Trout Fishing With The Whopper Plopper Topwater Lure [REVIEW VIDEO]
- By: Joseph Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Lure Reviews, Product Reviews, Retrieving Lures, Topwater Lures
Want to see how this freshwater “bass lure” does with seatrout?
Then you’ll enjoy this review of the Whopper Plopper topwater lure!
Using topwater lures is one of the most exciting ways to catch fish. Nothing beats watching an explosion on a lure as you are retrieving it in.
If you are like me, you probably walk up and down the fishing aisles multiple times looking for that “secret weapon” that fish can’t resist.
It is also very rewarding to try out new lures and actually catch fish on them.
That is why I have decided to try out the “Whopper Plopper” topwater lure for catching some inshore fish.
This “Whopper Plopper” is a fairly new lure that is out on the market.
The style of this lure, however, is dated from back in the 1950’s when the Heddon Lure Company created the first single prop bait called the Torpedo.
These “prop” lures are mainly used to target largemouth bass due to their aggressive nature to strike at the surface of the water.
It is not really clear whether these fish attack these lure thinking it may be an injured baitfish, or if the noise and action just irritate them to the point of attacking it.
A bait at the surface of the water really doesn’t have much of a chance against a predator fish lurking at the bottom waiting to ambush its prey.
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There’s nowhere for the bait to go besides jump out of the water, but by that time it’s too late.
Since these lures were mainly targeting freshwater anglers, I decided to give it a try in the saltwater.
Trout, snook, and redfish are willing to strike topwater lures just as much as bass do, so I figured they wouldn’t turn down this lure, the Whopper Plopper.
In the image below, you can see that trout, snook, and bass have a very large mouth with an upward facing bottom jaw that extends past their upper jaw (this enables them to effectively attack a bait or lure at the surface).
Redfish don’t have this same adaptation with their mouth as they primarily feed on the bottom and directly in front of them.
Their upper jaw extends past their lower jaw, which isn’t effective for feeding at the surface.
They will, however, still strike a topwater lure, but they must be in an aggressive mode as they have to get their body very high up in the water to strike the lure.
This is why you will see the back of a redfish come out of the water just before it strikes a topwater lure.
Now let’s get back to the Whopper Plopper (so much fun to say!) and the pros and cons of this lure.
Pros Of The Whopper Plopper Saltwater Lure:
- It catches fish! (which you will see in the video below)
- Seems to be made very durable so it should last you a while (unless a monster snook decides to keep it for her collection)
- Works very smoothly right out of the box and great action from the “prop”
- Casts far (weighs 0.4 ounces)
Cons Of The Whopper Plopper Saltwater Lure:
- Expensive – Ranges from $12-$14 for the smaller size (there is also a large version)
- If fishing an area with floating grass, the grass will tend to wrap around the prop shaft affecting the action. However, a few hard tugs when retrieving the lure can help clear off the grass
- As with using most top water lures, your arms may get tired after a while of casting and retrieve if using a twitching type of retrieve (which I found to be the most effective)
In the following video, I will be showing you some different retrieval techniques, underwater footage of the lure in action, some fish catching action, and a quick view of satellite maps to show the type of areas that I was using the lure in.
Whopper Plopper Topwater [VIDEO]
Conclusion
Nothing better than catching saltwater fish with a bass lure!
Just goes to show that the most important part of consistent inshore fishing is NOT the lure, it’s all about location.
I’ve realized time and time again that if I spend more time focusing on where feeding fish should be (instead of focusing on the lure, lure color, etc), I usually catch more fish regardless of what I am tossing out.
It was fun fishing with the Whopper Plopper because it has a such a presence on the water.
Good times.
What freshwater lures have you used to catch saltwater fish?
Let me know in the comments.
Click here to see the Whopper Plopper on Amazon.
Related Post: Rapala Skitter Walk vs Skitter V (Plus Underwater Footage)
And to see exactly where I was fishing, click here (or the link in the box below) to learn about becoming a Salt Strong Insider.
