Whopper Ploppers/Topwater 2024
cheezledzul reply :
Been looking and trying to decide on my first topwater lure. I was going to go with a popper, spook, or maybe a frog but seems like these have a lot of hype. Most of the threads I read in the search only mention only 2 sizes 90 and 130 I think. I think 190 would be too big for my area and also am leaning towards more quantity than quality. But Ive read 90 gets buried sometimes though catching more quantity while the 190 is better for big babes.
My question is, Im getting 2, loon and either bone or blood blue (cant decide). Am I safe with going both at 130 even if I want a little higher quantity of bites? Or should I get 2 different sizes and in that case does color tend to attract certain sizes or lm/sm better?
Or should I split the difference and get them in 110?
I have a lot of bluegill in my lake. Does that mean I should forgo either loon or bone for bluegill?
Also my medium fast rod is rated 1/4-3/4. Does that mean I cant use the 130 which is one and three eights oz (for some reason it blocks the numbers from showing lol)? What kindof problems comes from using a heavier lure? Maybe that decided on 2 110s for me lol
Im new and just want a lure that can kind of do it all for topwater techniques and situations. And at the same time be on the easier side to learn to fish. Are whopper ploppers the right choice or should I get a popper/spook/frog/etc.? Eventually Ill get more variety of lures but right now I need a topwater and then crank to fish steep banks and points w some vegetation.
They are very expensive lures so I just figured it wouldnt hurt to ask for some opinions since I cant find too many answers to my specific questions.
Picked up a 110 loon at dicks. I was in a rush to get home and install handles and a trolley. Just realized it says silent and 1oz. All the websites I checked including dicks says 3/4oz and nothing about silent. I thought it made s noise? Did I buy the wrong one? See image
1201vilbig reply :
Bone for color #2. I keep those in 110 and 130 and a Loon 190 for night fishing. I haven't tried the new 75 yet.
cheezledzul reply :
On 8/17/2018 at 5:40 AM, 1201vilbig said:Bone for color #2. I keep those in 110 and 130 and a Loon 190 for night fishing. I haven't tried the new 75 yet.
Do you see a difference or have a preference between 110 and 130? 130 is out of my rods lure range but I dont think 1 and 3/8oz is too far from the "3/4 limit" right?
I use 15lb braid if that matters
Also why do u use 190 at night and loon? The "dark silhouette" still applies at night?
ChrisD46 reply :
For what it's worth - I first bought the WP90 size but wasn't in love with the design rolling on me , having coming up to plane issues , etc. I then moved to the WP110 and find the design more satisfactory and a bit more ideal in size for spotted bass than the WP130 (although I'm sure spots will probably hit the WP130 as well) ... *This may sound controversial but I'm losing confidence in the WP being a bit of a one trick pony with that one constant retrieve speed which is deemed optimal ... How soon before bass get conditioned to stay away from hitting it ? The more erratic nature of walk the dog baits and poppers (or hybrid lures that do both) are more appealing to me at present and thus improve my confidence . Your results may be different so I urge you to try the WP110 but I would limit to just Bone , Loon and maybe Monkey Butt which should cover most of your needs until you see how you do with it (after a fair evaluation) .
papajoe222 reply :
I'm not attempting to turn you away from a WP as your first topwater, but they are on the pricey side and it sounds as though the loss of one may be weighing on your decision. If so, consider a Torpedo. The big difference between the two is the sound they produce. Although a lot has been said about the unique sound the WP gives off, bass are sight feeders and sound is used to get them to look at your offering more so than triggering a strike. They are right in the ideal weight range of the rod you're using. Just keep an eye on hook sharpness. They tend to get dull quickly.
