To loop or not to loop?

[Fisherman#1]

What do you think provides the best responsiveness and action with poppers and other topwater lures? Mainly for walking the dog. I've heard that a direct connection is best, yet some others swear by loops as it allows the lure to go from side-to-side more freely when walking the dog.

What are your thoughts? Direct contact to a split ring counts as a loop in my books.

Alex

[Gazza]

For me the answer is loop without exception. In 40 years as a fisherman, my experiences tell me that the lure's action will definately be more like the manufacturer intended with a loop. In the end I believe I catch more fish, and isn't that why we go???

[kingo]

I wish i had the answer mate, but i dont use poppers at all hear in Melbourne, BUT i do use lures all the time, and i use a perfection loop knot everytime because i beleive and so do many others, that the lure can perform more naturaly.
Hope this helps Buddy

[Fisherman#1]

I always loop for diving lures, but poppers? They don't have a bib and have no real action except a bloop and a walk-the-dog which is all created by the angler, not the lure.

Wind in a diver with a flat retrieve and the action will take place. Wind in a popper with a flat retrieve and you get no action (although it can still work! But no walk-the-dog).

I should just narrow it down to walk-the-dog retrieves, that's all I'm interested in and it's generally what the fish like.

P.S. Has whiting on poppers taken off in WA?

[kingo]

Very good, my mum always said YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY.
Even how to spell HERE (my last posthear).

[Gazza]

Maybe the answer lies in good old trial and error? Go and throw the same lure tied with your favored alternatives. I used to use a locked half blood knot for all my lure fishing but now I tend more to the Lefty's loop.
I take your point though. When I fished for Tailor off the Beach I used to use the half blood. I didn't seem to be missing out. I think I misunderstood when I read your first post.
And in answer to your last question, I've not heard of anybody trying poppers for whiting, but I only recently heard about trying them for Bream. I must be behind the times.

[Hotrods]

i tend to remove the front split ring and use a nice open curve snap (like the decoys) or a small loop direct to the tow point if no snap is used, definatly allows more action...

[deacon]

It depends what line i am useing for most of my Hb work i use 2 or 3lb fluro all the way down to the lure so i leave the split ring on and tie it direct becouse a loop knot in light fluro with wear throu quick smart.

[keechie]

i find a loop knot with my surface lures and just a normal knot to all my diving lures.

regards,
keechie

[IceManDude]

I tie direct to a Decoy snap, regardless on what type of lure i am using, sp, hb, popper (well maybe with the exception of big soft plastics)