I would say either or. Depends on the lake and your personal preference. On a big lake, like Lake WA, I have caught nice trout with pop gear and without.
On one trip in January to Lake WA I caught a three lb. 'bow trolling a frog Flatfish right on the surface all by itself.
Lake WA is about the only lake I will use pop gear on. Putting pop gear in front of a frog Flatfish is extremely lethal on any lake. Looks like a school of fish chasing a injured frog. What more could you want.
I have not, however, had any luck trolling a Rapala all by itself. I will have to try a Rapala behind some pop gear, that sounds like a good combo.