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/heddon-torpedo-hard-baits
Brew City Bass reply :
On 8/17/2018 at 6:49 AM, ChrisD46 said:For what it's worth - I first bought the WP90 size but wasn't in love with the design rolling on me , having coming up to plane issues , etc. I then moved to the WP110 and find the design more satisfactory and a bit more ideal in size for spotted bass than the WP130 (although I'm sure spots will probably hit the WP130 as well) ... *This may sound controversial but I'm losing confidence in the WP being a bit of a one trick pony with that one constant retrieve speed which is deemed optimal ... How soon before bass get conditioned to stay away from hitting it ? The more erratic nature of walk the dog baits and poppers (or hybrid lures that do both) are more appealing to me at present and thus improve my confidence . Your results may be different so I urge you to try the WP110 but I would limit to just Bone , Loon and maybe Monkey Butt which should cover most of your needs until you see how you do with it (after a fair evaluation) .
I've only been fishing the plopper for a little bit, but I've also noticed that sometimes the bass don't want that one type of retrieve. I've started experimenting with stop and go, popping it it like a jerk bait and it actually works. Try giving different retrieves a try, even if it seems stupid.
cheezledzul reply :
I grabbed the 110 loon just because I was at dicks to grab an anchor. But I'm not at all decided because it is so expensive and I would for sure dive in before giving it up to the lake.
Any other specific suggestions then? I've watched videos about walking the dog but didnt look into what bait to use. And then deciding which specific one to buy, color, and weight is a whole new thread lol.
38 Super Fan reply :
On 8/17/2018 at 4:49 AM, cheezledzul said:
Im new and just want a lure that can kind of do it all for topwater techniques and situations. And at the same time be on the easier side to learn to fish.
Go with a buzzbait, simple and fun as it gets. I like the whopper plopper, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
Brew City Bass reply :
On 8/17/2018 at 8:08 AM, cheezledzul said:I grabbed the 110 loon just because I was at dicks to grab an anchor. But I'm not at all decided because it is so expensive and I would for sure dive in before giving it up to the lake.
Any other specific suggestions then? I've watched videos about walking the dog but didnt look into what bait to use. And then deciding which specific one to buy, color, and weight is a whole new thread lol.
Not a whole lot of specifics from me. Stop and go, pop it, straight retrieve.
Top water is one of those things where it's on or its not. If I don't get a hit within the first 30-40 minutes of trying, I'll usually put it down and switch to something subsurface. I might pick it up later and try it again.
I find it works best at first light, and last night. Some times when I night fish it's all they want, other times they want nothing to do with it and want a spinnerbait.
cheezledzul reply :
On 8/17/2018 at 8:30 AM, Brew City Bass said:Not a whole lot of specifics from me. Stop and go, pop it, straight retrieve.
Top water is one of those things where it's on or its not. If I don't get a hit within the first 30-40 minutes of trying, I'll usually put it down and switch to something subsurface. I might pick it up later and try it again.
I find it works best at first light, and last night. Some times when I night fish it's all they want, other times they want nothing to do with it and want a spinnerbait.
What about crankbait then? Specific models and depths?? I found last night that the most active part of the lake so far is a kindof steep drop off from a 5ft bank to 30ft. Found it on the contour map then checked it out last night. That's why I'm considering topwater and then switching to cranks. The vegetation isnt showing much activity so far. I'm willing to get 2 cranks a 3-5' since all of the banks are about 5' but idk what depth to get the deeper diver from 20-30' or just 15. Most of the lake is 20-25' average. But the spot I found is the deepest 30-35'. If you're interested search Rockland lake contour map. The east coast.
Also right now I only have a 7ft medium fast rod. I have a shimano 5' light rod which was my first ever. Would that even work? What kindof lures should work on it if so? Is it better for certian lures than by 7ft? I know people use different rod action and power for different lures but never looked into it because I'm not buying another rod rn lol. but have been considering bringing the short so I dont have to cut and retie whenever I want to switch it up
Brew City Bass reply :
On 8/17/2018 at 8:50 AM, cheezledzul said:What about crankbait then? Specific models and depths?? I found last night that the most active part of the lake so far is a kindof steep drop off from a 5ft bank to 30ft. Found it on the contour map then checked it out last night. That's why I'm considering topwater and then switching to cranks. The vegetation isnt showing much activity so far. I'm willing to get 2 cranks a 3-5' since all of the banks are about 5' but idk what depth to get the deeper diver from 20-30' or just 15. Most of the lake is 20-25' average. But the spot I found is the deepest 30-35'. If you're interested search Rockland lake contour map. The east coast.
