Lobina Rico & Rio Rico Poppers

The Lobina Rico and Rio Rico Poppers give you two ways to put a baitfish-style surface presentation in front of bass. Their cupped mouths let you work short pops and splashes, then stop the lure near a promising target. A feather-dressed rear hook adds a finishing detail when you slow down and let the bait sit.

Picture an early-morning cast beside a dock: a short twitch breaks the surface, a pause lets the ripples spread, and the lure stays in the strike zone instead of racing past it. Choose the compact Rico for a smaller profile or the larger Rio Rico when you want more body size and casting weight.

Keep the Presentation Where Bass Can Find It

A fast-moving surface lure can leave a small feeding window too quickly. A popper lets you control both the disturbance and the time spent beside a dock corner, open pocket, or shoreline target. It is a useful choice when bass are looking up but need a slower presentation. The tradeoff: exposed treble hooks are better suited to open water and cover edges than thick grass or tangled wood.

Rico or Rio Rico?

Pick the Rico when you want a compact baitfish profile, especially around smaller forage or on calm water. Choose the Rio Rico for a larger profile and heavier lure. Match your rod's lure rating to the model rather than choosing by color alone. The variant selector combines model and color: options beginning with “RIO Rico” are the larger size.

Best For Surface-Feeding Bass

Use these poppers for largemouth and smallmouth bass with a pop-and-pause retrieve around points, docks, shoreline shade, and open lanes beside vegetation. Start during low-light periods, overcast weather, or calm to lightly rippled conditions when surface activity is visible. If wind and chop make it difficult to control the lure, change your position or switch presentations.

The Details Behind Each Pop

• Cupped mouth: creates surface disturbance with short rod-tip movements.
• Feather-dressed rear hook: adds a baitfish-style finishing touch.
• Gamakatsu hooks: supplied in model-specific sizes.
• Two distinct sizes: choose a compact or larger presentation without changing lure style.
• Multiple finishes: select a subdued, reflective, or solid-color look to suit your water and light.

Compare the Two Models

Make Each Twitch Count

Cast past the target when possible and allow the landing rings to settle. Use a short twitch with a little slack in the line, then pause. Try one or two pops followed by a longer rest before speeding up. Let the fish take the lure and the line tighten before sweeping the rod, rather than reacting to the splash alone.

Choose a rod rated for the selected lure weight with enough tip give to work treble-hook baits. For a straightforward popper setup, consider Sunline Supernatural Clear Monofilament, matching line strength to your rod and surrounding cover.

Tackle Express Tips

• Change the pause first: if bass follow without committing, let the lure sit longer before changing colors.
• Start with contrast: try translucent finishes in clear, bright conditions or a solid silhouette in lower light, then let fish response guide your next choice.
• Keep a second surface option ready: when bass want a moving, side-to-side presentation instead of a stationary popper, try the Heddon Super Spook Jr. walking bait.

Questions Before Your First Cast

What is the difference between Rico and Rio Rico?
The Rico is 2 3/8 inches and 1/4 ounce; the Rio Rico is 2 7/8 inches and 7/16 ounce. Choose based on the profile you want and your rod's lure rating.

Should I retrieve it continuously?
Start with short pops separated by pauses. Increase the pace if fish respond to movement, or lengthen the pause when they follow but hesitate.

Can I fish it through heavy vegetation?
The exposed treble hooks can catch grass and wood. Work open pockets and vegetation edges rather than pulling it through dense cover.

Choose your Rico or Rio Rico model and color above, and get your next surface-fishing setup ready with Tackle Express.