When Cape Cod’s striped bass, bluefish, bonito and other predators are around, there are few things more exciting than watching a big fish explode on a topwater plug. That is exactly where the SLC Mikros-Pop excels.
Designed by lure builder Merv Rubiano, the Mikros-Pop is built around versatility, casting performance and an unusually varied surface action. This lure is capable of producing everything from a short, aggressive pop to a subsurface swimming action and a side-to-side surface presentation.
The Mikros-Pop is available in multiple sizes, including the 130mm and 170mm, giving Cape Cod anglers two distinctly useful tools depending on the bait, conditions and target species.
The 130 MM: The Cape Cod All-Arounder
At 130mm, the smaller Mikros-Pop is an extremely useful size for Cape Cod.
The 130 measures approximately 5 inches and weighs about 1.4 ounces, making it a very castable topwater option for inshore striped bass and bluefish. It comes equipped with saltwater-grade hardware, including heavy-duty single hooks and split rings.
That size is particularly appealing when fish are feeding on smaller forage.
Late summer and fall on Cape Cod can produce situations where stripers are keyed in on sand eels, silversides, peanut bunker and other relatively small bait. The 130 gives anglers a topwater presentation without putting out an enormous profile.
It also makes an excellent choice when fishing beaches, rips, flats and rocky shorelines where long casts are important.
The 170 MM: When You Want to Make Some Noise
The 170 MM takes the Mikros-Pop concept into a much larger bait profile.
This is the size I'd reach for when targeting bigger stripers around larger forage, fishing rougher water or simply wanting a larger, more conspicuous surface presentation.
The 170 is particularly interesting for Cape Cod's fall striper season. When bigger bass are following adult bunker, mackerel or larger baitfish, a larger topwater plug can be exactly what the situation calls for.
What Makes the Mikros-Pop Different?
The biggest selling point isn't simply the size or construction—it's the action.
A short, quick pop with the rod tip down produces a forward splash. Slow, diagonal sweeps create an undulating subsurface action with a bubble trail, while rhythmic twitches can make the lure zigzag across the surface. It can also be swum with a steady retrieve for an erratic swimming action.
That versatility is a major advantage on Cape Cod.
Rather than being locked into one presentation, the angler can change the lure's personality simply by changing the rod movement and retrieve.
That's particularly useful when fishing stripers because their mood can change dramatically from day to day—and sometimes from one tide to the next.
Built for Saltwater
The Mikros-Pop isn't a delicate freshwater popper dressed up for saltwater.
The lure features a heavy-duty stainless-steel through-wire construction, saltwater-grade hooks and split rings, and a shifting ballast/rattle system designed to improve casting distance.
That long-casting capability is especially valuable on Cape Cod.
Whether you're standing on a beach trying to reach a distant rip, working a rocky shoreline or casting from a boat toward breaking fish, being able to put a topwater plug a long way from the boat or beach can make a huge difference.
The 130's 40-gram weight gives it plenty of substance for its size, while the larger 170 is the obvious choice when you want an even more substantial bait and presence.
How To Fish It
The beauty of the Mikros-Pop is that there isn't one "correct" retrieve.
When fish are aggressive, start with a sharp pop-pause retrieve. Make the lure throw water, pause it briefly, then repeat. This is a great way to call fish up from below.
When the bass are following but not committing, slow things down.
Try sweeping the rod diagonally while maintaining enough tension to keep the lure moving just beneath or partially across the surface. The Mikros-Pop's design allows it to create an attractive bubble trail and erratic movement.
And when fish are actively chasing bait on top, don't be afraid to simply swim it.
Sometimes the best retrieve is the simplest one.
130 or 170?
For most Cape Cod anglers, I'd consider the 130 MM the more versatile starting point.
It is an excellent match for the smaller bait that becomes so important during late summer and fall, while still being substantial enough to attract quality stripers. Its 1.4-ounce weight also makes it an easy fit for a wide range of inshore spinning outfits.
The 170 MM is the specialist's choice when you want a larger profile, more surface commotion and a bigger target for big bass and other powerful predators.
If you're serious about topwater fishing, however, owning both makes a lot of sense.
Keep the 130 tied on when the bait is small or fish are finicky. Move to the 170 when larger forage is present, conditions are rough or you're specifically looking to draw a bigger fish.
Final Verdict
The SLC Mikros-Pop is one of those plugs that gives Cape Cod anglers something more valuable than a single great action—it gives them options.
The 130 MM is the versatile, highly castable choice that belongs in the surf bag when stripers are feeding on smaller forage. The 170 MM brings a bigger profile and a more substantial presentation for larger fish and larger bait.
With its through-wire construction, saltwater-grade hardware, casting-oriented ballast system and ability to be worked several different ways, the Mikros-Pop is a serious topwater tool rather than a one-trick popper.
For Cape Cod anglers who love the visual explosion of a striper crushing a surface plug, both sizes deserve a place in the tackle box.
Our pick for an everyday Cape Cod plug: 130 MM.
Our pick when you're hunting bigger bass and want a bigger surface profile: 170 MM.
And when the conditions are right, don't be surprised if the Mikros-Pop produces the kind of strike that makes every other lure in the tackle box seem a little less interesting.