) delivers casting distance and surface noise, and a 3” Hogy Protail Fly trailing 18 inches behind delivers the subtle, eat-me profile that finicky fish are locked in on. The popper draws attention and incites aggression. The fly closes the deal.
The Pop-Pause-Pop Cadence: This is the core rhythm. One clean pop. Pause 2–5 seconds. During the pause, the popper sits motionless on the surface while the fly behind it begins its dance — fluttering, flickering, sinking ever so slightly into the zone. That’s when the eat happens.
You’re watching the surface, waiting for the next pop, and suddenly the popper vanishes and the line comes tight.
What the Fly Does That Nothing Else Can:
Subtle Flicker: Adds a natural, erratic pulse as it suspends about 18” behind the popper. It doesn’t swim aggressively — it flutters, flickers, and sinks ever so slightly into the zone.
Strike Zone Presence: Hangs perfectly during the pause, staying in the strike window longer than fast-sinking alternatives. This is the critical advantage over jigs and metals — the fly stays in the zone where fish are inspecting, not falling past them.
Weighted Balance: The internal weighting maintains posture at rest. During the pop-pause-pop cadence, the fly hovers naturally while the popper sits motionless. That 2–5 second pause is when 90% of strikes happen.
Rigging The Pop N' Fly
Step 1: Remove the Hooks from the Popper: Use split ring pliers to remove the treble hook(s) from the popper. The popper is a casting vessel only.
Step 2: Attach the Fly: Tie approximately 18 inches of fluorocarbon leader to the rear split ring or line tie of the popper. Attach the Protail Fly to the end of this dropper. A loop knot is recommended for maximum fly action.
Step 3: Main Line Connection: Connect your main line (braid) to the front line tie of the popper via a small barrel swivel or direct knot with a fluorocarbon leader section.
Leader Note: Keep the leader light. 15–20lb fluorocarbon gives the fly the best action and is appropriate for albie and bonito applications. Step up to 25–30lb for stripers in structure.
Dropper Length: 18 inches is the standard. Shorter (12”) for choppy conditions or tighter casting quarters. Longer (24”) for ultra-calm water where fish need extra separation from the popper.
"Just returned from a five-day Albie fishing trip to Watch Hill, RI and Montauk, NY. On this trip I tried the Pop N’ Fly technique for the first time. The results were unbelievable. I actually lost count of the number of Albies I caught during the trip. I also landed a Bonito, 31-inch Striped Bass, and a Bluefish with the Pop N’ Fly to complete my first grand slam." Hogy Customer
DOCK TALK
Quick answers for most commonly asked questions about the Charter Grade Popper and fishing applications.
Can I use the Pop N’ Fly with any Hogy popper?
Why remove the hooks from the popper?
What length dropper?
Can I use this for stripers, not just albies?
Is this different from a Micro Chug + Flag teaser setup?
What rod weight for Pop N’ Fly?
When should I NOT use Pop N’ Fly?
Salty Cape System
How To Fish The Pop N' Fly System
Environmental Factors (E):
- Calm Water: Where the Pop N’ Fly shines brightest. The popping sound and surface presence are most visible and audible in flat conditions. The fly’s subtle flicker is maximized when there’s no chop to mask it.
- Moderate Chop: Still effective. Step up to the Classic Popper (1 5/8oz) for better casting distance and louder pops that cut through surface turbulence.
- Overcast or Low Light: The popper creates contrast and noise when visibility is reduced. Fish key in on sound more than sight — the pop-and-pause cadence exploits this.
- Light to Moderate Wind: The Classic Popper’s mass handles moderate wind. In heavier wind, the rig loses effectiveness — switch to casting jigs or metals.
Observational Factors (O):
- Micro Bait Visible: The primary trigger. When you can see impossibly small bait on the surface or in the water column, and fish are feeding but refusing standard offerings, deploy the Pop N’ Fly.
- Fish Sipping, Not Slashing: Selective feeding behavior — subtle surface disturbances, gentle pushes, dimples rather than explosions. These fish need finesse, not speed.
- Ghosted Casts: When you’ve made 10+ casts into visible fish with zero interest, the Pop N’ Fly is the change-up that breaks the pattern.
- Mixed Bait, Fish Picking: When multiple bait types are present but fish are selectively feeding on the smallest forage, the fly’s 3” profile matches what they’re actually eating.
Structure + Approach (S + A):
- Open Water Feeds: The classic Pop N’ Fly scenario. Albies or bonito feeding in open water on micro bait. Approach quietly, cast to the edge, pop-pause-pop.
- Rips & Current Seams: Pop your way through the seam. The current holds the fly in the zone during pauses. Deadly when fish are staging at the edges of moving water.
- Post-Blitz (Fish Still Around but Stopped Feeding): Pop the area. Fish are still down there. The popper’s noise can pull them back up, and the fly gives them something worth eating.
- Shallow Flats / Sight Fishing: Gentle pops, long pauses. The fly hangs in the upper column where sight-feeding fish are cruising. Minimal disturbance.
- From a Boat — Walking Gun Approach: Idle along the edge of a feed, casting ahead of moving schools. The Pop N’ Fly’s casting distance lets you reach fish without crowding them.
TIPS & TECHNIQUE
CHARTER GRADE POPPERS
Pop N' Fly Albie Fishing | Hogy Protail Fly
Fly Fishing for False Albacore | Hogy Epoxy Fly
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
