Recent Reviews: Whopper Plopper vs. Choppo?

[Jim Sutter]

Which one do you prefer and why?

[Ksam1234]

1 hour ago, Jim Sutter said:

Which one do you prefer and why?

Whopper plopper because it’s the original and everything else is a knock off... but really the plopper is nice and has caught several giants for me. 

[Bluebasser86]

Both very nice baits that catch fish. I really like the 120 size Choppo because it's a good in-between size of the 110 and 130 size plopper. The Whopper Plopper isn't an original bait either since there's been chopper baits for muskie around for a long time. The Savage Gear Smash Tail is a good bait too with a little different profile and sound than the other 2. 

[Jim Sutter]

Ksam1234 and Bluebasser86,

Thank you for you replies. I haven't tried a Berkley Choppo but I will. Please take care and have a wonderful and safe Wednesday.

[Glaucus]

I would like to fish a Choppo but I don't know anyone with one and I can't justify buying one when I have several Ploppers that I know work beautifully.

 

From what I see it's like the topwater version of Senko vs Dinger and if the few bucks saved is worth it.

[NYWayfarer]

7 hours ago, Glaucus said:

I would like to fish a Choppo but I don't know anyone with one and I can't justify buying one when I have several Ploppers that I know work beautifully.

Ditto.

 

The WP is dollar for dollar the most economical bait I own. Going on my third year with my Bluegill 90 Plopper, still with the original hooks. I have caught dozens of fish with it. Can't see buying a Choppo anytime soon.

[Largies4Life]

Since the Whopper Plopper came out well before the Choppo, I'd say nearly everyone is going to side with the WP. My vote will be the WP as well because of how effective it has been for me over the last couple of years. I'm sure I'll try a Choppo out at some point, but all my confidence lies with the WP.

[MrFrost]

I put together a very quick comparison, of the four brand/choices I am aware of.  I am certain there are others, but these are the four that I have found to be comparable. 

 

I am partial to the WP myself, but will be trying out a Choppo for sure, as it most closely resembles the size 75 WP (in shape), which I like the most.   

 

[FryDog62]

Like bluebasser above, I like the 120 Choppo size... just right.  And a 1/3 less in price makes it a good deal.  

 

I do prefer the 75 size Plopper for Smallmouth though... dam good ler -

2 minutes ago, MrFrost said:

I put together a very quick comparison, of the four brand/choices I am aware of.  I am certain there are others, but these are the four that I have found to be comparable. 

 

I am partial to the WP myself, but will be trying out a Choppo for sure, as it most closely resembles the size 75 WP, which I like the most.   

 

The 75 WP prop has more of a low pitch than the 90 Choppo.  Have to experiment with the pitch that ticks off smallies most in your area

[Glaucus]

3 hours ago, NYWayfarer said:

Ditto.

 

The WP is dollar for dollar the most economical bait I own. Going on my third year with my Bluegill 90 Plopper, still with the original hooks. I have caught dozens of fish with it. Can't see buying a Choppo anytime soon.

Exactly right. The Plopper being a hard topwater bait, it's going to be awhile before they need replacing.

[the reel ess]

2 hours ago, MrFrost said:

I put together a very quick comparison, of the four brand/choices I am aware of.  I am certain there are others, but these are the four that I have found to be comparable. 

 

I am partial to the WP myself, but will be trying out a Choppo for sure, as it most closely resembles the size 75 WP (in shape), which I like the most.   

 

Academy has a store brand now as well. $6.99.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-double-plop-bait#repChildCatSku=115983131

[MrFrost]

18 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

Academy has a store brand now as well. $6.99.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-double-plop-bait#repChildCatSku=115983131

Thank you.  I knew for certain I'd miss other options, because my research was admittedly biased towards stores/websites I frequent personally.   

 

H2O's option at first glance appears to "look" better and more appealing to me than BPS's.  Closer to the "Choppo," but even cheaper.  

[superkamikazee]

With the whopper plopper only being a few bucks more I don't see the point in getting the berkley. WP is tried and true, and it's basically a forever bait unless you're throwing them into trees. 

