A friend of mine gave me a bunch of different poppers on #2 hook. I only have a 8’-6" mod/fast 5wt rod with 5wf line at the moment and was wonder, with the right leader, would it be ok to use a 5wt rod or do I need a heavier rod/line ??
Thx’s
Mike
Mike,
It should work fine. I use a 5wt rocket taper for big bass bugs and poppers all the time. A shorter leader will help turn the popper over easier if you feel that needs to be done. If needs be you could over line the rod to a 6wt but you should be fine with the length and 5wt.
Kwel! 
gonna try’em out this weekend … hopefully the winds around here will die down a bit. Still not really good enough yet to cast with strong winds, but still practicing on that.
thx’s
Mike
Bump, because I think mike should be given an opinion or two that is not mine.
Come on folks, give the guy some advice please.
I’ve done it with #4 on a 5wt. Short 6-8lb mono (6ft) untapered leaders worked well for me. I think you’ll be fine just watch what the fly does over your shoulder and adjust on the foward cast. You can even try a 1x tapered leader.
Thanks for the tip. Gonna give it a whirl this weekend, or at least try 
Did you use a tippet with that mono leader setup ?
Mike
I like to use either Vanish fluorocarbon or Stren Extra Strength Mono. Either will do well. Just go to Wal-Mart and pick yourself up a spool from the spin fishing aisle. Yo0u could make your own tapered leader by using two different weights. Say 8 Lb Stren Extra Strength for the butt, has a strength at least 50% greater than the label rating so it’s 12lb actual test, then add a piece of 8lb Vanish as a tippet.
Just so happens I’m going to walmart tomorrow so I’ll pick some up and try making up a couple of leaders and try that out. Got some great ideas here gang, thanks a bunch for all the tips.
My daughter works at the local walmart so I get a nice discount too Too bad they don’t sell any fly tackle.
Mike
Agreed. Hey, Mike, let us know how you did.
Good Luck and Happy Fishing.
as long as the weather stays half way decent I’ll be out there, probably making a fool of myself, … but who cares
I’ll let ya know how it goes and thanks again for all the great info.
Mike
Nighthawk,
Just wanted to let you know your suggested worked quiet well. Used some fluorocarbon 8# and it did the trick. Although my casting technique still needs some work
Mike
Perhaps more important than the leader is your cast, slow it down…way down and allow the loop to open up some.
Think lobbing a softball as opposed to throwing a baseball.
thanks brhoff, I will give that a try.
Mike
Don’t be afraid to use that fluorocarbon for trout too. The stuff is great for really spooky fish in gin clear waters. Good advice about the casting stroke too. Remember, the “work” should be done by the rod not the fisherman.
You might want to experiment around a bit by stepping up the size of your leader butt a few pounds over the tippet. Like a Stren Extra Strength 12lb (on the label) butt with a 8-10lb tippet. I like to use the heavier pound test stuff when fishing top water for active bass. The can really smash a top water offering and if you are using light stuff on the end of that fly line, snap, you just lost fish and fly.
Oh, almost forgot, a rocket taper line will load that rod up faster, help toss those big hairy bugs and cast further. I like my Cortland Fairplay floating Rocket WF5F.
Glad things are working out for you. To me this is all part of the fun of our sport.
Nighthawk, where did you find that Cortland line? I heard other people recommend that type of line but can’t seem to find it.
Mike
Got mine on EBay. Heck, here is one for less than I paid for mine:
http://catalog.catfishconnection.com/itemdetail.php?itemnumber=CFPWF5
thanks, I also found on BassPro site, but it’s alot longer then 28yds. Is this same type of line your referring too:
Mike
The one I sent you is the Fairplay series. You found the 444 series which is the newer line. The 444 series are probably well worth that price. I have a 444 WF6F Sylk, not a rocket taper, and I really like it. Either line will perform well for you but at less than $20 bucks for the Fairplay it’s hard to go wrong. Either way Cortland makes a fine product.
Nighthawk,
thanks for all the great info, appreciate it.
Mike
I will make you a deal. If you buy that Fairplay line and don’t like it I will buy it from you.