In my experience the "craft foams" are not actually totally waterproof. They will actually soak up water after a while and sink. When the fish tear them up a bit you've got a "part open-cell" foam.

I don't use the craft foams anymore but buy the "fly foam" from flyshops. Takes care of ALL the problems. Also, instead of a popper try a gurgle-pop slider. It's in the pattern archives, I believe. A size 8 or 6 is a good bass slider and I tie it in size 10 for panfish. Yellow rules!



donald