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Ive been destroying reds and trout on grass and structure jigs with a stick bait trailer
The list is endless – Although, some are seasonal – work better under specific conditions. For example, the Shallow Shad Rap – it has a unique tight wobble and tends to work better in the winter months (not to say it won’t catch fish at other times / seasons). There is also a ‘jointed’ version that produces as well!
How about the Zoom Super Fluke… in ‘Golden Bream’. Definitely a confidence bait for me and has caught some of my larger Speckled Trout – Works so well they actually made a saltwater version.
The Megabass Vision Oneten Jr jerk bait – comes in multiple sizes that work well in a variety of depths. There are several other Megabass lures that work extremely well. My favorite here lately has to be the 6″ 7 8″ Magdraft swim bait! Looks just like a mullett and has caught some very healthy Flounder / Redfish gator Trout!
Sixth Sense makes some pretty fishy lures that produce in saltwater as well!
Tony, I love you videos. I have a question on the insiders club. I live and fish in Texas. The coast is a 3 – 4 hour drive, so I only fish it 6 – 8 times a year but love the salt, both inshore and offshore. My question is: What is the percentage of fishing videos or information given to your insiders club, that is shot outside of Florida and in particular Texas.
Hey Rich,
Thanks for the great feedback! As for the Insider Club, our videos and reports are focused on the trends. The where, why, and how in finding feeding fish given the season, weather, tide, and other factors that contribute to finding fish. For example, redfish and trout can be found all along the gulf coast and their habitat is the same from state to state. Grass flats, points, islands, channels – these are common areas for these fish to be in and when we dissect areas here in Florida, you can still apply these same trends to other states such as Texas. We have quite a few members from Texas that have benefited from our insider reports (and other states as well. We also do “Spot Dissection” videos where we pick certain areas in other states, and even here in Florida, and show you where, why, and how we would fish those locations. We currently have one for Port Aransas and many more to come!
I would definitely give it a shot if you are curious, and keep in mind there is a full one year money back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied.
Tight lines!
Tony,
So I see there are several versions… with or without rattles and a 130 size and 90 size. Which specific model were you using?
Thank you,
Charlie
Hey Charles,
The model I was using is the 90 size. It has rattles and is the bone color.
Thank you!
This is the size I mostly use. Caught specs, rock (otherwise called striped bass), and snakehead. These are tough tackle because snakeheads regularly destroy plugs. Also had to run away from a persistent blue heron who insisted on a taste. If you have ever been close up with one you know that’s not good.
Thanks, Tony…….like you, I like trying out new lures and products, and usually order 1 or 2 new ones a month, focusing on topwater lures. Don’t know if I’ll order the whopper plopper – it seems like it might be too much splash for calmer water conditions (which I prefer), and might be better suited for choppier water. And, it doesn’t seem to walk the dog (an action I prefer), and would seem to have greater difficulty with floating grass. Most of the new lures I get are taken out once or twice, and then get stored in my “never to be used again” drawer, as I return to my go to topwater Ima Skimmer which I can cast farther than other topwaters I’ve tried, and has the best action. Lately, I’ve taken a liking to a few new rapala lures (e.g., twitchin mullet and subwalk) that walk the dog just below the surface of the water, and, with a quicker retrieve, can be made to perform like a topwater lure, giving it great versatility. With all the floating grass we have here (the Ozello area), I’ll probably have one of these tied on to one of my rigs this summer. I’ve enjoyed your kayak course, and hope you continue providing articles such as this one without requiring insider membership.
Great review! I don’t have that lure but I will?
Thanks Kat!
Is it really worth the $20 price tag? For one Lure??
Dicks sporting goods has them on sale right now.
Any skinny dipper type swimbait or big bite bait cane thumper on a 1/4 oz jig head. Big chrome spook still my #1 bait though.
Is this the same life that Larry Dahlberg created for Muskee? Albeit, this version looks a little smaller.
Yes it’s made by the company River 2 Sea. There is also a bigger version of it.
Nice work Tony!
Thanks Luke!