"Plopping" Topwaters 2024
Paul Roberts reply :
I don't own a single WP. How's it different from a Jitterbug, Crazy Crawler, or buzzbait? Retread, or whole new thing?
Heartland reply :
It's exactly the same, only different. Seriously though there are a thousand and one videos on everything a guy could possibly ever want to know about a WP. All I can tell you is that they catch fish, the sound they produce and their action is not like any of the baits you mentioned. Spend the 10 bucks and join the party. YOLO
Mobasser reply :
I havnt bought a whopper Plopper yet and I'm sure I won't. I like a buzzbait. Been using them for years.
Scott F reply :
On 1/6/2019 at 8:14 PM, Mobasser said:I havnt bought a whopper Plopper yet and I'm sure I won't. I like a buzzbait. Been using them for years.
What if you could up your hooking percentage drastically. Or that you could slow down or even stop your buzz bait. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Mobasser reply :
On 1/6/2019 at 9:49 PM, Scott F said:What if you could up your hooking percentage drastically. Or that you could slow down or even stop your buzz bait. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Yes. And I think this may be the reason for the success of the Whopper Plopper. I just havnt bought one yet.
FishTank reply :
I look at it this way..... If the bass are hitting topwater, they will hit on just about anything if presented correctly, poppers, buzzbaits, frogs, walk the dog baits, etc. The Whopper Plooper is just another prop bait to me but by the way it is made it shows the color of the bait better, it stays on top of the water (better presentation), and the hook ups are better.
scaleface reply :
I have a pretty high hookup rate with buzzbaits plus I can fish them through snags . So I dont feel the need to get a whopper plopper . Ignorance is bliss .
The Bassman reply :
On 1/6/2019 at 11:18 PM, scaleface said:Ignorance is bliss .
I like to say that if ignorance is bliss then I'm one happy camper.
Koz reply :
On 1/6/2019 at 10:35 PM, FishTank said:I look at it this way..... If the bass are hitting topwater, they will hit on just about anything if presented correctly, poppers, buzzbaits, frogs, walk the dog baits, etc.
As someone who has fished all of those and the Whopper Plopper I strongly disagree. I love to fish all topwaters, and there are times when I've fished buzzbaits and frogs with no luck, but then I throw a Whopper Plopper and it gets smoked for an hour straight.
There are also times when the Whopper Plopper doesn't produce at all. One thing that I have read about the WP is that it is "tuned" to drive bass crazy when it's used over rocky or hard bottomed surfaces and that's where it performs best. I can't confirm that since every place I fish had weedy or soft, muddy bottoms.
The best 45 minute stretch of fishing in my life was with a Whopper Plopper. On almost every single cast I landed a 2-3 pounder for that 45 minute stretch. It was ridiculous. The only reason it ended was I had to get home. But like I stated earlier, sometimes it's a complete dud. And down here it's an alligator magnet so I don't always get to fish it. But you're missing out if you don't have a Bone WP 110 in your tackle box.
Paul Roberts reply :
Thanks, all. I'm like so many of us here... more lures than I have time to put to work.
On 1/7/2019 at 12:06 AM, Koz said:One thing that I have read about the WP is that it is "tuned" to drive bass crazy
This is one thing I've heard too many times before. One of my pet peeves is such hyperbole (to put it nicely) rather than some straight up facts/data in the ads or on the box, that might help us choose the right, or a new, tool. Now, I could be wrong on this one, but... the "drive fish crazy" line came out with the first commercial bone hooks. 
Not meaning to single you out, at all. It's just that I long ago became gun shy -or "lie shy"- when it comes to advertising speak.
Subaqua Adinterim reply :
Have one and tried it for the first time this year in the ADKs. Nothing else was working, so why not try it. Shallow lake, fairly windy day; threw it out for the first time and bammo, the biggest fish of my vacation week slammed it.
At that point, I was batting 1,000. I proceeded to cast it over 100 more times before catching another one, so I can only conclude that I don't know much, except -like any other lure, it has it's place and time, finding out when that is; is just fishing.
It is fun to watch it do it's thing and hope something will smash it.
MIbassyaker reply :
For some reason, nobody calls the Whopper Plopper a propbait, but that's basically all it is: a big propbait with a specialized propeller.
