In Audacity, zero in on a bit of static, and use the pencil tool to re-draw the curve smoother there (the"noisey bits" are the ones you want to manipulate....)
Easy to see, just look really close.
Do a few, then listen again to that section, and see if you can put up with the new sound. If so, keep grinding.....
If not, put that method away and try something else.
I feel your pain, but using this method saved a couple of tapes for me.
Pops are a bit longer duration. YMMV with this technique.