These were tied semi weedless with two loops of 25lb fluorocarbon. Next time I will try 30lb so maybe they will be stiff enough so the hook slides over something more substantial like a fallen cattail frond. Two loops seem to be good because the fish only has to deflect one loop to get hooked. These barbs are broken off and the points sharpened ready to go.
I fished here 2 years ago and found it difficult, Chartreuse Marabou Banger was the popper that got 2 mediocre bass and lost a good 18 incher. 
The pattern today was casting to the weed edge, open pockets or weed clumps and retrieving the popper in a steady rhythm of medium pops. The first good bass to hit was heavy, strong, 18 inches or more. He came off when I pressured him hard trying to keep him out of the weeds. In close proximity I got several bass to hit.
A small Pike hit and I didn't stop myself completely from setting the hook. He was down in the weeds and I tried to move him gently but the tension helped him cut the leader. I watched for the popper to float up but nothing. While retying a 40lb bite leader and my last Chartreuse Pop Wedge the pike jumped but didn't shake the popper. I continued down the weed edge and casting to open pockets or clumps of weeds on the surface getting some hits and some hookups. One cast I stopped and waited when the popper came up to a weed clump. No finesse move had paid off yet but a fish hit after 7 seconds or so, a very heavy fish and she jumped as I pressured her hard from the side to turn her. What a fat hog, my "Musky Eyes" saw her as a 26inch brute. She was 20 inches.
.I got 3 hits in one bedroom sized pocket. Many hits were missed, some times they came back again. They were solid bodied fish that fought hard and lots of them were getting off. I went back to where I lost the pike, casting where he might be. I was about to cast again when he jumped not to far form there and when the ripples cleared there was my popper on the surface. After a few cast it occurred to me that I should go get it now before something eats it.
