Recent Reviews: Whopper Plopper vs. Choppo?

[Paul Roberts]

On 4/3/2019 at 7:45 PM, 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. 

This reads like an ad.

[LTrain1985]

Sorry, I’m in sales.  I guess those instincts kind of take over sometimes when I have a real opinion on something...

 

Did it work?? Lol

[fin]

10 hours ago, Paul Roberts said:

This reads like an ad.

You weren’t the only one thinking that. I think the guy could have a future in writing copy for lure companies.

 

I don’t think Berkley would be behind astroturfing like this. If he was pushing something like the Pirana lure, I’d be more skeptical.

 

10 hours ago, LTrain1985 said:

Sorry, I’m in sales.  I guess those instincts kind of take over sometimes when I have a real opinion on something...

 

Did it work?? Lol

Nice work, dude.

[Paul Roberts]

12 hours ago, LTrain1985 said:

Sorry, I’m in sales.  I guess those instincts kind of take over sometimes when I have a real opinion on something...

 

Did it work?? Lol

Sorry... Don't mean to put you on the spot. But, it would be nice to know that someone's opinion is genuine, esp one so convincing. We want to be able to spend our hard-earned cash wisely here. Otherwise, what's the point of this forum?

 

A while back, when Nanofil came out, someone got on here, with few to no previous posts, and sung the praises of Nanofil, with obvious expertise in both the industry and writing about it. He was very convincing. A bit too convincing. 

 

So... to be clear... what kind of sales?

 

Apologies, up front, otherwise. And welcome to the forum -truly.

[LTrain1985]

4 hours ago, Paul Roberts said:

Sorry... Don't mean to put you on the spot. But, it would be nice to know that someone's opinion is genuine, esp one so convincing. We want to be able to spend our hard-earned cash wisely here. Otherwise, what's the point of this forum?

 

A while back, when Nanofil came out, someone got on here, with few to no previous posts, and sung the praises of Nanofil, with obvious expertise in both the industry and writing about it. He was very convincing. A bit too convincing. 

 

So... to be clear... what kind of sales?

 

Apologies, up front, otherwise. And welcome to the forum -truly.

No offense taken, I understand the skepticism based on past experiences for y’all.  I suppose that was pretty extreme for a first post.  I just wanted to share with everyone the great experience I’ve had with the Berkley Choppo baits that have become my favorite lures to use besides chatterbaits.

 

To anyone questioning the authenticity of my post and real world experience with the forum topic, I’m in healthcare recruitment. Specifically, I recruit physicians to work civilian contracts in VA and DoD healthcare facilities across the country.  That should suffice and I don’t feel the need to include a link to my LinkedIn profile...

 

OP, sorry to have this get so off topic.  Tight lines everybody!

 

[J Francho]

Fixed the font issue for you.  Size 14 pt. is the normal size.

 

Welcome to the forums.

[Paul Roberts]

41 minutes ago, LTrain1985 said:

No offense taken, I understand the skepticism based on past experiences for y’all.  I suppose that was pretty extreme for a first post.  I just wanted to share with everyone the great experience I’ve had with the Berkley Choppo baits that have become my favorite lures to use besides chatterbaits.

 

To anyone questioning the authenticity of my post and real world experience with the forum topic, I’m in healthcare recruitment. Specifically, I recruit physicians to work civilian contracts in VA and DoD healthcare facilities across the country.  That should suffice and I don’t feel the need to include a link to my LinkedIn profile...

 

OP, sorry to have this get so off topic.  Tight lines everybody!

 

Phew. Appreciate your understanding.

 

Appreciate your in-depth review. I started looking into WPs only recently, and decided to go with the Choppo's, both the 90 and 120. Too cold for them yet, but your post has me encouraged. Thanks.

 

Apologies to the OP'er too. I guess I should just refer such concerns to a moderator and let them decide.

[Tim Kelly]

I have a WP110 and it rolls over. Is this common and fixable? Does it matter, other than irritating me? Had a topraider that did it years ago when I musky fished, but you could hear that the belly weight had come loose, can't find any obvious fault with the WP though.

[Paul Roberts]

I'm new/late to the WP thing. I ignored it, then circled it warily, for some time. Yeesh, I still haven't incorporated soft plastic jerks into my arsenal. Took me forever to buy a Slug-go.

 

I have two Choppo's (both sizes) I bought over the winter. Love that semi-transparent color they offer. That may have been what got me to pull the trigger. Curious what they will add to my game. I hope LTrain is right. And that the Choppo solves some of the WPs problems.

[tcbass]

I found an old post about the Whopper Plopper vs. the Berkeley Choppo but haven’t been able to find anything on here that is recent. 

