I don't see why they wouldn't hit a popper on top. In the spring when they are in tight on the nest, they whack just about anything that gets close to 'em. I've caught them casting jigs in shallow water where I had to start the retrieve as soon as it hit the water to keep from hanging up, and they still hit it. It'd be worth a try anyway. You may find something that makes spring spawn fishing even more fun, and with less jigs lost.