Paul Roberts reply :
You know... I don't have any prop-baits! Except for some tiny torpedo's I used back when I had stream smallies available to me. (Gosh I miss them.) I did have a Hellraiser a long while back, and I liked it! But, I've just not added any. I guess when I thought of them, I wondered the same question: "I've already got buzzbaits..." And when would I choose the prop over the buzzer, or a chugger for that matter?
Guess I'm going to find out. I ordered a Berkley Choppo. They had a color that made me go "Oooooo..." as well. Sold!
fin reply :
I found one hanging in a tree. Otherwise I probably never would have bought one. I've got just about every other kind of topwater, and I gotta say, it is unique. I haven't used it enough yet to say whether it's worth the money, but it looks really good in the water.
Paul Roberts reply :
On 1/7/2019 at 5:14 AM, Hank. said:I found one hanging in a tree.
I find a lure almost every time I'm out. Its gotten so when I come home, my son says, "Streak still going?" They happen to be what's popular too. In order lately: Senko's (of course), frogs, and square-bills. Found a Live Target Sunfish; something I'd have never bought. No WPs, yet. But I suspect most people wouldn't risk throwing a WP too close to a tree, and would probably climb one to get it back. Me, I have my extendable video poles. So, here's hoping.
FishDewd reply :
On 1/7/2019 at 6:10 AM, Paul Roberts said:I find a lure almost every time I'm out. Its gotten so when I come home, my son says, "Streak still going?" They happen to be what's popular too. In order lately: Senko's (of course), frogs, and square-bills. Found a Live Target Sunfish; something I'd have never bought. No WPs, yet. But I suspect most people wouldn't risk throwing a WP too close to a tree, and would probably climb one to get it back. Me, I have my extendable video poles. So, here's hoping.
Cant tell you how much much money I've saved by the generosity of other fisherman who lose their lures in trees for me and retrieval pole to find! When the fishing isn't working out... I go lure fishing! And I rarely come up empty handed!
GReb reply :
WPs have worked when buzzbaits didn’t and vice versa. Just another tool in your box. No reason not to have it at your disposal
5by3 reply :
On 1/7/2019 at 1:16 PM, GReb said:WPs have worked when buzzbaits didn’t and vice versa. Just another tool in your box. No reason not to have it at your disposal
+1
i have also noticed around me that some lakes are “wp lakes” and others are not. Some lakes I just can’t seem to get a bite on one, others it’s an absolute slugfest. Haven’t quite figured out why...
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 1/7/2019 at 1:16 PM, GReb said:WPs have worked when buzzbaits didn’t and vice versa. Just another tool in your box. No reason not to have it at your disposal
This is exactly what I've found. They almost always eat one and not the other, or at least eat one much better than the other. Smallmouth especially seem to prefer the ploppers over the buzzbaits. I was a hard sell on them, but I'm completely bought in after trying them.
Choporoz reply :
I have four WPs with exactly one fish total on them.
But....I should add that I have never caught a fish on a buzzbait. For no reason that I can figure, most of the waters I fish are not much good for topwater outside of frogs/toads in slop and pads.
Swbass15 reply :
SI’ve had noticed on the water where I fish it will eliminate certain fish. I can throw the 90 and anything will eat it. But if I pick up a 110 fish like white bass will leave it alone more and I’ll pick up largemouth on it. I’ve yet to catch a big fish on it but it has produced well.
Also it is a fun bait for a kid to throw. Weighs a lot and doesn’t require more than turning the handle to work it. They get hooked on fish smashing it.
cgolf reply :
On 1/7/2019 at 5:05 PM, Bluebasser86 said:This is exactly what I've found. They almost always eat one and not the other, or at least eat one much better than the other. Smallmouth especially seem to prefer the ploppers over the buzzbaits. I was a hard sell on them, but I'm completely bought in after trying them.
I have way to many ploppers for my lack of topwater skills. I just never know when is a good time to toss them and give up too quickly to go back to what I know.
Once I figure it out I want to check out some of the smaller Musky options, there are some pretty cool but pricey designs out there.
Primus reply :
To any on the fence regarding the Whopper Plopper, they are not very expensive. Try it and see for your self.
Dens228 reply :
On 1/7/2019 at 12:06 AM, Koz said:
As someone who has fished all of those and the Whopper Plopper I strongly disagree. I love to fish all topwaters, and there are times when I've fished buzzbaits and frogs with no luck, but then I throw a Whopper Plopper and it gets smoked for an hour straight.
