Whopper Plopper 90 : Best Practices To Prevent Retrieve Issues ?

[ChrisD46]

I don't own any rods suitable for the Whopper Plopper 130 so instead dropping back to the Whopper Plopper 90 size on a 7' MH spinning rod with 3000 size reel and straight #20 lb. braid using a palomar knot . While this is a good staring point for the Whopper Plopper 90 - I now want to consolidate ALL the so called issues I have heard or read with the 90 size as well as corrective action / best practices as follows :

Concerns:

1. Excessive spinning  with the 90 size causing line twist

2. Front half of 90 size dives under water on retrieve

3. Tail doesn't spin on the first 4' to 5' of the retrieve  - then engages

OK , with above issues for the 90 size stated , what are best practices to correct the above issues ?

Corrective Action :

1 . High rod position for the retrieve keeping line in front of the bait out of the water

2. Allow a couple of seconds after the bait hits the water to re-surface - then begin your retrieve

3. Use a split ring (don't understand that one) or a snap swivel to prevent line twist

4. Be sure no debris is caught up in the space between front half and tail of the bait

5. Be sure the tail is straight and not bent (adjust by bending tail wire as required)

6. Whopper Plopper 90 best for calm water - choppy water can impact the smaller 90 size action (nature of the beast - no cure)

 

*OK , with the above laid out - have I failed to mention any Whopper Plopper 90 concerns , issues as well as how to correct using best practices ? ... Let's hear from all the Whopper Plopper 90 users experiences including those who never have an issue ? Thanks in advance !

  

[SWVABass]

Instead of letting mine plop in at the end of a cast I feather it much like a buzz bait stopping it for a quiet entry and immediately begin to retrieve. It stays on top and begins to plop immediately. The high rod angle helps, but I would say about 3 o'clock works well for me. Fish it slowly, reduces the bait wanting to roll and cause line twist, seems like burning it blows it out. And pop the bait as you begin your retrieve if your having problems with the tail spin, just like you would a rooster tail.

the line twist issue and the tail spin are problems I have not had just ideas that come to mind to try and help.

[Brett's_daddy]

3 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

Concerns:

1. Excessive spinning  with the 90 size causing line twist

2. Front half of 90 size dives under water on retrieve

3. Tail doesn't spin on the first 4' to 5' of the retrieve  - then engages

OK , with above issues for the 90 size stated , what are best practices to correct the above issues ?

1. ) You hit the nail on the head...snap clip size #2. Although even before I started using the snap clip I didn't really experience this.

2.) Have never experienced this so couldn't help you here.

3.) I have found lifting my rod tip up and to one side relieves this.

FYI, I have 130's too and use a MH spinning rod and it handles these just fine. My rod is a Fenwick HMG 7ft. MH/F.

[MIbassyaker]

The only one of these issues I've experienced is the tail not spinning immediately. As far as i can tell, it happens because the fin is not quite big enough to catch much water until the nose is pointed slightly upward, which is why holding the rod tip up helps.

What I do is cast, let it sit for a second. Then I pop it in place with the rod tip pointed up a couple of times at the start of the retrieve to get the line off the water, take in any slack quickly and start retrieving just before the line all falls back on to the water. This seems to get the fin moving right away, and sometimes I'll get hit immediately after the first pop, before the actual retrieve.

[ChrisD46]

I want to give the Whopper Plopper 90 a good chance before throwing in the towel and moving up to the 130 size . Like others have said - a Whopper Plopper 110 offering would be great !

[Travis Gasper]

Keep your rod tip up, and I don't see why anyone would have a problem working it. The 90 is my favorite bait I've used this year and have my Lew's Mach 1 mh/f baitcaster dedicated to it. I lost one of my three 90's to a tree today and I'm not at all happy about it. I think I'll order 2 more to replace the lost one. 

[ChrisD46]

Thanks for the  additional comments on the 90 !