Also right now I only have a 7ft medium fast rod. I have a shimano 5' light rod which was my first ever. Would that even work? What kindof lures should work on it if so? Is it better for certian lures than by 7ft? I know people use different rod action and power for different lures but never looked into it because I'm not buying another rod rn lol. but have been considering bringing the short so I dont have to cut and retie whenever I want to switch it up
Crankbaits can be killer! I love the KVD squarebills for shallower water like 1-5ft. If I am fishing deep, like 10-25ft I always have a Strike King 5XD or 6XD tied on. Sometimes I use a Berkley Dredger. All of those flat out catch fish.
Your 7ft rod will work for squarebills and shallower cranks, it might be overworked on a deep diver though. The skeet reese cranking rods are affordable and fairly decent. Tons of other options too. Important thing about cranks is I always try to keep them in contact with something. If it's solid bottom like rocks and stuff, I am banging it off those rocks. If it's weedy like grass, I am ripping it through the tops of those weeds. Cranks are almost always a reaction bite and hitting stuff and ripping them through things triggers that strike.
Another great (cheaper) option is to slow roll spinnerbaits deep. I've been killing em this year slow rolling 1/2oz or 3/4oz spinners in 20-25ft of water. Cast it out, let it sink, roll it along the bottom fast enough to make the blade spin or to keep it above the weeds.
If they're not in the mood for a moving bait at all, I go dropshot. If the dropshot fails, I drag a carolina rig.
cheezledzul reply :
@Brew City Bass Hmmm a lot to think about. So since the lake can be up to 35' especially the spot I'm looking at should I actually get a 30-40' crank so it can drag the bottom all the way up the drop off? What colors should I be getting? I thought I read chartreuse? Is there a color difference for the shallow vs deep crank?
I have a lunkerhunt kraken spinner with white skirt. I've tried yoyoing it, I'll test out the slow roll.
When you mean overworked do you mean it wont allow the crank to dive that far? Or it will break? Something like that
Unfortunately I'm low on money because the skeet reese rod is 40% off on dicks website till 10pm Pacific lol
cheezledzul reply :
Also, I'm going Saturday morning at 4-5am. How would you fish, what would be your gameplan?. Would the whopper/popper be the best choice? Or stickbait? Stick to topwater and spinners and fish fast?
Do I fish shallows with vegetation or stay around the dropoff and point?
I also have a spinner and rattletrap. Just trying to figure out where and how to best focus my time in the morning since theres only a few good hours.
Brew City Bass reply :
On 8/17/2018 at 10:21 AM, cheezledzul said:@Brew City Bass Hmmm a lot to think about. So since the lake can be up to 35' especially the spot I'm looking at should I actually get a 30-40' crank so it can drag the bottom all the way up the drop off? What colors should I be getting? I thought I read chartreuse? Is there a color difference for the shallow vs deep crank?
I have a lunkerhunt kraken spinner with white skirt. I've tried yoyoing it, I'll test out the slow roll.
When you mean overworked do you mean it wont allow the crank to dive that far? Or it will break? Something like that
Unfortunately I'm low on money because the skeet reese rod is 40% off on dicks website till 10pm Pacific lol
I never usually catch bass deeper than 20 or 25ft. I wouldn't worry about getting a crank that dives further than 25ft. A lot of times what dictates how deep a bass will live is something called a thermocline. It's hard to know what the thermocline is at if you don't have sonar in the boat. Google thermocline to get a better understanding of how that works and affects fish.
For colors, I always go natural as I can. If the main forage of your lake is shad, go with a shad color. If it's bluegill, go bluegill. I love strike kings sexy shad color. Or a solid baby bass color. Bluegill always produces for me too, same with perch. Chartreuse is a good color as well, but not always a producer for me in a clear lake. I like it in more stained water. I don't ever change my colors depending on the depth. I almost always use the same color shallow or deep. I try to imitate the forage of the lake.
The lunkerhunt Kraken may not be heavy enough. I understand money is tight, but if you can swing $5 go to Dicks and get a Strike King Banshee spinner. They're only $5 and come with a trailer hook already on it. I'd get it in 1/2 oz. I slow roll these up to 25ft all the time. Just gotta let it sink and reel slower than you think you should.