[Fishingmickey]

Regarding the WP's I really like the 75 size over the 90. The 75 has a shorter fatter (more keel) body then the 90. I have had problems with the 90 picking up weeds or fine trash and spinning (the body) on the retrieve. It creates line twist very badly in a very short amount of time. The 75 has the same sized spinner fin as the 110 also.

FM  

[Jim Sutter]

Some great information here. Thank you, everyone for this. Please take care and have a wonderful and safe day.

[the reel ess]

1 hour ago, Fishingmickey said:

Regarding the WP's I really like the 75 size over the 90. The 75 has a shorter fatter (more keel) body then the 90. I have had problems with the 90 picking up weeds or fine trash and spinning (the body) on the retrieve. It creates line twist very badly in a very short amount of time. The 75 has the same sized spinner fin as the 110 also.

FM  

I fish from a kayak so my retrieve is more horizontal than it would be from a boat. The 90's lure body has a tendency to rotate until it gets closer, then it runs true. The 90 works better on shorter casts or from a boat deck.

[HenryPF]

I have the original WP and the knockoffs work just fine. They are mostly only $4 each also. Before you go all crazy with the price, how many ploppers are you going through the year? I stick with mainly the 90s, I don't care for 75 and the 120 I have a ton of and stops a lot of dinks from hitting it.

 

 

Rat

 

 

Frog

 

 

[yosef]

Haven’t tried the chopper but the whopper plopper loon color is deadly on my lake In New Hampshire when it’s calm 

[Joshua van Wyk]

8 hours ago, superkamikazee said:

With the whopper plopper only being a few bucks more I don't see the point in getting the berkley. WP is tried and true, and it's basically a forever bait unless you're throwing them into trees. 

Unless you're me, then it lasts 2 weeks top!

[Bluebasser86]

This is a couple comparison pictures I took of the WP and the Savage Gear. The SG isn't as fat of a bait and has shrink wrap on the back ring and hook to keep it extended back to catch those fish that slap at the bait. I think the fins are supposed to help prevent rolling too.  The WPs are 90 and 130 sizes, the SG are 100 and 135 sizes.

[fin]

10 hours ago, Joshua van Wyk said:

Unless you're me, then it lasts 2 weeks top!

It's not just you. Last year I didn't have any, now have 4 whopper ploppers, two I found in trees, two were floating. Not really the colors I wanted, but hey.

[LTrain1985]

I’ve been fishing both sizes of the Choppo since October.  I have a few 110 Whopper Ploppers and two 90’s.  They were my favorite toowaters since I first got some a few years ago, but I’m not ashamed to say I almost exclusively fish the Berkley baits now.  The 90 Choppos don’t roll over like the 90 WP’s do and the tail starts up immediately when you start reeling.  I found myself hardly ever using the WP 90’s because of those issues.  

 

As far as the Choppo 120 goes... it’s basically perfect.  The rigid tail on these baits makes a deeper pitched sound than the WP’s do.  The big Choppo can be fished to make as much commotion as a WP 130 in windy conditions or as subtle as a 110 in flat calm water. I also have a better hookup ratio on the Choppo 120 vs the WP 110.  Not that hookup ratio is bad on the 110 considering most bites are super aggressive, but I’ve definitely had plenty of short strikes too.  Well that extra 10mm on the Choppo that makes it a 120 is in the tail section of wire and the rear hook is situated just a little farther back behind the tail, acting almost like a trailer hook. I’m telling you it makes a real difference in a positive way.  The lure body itself is pretty much the same size as the 110, but with a little more girth.  

 

In regards to quality and components, the paint and hooks are top notch.  The Fusion 19 hooks are awesome... sticky sharp and plenty strong.  I’ve caught plenty of 4-5lb fish the last several months on the Choppo 120’s with heavy braid and the hooks didn’t bend at all... although I typically throw the Choppo 120 with 15lb CXX on my 7’6 Falcon Cara heavy action rod.  That rod has a lot of tip that allows it to load up well on casting and strikes, and plenty of strength for chucking a 1oz lure 40-50 yards.  I have fished the 90 size with braid as well and haven’t bent any of its hooks yet either.  The paint finish on both Choppos is flawless and tough.  Also, Bone is my go to color for topwater hardbaits and the Choppo versions are the typical “bone” color we’re accustomed to... unlike the bone Whopper Ploppers which are practically yellow (trivial to some guys, but it’s something that’s always bothered me).  

