Are you an angler looking to up your game and reel in trophy-size fish? The answer may lie in River2Seas Whopper Plopper. This innovative fishing lure combines the action of a topwater bait with the noise and vibration of a propeller, making it irresistible to big fish.
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With its unique design and impressive results, the Whopper Plopper has quickly become one of our favourites. Its realistic swimming action mimics the movements of injured prey, sending out irresistible signals to predatory fish. Whether you are targeting bass, pike, or muskie, this lure is a game-changer. The strikes that this topwater lure attracts are simply amazing! Let’s dive into our review of the River2Sea Whopper Plopper.
- How Does the Whopper Plopper Work?
- Techniques for Fishing with a Whopper
- Best Time and Location
- What Colour Whopper Plopper Works Best?
- What Size of Whopper Plopper Should I Use?
- River2Sea Whopper Plopper Comparison Chart
- How Much is a Whopper Plopper?
- Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using the Whopper
- Benefits of Usage
- Alternatives
- Conclusion
How Does the Whopper Plopper Work?
The River2Sea Whopper Plopper is a hard topwater fishing lure that utilizes a combination of sound, vibration, and realistic swimming action to attract predatory fish. Its design features a soft propeller on the rear end, which spins and creates a loud, enticing noise as it moves through the water. This noise mimics the sound of distressed prey, triggering a predatory response in big game fish. The response from these predatory types is absolutely gratifying!
The propeller also creates a significant amount of water disturbance, which causes ripples and splashes. The faster you reel, the louder the sploshes, which will help draw in fish from quite a ways out.
Who Designed the Whopper Plopper?
Angler, Larry Dahlberg designed the River2Sea Whopper Plopper to target muskies, and it did. Muskies love fast and loud fishing lures! However, we also noticed that the Whopper Plopper is best for largemouth bass. They, too, are driven by the loud sploshing sound that this fishing lure generates.
Further Reading: Explore 11 of the Latest Spring Fishing Lures for 2024
Techniques for Fishing with a Whopper
As with any fishing lure, to maximize your chances of success with the Whopper Plopper, employing the correct fishing techniques is paramount. Firstly, pay attention to casting accuracy. Aim for areas with structure, such as submerged rocks, fallen trees, or weed beds, where big fish are likely to hide and ambush their prey.
How To Fish with the Whopper Plopper
Once you have the spot in sight, cast your Whopper Plopper. Make sure you give it a moment to settle on the water’s surface before starting your retrieve. Doing so allows the propeller to create initial splashes and attract the attention of nearby fish. Begin reeling in quickly, using a combination of short twitches and pauses. The faster you reel in the lure, the louder the sploshing becomes. As you pause in your reeling, the tail of the plopper will sink to imitate the movements of injured prey.
As with any fishing lure, experiment with different retrieval speeds and techniques to find what works best for the fish species you are targeting. On some days, a slow and steady retrieve may be more effective, while on other days, a fast and erratic retrieve may trigger more strikes. Make sure that you pay attention to the fish’s response and adjust your technique accordingly. Most importantly, have fun with it!
Can You Troll with a Whopper Plopper?
Speaking from experience, you can. We were able to catch some nice-sized bass by trolling. Be forewarned, since the whopper plopper is a heavier lure – I highly suggest using a slightly stiffer rod with a braided line.
We tried pulling a whopper plopper 110 with a mono line, and the line snapped, which is why we switched to a braided line. I’ve pulled this lure with a 6′ medium heavy spinning rod, while my son has pulled the same lure with a 7′ heavy casting rod. It is easier to reel the plopper on a heavier, longer rod. Watch our YouTube short below to see how fast the Whopper can actually go and the sound it creates.
Best Time and Location
Knowing when and where to use River2Seas Whopper Plopper can significantly increase your chances of landing that trophy-size fish. As a topwater bait, it is most effective during the warmer months when fish are more active near the surface. Early morning and late evening are prime feeding times for many species, so consider planning your fishing trips during these periods for optimal results.
The Whopper for us was most effective in areas with ample cover and structure. We suggest you look for areas with vegetation, submerged rocks, or places where currents converge, as these are favourite hiding spots for big game fish. Additionally, pay attention to any signs of baitfish activity, as predatory fish are likely nearby.
On our first day with the Whopper Plopper 110 in the BlueGill colour, our son caught a 3 lb largemouth bass at the mouth of a bay beside a weedy, shallow rock ledge. The plopper also attracted some of the smaller bass, along with a baby perch.
Further Reading:
Fall Fishing, where we cover tips on how to master this fishing season
What Colour Whopper Plopper Works Best?
The River2Seas Whopper Plopper comes in an array of colours closely resembling baitfish and waterfowl. Colour selection is vital, as it can influence a fish’s willingness to strike. But, before you go and select a colour, consider the waters that you are fishing.