Overworked means it'll bend too much, won't have any backbone to set the hook and the fish may control you more than you control the fish. It's important to have some backbone when fishing deep. Lot of resistance down there. I highly doubt it'd break the rod, it'll just make it hell on you for reeling and trying to set the hook.
Good job on getting the skeet reese rod! I like mine, it's a work horse. It can be used for much more than cranks too. I use mine for carolina rigs, and jerkbaits.
Which reminds me, if you want to drag something from real deep, like 30ft all the way up the drop off. Get a 1oz football jig. Throw a craw trailer bait on it and slowly use the rod to drag it up the drop off. Only use the reel to take up the slack. You want to really feel what the bait is doing and hitting. Same technique for carolina rig.
Man, I am throwing a lot of information at you. Don't let it overwhelm you. It's all just spaghetti talk. You've got your whole life to learn these techniques. I really like to take one technique at a time and try to get confident in it. This fall is gonna be a great time to get comfortable with cranks and spinner baits. You'll be addicted to them soon enough. Spinnerbait bites can be absolutely brutal and almost yank the rod out of your hand!
On 8/17/2018 at 12:40 PM, cheezledzul said:Also, I'm going Saturday morning at 4-5am. How would you fish, what would be your gameplan?. Would the whopper/popper be the best choice? Or stickbait? Stick to topwater and spinners and fish fast?
Do I fish shallows with vegetation or stay around the dropoff and point?
I also have a spinner and rattletrap. Just trying to figure out where and how to best focus my time in the morning since theres only a few good hours.
I'm the type of guy that'd sacrifice catching more fish, for catching topwater fish. I'd take that whopper plopper and run it parallel to the shore, along boat docks, any type of structure in 1ft-10ft of water. It'd be the first thing I throw when I get out there early. If I didn't get a single blow up by about 6-7am I'd switch to spinner bait and start working the 5-10ft range. Look for weed lines, downed trees, deep lilly pads etc. Vary the retrieve. Burn a few back to the boat, slow roll some, stop and go. Let the fish dictate what they want.
If I didn't get hit on the spinner, I'd throw on something finesse like the stickbait. I'd probably carolina rig it and toss out in 15-25ft and work it fairly quicker, slowing down as I go if I don't get any bites.
Drop offs and points are only good if they hold fish. A lot of the lakes I fish have so many points and drop offs that'd I'd waste a lot of time if I tried to fish em all. It'd really help if I knew what the contour of the lake you are fishing was like. You could PM the lake and I can try to get a look at it and let ya know where exactly I'd start. Or just post a topographic map picture of it if there is one.
cheezledzul reply :
The point on the ne corner has tons of lillypads and alge that comes out very far. not sure if its past the point or not i only checked it oon Wednesday from shore. The east drop is where I saw some big sm caught and saw a massive one jump at about 8pm. there were tons of baitfish breaking the surface at that time I guess feeding. I only checked out probably from the north of the 30' line and up. The shallow is a little rocky but weedless and clear at the time. Theres a handful of overhanging trees but a single line of vegetation going along the drop off. I was dragging bait along the drop but would get caught right at the break.
The west coast I fished a few times. From the Boat dock down the first 1/4 is clear with 1-2 big boulders. Then the rest of the way to the south theres lillypads about 5ft wide and then coontails from the lilly line to the 15-20ft line. I was told the west lillypads is a honey hole but I havnt seen much and only 1 fish has been caught there while I was there.
Need to grab beads for Carolina. have swivels some old mono and bullets.
I've seen bluegill but not sure what was jumping that night. I actually somehow knew about thermocline way before I started bass fishing but dint have any electronics.
I'll def give your timeline a try Saturday morning. That will help keep me from switching lures too soon. I'm leaning towards power fishing right now, maybe because the glorious senko tyoe has failed me thus far lol
Also the closest baitshop/hunting to me, 30 min drive, is having a huge sale starting today. 20% off all lures and soft bait. Gonna try to come up with a list of specific names, sizes and colors so I can get it while there.