There are also times when the Whopper Plopper doesn't produce at all. One thing that I have read about the WP is that it is "tuned" to drive bass crazy when it's used over rocky or hard bottomed surfaces and that's where it performs best. I can't confirm that since every place I fish had weedy or soft, muddy bottoms.
The best 45 minute stretch of fishing in my life was with a Whopper Plopper. On almost every single cast I landed a 2-3 pounder for that 45 minute stretch. It was ridiculous. The only reason it ended was I had to get home. But like I stated earlier, sometimes it's a complete dud. And down here it's an alligator magnet so I don't always get to fish it. But you're missing out if you don't have a Bone WP 110 in your tackle box.
After reading your post, specifically about the rocky bottom it made me realize that I've only had decent success with the Whopper Plopper in two places. A small lake that has a rock bottom that meets up with a soft bottom. There are weeds to the edge of the soft bottom so I fished it along those with success, the other place is a quarry where I fish it around a small island with an obviously rock shelf at about 5 feet deep. Now I can start putting that piece to the puzzle!
Team9nine reply :
So far, I've been wholly unimpressed the times I've thrown the bait, both the 90 and the 110. A handful of fish at best and a pretty poor hookup ratio when I have gotten bites. Maybe I've been unfortunate to throw it only in places, or at times, where it doesn't work well. Bought a few to try and so far have left most unopened on the shelf because of the poor showing.
On 1/7/2019 at 12:06 AM, Koz said:There are also times when the Whopper Plopper doesn't produce at all. One thing that I have read about the WP is that it is "tuned" to drive bass crazy when it's used over rocky or hard bottomed surfaces and that's where it performs best. I can't confirm that since every place I fish had weedy or soft, muddy bottoms.
...And please don't take offense, as this is directed in response to the bolded statement in general, and obviously not you since you read it somewhere else, but I'm filing that one under "load of crap" wherever it came from 
fin reply :
On 1/8/2019 at 5:25 AM, Primus said:To any on the fence regarding the Whopper Plopper, they are not very expensive. Try it and see for your self.
On 1/7/2019 at 1:16 PM, GReb said:WPs have worked when buzzbaits didn’t and vice versa. Just another tool in your box. No reason not to have it at your disposal
They range in cost from $12 to $20-something? There are a lot of less expensive options. In fact, I think it's safe to say there are more cheaper options than there are expensive options. Not everybody has the option to just throw that kind of money at every new lure that comes out.
Dens228 reply :
On 1/8/2019 at 7:19 AM, Team9nine said:So far, I've been wholly unimpressed the times I've thrown the bait, both the 90 and the 110. A handful of fish at best and a pretty poor hookup ratio when I have gotten bites. Maybe I've been unfortunate to throw it only in places, or at times, where it doesn't work well. Bought a few to try and so far have left most unopened on the shelf because of the poor showing.
...And please don't take offense, as this is directed in response to the bolded statement in general, and obviously not you since you read it somewhere else, but I'm filing that one under "load of crap" wherever it came from
I can't stand the 90. Doesn't seem to run right and haven't caught a fish on them. The 110 is much better in my experience,,,,,,,I bought a couple of 75's and have caught a few bass on them but they were fairly small.
Heartland reply :
On 1/8/2019 at 7:36 AM, Hank. said:
They range in cost from $12 to $20-something? There are a lot of less expensive options. In fact, I think it's safe to say there are more cheaper options than there are expensive options. Not everybody has the option to just throw that kind of money at every new lure that comes out.
someone told me once to beware of a man who has a problem for every solution....
Koz reply :
On 1/8/2019 at 7:19 AM, Team9nine said:...And please don't take offense, as this is directed in response to the bolded statement in general, and obviously not you since you read it somewhere else, but I'm filing that one under "load of crap" wherever it came from
Actually, the info came from Larry Dahlberg, the guy who designed the Whopper Plopper for River2Sea. If I can find the article again I'll post the link.
My hookup rates with the 110 and the 130 have been great. In fact, the front hook usually catches the lip and the back hook catches the gill area. I don't fish the 90 very much because we have a lot of floating weeds and debris in the lagoons I fish and the tiniest amount of weeds stops the prop. Plus, casts need to be much shorter with the 90 for the prop to engage.
Next time try it in an area with a hard bottom and see what happens.
fin reply :
On 1/8/2019 at 8:36 AM, Heartland said:someone told me once to beware of a man who has a problem for every solution....
