"It's what I use 98% of the time," he begins. Choosing the ideal size of whopper plopper for bass is a key to have success with the bait. 9 Best Smallmouth Bass Lures For This Season. Ive learned over the years that selecting the right topwater lure when targeting smallmouth bass is absolutely critical. 110 mm (4 3/8), 1 ounce, with #2 trebles, 130 mm (5), 1 3/8 ounce, with #2 trebles, 190 mm (7 ), 2 ounce, with 5/0 trebles, PH Custom Lures Wesleys Ploppin P and Wounded Ploppin P topwaters, with metal fins to create a different sound. Later in the season, lots of splashing typically attracts them.". Here are a few general guidelines for choosing the right size lure: Nothing will get your blood pumping quite like seeing a big smallmouth come up and crush your topwater bait. Last Update: March 24 2023 13PM Are you looking for the Best Size Whopper Plopper For Smallmouth. Fortunately, if you do go to such lengths, its rare to lose oneyou tend to use heavy line and they floatso the investment is unlikely to be squandered. I found there are 3 in the 90 size that are killer for smallmouth. Some anglers have found success with the Whopper Plopper 110; however, it's certainly not as popular as other models. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. For river smallies, the Powder White 90 is the best size Whopper Plopper. While not as versatile, the Powder White Color Whopper Plopper is a necessity for smallmouth bass anglers. The largest size you should consider when bass fishing is the Whopper Plopper 190. I have the larger sizes, but those are reserved for trips when I am fishing waters with lots of gizzard shad. This color is also a perfect follow-up bait that you can leave tied onto a separate rod while fishing. The 110 size, for example, is not substantially smaller than the 130, but its tone is much less intrusive and boisterous. The "plop" sound is great at getting the attention of, The largest size you should consider when bass fishing is the, This size is known as a great Whopper Plopper for. Sizes: 1/8, 3/16, 5/16, , and 7/8 oz. Cabelas was out, but Fisherman's Central in Akron had them so I picked up the Loon color. I slowed the bait down to a methodical gurgle and the bite drastically improved. The In-Fisherman podcast E:1 gets the inside story of the Berkley CullShad and how the lure made a near accidental appearance before the planned release at the 2023 Redcrest. Topwater lures are most effective in the hours that mark the transition period of dawn and dusk. Depending on how the bass bite, anglers can speed up or slow down the bait. ", "For smallmouths, I rely solely on walking-style baits," says Balog. This legendary walking bait was first introduced in 1939 and has caught bass all over the country ever since. An angler may find threadfin shad in one and gizzard shad in the other. Give a Gift He has participated and won fishing tournaments all over the country and enjoys fishing for bass, trout, walleye and other species. The first time I threw the Whopper Plopper 130 was at Lake El Salto in Mexico when the impoundment was at flood stage, with water pouring over the spillway. Into this mix came legendary globe-trotting multispecies expert Larry Dahlberg. As the name suggests, the lures spinning section produced a continuous plopping noise that aggravated bass to strike like Amazonian peacock bass or vicious tropical tuna. 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Thank you for your support! I like it for finessing smallmouths in tough situations," Duckworth says. While you can alter your retrievefrom fast to slow, or anywhere in between, with stutter steps, slight pauses, and the occasional ripthe most important thing is to keep it moving. Whopper Plopper Size Chart (Inches and Centimeters) WP 60 = 2 3/8 inches (6 cm) WP 75 = 3 . At this time, my retrieve is subtle. Here are 10 tips that will help you catch more bass on topwater lures: So when is the best time to use topwater lures? It's the most popular Whopper Plopper color because the design has a natural look that catches a ton of fish. Balog calls it the best opportunity to hang the biggest brownie of the season. Another situation where the Whopper Plopper 190 outperforms is when it gets super windy. That enticing retrieve from the Whopper Plopper may just pull them off of it and you will get a topwater blowup in places you never imagined. This walking style bait offers a unique acoustic sound that will draw big fish in and deliver when it counts. Lets take a look. The black Whopper Plopper Loon topwater bait is a must-have for bass fishermen. It has features to stir up a ruckus a rear prop, sloped face and notches on the sides to create extra splashing, plus a rattle. While other sizes may be better for different situations, this is the true bass fishing Whopper Plopper. Bass anglers have heard this term for decades and its just not correct. The River2Sea Whopper Plopper 90 is a secret weapon that experienced anglers use. The natural patterns on the Monkey But Whopper Plopper are essential for clear water conditions. When bass are aggressively feeding on shad or bluegill, this bait can catch an absurd number of fish and make for a great day out on the water. I was catching 2 to 4 pound bass, and even some very aggressive rock bass. When a slight chop forms on the water, the 90 or 110 will get the job done. If its in low light conditions, youll want to create a distinctive silhouette. As topwater fishing has gained popularity, the River2Sea Whopper Plopper has become a household name. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 3 whopper plopper 90 lot / New / my240 at the best online prices at eBay! . It has a simplistic presentation that works well in dirtier waters. Quite the contrary, even pressured fish still cant resist it and aggressive fish want to punish it. I retrieve quickly over gravel bars, shallow rock-weed transitions, main-lake points, and offshore humps. Clear editor. He also owns Bass Fishing Life Coffee Co. and a video production business focusing on the outdoors industry. Its added weight at the back makes casting it a breeze and gives it an ideal side-to-side action triggering any nearby smallie into striking. Instead of an explosive strike, bass merely swim up behind the buzzer and suck it in. Slowing it (longer pauses between downward snaps) allows the plug to glide or slide gently in a wider arc. If you are fishing topwater for smallmouth bass than the Whopper Plopper is a must have. River2Sea makes two basic versions of the Whopper Plopper. "You can't go wrong with black; in clear water, I like Flitter Shad; for off-color water, it's bone. . The rotating tail of the Whopper Plopper acts like a propeller and creates lots of noise and attention. I hope it will help you to take final decision for Best Whopper Plopper For Smallmouth Bass. You cannot paste images directly. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. All the other colors are clear or white so they should all look similar from below. The bait's twirling tail does all the work for you making it super beginner-friendly. Zoom Ultravibe Craw (Best Overall Smallmouth Lure) 2. Surface action isn't limited to traditional cigar-shaped lures like the Zara Spook, however. The Rover is an absolute fun topwater lure to fish. What is the Best Size of Whopper Plopper for Bass? However, this small profile has been balanced with a larger tail, giving it the extra action it needs. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Specifically, the two most important factors are the wind levels and the baitfish size. ", Lefebre: "I only use a couple surface baits for largemouths, while my topwater assortment for smallmouths fills a Plano 3700 box. Use the 75 or 90 version if the baitfish are smaller and a larger Whopper Plopper for bigger baitfish, like gizzard shad. Its a must have bait.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'tiltfishing_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_18',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tiltfishing_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'tiltfishing_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_19',114,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tiltfishing_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0_1'); .large-mobile-banner-2-multi-114{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. It comes in a variety of different color options and bait sizes. When smallmouth swim in crystal-clear waters, you can use your sight to locate big fish and accurately present a bait, then watch it eat before your eyes. Key Features. The pair of props counter-rotate, keeping the bait on a straight track. It offers an iconic walk-the-dog action that has proven to catch not only a ton of fish, but it catches bigger fish as well. Here are the 7 Best Topwater Lures for Smallmouth Bass: The River2Sea Whopper Plopper has taken the bass fishing industry by storm recently and for good reason. When casting, target grass edges as bigger Largemouth Bass are likely waiting to ambush floating prey. Choosing a Whopper Plopper Based on the Forage. Whether bass are feeding on bluegill, bugs, baitfish, or birds, this bait gets bit. Package weight : 0.023 kilograms. If thats not your style, consider monofilament or copolymer lines, which have more stretch. I've been using it in a shallow clear river. Loon, Powder, and Phantom Shad. Adjust the retrieve speed and color until the bass hit the lure aggressively and avoid nipping just the back treble and you will be on your way to a fun day on the water. For river smallies, the Powder White 90 is the best size Whopper Plopper. There seems to be something especially attractive to brown bass about the zig-zag motion of a walker. So where do we start?if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thebassfishinglife_com-leader-1','ezslot_11',144,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thebassfishinglife_com-leader-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thebassfishinglife_com-leader-1','ezslot_12',144,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thebassfishinglife_com-leader-1-0_1'); .leader-1-multi-144{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Speeding the cadence makes the bait turn back and forth abruptly, throwing lots of water. I like a little chartreuse in a topwater not a gaudy all-chartreuse, but a splash somewhere on the bait. Use topwater lure all-day, not just in the morning & night hours. In this situation, don't pause the lure keep it moving; speeding the retrieve challenges fish to run it down. While other sizes may be better for different situations, this is the true bass fishing Whopper Plopper. If the water is calm or has a slight surface ripple, a size 75 or 90 Whopper Plopper is ideal. As noted above, River2Sea has a wide range of color choices, including patterns that clearly mimic perch, bluegills, and trout. Most anglers work a walker with rod tip close to the water's surface. He has contributed many features to Bass Guide. So, the Whopper Plopper by River2Sea has . Bone and Loon are my choice as well. If I'm allowed 2 colors for any topwater, they'd be black and white. They work well on smallmouth for me. In spring, I go with a prop bait. "The original size Whopper Plopper was intended for muskie, but we had so many smallies blow up on it that we added a downsized model for bass. The Booyah Buzz Blade is an all-around great buzz bait and is ideal for targeting smallmouth bass in grass and around heavey cover. They both generate substantial noise on even a slow, steady retrieve, but one with small glass beads inside makes even more of a commotion. It has the perfect imitation of an animal struggling and trying to stay afloat. While originally designed for bigger fish species, muskie anglers found out they were exceptional for bass. But based on time of year or mood of the fish, sometimes it's a popper, prop bait, or buzzer. On the tidal Potomac