 

Also, my favorite WP size is 75 followed by the 110. What size Choppo is closest to the WP 75 size?

 

 

Does anyone have any recent reviews of the Whopper Plopper vs. the Choppo?

[Vilas15]

 

[tcbass]

On 4/3/2019 at 8:45 PM, 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.  

 

Looks like I have to pick up at least one Choppo 120, dangit!!!

 

 

On 4/6/2019 at 12:36 AM, Tim Kelly said:

I have a WP110 and it rolls over. Is this common and fixable? Does it matter, other than irritating me? Had a topraider that did it years ago when I musky fished, but you could hear that the belly weight had come loose, can't find any obvious fault with the WP though.

 

 

Not a common problem with the 110’s. Mostly really only a problem with the 90’s.

 

The 75’s came out which was similar to a 90 size and sized that problem. 

 

[tcbass]

3 hours ago, Vilas15 said:

 

 

Thanks!

 

Looks like I’ll be buying one Choppo 120 for testing purposes. 

 

 

FYI: Dicks has Whopper Ploppers on sale for $10-13. And $20 off of $100. Sale ends tonight. 

 

 

I had had to buy work boots for $99 and needed to add something to make it $100 even. I added two Whopper Plopper 75’s at $10 each for a total of $20 bucks and basically got the two lures for free. Can’t complain about that!

[DSTN]

BPS has the Choppo on sale for 5.97 right now if it helps anyone was on the fence of trying one like I am. I've been hesitant because I'm partial to my WPs and still havent picked up a 75 size yet but for 5.97...

[tcbass]

1 hour ago, DSTN said:

BPS has the Choppo on sale for 5.97 right now if it helps anyone was on the fence of trying one like I am. I've been hesitant because I'm partial to my WPs and still havent picked up a 75 size yet but for 5.97...

 

 

I just bought 2 from Cabelas on sale for $5.97 (Cabelas instead of BP bc in-store pickup is free)......they are the 3-1/2" size though, so I don't know what that is compared to the WP.

 

 

What size is the WP equivalent to the Choppo 3-1/2"?

[Scott F]

The 3.5 inch Choppo, is the same size as the 90 WP. 

[Tim Kelly]

Presumably Berkley are discontinuing them as they're being discounted everywhere?

 

[tcbass]

41 minutes ago, Tim Kelly said:

Presumably Berkley are discontinuing them as they're being discounted everywhere?

 

 

 

The Choppo?

 

 

Already? Patent infringement or something?

[Tim Kelly]

Odd that they're being discounted if they're not being discontinued. 

[Scott F]

20 minutes ago, Tim Kelly said:

Odd that they're being discounted if they're not being discontinued. 

As popular as the Whopper Plopper is, it could be that Berkley is just trying to get more people to try the Choppo. I already own several WPs and I just ordered 2 Choppos that I'd have never bought if they weren't discounted.

[tcbass]

1 hour ago, Scott F said:

The 3.5 inch Choppo, is the same size as the 90 WP. 

 

 

Thanks.

[Cgolf]

Deleted and added below

2 hours ago, tcbass said:

 

 

The Choppo?

 

 

Already? Patent infringement or something?

 

2 hours ago, Tim Kelly said:

Odd that they're being discounted if they're not being discontinued. 

 

 

Because this lure style has been around for so long, hard to believe there would be any patents remaining around the design.

 

I did break down and get 2 Choppos to try, but the is well short of the 4 110s and 6 75s whopper ploppers I picked up. Excited to get the 75s on the water, reviews have been great. 

[Manly Studson]

On 3/27/2019 at 8:33 AM, 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.

I fished a WP for the first time ever this morning. I was fishing in a stream with no luck using tubes, a bitsy bug, or a spinner bait. I tied a WP on just to see its action. I caught 2 spotted bass in 5 casts. I was impressed. I’ll probably keep going with the WP instead of other brands for a while. If I lose them often then I can see buying a cheaper brand. But I would have blanked without the WP this morning.

[tcbass]

2 hours ago, cgolf said:

Deleted and added below

 

 

 

Because this lure style has been around for so long, hard to believe there would be any patents remaining around the design.

 

I did break down and get 2 Choppos to try, but the is well short of the 4 110s and 6 75s whopper ploppers I picked up. Excited to get the 75s on the water, reviews have been great. 

 

 

WP 110 was my favorite until the 75 came out. Perfect size and is heavy so casts just as far as the 110, like a bullet, but doesn’t feel as heavy. 

[Harold Scoggins]

On ‎4‎/‎3‎/‎2019 at 9:05 PM, WRB said:

The Roberts Mud Puppy