When did whopper ploppers get fat ?

[Bird]

In at Bass pro today stocking up and in the process, picked up a few spooks and various size whopper ploppers. 

 

Not having bought any in a few years,  they've gotten chunky in comparison to previous baits. 

Here's a comparison, older WP90 on top, new WP75 on bottom. 

[MN Fisher]

75s have always been 'chunky' compared to the 90s...60s are also 'fatter' in profile,

[Fishingmickey]

Hello Bird,

     I've got an opinion about the Whopper Plopper 90. I'm sure it isn't shared by all.  The one problem I have is with the 90 size only.  The 110, 130 and up and the 75 sizes all run fine.  I haven't fished that tiny bugger (50 or 65 size) yet.  The 90 size when I try to retrieve it faster (usually after it is out of what I think is the strike zone). The entire lure not just the prop will spin on the retrieve. This causes a bunch of line twist.  It isn't because I have fouled the prop with weeds or grass. I feel because there isn't enough "keel" fat belly on the 90 size to keep the lure body stable while the prop is spinning fast.  Momentum takes over and the whole lure spins. 

My two cents on the 90 size Whopper Plopper.

FM 

[MN Fisher]

6 minutes ago, Fishingmickey said:

The 90 size when I try to retrieve it faster (usually after it is out of what I think is the strike zone).

Solution - don't run it faster as there is no 'out of the strike zone' in my experience. I've had hits on my 90s close to the canoe...they follow the sucker all the way in.

[the reel ess]

When it was determined the 90 had a tendency to spin. Some people don't know what I'm talking about because they fish standing from a boat deck. In a kayak your line angle is a good bit lower. I usually try to make shorter casts with a 90. I do prefer the 110 because it's more buoyant and won't spin unless it's fouled with weeds.

[Bird]

Thankyou, I've learned something. 

1st time buying the 75 and thought perhaps they went with a thicker profile across the line but stand corrected. 

 

I've heard many experienced fisherman on this forum that aren't overly impressed with the WP but around here they are quite productive in the clear water hence the reason for additional stock.

[the reel ess]

9 minutes ago, Bird said:

Thankyou, I've learned something. 

1st time buying the 75 and thought perhaps they went with a thicker profile across the line but stand corrected. 

 

I've heard many experienced fisherman on this forum that aren't overly impressed with the WP but around here they are quite productive in the clear water hence the reason for additional stock.

They don't produce big numbers for me. But they usually produce good size, especially during prespawn spring.

[MN Fisher]

Two of my early-season catches in 2020 were both on a WP-90 Bluegill. I seem to have found the retrieve-speed that doesn't make them spin other than the tail.

[ironbjorn]

For two maybe three years the WP was lights out for me. Then it died. Now the Spook gets most of the work.

[Bird]

4 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

For two maybe three years the WP was lights out for me. Then it died. Now the Spook gets most of the work.

Yes, another great choice. 

Other than a frog in pads and grass, I've only thrown 3 top water baits in the last several years.......WP, spook and buzzbait and have been content.

[FryDog62]

Big fan of the fatter 75 over the 90. The 75 just fishes bigger. It also has more of a "Baritone" sound to it that I think gets more bites without being as "in your face" as the 110 and 130 can be at times. I do fish the larger sizes too, but more and more I stick with the 75 for both LMB and SMB. 

16 minutes ago, Bird said:

Yes, another great choice. 

Other than a frog in pads and grass, I've only thrown 3 top water baits in the last several years.......WP, spook and buzzbait and have been content.

The other topwater I use a lot is the Cover Pop. I give it a quick 3-4 pops like a traditional Popper when it first hits the water. If that doesn't get a strike, then I start the walk the dog action like a Spook. If there's a fish in the area, one of those two actions usually gets their attention. 

[Fishingmickey]

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

Solution - don't run it faster as there is no 'out of the strike zone' in my experience. I've had hits on my 90s close to the canoe...they follow the sucker all the way in.

I knew that was coming!

 

12 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Big fan of the fatter 75 over the 90. The 75 just fishes bigger. It also has more of a "Baritone" sound to it that I think gets more bites without being as "in your face" as the 110 and 130 can be at times. I do fish the larger sizes too, but more and more I stick with the 75 for both LMB and SMB. 

The other topwater I use a lot is the Cover Pop. I give it a quick 3-4 pops like a traditional Popper when it first hits the water. If that doesn't get a strike, then I start the walk the dog action like a Spook. If there's a fish in the area, one of those two actions usually gets their attention. 