River, before the grass gets completely matted, its possible to run it over submerged aquatic vegetation, producing the first (and often biggest) topwater strikes of the year. If imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery, then tackle companies are the most sincere industry on earth. When most anglers are using rattling topwaters, the One Knocker's alternate sound often outperforms them. Read This Before Posting! My suspicion was short-lived, as a 6-pound largemouth came up from beside a clump of water hyacinths and scared the living daylights out of me. The color scheme is similar to a Ghost Minnow pattern, and the bottom is partially translucent. They include: Even River2Sea got into the act, creating a Double Plopper Buzzbait with mini propellers where the metal blades would normally go. This bait has been helping anglers catch big bass for over 50 years and continues to be a major player in the topwater space. It casts farther, doesn't stretch on hook-sets, and makes walking baits more responsive. And on various local clear water lakes, I use it to parallel long docks, or traverse the tips of boat ramps, to generate strikes. ", Balog: "When the water explodes, anglers often are too quick with a hook-set. 01 River2Sea WPL90/12 Whopper Plopper. CybrSlydr Once you cipher the proper rhythm, you can increase or decrease the cadence. This Whopper Plopper Bone Color is the third-best pattern of this popular topwater lure. If you dont mind spending a bit more for a premium bait than Id highly recommend you pick up one of these poppers and give it a try, it will be well worth it.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'tiltfishing_com-leader-2','ezslot_20',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tiltfishing_com-leader-2-0'); Another fantastic topwater lure designed and created by River2Sea is the Rover. If you have a chartreuse magic marker, try adding a few streaks to the underside of the bait's tail. Bone is a solid all-around choice, especially in smallmouth country, as is Chrome, especially in clear water. It provides the same type of baitfish imitation as the Loon color in these situations. While there are many conditions where either topwater will work, there are a few critical situations where I will pull out one over the other. The blades on this bait creates a loud clatter that will annoy any nearby bass so much that theyll have to smack it. A hollow gill tunnel creates extra splashing and bubbles. A buzzbait will also do a better job of working its way over weeds that are almost emergent. The tail's distinct thumping action is what sets this bait apart from the dozens of other topwater lures on the market. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. I fire casts in both directions toward shore and out to open water. On the hottest summer days, I also fish a buzzbait. Bass that had never seen it before went absolutely ballistic, and while the novelty of the lure has dimmed slightly, its still a remarkably exciting way to get both tentative and aggressive fish to make a move. Cast it out, reel it back, repeat. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Cast it far and retrieve as fast as you can turn the reel, throwing water and gurgling all the way. Many lures do their best work in calm conditions, but this bait is different. What Size Whopper Plopper is Best for Big Bass? These qualities allow it to perform extremely well in clearwater lakes and rivers. Experiment and vary the cadence, color, and size until the bite is solid. They've caught more trophy-sized fish this year than ever before, which has shown the world how great these lures really are. 10 Best Size Whopper Plopper For Smallmouth Reviews 01 River2Sea Whopper Plopper 75 Blue Blood WPL75/08 Topwater Surface Bait Lure. I always attach walkers and prop baits with a #2 cross-lock snap or split ring, but chuggers I tie direct. In truth, opportunities to catch smallmouths on top arise throughout the day, from late spring into the late fall. Another all-time great topwater lure for smallmouth bass is the Jitterbug by Arbogast. In-Fisherman's Thomas Allen fishes with pro walleye angler Ross Grothe as they target aggressive walleyes in shallow, weedy water. The bait's twirling tail does all the work for you making it super beginner-friendly. river2seausa.com, Late Spring: According the Lefebre, "The best topwater action often occurs just as smallmouths are finishing the spawn, feeding in shallow water before moving deeper. You'll catch more fish, for sure. ", Lefebre: "Unless floating weeds interfere, I fish a hand-tied white feather treble ahead of the plug. Doug Stange talks about the seasonal movements of largemouth bass and techniques that work well from North to South. Its erratic action is part of the appeal, as it shoots one way, dips below the surface, then bounces up in wild action that attracts bass of all sorts. It will allow you to cover a lot of water and catch a lot of fish. That includes water temperatures down into the lower 50s, although the lure is at its best in the 60s or 70s. But that's not the case, says Balog. ". The River2Sea Whopper Plopper takes advantage of largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass at both extremes of the behavioral spectrum. So what are the best topwater lures for smallmouth bass? Retrieve so the blade barely sputters across the surface. (Its also so much fun to fish)if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'tiltfishing_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_11',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tiltfishing_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'tiltfishing_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_12',113,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tiltfishing_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1'); .large-mobile-banner-1-multi-113{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}.
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