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In the early 1990s, when popping had yet to gain widespread popularity among Indonesian anglers, a passionate popping enthusiast had already emerged on the Island of the Gods, Bali. That angler was Adhek Amerta.

Through his dedication and persistence in mastering the popping technique, Adhek became widely recognized among Japanese anglers. Many fishing enthusiasts from Japan who wished to fish in Indonesian waters specifically sought him out as their guide. Despite his international reputation, however, many local anglers in Indonesia were still unfamiliar with his achievements. In fact, during the 1990s when popping was still relatively unknown Adhek Amerta had already earned the title of Master of Angler in Bali.

His frequent popping expeditions inspired him to design and craft beautifully made popper lures. Ironically, his handmade poppers first gained popularity in Japan before becoming known in Indonesia. Today, his creations have reached markets in various countries.

Mancing Mania (MM) considers itself fortunate to have met and fished alongside Indonesia’s popping pioneer as early as 1997 long before popping became a widespread trend. At that time, MM joined Adhek on a fishing trip around Nusa Penida.

Together with his close friend Della, Adhek demonstrated that the waters surrounding Nusa Penida were prime territory for popping. Several promising hotspots were explored during the trip. At that time, MM was not yet fully familiar with targeting Giant Trevally (GT) using popping techniques, so much of the experience was spent observing how the pioneer himself pursued these powerful fish. From that first exposure to GT popping, MM concluded that popping is truly a sport physically demanding and highly dynamic.

The trip lasted two days, and after each session, MM returned to Adhek’s home, where he stayed for a week. During that time, MM came to know a humble individual whose name was sought after by international anglers, yet who remained modest and grounded. Amid his busy schedule guiding both local and foreign anglers, Adhek continued to innovate and create new popper designs further cementing his legacy as a pioneer of popping in Indonesia.