QuestionsGood to know
Which size should I buy?
Match it to your rod first. The 120 mm at 43 g throws on a normal 5000-size spinning outfit; the 160 mm at 78 g needs a heavier rod; the 200 mm at 150 g needs a dedicated popping outfit and a 14000-18000 reel. Then match it to the fish - bigger lures filter out smaller fish.
How do I work a popper?
Rod tip low, a sharp downward sweep to make the cup dig and spit water, then wind up the slack and repeat. Vary the rhythm and leave the occasional long pause - a popper sitting still after a big splash is often what gets eaten.
What will take it around Dar es Salaam?
GT, yellowfin and dogtooth tuna, kingfish, queenfish and big barracuda. Fish the reef edges, pinnacles and drop-offs, and anywhere bait is being pushed to the surface.
What does 4X mean on a hook?
The wire is four times heavier than a standard hook of that size. It matters because a normal treble straightens under the drag settings used for GT. 4X hooks are the minimum for this kind of fishing.
Should I upgrade the hooks and split rings?
On a GT popper, yes, and most serious anglers do it before the lure ever sees water. Hooks and rings are the cheapest components in the whole outfit and the ones that fail. Bring the lure in and we will match heavy trebles or inline singles and rings to it.
Are the hooks VMC?
Our supplier reports VMC hooks on some variants, but Noeby do not publish a hook brand for the 9602 and we cannot confirm it across the range. Treat the hooks as heavy 4X trebles of unstated brand, and ask us to check the actual lure if it matters.
Popper or stickbait?
A popper calls fish up with noise and is best in calm to moderate water over structure. A stickbait is subtler, often better in rough water or on fish that have seen lures. Most people carry both.
How do I look after it?
Rinse in fresh water after every trip and dry the lure, hooks especially, before it goes back in the box. Salt left on trebles rusts them within days here, and a blunt point does not set in a GT mouth.