Also am planning on picking up a combo for my dad so he dosnt have to use my kid pole or his 8ft+ saltwater rods. I'm thinking a 7ft medium-heavy fast tip would be perfect (so I can borrow it for cranks when hes not fishing ????). That should be good enough for deeper cranks right? Dont want to get him something too stiff or a lot of action where he cant pull fish out.
tcbass reply :
I think the Whopper Plopper is one of the best topwater baits ever and the problem for you will be if you have a lot of success with it other topwater lures may pale in comparison.
I like the 110 size, the 90 doesn't seem to run as well and the 130 gets tiring throwing because it's so big.
I like Monkey Butt, Bone, and Loon in that order but I will note that if the fish are biting on WP's the color and size doesn't seem to matter.
Unlike many we like to retrieve them slow and steady and have caught a ton of fish.
Good luck! I wish my first topwater bait had been the WP so I would have been more successful.
cheezledzul reply :
@tcbass thanks! Hopefully im successful tomorrow morning with it! Then I can justify buying the WP opposed to another top water and crank for almost the same price lol.
I didnt realize when I bought it but this one says silent. I have not seen anything say they are silent, even on dicks website (i bought it instore at dicks).
Also everywhere I look says the 110 is 3/4oz not 1oz. Did I buy the wrong one? Im pretty puzzled.
Brew City Bass reply :
On 8/17/2018 at 7:56 PM, cheezledzul said:The point on the ne corner has tons of lillypads and alge that comes out very far. not sure if its past the point or not i only checked it oon Wednesday from shore. The east drop is where I saw some big sm caught and saw a massive one jump at about 8pm. there were tons of baitfish breaking the surface at that time I guess feeding. I only checked out probably from the north of the 30' line and up. The shallow is a little rocky but weedless and clear at the time. Theres a handful of overhanging trees but a single line of vegetation going along the drop off. I was dragging bait along the drop but would get caught right at the break.
The west coast I fished a few times. From the Boat dock down the first 1/4 is clear with 1-2 big boulders. Then the rest of the way to the south theres lillypads about 5ft wide and then coontails from the lilly line to the 15-20ft line. I was told the west lillypads is a honey hole but I havnt seen much and only 1 fish has been caught there while I was there.
Need to grab beads for Carolina. have swivels some old mono and bullets.
I've seen bluegill but not sure what was jumping that night. I actually somehow knew about thermocline way before I started bass fishing but dint have any electronics.
I'll def give your timeline a try Saturday morning. That will help keep me from switching lures too soon. I'm leaning towards power fishing right now, maybe because the glorious senko tyoe has failed me thus far lol
Also the closest baitshop/hunting to me, 30 min drive, is having a huge sale starting today. 20% off all lures and soft bait. Gonna try to come up with a list of specific names, sizes and colors so I can get it while there.
Also am planning on picking up a combo for my dad so he dosnt have to use my kid pole or his 8ft+ saltwater rods. I'm thinking a 7ft medium-heavy fast tip would be perfect (so I can borrow it for cranks when hes not fishing ????). That should be good enough for deeper cranks right? Dont want to get him something too stiff or a lot of action where he cant pull fish out.
First thing I'd hit is that NE point in the morning and the North side shallow flats that say 5'. I'd work from shallow to deep. Start off in the 1-5ft range with the plopper. After that, I'd work that point heading deeper. It looks like it will hold fish. If you don't get any hits there and still have good morning left, run that plopper right along all of those lily pads.
It's great that it's rocky. Go ahead and start banging cranks off those rocks! Spinnerbaits are also perfects for rolling through rocks. I almost never get a spinner hung up. It comes through about anything.
That whole east shoreline looks like a nice area to be targeting. During the day I'd position my boat over 10-20ft and make cast's parallel with the contour lines. Just trying to really work those specific depths with a crank, spinnerbait, or carolina rig.
Don't lose hope with the stickbait! It's amazing how a different presentation can work with the same bait. Carolina rig is all about dragging it slow on the bottom.
