Continuing……Later that
same year my Dad had a
heart attack. During his
lengthy recovery period he
needed something to occupy
his time. What better way
than to sit in front of his
lathe turning out Pencil Poppers?
The next spring Dad, my fishing pals, and I had an arsenal
filled with two different size Pencil Poppers of many
colors. Dads Poppers caught like the Gibbs.
And finally….. Years later while fishing a beach in
Maine, just as the sun was up, on a mill pond calm
ocean, I was working a large white Gibbs Pencil Popper.
I had retrieved the lure about a third of the way when I
saw the dorsal fin first, followed by the entire back of a
giant bass lift out of the water behind my plug. I don’t
have to tell you how my heart began to beat. I kept the
rod tip bouncing, but slowed the retrieve to almost nothing. 
I can still see it today, like slow motion. The bass
slowly closed on the plug and there was a giant swirl as
the bass inhaled the popper. That fish hit the scale at 45
pounds, and, although not my biggest bass, it is certainly
one of my favorite memories.
Pencil Poppers have produced good catches for me of
both bass and bluefish from Maine to North Carolina. It
is an exciting lure to fish.
Tight lines.
*******************************
I want to thank Bob Lick for such a great read. I met several NJBBA governing members at the last Spring shows, and they are a great bunch. I met Paul Harris and Ron Valentino. 
Like I said, don't hesitate to stop by their booths at the shows, and see what they're about. Great people. 
Rest of the story
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