That’s a good one. Here’s another - “A fool and his money are soon parted.”
Derek1 reply :
I picked up a 110 in bluegill mid season last year to try. Took it out of the package and crushed them all after noon on it that first day. Worked so well I got to more colors. Only one fish for the both of those for the rest of the season. Don’t care for the 90 much it’s harder to start up further out. As for the 110 in blue gill it catches fish but never again like that first day. I’ve only got to use the 75 a few times before the season ended but it caught a few. So in my expirience they catch fish, but I can’t say there better or worse then anything else. But they sure are fun to fish.
BassWhole! reply :
On 1/8/2019 at 7:27 PM, Hank. said:That’s a good one. Here’s another - “A fool and his money are soon parted.”
I'll play." 'Tis a poor craftsman that blames his (topwater) tools".
Heartland reply :
On 1/8/2019 at 7:27 PM, Hank. said:That’s a good one. Here’s another - “A fool and his money are soon parted.”
"Talk sense to a fool, and he calls you foolish" Euripides
J Francho reply :
I feel less ridiculous and catch more fish using a jitterbug for bass. That said, the big WP is a very good northern pike bait.
scaleface reply :
Remember the Rebel Buzzing frog that had the blade on the rear .
They still make those I see .
IgotWood reply :
On 1/6/2019 at 7:31 PM, Heartland said:Spend the 10 bucks and join the party. YOLO
^^^Seriously!^^^
The sound that they make is what draws the fish. On top of that, I honestly don’t think I have ever missed a fish on the WP. This trebles are money when they are biting too waters. You don’t even have to set the hook. Watch them eat it and simply start reeling.
fin reply :
On 1/8/2019 at 9:23 PM, reason said:I'll play." 'Tis a poor craftsman that blames his (topwater) tools".
That’s my point. If you can’t catch em with a $2 popper, spending money on more expensive tools might not be the best solution.
It’s a good lure, but it’s expensive as far as topwater lures go. For the price, you could get 2 different lures. If you’ve got plenty of money, then heck yeah, get one! More toys = more fun.
Koz reply :
On 1/8/2019 at 7:56 PM, Derek1 said:As for the 110 in blue gill it catches fish but never again like that first day.
The fish got together for a meeting later that evening to discuss their experience and vowed to never let that happen again
NYWayfarer reply :
WP are magical baits for river Smallmouth. It outperforms all my other prop and buzzbaits combined.
I especially like the 90 size. It sits nose up in the water when still unlike my 75.
WRB reply :
On 1/6/2019 at 6:57 PM, Paul Roberts said:I don't own a single WP. How's it different from a Jitterbug, Crazy Crawler, or buzzbait? Retread, or whole new thing?
The Whopper Plopper is a retread of the old C.C. Roberts Mud Puppy lure that dates back into the 30's. I have the original musky size Mud Puppy lure from my late farther inlaws tackle and it has the same exact tail plopper design with a cupped face front end.
The Pompadour lure is also a updated Crazy Crawler and this lure added a tail spinner and cast far batter then the original, plus it catches big bass!
Buzz baits can be worked over weed beds without snagging, WP or Mud Puupy can't because of the treble hooks, both are weed edge lures.
Tom
Dwight Hottle reply :
Paul they really are effective for what they do. First off they are a redo of the Bucher Top raider musky plug. That bait has been out for a least 20 years. They mostly resemble a buzz bait in cadence but can be worked slower because they float. My experience is they work the best when slowly retrieved allowing a following fish enough time to strike without missing. If your getting strikes where the fish are jumping out of the water and missing them you are fishing them too fast. They are a bait that appeals to the predatory instincts of all fish. We used to fish the top raider for pike because it seemed to get them so stirred up they sometimes went crazy trying to get them. I have even long line trolled them successfully.
Heartland reply :
On 1/10/2019 at 3:43 AM, WRB said:The Whopper Plopper is a retread of the old C.C. Roberts Mud Puppy lure that dates back into the 30's. I have the original musky size Mud Puppy lure from my late farther inlaws tackle and it has the same exact tail plopper design with a cupped face front end.
The Pompadour lure is also a updated Crazy Crawler and this lure added a tail spinner and cast far batter then the original, plus it catches big bass!
Buzz baits can be worked over weed beds without snagging, WP or Mud Puupy can't because of the treble hooks, both are weed edge lures.