Also, your 7ft Medium rod could double as a good dropshot rod. Look up how to rig one of those and you can use just about any plastic on that rig. I know powerfishing seems like most fun thing, and it is, but slowing down and throwing finesse can help turn a skunk into a 25lb bag day. Have to let the fish dictate what they want. I have some days where they won't even look at a moving bait, but if I throw a drop shot or carolina rig they go nuts.
Fishingmickey reply :
On 8/17/2018 at 6:02 AM, cheezledzul said:Do you see a difference or have a preference between 110 and 130? 130 is out of my rods lure range but I dont think 1 and 3/8oz is too far from the "3/4 limit" right?
I use 15lb braid if that matters
Also why do u use 190 at night and loon? The "dark silhouette" still applies at night?
An ***/8 oz is 5/8 of an oz heavier then 3/4 oz. That is considerably higher then your rod's rating. Add another 1/8 of a oz and you've doubled your rods rating. Your using a medium power spinning rod. you shouldn't be throwing anything heavier then a 110 IMHO.
Loon colored WP is black....Me personally I don't think color makes a whole lot of difference at night. The bait is opaque it will silhouette just fine.
FM
FryDog62 reply :
I had a chance to test out a new product recently that if you would have told me it was a Whopper Plopper I wouldn’t have known the difference. Same profile, prop, noise, results, etc.
Only difference I could find is that it’s 1/3 less in price. Also, the 90 Whopper Plopper does tend to nose dive, the smaller version of the new product does not in my experience.
Anyway its less expensive - might afford you to buy an extra lure, size, color. But you’ll have to wait until Sept. Berkley Choppo: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Choppo/descpage-BCH.html
cheezledzul reply :
I'll def check out those choppos! I'm trying to get variety of diff lures instead a multiple of the same to try and cover all basis.
@Brew City Bass I think the NW point is filled with very tall grass, not positive though but I'm sure theres a lot of veg. Maybe lillypads, I saw it from a distance. How would I fish in tall grass like reeds? Or just around the outside?
I have a norman lipless rattle crank that sinks. I cant real really tell if it dives, maybe I'm working it wrong. Could it be used to bounce off the drop since I wont get a crank till after tomorrow's outing? See image, mine is green/yellow with black stripes and red eyes.
Also I've tried slow rolling my kraken but the colorado blade dosnt seem to spin. should I throw a 3/8 bullet on it? Or some split shots to get it to stay sunken while I reel fast enough to activate the blades? I also have some small roostertails in black and silver. Would that work better with a weight? Just trying to figure out alternate options till I can get lures during the sale.
I'll fish the north and east with topwater for majority of the morning and if nothing I'll start throwing my stickbaits. Luckily my new paddle came in last night. My tandem one was too short so it was hard to get around with any speed.
I dont think you've mentioned it but should I get a hollow frog to throw over the lillypads at the NE point? Theres a cement runoff pipe way in the back corner. Figured this would be a good way to cover the whole point since its covered in vegitation. Or do you like running soft creature bait over vegitation better? If so, any specific brand/model/size/color for frogs or soft creatures?
@Fishingmickey I originally was going to get a mh rod but was convinced medium is better all around. Sounds like I made the wrong choice going medium. I'll stick with the 110. the 130 and 190 look rediculous anyways lol
cheezledzul reply :
If the purpose of crankbait is to be dragged and bounced along the floor why buy a 3-5ft when you can get a 30 and drag it and let it rise
Mobasser reply :
On 8/17/2018 at 8:30 AM, 38 Super Fan said:Go with a buzzbait, simple and fun as it gets. I like the whopper plopper, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
Agree. There are many good topwaters out there just as effective.
38 Super Fan reply :
On 8/18/2018 at 6:14 AM, Mobasser said:Agree. There are many good topwaters out there just as effective.
I suppose it varies from lake to lake, but the WP is actually one of the least productive topwaters for me. A buzzbait will outfish it almost every single trip, and I mean outfish it by a wide margin.
Koz reply :
On 8/17/2018 at 4:49 AM, cheezledzul said:Been looking and trying to decide on my first topwater lure.
