Whopper Plopper Size=Success?

[Brett's_daddy]

Okay, so I'm thinking of getting a couple of the whopper plopper lures (Bone and Loon seem to be the best color choices) and am wondering what size between the 90 and 130 that people have had the most success with so far?

[d-camarena]

130, the 9 does not run as smooth. Its a great lure

[Molay1292]

I use the 130, internet research on the bait talks about a few issues with the smaller bait which has kept me from trying it.

 

[Hog Basser]

I just got the 130 in rainbow trout color and love it.  Caught 3 bass over 3 lbs. each in less than an hour on it.  The little guys will go after it too, but it for sure attracts the bigger bass.  

[Advantage]

Haven't tried the 90 (and see no need to). I've got the 130 in Chubby and have had good success with it...awesome lure. Also got the XXL size (190) in Loon and have only gotten to throw it once so far but was less than ideal conditions for it...that size is not going to be a numbers kind of bait, may only get a bite or two on it here and there but pretty sure they'll be giants I'm sure.

[Cgolf]

Wonder if this should be a northern bass vs southern bass thing. Up here, I think of the 130 as a Musky lure and have it rigged up as such right now, have the 190 but the big girls are liking smaller stuff right now. The 130 seems a bit big for our bass up here, but now that I have the 90, it is really small. I would like to see a 110 plopper, to me that seems like it would be the right size for the bass up here.

[Brett's_daddy]

1 minute ago, cgolf said:

Wonder if this should be a northern bass vs southern bass thing. Up here, I think of the 130 as a Musky lure and have it rigged up as such right now, have the 190 but the big girls are liking smaller stuff right now. The 130 seems a bit big for our bass up here, but now that I have the 90, it is really small. I would like to see a 110 plopper, to me that seems like it would be the right size for the bass up here.

Yeah, I'm wondering if it might be a geographical location thing too for both size AND color. I know up here in Vermont we have a lot of perch and rainbow trout...wondering if those color schemes would be better than the bone, loon and monkey butt that seem to be the most popular in general? If the 90 doesn't swim right though it might be a waste to not get the 130 size...of course this necessitates me getting a new rod that can handle that size of a lure...sigh, where does all the money go...lol.

[Cgolf]

3 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

Yeah, I'm wondering if it might be a geographical location thing too for both size AND color. I know up here in Vermont we have a lot of perch and rainbow trout...wondering if those color schemes would be better than the bone, loon and monkey butt that seem to be the most popular in general? If the 90 doesn't swim right though it might be a waste to not get the 130 size...of course this necessitates me getting a new rod that can handle that size of a lure...sigh, where does all the money go...lol.

At least for Musky on clear water lakes it was suggested to go with loon which is what I have in the 130. To be different I went with Bluegill in the 90. I will be tossing both on steel leaders around reeds for bass/muskie this year. Will be interesting to see which gets taken most by either fish.

[You_Only_Live_Once_Fishing]

130, unless forage is smaller or bigger

MATCH THE HATCH

[webertime]

On 6/23/2016 at 1:01 PM, Brett's_daddy said:

Yeah, I'm wondering if it might be a geographical location thing too for both size AND color. I know up here in Vermont we have a lot of perch and rainbow trout...wondering if those color schemes would be better than the bone, loon and monkey butt that seem to be the most popular in general? If the 90 doesn't swim right though it might be a waste to not get the 130 size...of course this necessitates me getting a new rod that can handle that size of a lure...sigh, where does all the money go...lol.

Bone is a great color up here. Loon and perch as well.  130 size all the way.  

[MassYak85]

I believe others have said this before but River2Sea really needs to make a 110 size. A perfect medium between the nice snack size of the 90 without the issues associated with it. 

[loudcherokee]

I had posted in one of the other WP threads that I slightly improved the action of the 90 size by adding an oval shaped split ring to the eye. By slightly I mean if you have a 90 size and some split rings try it out but don't go out and buy split rings if you don't already have them. It didn't improve it that much.

LC

[Bluebasser86]

On 6/23/2016 at 11:56 AM, cgolf said:

Wonder if this should be a northern bass vs southern bass thing. Up here, I think of the 130 as a Musky lure and have it rigged up as such right now, have the 190 but the big girls are liking smaller stuff right now. The 130 seems a bit big for our bass up here, but now that I have the 90, it is really small. I would like to see a 110 plopper, to me that seems like it would be the right size for the bass up here.

Our bass don't get big but the 130 size works way better here. As long as your bass get to a couple pounds, they'll eat a 130.

[WolfyBrandon]

Just fished a Whopper Plopper for the first time yesterday (June 25, 2016) in the 130 size. Had two bass and one unknown (bass/pike) come up and swipe/turn on the bait, and later landed my first Whopper Plopper bass...


13'', 15oz

So far my first impression is I really like the bait. Just need to figure out effective retrieves for it... I believe I was just doing a steady retrieve at a medium speed when I hooked the bass in the picture above. I was experimenting with fast, slow, stop-and-go, twitching it almost like a popper, etc (all look good). One of the bass that swiped at it I managed to catch on another bait, and it turned out to be a 11 & 3/4'', 10oz Smallmouth. I've caught many small fish on large baits, so I don't think size was the problem, I'm leaning more toward how I was retrieving it. Looking back on yesterday specifically - they seemed to like it better when it was constantly moving rather than stopped, and I was using a natural color since I'm faced with clear water (10ft+). The only issues I had with the bait were since it has two treble hooks, if any debris gets caught on the hooks it will hinder it's action. Secondly, (habit from using buzzbaits) I like to start retrieving it as soon as it hits the water, but it seemed to want to dive down for a second before starting to plop. All in all, very minor things and I still really like the bait. I look forward to using it more!