Tom
Take the treble hooks off and try a single hook.
WRB reply :
On 1/10/2019 at 4:09 AM, Heartland said:Take the treble hooks off and try a single hook.
Why? use a buzzer, weedless spoon or frog that are made for the application.
Tom
Heartland reply :
On 1/10/2019 at 4:37 AM, WRB said:Why? use a buzzer, weedless spoon or frog that are made for the application.
Tom
Simply because they are not a WP, and do not offer the same advantages that a WP owns.
Paul Roberts reply :
On 1/10/2019 at 3:47 AM, Dwight Hottle said:Paul they really are effective for what they do. First off they are a redo of the Bucher Top raider musky plug. That bait has been out for a least 20 years. They mostly resemble a buzz bait in cadence but can be worked slower because they float. My experience is they work the best when slowly retrieved allowing a following fish enough time to strike without missing. If your getting strikes where the fish are jumping out of the water and missing them you are fishing them too fast. They are a bait that appeals to the predatory instincts of all fish. We used to fish the top raider for pike because it seemed to get them so stirred up they sometimes went crazy trying to get them. I have even long line trolled them successfully.
A buddy of mine had a cheap $1.99 buzzbait from our local hardware store. I chuckled when I saw them on the rack. It had an epoxy plastic head. And, that buzzer wouldn't really buzz. However, it did something better, it crawled making an awesome wake. And of course the bass loved that thing.
BassWhole! reply :
I find it interesting how the two perspectives are "This is the lure that will catch them, so I'm using it" versus "Here are the fish, these are the conditions, what in my box will do the job best".
Choporoz reply :
I (rightly or wrongly) believe that some waters are simply different than others when it comes to effectiveness of non-frog topwater baits. I would like to hear anecdotes from any who are successful with WPs is areas/situations that they struggle with buzz baits.
J Francho reply :
On 1/10/2019 at 10:39 PM, Choporoz said:I would like to hear anecdotes from any who are successful with WPs is areas/situations that they struggle with buzz baits.
I feel like it would be the other way around. There are waters where you won't get a WP back clean, but a buzzbait will get through. Here's my friend with a buzzbait fish. Look at the background. The fish were deep in that flooded timber. Good luck with any treble hooked bait.
kenmitch reply :
On 1/7/2019 at 8:07 PM, Choporoz said:I have four WPs with exactly one fish total on them.
Same here....And I think the 110 was actually bigger than the bass I caught. The little guy shook loose before I could get a photo of him.
I haven't really fished them much yet. Was more or less some quick shore fishing to see what they looked like in action.
NYWayfarer reply :
On 1/10/2019 at 11:09 PM, kenmitch said:Same here....And I think the 110 was actually bigger than the bass I caught.
High hopes. Sometimes that little old ant thinks it can move that rubber tree plant...
FCPhil reply :
On 1/6/2019 at 6:57 PM, Paul Roberts said:I don't own a single WP. How's it different from a Jitterbug, Crazy Crawler, or buzzbait? Retread, or whole new thing?
I bought the 110 in bluegill and fish northern Colorado as well. I caught my PB on it this fall - 5lb 7oz. It’s not magic but it is the best $15 I’ve spent on fishing. It makes a noise unlike any other lure and arguebly louder than any other. You can make long casts and fish it slow, fast or stop and go and it still stays on the top. In my experience the hookup ratio is excellent and rarely gets shaken off. For me it has produced numbers but also it seems to produce a bigger average than other lure I have tried. Three of my top ten bass all came on the whopper plopper (and I only fish it an average amount).
Edited by FCPhilPaul Roberts reply :
On 1/11/2019 at 12:36 PM, FCPhil said:I bought the 110 in bluegill and fish northern Colorado as well. I caught my PB on it this fall - 5lb 7oz. It’s magic but it is the best $15 I’ve spent on fishing. It makes a noise unlike any other lure and arguebly louder than any other. You can make long casts and fish it slow, fast or stop and go and it still stays on the top. In my experience the hookup ratio is excellent and rarely gets shaken off. For me it has produced numbers but also it seems to produce a bigger average than other lure I have tried. Three of my top ten bass all came on the whopper plopper (and I only fish it an average amount).
Thanks, Phil. That's what all the rage has been about. It can be tough to separate hype, from popularity from reality. But the WP talk has been going strong for some time now.