Whopper Ploppers are a part of my arsenal and I like to use them (especially Bone, Munky Butt, and Bluegill). However, if I was buying one topwater to be my first topwater it would not be my first choice. So, what would I get?
Teckel Sprinker Frog.
Why? It's kind of the best of both worlds. You can fish it a bit like a regular frog and it has the paddle tail action like a Whopper Plopper. You can fish it in open water and fish it over weeds and slop without getting hung up.
Granted, the hookup rate is lower than with the dual treble hooks of the Whopper Plopper. But it's a very versatile choice for your first topwater.
tcbass reply :
On 8/18/2018 at 10:01 AM, Koz said:
Whopper Ploppers are a part of my arsenal and I like to use them (especially Bone, Munky Butt, and Bluegill). However, if I was buying one topwater to be my first topwater it would not be my first choice. So, what would I get?
Teckel Sprinker Frog.
Why? It's kind of the best of both worlds. You can fish it a bit like a regular frog and it has the paddle tail action like a Whopper Plopper. You can fish it in open water and fish it over weeds and slop without getting hung up.
Granted, the hookup rate is lower than with the dual treble hooks of the Whopper Plopper. But it's a very versatile choice for your first topwater.
I bouht a lot of Teckels and a few Booyah Toadrunners when they first came out. Neither panned out. A homemade Teckel frog made with a Booyah Pad Crasher and Teckel tail have really worked for me though.
looking45 reply :
If you want to try a topwater that Ive found to be more productive than the Whopper Plopper, try a Depps Buzz Jet. This bait makes more commotion then the Plopper. It seems like the Plopper is a hit or miss bait, some days they want it, some days they don't. They eat the Buzz Jet on a regular basis.
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Deps_Buzzjet_Wakebait/descpage-DBJ.html
tcbass reply :
On 8/19/2018 at 1:42 AM, looking45 said:If you want to try a topwater that Ive found to be more productive than the Whopper Plopper, try a Depps Buzz Jet. This bait makes more commotion then the Plopper. It seems like the Plopper is a hit or miss bait, some days they want it, some days they don't. They eat the Buzz Jet on a regular basis.
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Deps_Buzzjet_Wakebait/descpage-DBJ.html
How weedless is it?
And $27......yikes!!!!
looking45 reply :
On 8/19/2018 at 2:11 AM, tcbass said:
How weedless is it?
And $27......yikes!!!!
In stock form it has two trebles hanging from it so it isn't very weedless. If you're fishing it over slightly submerged grass, take the two trebles off and just use one siwash hook on the back end. You'll be able to work it over the grass with not much problem. Your hook up ratio will go down slightly with only one hook.
cheezledzul reply :
This little girl popped my cherry! Only got 1 hit on the wp.
Caught this at the NE point over rocks and sand about 3-4 ft deep. Black w blue flakes weightless 4" yum dinger. Shes a little odd looking to me. Skinny and yellow? Then again it was my first catch.
Had a 2nd fish but stupidly held the line and it flopped off the hook. When I was pulling out my pphone. i cried. Learned a lesson there lol.
tcbass reply :
On 8/19/2018 at 3:15 AM, cheezledzul said:This little girl popped my cherry! Only got 1 hit on the wp.
Caught this at the NE point over rocks and sand about 3-4 ft deep. Black w blue flakes weightless 4" yum dinger. Shes a little odd looking to me. Skinny and yellow? Then again it was my first catch.
Had a 2nd fish but stupidly held the line and it flopped off the hook. When I was pulling out my pphone. i cried. Learned a lesson there lol.
Is that a smallmouth?
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 8/19/2018 at 9:41 AM, tcbass said:
Is that a smallmouth?
Yes
2marshall8 reply :
I was looking for a whopper plopper topic. I've been throwing the loon in 130 during the night with average results. My biggest issue is short strikes. the other night I caught 1 2lber but had 8-10 strikes which were all misses. Any suggestions on modifying or working the lure in a way to prevent more short strikes? the hardest part with top water at night is you can see so you can tell if they have sucked in the lure to set the hook.
