How To Fish A Whopper Plopper

The Whopper Plopper. Strange name + unique design = big bass.

Recently the whopper plopper has become one of the most popular topwater baits for bass fishing. In fact, you may even find it difficult to find them in your local bait shops because they are literally flying off shelves. Why?

The unique design and the way they can be fished they catch alot of bass and I mean BIG bass. For that reason, I have put together this post to help answer some of your questions about this popular lure. We’ll examine:

• What is a whopper plopper?
• What is the best fishing line for a whopper plopper?
• What is the best whopper plopper rod?
• What is the best reel?
• How to fish a whopper plopper

What is a Whopper Plopper?

The whopper plopper is a floating topwater lure. It is the perfect mix between a buzzbait and a crankbait. As you can see from the picture, it is divided into two sections. The front portion of the bait is made of a hard plastic, very similar to a crankbait or a spook. On the other end you have a soft propeller-like tail. When this lure is being retrieved the tail will spin causing a “plop” sound, hence the name “whopper plopper“.

The fact that this lure can float, has a tail that spins and makes lots of noise, really makes it unique. It can be fished in a way no other lure can be fished, but more on that later.

The whopper plopper is available in four different sizes. The 90, 110, 130 and the 190. The 90, 110 and 130 are designed for bass fishing while the 190 is designed to catch musky, but it can be used in lakes where bigger bass can be found.

It is available in a number of different colors, but some of the more popular color selections are perch, rainbow trout, and loon.

(Learn more about what is the best color to throw in a previous post found here)

Check out some cool Whopper Plopper footage in the following video:

What Is The Difference Between The Whopper Plopper 90 and The Whopper Plopper 130?

The Whopper Plopper 130 is 5 inches long and weighs 1 3/8 ounces while the Whopper Plopper 90 is 3 1/2 inches and weighs 1/4 ounces. When deciding between whether to throw the 90 or the 130, there are a few things to consider. First, the bigger profile of the 130 is going to cast better, thus allowing you to cover more water. Also, it has a bigger profile so you are going to be attracting bigger fish. However, though the 90 may be a little smaller, it can be just as effective.

Let’s talk about equipment….

What is the best fishing line for a Whopper Plopper?

While you can throw Mono or Floroucarbon, many prefer using braid. One reason many use braid when fishing with a whopper plopper is the fact that it has little to no stretch. This can help to ensure good hooksets. Since there is no stretch, once the fish bites, almost instantly it is met with resistance, thus hooking the bass before he can throw the lure.

Second, throwing braid will allow you to cast the lure further. The more water you cover, the better your chances of getting hit. Third, braid floats. This will help to keep your whopper plopper on the surface the second it enters the water. Lastly, braid is abrasion resistant. This can be helpful when fishing around structure so as not to break your line if the fish gets wrapped around wood or rocks.

What is the Best Whopper Plopper Rod?

When fishing with treble hooks, I would almost always recommend going with a moderate fast-action rod, much like one you would use for crankbait fishing. This will give you the backbone you need to bring the fish to the boat, but the somewhat softer tip to keep the fish pinned.

One such rod I would recommend would be the:Duckett Micro Magic Pro Crankin’ Rod. If you want to cover a lot of water, this is a great option. One reason is the mere size. It is 7 feet, 11 inches long which will allow you to launch your lure a mile. Another great feature is the power/action of this rod. It is a medium heavy rod, so you will have no problem keeping pressure on the bass, ensuring he won’t be able to throw the lure.

What is the best fishing reel for a whopper plopper?

One of the things that makes the whopper plopper so effective is the ability to make quick starts and stops. For that reason, I would recommend a fishing reel that is going to have a high gear ratio. One such fishing reel is the Daiwa LEXA Low Profile Baitcasting Reel.

This is a great all around topwater reel because you don’t have to limit yourself to just one fishing lure. It has a high gear ratio of 7.1:1. This will allow you to pause and retrieve your bait quickly. Also, the higher gear ratio will allow you to cover water quickly.

How To Fish A Whopper Plopper

Now that we understand what a whopper plopper is and what the best equipment is to throw one, let’s talk about how to fish one. Here are three different ways to fish a whopper plopper in order to catch more bass.

Steady retrieve. One of the best ways to fish a whopper plopper is with a steady retrieval. That is why I love this bait, it is so easy to use. No need to add twitches with the rod or to burn it across the water, simply cast it out there and allow the bait to do its thing. Of course you can add twitches and pauses, but many times a simple retrieve will generate a strike.

Pause Over Structures. I love fishing with buzzbaits. The commotion they create attracts bass from miles away. The one drawback however, is that when you pause it, it sinks. On the otherhand the whopper plopper floats, so when you pause it, it stays put. It doesn’t sink. This unique feature will allow you to do things that you can’t with other baits.

One such technique is to pause it over structures. Simply cast the lure over a structure that you know bass are holding up in. Once the bait comes over the structure, give it a pause. After a short pause give it a quick retrieve. This action will imitate a startled baitfish that is trying to get away. The commotion this technique generates will without a doubt induce a reaction strike.

When The Bass Misses. When fishing a topwater bait, such as a whopper plopper, sometimes a bass will strike the lure, but miss the lure completely. Now what? In this case, how do you fish the whopper flopper?

The first thing to remember is not to panic. Don’t throw down the rod disappointed that you missed a giant. Instead, continue your retrieval. By continuing the retrieve as if nothing happenned, you will give the bass an opportunity to strike again.

Another thing you can do when the bass misses is to give the lure a quick jerk and a quick retrieve. This will imitate the action of a baitfish trying to flee from its predator.

So, the next time a bass misses your lure,  don’t panic. Don’t overreact. Stay calm. Continue fishing and have faith the bass will strike again.

Now it’s your turn. Share with us your thoughts on how to fish a whopper plopper in the comment section below.