My first topwater bass occurred while I was Fishing on Foot. And like a lot of young fishermen in the 70s, I caught it on a Hula Popper.
Specifically, it was a smallish black Hula Popper, similar to the one in the photo. I don’t still have that one (unfortunately), but Hula Poppers haven’t changed much in the past 50 years, and it was new at the time, so it probably looked a lot like that one.
My family took part at a campout with our church at the Fort Wilderness Campground, which is part of DisneyWorld, and were in a rented camper. A creek with pond-like sections winds through the campground. Upon arrival the evening before, I’d scouted a section behind the camp store that had a nice open bank.
I arose from sleeplessness the moment my mom told me I could get up, which was right at daylight. I had been awaiting her word because I’d already gotten up once when I was certain it was looking lighter through the camper window. She had heard me, pointed out that it was 2 a.m., and told me she would let me know when I could go.
I’m not sure I slept any that night.
The moment I got word I could go, I popped up, fully dressed and ready, and grabbed my tackle box and my rod, which was by the camper door and already rigged with a Hula Popper. I followed the campground road to the store and scurried down the water’s edge.
I recall the surface being completely slick with just a bit of fog hanging over it, but I don’t know for certain that I haven’t romanticized that part in my mind over the years.
The first catch, which came on my first cast, went the way it would have been scripted. I cast out, waited for the rings to spread — just like the package instructions said — and then snapped my wrist to make the lure pop. Immediately a bass attacked, and I set the hook.
I don’t recall if there was much fight. I just remember I successfully landed it. I think it weighed about 3 pounds. No photos, of course, and no scale. But thats my best guess.
I don’t think I caught any other fish that morning. If I did, they were far less memorable. That one was more than enough, though, and was easily the highlight of the camping trip.
Fishing on Foot 