Every other iron Salas makes is a variation on weight. The O Pop is the one that changes the shape. It has a concave, cupped face on the nose — and at 1 3/8 inches across the belly it is the widest body in the entire Salas lineup. Those two things together mean it does something none of the others do: it pushes water.
That matters when yellowtail and dorado are up on top and competing. A standard surface iron catches their eye with flash and a side-to-side kick. The O Pop adds noise and surface disturbance to that — a bulge and a splash that pulls fish from further away and triggers the competitive grab. When there are fish everywhere but nothing is committing to a plain iron, this is the jig that changes the answer.
At 3.2 oz it sits between the 7X Jr and the 7X Light. That is a comfortable weight on standard iron tackle, and the wide body means it casts a little differently than a narrow jig of similar weight — it catches more air, so expect slightly less distance than the 3.5 oz 7X Light in a headwind.
Every O Pop is hand-cast and hand-painted in Southern California, so each one comes out slightly different. Small variations in finish and weight are normal and expected.
Where the O Pop shines
- Surface-feeding yellowtail busting bait on top
- Dorado around kelp paddies and floating structure
- Competitive, boiling fish where noise draws a crowd
- Choppy or textured water where a plain iron gets lost
- Bonito and barracuda in a feeding frenzy
- Days when fish are showing but refusing a standard surface iron
Which Salas iron should you throw?
The O Pop is the only Salas iron with a popping face. Everything else in the line is a weight and profile choice; this one is a different presentation entirely.
Salas iron sizing across the line
| Model |
Weight |
Body L × W |
Style |
| 7X Jr |
2.1 oz |
5 3/8" × 1" |
Surface iron |
| O Pop (this jig) |
3.2 oz |
6 1/8" × 1 3/8" |
Surface iron / popper |
| 7X Light |
3.5 oz |
6 3/8" × 1 1/8" |
Surface iron |
| 6X Jr Heavy |
4.8 oz |
4 5/8" × 1" |
Yo-yo |
| 7X Jr Heavy |
4.8 oz |
5 3/8" × 1" |
Yo-yo |
| 6X Heavy |
6.4 oz |
6" × 1 1/4" |
Yo-yo |
| 7X Heavy |
8.1 oz |
6 3/8" × 1 1/8" |
Yo-yo |
| PL-68 Heavy |
9.8 oz |
7 1/2" × 1 1/8" |
Yo-yo |
Width is measured at the belly, the jig’s widest point. Every Salas iron is hand-cast and hand-painted, so weights and dimensions vary slightly between units.
O Pop or 7X Light?
They are close in weight — 3.2 oz against 3.5 oz — so this is not a weight decision. The 7X Light is the standard surface iron: narrower body, longer casts, classic side-to-side swim. The O Pop trades a little casting distance for surface commotion. Throw the 7X Light first; switch to the O Pop when fish are up and competing but not eating a plain iron.
Specifications
Salas O Pop Surface Iron
| Spec |
Detail |
| Model |
Salas O Pop |
| Weight |
3.2 oz |
| Body length |
6 1/8" |
| Width at belly |
1 3/8" — the widest body in the Salas line |
| Face |
Concave / cupped popping face |
| Style |
Surface iron with popping action |
| Hook |
Typically rigged with a heavy-duty treble hook |
| Construction |
Hand-cast, hand-painted |
| Quantity |
Sold individually (1 jig) |
| Origin |
Made in Southern California, USA |
Because each jig is hand-made, weight and dimensions vary slightly unit to unit.
Picking a color
Because the O Pop works on surface disturbance as much as appearance, color matters a little less here than on a plain iron. Match the bait, then adjust for light.
