poplar, might not be popular with some, but, it will make a nice plug, and catch fish
have made needles and poppers out of it, they seem to be holding the finish OK.
I think, as has been mentioned here, seal real well.. I dip mine a long time anyway, no matter what kinda wood.
maybe it won't last as long as other woods.. but, yer gonna make more... right?
.. and if your lucky enuf, the fish will beat them up for you anyway.
If I get scraps of it, I use it. If I was spending dough out of pocket, it would not be where I'd put my cash... guess that's the bottom line.