In clear water, natural and subtle colours tend to be more effective, for example, the Whopper Plopper 12 Loon, while in murky water or low-light conditions, brighter and more vibrant colours like the Whopper Plopper 21 Powder can attract attention. Another tip is to match the fishing lure to the colour of the local baitfish.
In our case, the 28 BlueGill lines up nicely with the colour of our baitfish. As with any fishing lure, having a selection of colours to test is always a good idea, which is why we also added the Whopper Plopper 110 in Powder and Loon to our fishing arsenal.
What Size of Whopper Plopper Should I Use?
When selecting a size, consider the target species and the prevailing conditions. River2Sea Whopper Ploppers come in 6 sizes.
Larger sizes, such as the Whopper Plopper 190, 110, and 130, are typically more effective for large musky, pike and bass. While smaller sizes, like the Whopper Plopper 60, 75, and 90, work well for their smaller counterparts. These sizes also attract the smaller panfish and perch. Remember, the various sizes will vary the sound level and splooshing action.
We decided to opt for a nice in-between size – the River2Sea Whopper Plopper 110. The Whopper Plopper 110 is big enough to attract large fish and not a heavy fishing lure to reel, which for us is the perfect size for large bass.
River2Sea Whopper Plopper Comparison Chart
| Features | WP 60 | WP 75 | WP 90 | WP 110 | WP 130 | WP 190 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (MSRP) | $10.49 | $13.64 | $13.64 | $17.84 | $17.84 | $22.04 |
| Weight (oz) | 1/4 | 9/16 | 1/2 | 1 | 1 3/8 | 2 3/4 |
| Length (in) | 2 3/8 | 3 | 3 1/2 | 4 3/8 | 5 | 7 1/2 |
| Hook Size | #6 | #4 | #4 | #2 | #2 | #5 |
| Colours | 8 | 11 | 24 | 11 | 24 | 8 |
How Much is a Whopper Plopper?
Depending on the size, the price of River2Seas Whopper Plopper in the US ranges from 10 – $23. In Canada, the Whopper Plopper ranges in price from 18 – $40. You used to be able to find them readily in big box stores like Canadian Tire or Cabela’s. Today, most local tackle shops or online retailers carry some sizes and colour options.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using the Whopper
While the Whopper is a highly effective fishing lure, there are some common mistakes that you should avoid. One mistake is using the wrong retrieval speed. Most beginner anglers will opt for a straight retrieve. Unfortunately, this alone will not land you a fish. Nothing in the water swims in a straight line! Vary your speed, and incorporate some pauses and twitches. The purpose of the Plopper lure is to produce a lot of noise – therefore, a very slow retrieve does not work well with this lure.
Another mistake is neglecting to maintain your fishing lure. The hooks on the plopper come sharp, but over time, they rust and dull. Regularly check for any damage or wear and tear, as a damaged lure will not perform as effectively. Replace any worn-out hooks or split rings to ensure optimal performance. In fishing, nothing is worse than hooking a trophy-size fish – only to lose it to faulty hooks.
Benefits of Usage
The benefit of using River2Seas Whopper Plopper is easy casting and retrieval. The fishing lures weight distribution and aerodynamic shape enable long casts, ensuring you can reach those hard-to-reach spots where trophy-size fish usually lurk. Secondly, this topwater lure is incredibly versatile, and it can withstand the wear and tear of heavy fishing.
Since it is one of our favourite lures, it gets used quite often. Even with all the usage, the lures have not broken and are just as reliable as the day we bought them. I must say, they do have quite a few teeth marks!
The Whopper Plopper is a fun fishing lure, even when the fish are not biting. So, whether you reel fast or slow, the sound and water disturbance will vary significantly. Even through this kind of play, you can still attract nearby fish!
Further Reading:
Best Bass Fishing Lures, a guide on what to look for when selecting the correct lure for bass fishing
Alternatives
While the River2Sea Whopper Plopper has gained significant popularity, alternatives are available. Some popular substitutes and some of our favourites include the MegaBass Jamaica Boa Buzzbait, the Z-Man ChatterBait, and the Shimano WorldPop. Each of these topwater fishing lures has unique features and advantages. It is worth experimenting with different options to find what works best.
Personally, pulling the Whopper Plopper lure is an absolute blast, and the strikes it garners are astounding. My husband, however, much prefers his Shimano WorldPop, and to this, I say, to each his own. I am not one for changing fishing lures – if something works, I like to stick with it. The only way to find out what works best for you is to try it and have fun doing it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Whopper Plopper is a revolutionary fishing lure that has proven itself as a must-have tool for anglers seeking trophy-size fish. Combined with its unique design and topwater action, it makes it irresistible to big game fish. The River2Seas Whopper Plopper is a fun, loud and enticing fishing lure and now has a permanent home in our tackle box. So, equip yourself with this secret weapon, cast it out, reel it in, and get ready for the strike of a lifetime.
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