WolfyBrandon
 

[Onvacation]

6 hours ago, WolfyBrandon said:

Just fished a Whopper Plopper for the first time yesterday (June 25, 2016) in the 130 size. Had two bass and one unknown (bass/pike) come up and swipe/turn on the bait, and later landed my first Whopper Plopper bass...


13'', 15oz

So far my first impression is I really like the bait. Just need to figure out effective retrieves for it... I believe I was just doing a steady retrieve at a medium speed when I hooked the bass in the picture above. I was experimenting with fast, slow, stop-and-go, twitching it almost like a popper, etc (all look good). One of the bass that swiped at it I managed to catch on another bait, and it turned out to be a 11 & 3/4'', 10oz Smallmouth. I've caught many small fish on large baits, so I don't think size was the problem, I'm leaning more toward how I was retrieving it. Looking back on yesterday specifically - they seemed to like it better when it was constantly moving rather than stopped, and I was using a natural color since I'm faced with clear water (10ft+). The only issues I had with the bait were since it has two treble hooks, if any debris gets caught on the hooks it will hinder it's action. Secondly, (habit from using buzzbaits) I like to start retrieving it as soon as it hits the water, but it seemed to want to dive down for a second before starting to plop. All in all, very minor things and I still really like the bait. I look forward to using it more!

WolfyBrandon
 

I have found that the retrieve that is most successful, may change day to day or even hour to hour.  Same with when you start your retrieve.  I also agree with your size assessment. I have had plenty under a pound hit the 130.

Isn't it fun when they get in that one last tail shake while you are removing the hook and give you a reminder that those trebles are sharp? Maybe it's the length and heft of the bait, but I've been poked more with this particular lure while removing hooks than all others combined.  

[Bobby from West Ga]

I use the 130 with tons of luck, even got a 20lb carp on it

[WolfyBrandon]

5 hours ago, Onvacation said:

I also agree with your size assessment. I have had plenty under a pound hit the 130.

[ June 26, 2016 ]

Second day using the Whopper Plopper 130 - I made a cast with it during the evening with a steady retrieve and this little guy crushed it...


11'', 08oz

Yep, bass under 1lb will strike the 130 size.

I believe in a philosophy called drawing power, larger baits present more of a sizable meal so bass are more likely to commit to it. I fished small baits for the longest time and kept going smaller to try and get "more bites", but when I followed that road for too long I began to see diminishing returns. Now if given a choice I opt for the slightly larger size for many reasons, one of which is what I mentioned above.
 

5 hours ago, Onvacation said:

Isn't it fun when they get in that one last tail shake while you are removing the hook and give you a reminder that those trebles are sharp? Maybe it's the length and heft of the bait, but I've been poked more with this particular lure while removing hooks than all others combined.  

Funny you mention this... I hooked that little guy good with the front treble...



And he tried to hook me good with the back treble...



It was a close call, I was lucky I didn't get poked. Will have to be extra careful from now on.

WolfyBrandon
 

[Fisher-O-men]

I just donated a WP to the lake last Friday, but not before solidly hooking three fish!  Should have checked my line, 50# braid broke.  I have noticed that if I start my retrieve with my rod tip really high the plopping action will start right away.  I then lower the tip in anticipation of the strike.  The strikes vary from a slurp to a heart-stopping explosion!  Be ready for a strike really close to the boat or shore.  Don't pick it up too soon!  Not sure color matters, except dark and light.

Fun lure, for sure!

[Mr. Aquarium]

ive had much better luck on the 90s then the 130!  i got 130 loon and i dont think ive caught a fish on it! but the 90s are awesome! first time using it i caught a 4.5 6.9 3.2 and 2.5 all smallies! 

[MIbassyaker]

I've been hemming and hawing about the 90 vs. 130 too...Is it not basically just a big propbait? with a twirling fin instead of a propeller, but essentially the same effect?  I'd like to understand better what the problems are that people are having with the 90 size...I'm not quite grasping what it means for it to not run or swim smoothly, or why a split ring should help.

My DSG has some 130s in stock, although I've been holding out because I want to see a 90 by comparison in person.

[loudcherokee]

On 6/27/2016 at 10:03 AM, MIbassyaker said:

I've been hemming and hawing about the 90 vs. 130 too...Is it not basically just a big propbait? with a twirling fin instead of a propeller, but essentially the same effect?  I'd like to understand better what the problems are that people are having with the 90 size...I'm not quite grasping what it means for it to not run or swim smoothly, or why a split ring should help.

My DSG has some 130s in stock, although I've been holding out because I want to see a 90 by comparison in person.

With the 90, if there's any line in the water in front of the bait, the nose wants to dive and the prop (fin) won't spin. The whole lure will try to spin and put twist in your line. You have to hold your rod tip pretty high to keep tension on the line in front of the bait.

I added the split ring and it helped this slightly as I don't have to hold the rod straight up anymore, but you still have to do everything else just right for the bait to work correctly, like retrieve speed, line tension, wait for the bait to surface after you cast before reeling, etc.

 

 

LC

 

[Torn Thumb]

Bought the 90 in Yellow Head (only color left in 90 at BPS when I got there). Yet to try it but when I was in the store, I could have sworn everyone said the 130 was the troublesome one. Hopefully I can fish it in the next couple of days and report back.

 

ETA: caught 4 dinks in an hour. The biggest blowup was a huge bluegill that took a treble through the eye. I had to use the pliers on every fish due to both trebles digging deep into the fish. It was fun but I would have liked to catch something a little bigger.