Some lures do tend to produce larger bass than others: Bulky jigs, buzzbaits, Jitterbugs, BIG lures in general. I think that it has to do primarily with water displacement, and possibly sheer noise.
I actually, cautiously, bought one -a 90- to toy with. I probably should have got a 110, too. Think I'll put it on the short list. Thanks, again, Phil. Since you are fishing essentially the same waters I am, you've got my attention. 
Allaroundfishing reply :
On 1/7/2019 at 12:06 AM, Koz said:
As someone who has fished all of those and the Whopper Plopper I strongly disagree. I love to fish all topwaters, and there are times when I've fished buzzbaits and frogs with no luck, but then I throw a Whopper Plopper and it gets smoked for an hour straight.
There are also times when the Whopper Plopper doesn't produce at all. One thing that I have read about the WP is that it is "tuned" to drive bass crazy when it's used over rocky or hard bottomed surfaces and that's where it performs best. I can't confirm that since every place I fish had weedy or soft, muddy bottoms.
The best 45 minute stretch of fishing in my life was with a Whopper Plopper. On almost every single cast I landed a 2-3 pounder for that 45 minute stretch. It was ridiculous. The only reason it ended was I had to get home. But like I stated earlier, sometimes it's a complete dud. And down here it's an alligator magnet so I don't always get to fish it. But you're missing out if you don't have a Bone WP 110 in your tackle box.
I cant agree more last October i was practicing for my high school tournament on lake Gaston. there were 5+ mph winds and a little chop with complete overcast. from 6:30 to 3 I either caught or had strikes on the whopper Plopper. My dad was throwing a spinner bait behind me and sometimes a buzz just to see if he could figure out another pattern. we only landed 4 fish but we were purposely trying to lose them or make them miss so we could save them for tourney day. I had bought two just for giggles and finally got to use them and let me tell you just the amount of strikes i had made me a sure believer in them.
FCPhil reply :
On 1/11/2019 at 10:13 PM, Paul Roberts said:Thanks, Phil. That's what all the rage has been about. It can be tough to separate hype, from popularity from reality. But the WP talk has been going strong for some time now.
Some lures do tend to produce larger bass than others: Bulky jigs, buzzbaits, Jitterbugs, BIG lures in general. I think that it has to do primarily with water displacement, and possibly sheer noise.
I actually, cautiously, bought one -a 90- to toy with. I probably should have got a 110, too. Think I'll put it on the short list. Thanks, again, Phil. Since you are fishing essentially the same waters I am, you've got my attention.
If you have trouble with the 90 staying on the surface, I think it is worth getting the 110 to give it a fair shot. It may be hyped up more than it should be, but it definitely has something to it that has kept it so popular.
I have tried buzzbaits because they are they are known to produce big bass but I have trouble casting them far and they have to be retrieved fast and steady to stay on the surface. The WP solves those problems. When you cast the WP let it sit on the surface a few seconds and then give it a two-foot tug. I have had a lot of hits like that. After that you can start a steady retrieve. In my experience a lot of fish follow it a long way and then strike as it gets close to shore, so buckle up!
BTW, if your fishing water with too much vegitation for the plopper, try the Teckel Sprinker frog. The high price is worth it over the cheaper versions by other manufacturers. It has produced the same larger average of bass as the WP and has had the best hookup ratio of any frog I own.
Arobb2012 reply :
I love the whopper plopper. It accounts for 75% of my topwater fish for the past 2 years. Last fall I was wading a river with a buddy and both of us were throwing ploppers, and we caught about 12 between us in an hour and a half. I have a wp 75 I can't wait to use this spring.
Paul Roberts reply :
On 1/12/2019 at 1:31 AM, FCPhil said:If you have trouble with the 90 staying on the surface, I think it is worth getting the 110 to give it a fair shot. It may be hyped up more than it should be, but it definitely has something to it that has kept it so popular.
I have tried buzzbaits because they are they are known to produce big bass but I have trouble casting them far and they have to be retrieved fast and steady to stay on the surface. The WP solves those problems. When you cast the WP let it sit on the surface a few seconds and then give it a two-foot tug. I have had a lot of hits like that. After that you can start a steady retrieve. In my experience a lot of fish follow it a long way and then strike as it gets close to shore, so buckle up!
