IMA Popkey 120 | 120mm 16g – The Hybrid Surface Commander

At Gerry’s Fishing, we know there’s nothing quite like the heart-stopping moment a Bass crashes a surface lure. The IMA Popkey 120 is designed specifically to trigger those explosive topwater strikes. Measuring 120mm and weighing in at 16g, this isn’t just a standard popper; it is a sophisticated “pencil-popper” hybrid that combines the sliding zig-zag of a walker with the water-spraying commotion of a popper.

The Popkey’s unique “sloped” face allows it to pop, spit, and skip across the surface film. Whether you are fishing a glassy sunrise or a slightly chopped-up evening tide, the Popkey 120 provides the visual and acoustic cues that call predators up from the depths.

Why the Popkey 120 is a Topwater Essential

1. The “Pop and Spit” Hybrid Action

The magic of the Popkey lies in its versatility. On a fast, rhythmic retrieve, it “skips” across the surface like a panicked garfish or sand eel. When worked with sharper rod twitches, the cupped head “spits” water forward, creating a localized disturbance that mimics a predator feeding—a sound that nearby Bass find impossible to ignore.

2. Aerodynamic Surface Casting

For a 16g surface lure, the Popkey 120 is an exceptional caster. Its slender, weighted body is balanced to fly tail-first, minimizing tumble in the air and allowing you to hit the “boils” and current seams that are just out of reach for traditional wide-mouthed poppers.

3. Reflective Visual Trigger

Predatory fish are often looking up toward the light when hunting the surface. The Popkey 120 features a highly reflective finish that refracts sunlight (or moonlight) to create bright flashes. Combined with a range of natural colors, this ensures the lure looks as realistic as it sounds, even in crystal-clear water.

Technical Specifications

Product Details and Uses

Mastering the Surface Commotion

The Popkey 120 is a “high-response” lure. It doesn’t require a heavy hand to work effectively.

• Calm Conditions: Use a “Walk the Dog” style retrieve with subtle twitches to make the lure slide side-to-side with a gentle spitting action.

• Choppy Water: Increase the aggression of your rod snaps. This makes the head dig in and throw more water, helping the lure remain visible and audible amidst the waves.

• The “Panic” Retrieve: If you see fish actively “busting” bait on the surface, reel the Popkey in fast while vibrating the rod tip. This makes the lure skip and dance erratically, perfectly mimicking a baitfish in its final moments of escape.

Hardware Built for Battle

When a large Bass hits a surface lure, the strike is often violent. IMA has equipped the Popkey 120 with high-quality, corrosion-resistant treble hooks that are strong enough to withstand the initial “smash” and the powerful runs that follow. The sturdy construction ensures the lure doesn’t crack or lose its balance after multiple encounters with hard-fighting fish.

Stealth and Realism

Because it sits naturally in the water, the Popkey is an excellent choice for “stealthy” fishing in shallow estuaries or flats. The variety of available natural colors allows you to “match the hatch” of your local waters, ensuring that even wary fish that follow the lure for a distance eventually commit to the strike.

Gerry’s Pro Tip:

If you see a fish swirl behind the Popkey but miss the hooks, don’t stop! Often, if you stop the lure, the fish realizes it’s a fake. Instead, give two very fast, aggressive “spits” followed by a split-second pause. This mimics a wounded fish trying to make one last jump. Usually, that second of aggressive movement followed by a brief stall is when the Bass will come back and inhale the lure properly.

Aerodynamic, versatile, and visually stunning—the IMA Popkey 120 is the ultimate surface tool for the angler who lives for the topwater strike.