I am the same way Frydog. I do like the 75 size the best out of all of them. I should fish the larger sizes more but my confidence is high with the 75 size.

FM

[Aaron_H]

Please do not body shame my Whopper Ploppers, they are sensitive and refuse to leave the tacklebox when they're upset. ?

[FryDog62]

34 minutes ago, Fishingmickey said:

I knew that was coming!

 

I am the same way Frydog. I do like the 75 size the best out of all of them. I should fish the larger sizes more but my confidence is high with the 75 size.

FM

After the 75, my second favorite is the Choppo 105. Like the medium size bubblers the best ! 

[Bird]

30 minutes ago, Aaron_H said:

Please do not body shame my Whopper Ploppers, they are sensitive and refuse to leave the tacklebox when they're upset. ?

Gotcha ? 

So don't make comments like....." Since I bought you you've really let yourself go.

[Bigassbass]

I bought a bunch of W.P.ers haven't caught a fish yet, really I don't like them, just a noisy top water lure.  buzz baits are more fun and they're easier to fish.

[Bird]

4 minutes ago, Bigassbass said:

I bought a bunch of W.P.ers haven't caught a fish yet, really I don't like them, just a noisy top water lure.  buzz baits are more fun and they're easier to fish.

Not sure I'd consider a Buzzbait easier to fish. The WP casts further and can be paused. 

BUT I do feel a Buzzbait can be burned faster when it's needed. 

2 of my favorite top water baits along with the Spook.

[Bluebasser86]

1 hour ago, Bigassbass said:

I bought a bunch of W.P.ers haven't caught a fish yet, really I don't like them, just a noisy top water lure.  buzz baits are more fun and they're easier to fish.

Don't fish them then?

 

They're not super popular for no reason but that doesn't mean you have to fish them. I promise you can sell the ones you bought no problem. 

[the reel ess]

On 12/21/2021 at 5:14 PM, ironbjorn said:

For two maybe three years the WP was lights out for me. Then it died. Now the Spook gets most of the work.

Which Spook do you prefer? Super, regular, junior? I caught a 5 pounder this year on the Super Spook Jr. But they've completely ignored my full-size regular Spook (no rattles).

[Bluebasser86]

7 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

Which Spook do you prefer? Super, regular, junior? I caught a 5 pounder this year on the Super Spook Jr. But they've completely ignored my full-size regular Spook (no rattles).

I really like the "tick, tick, tick", of a full sized one knocker Spook, and so do the fish. 

[ironbjorn]

12 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

Which Spook do you prefer? Super, regular, junior? I caught a 5 pounder this year on the Super Spook Jr. But they've completely ignored my full-size regular Spook (no rattles).

Super Spook Jr in Bone (salt water)

[HaydenS]

On 12/21/2021 at 3:33 PM, Fishingmickey said:

The entire lure not just the prop will spin on the retrieve. This causes a bunch of line twist. 

Try this: line tie to Split ring to swivel 

IMO the bait is never out of the strike zone with a plopper.

They seem to catch fish no matter what the size.

[Fishingmickey]

On 12/31/2021 at 12:12 AM, HaydenS said:

Try this: line tie to Split ring to swivel 

IMO the bait is never out of the strike zone with a plopper.

They seem to catch fish no matter what the size.

Thanks for the suggestion Hayden! I really just don't like the 90 sized Plopper. I feel that the 75 works great and if I want to go bigger I go to the 110 or 130.

FM

[the reel ess]

I ordered a "Whopper Plopper" 75 off Amazon without reading the small print. They sent me 2 knockoffs, 1 in the color bone that I ordered and one loon (black). So buyer beware! I complained about them using a trademarked name to pass off fakes and they refunded me the entire amount and said not to ship them back. Apparently, shipping them cost them more than giving them away. I have yet to use them, but they appear to be pretty good quality. I'll give them a try soon. I really do love the 110 size though.

[HaydenS]

4 hours ago, Fishingmickey said:

Thanks for the suggestion Hayden! I really just don't like the 90 sized Plopper. I feel that the 75 works great and if I want to go bigger I go to the 110 or 130.

FM

No problem!  The first time I threw the 75, I caught a ton of fish, but the plopper twisted my braid horribly.  Put a swivel and a split ring on there, and it works perfect!