BTW, if your fishing water with too much vegitation for the plopper, try the Teckel Sprinker frog. The high price is worth it over the cheaper versions by other manufacturers. It has produced the same larger average of bass as the WP and has had the best hookup ratio of any frog I own.
I'll pick up a 110.
I do have a couple Sprinker Frogs. I liked the design, but was disappointed to see that the paddle-tails were soft plastic! I got them most bc they looked durable. In general, I'm not terribly concerned about the details of what specifically will draw bass up from under mats/slop. Much of the time they are merely detecting prey-sized movement above. I long ago have settled on two types: A standard tapered-nose "frog", and a popper-nose. The added disturbance can help sometimes. I also have made my own, that are simple and, simply, draw explosions.
I'm encouraged that the Sprinker has good hooking ability. If the tails end up too fragile, I'll find a similar tail that... I can pass on to my grandkids. :))
Thanks, Phil.
And thanks, all. Great thread. I am now a WP owner.
FCPhil reply :
On 1/14/2019 at 12:26 AM, Paul Roberts said:I'll pick up a 110.
I do have a couple Sprinker Frogs. I liked the design, but was disappointed to see that the paddle-tails were soft plastic! I got them most bc they looked durable. In general, I'm not terribly concerned about the details of what specifically will draw bass up from under mats/slop. Much of the time they are merely detecting prey-sized movement above. I long ago have settled on two types: A standard tapered-nose "frog", and a popper-nose. The added disturbance can help sometimes. I also have made my own, that are simple and, simply, draw explosions.
I'm encouraged that the Sprinker has good hooking ability. If the tails end up too fragile, I'll find a similar tail that... I can pass on to my grandkids. :))
Thanks, Phil.
And thanks, all. Great thread. I am now a WP owner.
Although the Sprinker frog has a plastic tail, it is the most durable soft plastic I have ever seen. I have caught about 10+ bass and dragged them through what felt like a mile of mats and algae and the tail is still good as new. Once the hook pierced through the tail, then through the bass' mouth and kept it pinned. Even after that the tail was fine. If you need replacement tail packs are available, I think you can get them at Dick's.
If the tail doesn't seem to plop correctly, try bending it out of shape a bit. If it is too symmetrical it will keep switching directions but once it is not quite perfect it will settle on a direction.
Koz reply :
On 1/14/2019 at 12:26 AM, Paul Roberts said:I'm encouraged that the Sprinker has good hooking ability. If the tails end up too fragile, I'll find a similar tail that... I can pass on to my grandkids. :))
The only time I had problems with the tail of a Sprinker Frog was when a turtle grabbed it. Luckily they come with an extra tail.
superkamikazee reply :
I alternate between the WP and a Sprinker frog for most of my top water fishing. I primarily fish small ponds and lakes with heavy vegetation. If the weeds are a little bit below the surface I stick to the WP, and when the weeds are right below the surface / touching the surface I stick to the Sprinker. I love the WP because I can just retrieve and throw it all day as long as the hooks aren't grabbing vegetation. The Sprinker takes in water and needs to be squeezed fairly often. My first WP was the 90, caught a boat load of fish on it, but then got the 110 and realized how much better the 110 is designed than the 90. The 90 has a hard time staying about the surface enough to "plop" when cast too far out. And ploppers can be cast far regardless of size lol. Haven't tried the 75 but it seems a little on the small side.
FCPhil reply :
On 1/23/2019 at 12:55 AM, superkamikazee said:I alternate between the WP and a Sprinker frog for most of my top water fishing. I primarily fish small ponds and lakes with heavy vegetation. If the weeds are a little bit below the surface I stick to the WP, and when the weeds are right below the surface / touching the surface I stick to the Sprinker. I love the WP because I can just retrieve and throw it all day as long as the hooks aren't grabbing vegetation. The Sprinker takes in water and needs to be squeezed fairly often. My first WP was the 90, caught a boat load of fish on it, but then got the 110 and realized how much better the 110 is designed than the 90. The 90 has a hard time staying about the surface enough to "plop" when cast too far out. And ploppers can be cast far regardless of size lol. Haven't tried the 75 but it seems a little on the small side.
I agree, the 110 is excellent. From what I hear the 75 has fixed all the issues with the 90 like the 110 has.
Still, I like the bigger size of the 110. It catches plenty of small bass and I think produces bigger bites too. My PB in my avatar came on a 110 and its mouth was big enough to eat a school of 110s, let alone one!
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