Color selection by conditions
| Conditions |
Start here |
Why |
| Mackerel on top |
Blue Mackerel, Green Mackerel |
Direct match when fish are pushing greenback or blues |
| Sardines, clean water |
Blue White, Rainbow Sardine, Green Sardine |
Baitfish tones that read natural in clear water |
| Bright sun, flat calm |
Mint White |
The traditional SoCal answer on a glassy morning |
| Green or off-color water, low light |
Scrambled Egg |
Higher contrast so the jig stays visible |
| Dorado around paddies |
Dorado, Rainbow Sardine |
Bright profiles for aggressive, competitive fish |
Color availability changes constantly. Check the color menu above this description for what we can ship right now.
How to fish it
You have two retrieves, and both work.
As a surface iron: cast it, let it settle, then wind slow and steady with the rod tip low. The cupped face makes it push a small bulge of water as it swims — more disturbance than a standard iron, same basic rhythm.
As a popper: keep the rod tip up and use short, sharp downward snaps between winds. Each snap makes the face grab water and throw a splash. Pause after the pop — fish frequently eat it while it sits still.
Start with the straight wind. If fish are boiling and ignoring it, switch to snaps. On a busy surface bite the noise is often the difference.
Recommended gear
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Rod: 7–8 ft moderate-action surface iron rod
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Reel: Conventional in the 100–300 class, or a matched spinning reel
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Line: 30–50 lb mono or a mono top shot — stretch matters on a surface strike
-
Leader: 30–40 lb fluorocarbon in clear water; heavier around structure
Pro tips from the shop
- Pause after the pop. A lot of the bites come on the stall, not the snap.
- Carry one alongside a standard iron. The O Pop is a change-up, not usually the first jig on.
- The wide body catches air on the cast. Keep it low and flat into a headwind.
- Do not set the hook on the splash. Wait until you feel weight, then keep winding.
Common mistakes
-
Fishing it deep. At 3.2 oz with a cupped face, this is a surface tool. It is not a yo-yo iron — if fish are holding down, switch to a yo-yo weight.
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Popping constantly. Too much noise pushes fish off. Mix pops with straight winding and pauses.
-
Swinging at the boil. Surface strikes look dramatic and are easy to pull. Keep winding and let the rod load.
-
Straight braid to the jig. No stretch means pulled hooks on a violent surface grab. Run a mono top shot.
-
Packing it away wet. Rinse in fresh water and dry it fully before it goes back in the bag.
Frequently asked questions
What hook does it come with?
Salas irons are typically rigged with a heavy-duty treble hook. Hook configuration can vary across the Salas range — where a specific option ships with a single hook, that is stated in the option name.
What makes the O Pop different from the other Salas irons?
The concave face. Every other Salas iron is a smooth-nosed jig that varies by weight and profile; the O Pop has a cupped face that pushes water and throws a splash. It is also the widest body Salas makes at 1 3/8".
Can I fish it as a yo-yo iron?
No. At 3.2 oz it does not have the weight to drop deep or hold vertical in current, and the cupped face works against a fast vertical retrieve. For yo-yo fishing, start with the 4.8 oz Jr Heavy weights or step up from there.
O Pop or 7X Light?
They are almost the same weight, so pick by presentation rather than size. The 7X Light casts further and gives you the classic surface iron swim. The O Pop trades a little distance for surface noise. Most anglers carry both and switch when one stops producing.
Do I need a special rod for it?
No. A standard 7–8 ft moderate-action surface iron rod handles 3.2 oz comfortably. The same setup you use for the 7X Light will throw this.
Does it cast as far as a regular iron?
Slightly less, especially into wind. The wide body and cupped face catch more air than a narrow jig of the same weight. Keep the cast low and flat when it is breezy.
Are all the jigs identical?
No. Each one is hand-cast and hand-painted, so weight, dimensions, and paint detail vary slightly from jig to jig. That variation is part of the product, not a defect.
Complete the setup
Want to see the popping face in person? Come by Tackle Express on Soledad Canyon Road in Santa Clarita. Hold it next to a 7X Light and the difference is obvious — we would rather show you than sell you the wrong jig.