 

Some people are posting that the Choppos are cheap knockoffs of the R2S Whopper Ploppers, but I’m telling you that’s just not the case.  In my opinion the overall quality is better on the Berkley baits and at $9.99 they’re a STEAL.  If you won’t fish one because it’s a “copy” then you also better not be throwing any stick worm that isn’t a Yamamoto Senko.  

 

I’ve got a lot of hours under my belt fishing Berkley Choppos the last 6 months and I hope you guys find some of this information helpful.  

[WRB]

The Roberts Mud Puppy was the original and still being made today in bass size.

Design dates back into the 1930's!

Tom

[BassThumb]

13 hours ago, LTrain1985 said:

I’ve been fishing both sizes of the Choppo since October.  I have a few 110 Whopper Ploppers and two 90’s.  They were my favorite toowaters since I first got some a few years ago, but I’m not ashamed to say I almost exclusively fish the Berkley baits now.  The 90 Choppos don’t roll over like the 90 WP’s do and the tail starts up immediately when you start reeling.  I found myself hardly ever using the WP 90’s because of those issues.  

 

As far as the Choppo 120 goes... it’s basically perfect.  The rigid tail on these baits makes a deeper pitched sound than the WP’s do.  The big Choppo can be fished to make as much commotion as a WP 130 in windy conditions or as subtle as a 110 in flat calm water. I also have a better hookup ratio on the Choppo 120 vs the WP 110.  Not that hookup ratio is bad on the 110 considering most bites are super aggressive, but I’ve definitely had plenty of short strikes too.  Well that extra 10mm on the Choppo that makes it a 120 is in the tail section of wire and the rear hook is situated just a little farther back behind the tail, acting almost like a trailer hook. I’m telling you it makes a real difference in a positive way.  The lure body itself is pretty much the same size as the 110, but with a little more girth.  

 

In regards to quality and components, the paint and hooks are top notch.  The Fusion 19 hooks are awesome... sticky sharp and plenty strong.  I’ve caught plenty of 4-5lb fish the last several months on the Choppo 120’s with heavy braid and the hooks didn’t bend at all... although I typically throw the Choppo 120 with 15lb CXX on my 7’6 Falcon Cara heavy action rod.  That rod has a lot of tip that allows it to load up well on casting and strikes, and plenty of strength for chucking a 1oz lure 40-50 yards.  I have fished the 90 size with braid as well and haven’t bent any of its hooks yet either.  The paint finish on both Choppos is flawless and tough.  Also, Bone is my go to color for topwater hardbaits and the Choppo versions are the typical “bone” color we’re accustomed to... unlike the bone Whopper Ploppers which are practically yellow (trivial to some guys, but it’s something that’s always bothered me).  

 

Some people are posting that the Choppos are cheap knockoffs of the R2S Whopper Ploppers, but I’m telling you that’s just not the case.  In my opinion the overall quality is better on the Berkley baits and at $9.99 they’re a STEAL.  If you won’t fish one because it’s a “copy” then you also better not be throwing any stick worm that isn’t a Yamamoto Senko.  

 

I’ve got a lot of hours under my belt fishing Berkley Choppos the last 6 months and I hope you guys find some of this information helpful.  

Sold, LTrain1985! Great share. Thanks for taking the time to write that out. 

 

I really dislike how the WP 90's roll unless they're just crawled along. They're the perfect size for river smallies, but they roll like crazy when you hit seams of current or just need to buzz the bait back to the boat for another cast. I'll get one or two of the Choppo 90's on my next order.

[LTrain1985]

Not sure if anybody's seen but the Choppos are $7.49 at TW right now!  It's a no brainer at this point...