IgotWood reply :
This may sound crazy, but I think there is something about the sound that the WP generates that the fish are more interested. For example, on my local lake I've spent a good amount of time fishing the 110 and 130 and have only caught 2 or 3 bass on them. But throw a WP 90 right behind the 110/130 and I immediately start smokin' em! I don't think it's the size because I catch plenty of fish on baits bigger than the 90. Go to a creek not far from my lake, and the 110 is the ticket. I have to believe that it's the sound more than it is the size.
As for a beginner topwater lure...go for it! It's so easy to fish. Cast and retrieve. Keep your rod tip high and the fish set the hook themselves.
EGbassing reply :
I'd get a walking bait. (strike king version is by far the best for the price imo)
Sam reply :
EG, the information shared with you above is outstanding. Everyone has their input and everyone is correct...for their waters.
So let's keep this simple and by the numbers.
1. You live in the great state of New York. So your water temperatures will be colder and your season shorter than most of the country.
2. Due to the water temperature and shorter season, your bass will feed more and get ready for the winter earlier than the states to your south. And topwater is one of their favorite methods to fatten up.
3. Keep it simple. Go with a 90 size Whooper Plopper and a black or white buzzbait for starters. Nothing fancy. Cavitron's work great.
4. If the Whooper Plopper is too expensive to chance, then change out to a topwater popper bait.
5. Give a shaky head worm a try on top of the water. Like a snake. Do not use a weight. Just use a medium or medium heavy spinning rig with 8-pound fluorocarbon line. Move it erratically on the surface. You can use a finesse worm or a trick worm. Or go with one of the 12-inch models. But I suggest going with the finesse and trick worms for this presentation before adding to your length.
6. Do the same with the Senko of your choice, be it Texas or wacky rigged. No weight. Keep it on the surface.
7. A wake bait may be to your advantage. Consider one. Go to YouTube and look up wake bait.
8. Fish the topwater slow. Start with the buzzbait and then to the smaller Whopper Plopper. The popping bait will be next and then the wake bait. But focus on the buzzbait and Whopper Plopper the most. All day long.
9. As for colors, match the hatch and forage's colors. Enough said.
10. And size. Size matters with your baits. Keep them as small as possible at first. Get used to them. See how they work and how the fish hit them. Keep eyes and ears open all the time. Make notes on each adventure. Use a fishing log at the top of this page under "Tools." start out slow and simple.
11. After mastering the smaller baits you are ready for the larger ones.
12. Use spinning gear. Easier to use than a baitcaster. Can handle light weights and line tests.
Good luck and let us know how you do.
BassKicker619 reply :
On 8/20/2018 at 3:00 AM, IgotWood said:This may sound crazy, but I think there is something about the sound that the WP generates that the fish are more interested. For example, on my local lake I've spent a good amount of time fishing the 110 and 130 and have only caught 2 or 3 bass on them. But throw a WP 90 right behind the 110/130 and I immediately start smokin' em! I don't think it's the size because I catch plenty of fish on baits bigger than the 90. Go to a creek not far from my lake, and the 110 is the ticket. I have to believe that it's the sound more than it is the size.
As for a beginner topwater lure...go for it! It's so easy to fish. Cast and retrieve. Keep your rod tip high and the fish set the hook themselves.
It's definitely a matter of sound. Each size has a distinct sound. The bottom structure also has a say in things. This youtube video from Tacticalbassin will explain everything you need to know.
IgotWood reply :
On 8/20/2018 at 6:23 AM, BassKicker619 said:It's definitely a matter of sound. Each size has a distinct sound. The bottom structure also has a say in things. This youtube video from Tacticalbassin will explain everything you need to know.
Yup! Watched this a while back, but I couldn't remember where I saw it.
FCPhil reply :
110 size or the new 75 size all the way! (The 75 is fatter and planes better than the 90 I hear)
NYWayfarer reply :
On 8/20/2018 at 12:29 PM, FCPhil said:110 size or the new 75 size all the way! (The 75 is fatter and planes better than the 90 I hear)
I have the 75 and the 90. The difference is the 75 sits on top of the water when standing still. The 90 dips its tail and sits nose up in the water when at rest.
The 90 so far is a much better producer for me.
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