The trick with hula poppers (and just about any topwater lure) is to let it sit a LONG time on the surface before you start giving it any action.

When you throw a top water, the fish under the surface will scatter when it lands. They will then stop about 8 feet or so away from the lure and turn back to look at it and investigate. They're still "jittery" at this point, so any additional motion will often put them on the defensive...and they'll flee if the bait moves again.

If you live near a Bass Pro store, go in for one of their demonstrations of topwater frog usage in the casting tank, and you'll see this action underwater while it happens.

So...the trick here is to let the lure sit on the surface for a long time...at least until all of the ripples have stopped and the surface returns to normal. Then give the lure one or two small jerks...just enough to generate some interest. At this point, the signals your lure is sending to the fish are distress signals and not predatory signals. Distress signals generate strikes.

Wait a few seconds and give the lure another jerk.

If you slow down the presentation and pay attention to the ripples on the surface (waiting for the ripples to stop before jerking the bait), you'll be much more likely to get a strike.

Tight lines!

The hula popper's and jitter bug's are very "noisy water pushers," and are ideal on very aggressive bites and warm murky water conditions (from my experience). They are also older designs, so the fish may have become conditioned to not recognize them, readily, as prey.

If noisy is what they want try buzzbaits. they provoke a reaction strike, as apposed to a stalking strike.

The senko strike usually tells me that the fish are being finicky due to the prevalence of natural forage. In that situation i like to use spook type baits that have more of a natural presentation and do my best to match the natural bait size.

As tm explained dont rush it. unless you want to cover ground with some buzz baits.

sometimes thinning out the skirt on a hula popper can help with a more natural movment. also you did not mention if you were using a trailer/tail an the jitter bug.

hope i helped.

when this happens drop a 1/8 ounce silver minow thru them to the bigger bass waiting below, i cut my teeth on the hula popper & jitter bug, fishing the hula popper is best in the grass or trees, I use one a reaction bait, on a long cast close to cover, fisrt a few small pops, then pull the bait underwater 3 to 5 feet, let it rise, then pop it a few times, repete.

propbait

Since we're talkin' topwater, let me advise you of another really deadly lure presentation. I'm fortunate enough to fish farm ponds. I intentionally go to the ponds that I know will have matted scum around the edges. The very first time I threw a Mann's popper at the moss in one of the "better" ponds, I got 98 strikes!! I caught 33 bass between 2 & 5 pounds. [They all went back].
On some days the thickest mat you can find produces; some times they want it just as you reach the edge of the moss. Some times they want it so badly that they'll blow a hole through the moss, missing it. Throw past that hole, & work the popper back to the hole. It's every bit as heart-stopping as a topwater stike in open water, maybe more so. Watch for the moss bulging, & moving towards your lure. Your heart WILL be in your throat!

More on the moss fishing. Forgot to tell ya'. When your popper is on top of the matted stuff, it won't be doing any popping; it kinda' bounces erratically. But, they know it's there. VERY important point. When they strike, give 'em a heartbeat,[1-2seconds.] If he's on there, you'll probably have to go to him,[her]. mono won't do the trick; 6/20 braided is fine. Tie directly to the lure, no snaps or snapswivels. If he IS on, absolutely no slack. High rod tip n' git over there!