How to Tie the Panfish Popper – Step-by-Step Fly Tying Guide

Fly Tying

Aug 11

The Panfish Popper is a small, surface fly designed to entice explosive topwater takes from bluegill, sunfish, and even small bass.

Step 1: Mount the Hook and Start Thread Base

Secure a size 14 long shank hook (like the Risen 9231) in your vise.
Start your 10/0 black thread behind the hook eye.
Wrap a thread base to the hook point, then make open spiral wraps back to about one hook eye length behind the eye.

Step 2: Prepare and Mount Foam Cylinder

Use a 5mm foam cylinder, either cut with a drill and cutter or pre-made.
Carefully slice a shallow groove halfway into one side of the cylinder and trim the front at an angle.
Apply super glue along the top of the hook shank and slide the foam over it, cut side down.
Let dry briefly, then compress the foam by wrapping the thread over it in firm, overlapping wraps.

Step 3: Whip Finish the Head

Step 4: Create and Seal Eyes

Use a waterproof marker to draw eyes on each side of the foam head.
Apply a coat of flexible UV resin (like Solarez Flex) over the foam and eyes with a small brush.
Insert a small wire into the hook eye before curing to keep it clean.
Cure with UV light, then remove the wire and optionally apply a second coat for shine.

Step 5: Add Tail and Flash

Restart the thread behind the foam head.
Tie in a sparse clump of yellow barred marabou, about one shank length long.
Add one doubled strand of Krystal Flash or similar, tying one half to each side of the tail.

Step 6: Attach Rubber Legs

Fold and tie in speckled centipede rubber legs on top of the hook with two light wraps in the center.
Snip the loop and separate the legs to each side, adjusting them before tightening down.

Step 7: Tie In and Wrap Hackle

Select a size 14 dry fly hackle (black) and prep the stem.
Tie it in behind the legs, then wrap hackle between the legs and up to the foam head.
Tie off, trim excess, and secure with wraps behind the head.

Step 8: Final Whip Finish and Resin

Whip finish with 4–5 turns behind the foam head.
Use a resin with a brush cap to coat the whip finish and fix any angled legs.
Cure thoroughly and brush out the hackle if needed.
Trim the rubber legs to desired length: front legs to hackle length, rear legs to tail length.