The short answer
The original Bass Fishing Facts review recommended the Whopper Plopper because it produced topwater action with a straightforward steady retrieve. The larger version was easier to cast and work in that firsthand test, while the smaller version felt more finicky at startup. Those are historical field observations, not a claim that one size is universally best.
What was actually tested
The original 2016 review described fishing three versions: a roughly 5-inch Bone White model with a rattle, a roughly 5-inch bluegill/perch-style model without a rattle and a smaller roughly 3-inch shad-colored version with a rattle. The larger baits were fished on 30-pound braid; the smaller bait was discussed with heavier fluorocarbon or a leader.
That context matters. A review based on three personally fished versions is more useful than pretending every Whopper Plopper size, color and hardware configuration was tested.
The easiest part: the retrieve
The strongest point in the old review was not a catch count. It was usability. Unlike walking baits, poppers and some prop baits, the Whopper Plopper can work on a simple continuous retrieve. That made it appealing to an angler who did not consider topwater cadence a strength.
You can still vary speed, pause it and work around cover, but the basic action does not require a complicated rod-tip rhythm.
Why the larger version stood out in the old test
The original reviewer preferred the larger version because it cast easily, was simple to keep working and produced a stronger “plopping” action. The non-rattling perch/bluegill-colored bait saw the most action in those outings, although the review also acknowledged it was thrown more often—an important limitation when comparing lure performance.
The smaller bait had a startup quirk
The smaller version was described as occasionally diving on the first turns of the reel before settling into the intended surface action. That observation should be treated as one angler’s experience with one setup, not a universal defect.
Line choice, rod position, splashdown, retrieve speed and the individual bait can all affect how a surface lure starts.
What has aged well
- The simple steady retrieve remains the lure’s main appeal.
- Different sizes behave and cast differently; “Whopper Plopper” is not one single presentation.
- The lure is best evaluated in terms of water, forage, cover and fish size—not hype.
- A dramatic topwater strike is fun, but that does not mean the lure is always the highest-percentage choice.
What we removed from the 2016 version
The old review quoted retail prices and framed the lure as a hot new product. Those details are no longer useful. Bass Facts also removed the old implication that a 5-inch lure specifically targets fish above a certain weight; predator size and lure size do not create a clean minimum-fish-weight rule.
Who should try one?
A Whopper Plopper makes the most sense for an angler who wants a noisy, moving topwater that can be fished with a simple retrieve. It is especially approachable if walking a topwater bait or working a popper feels more complicated than you want.
It is less compelling when fish are buried in vegetation, feeding subsurface or showing that a quieter presentation is more effective.
River2Sea Whopper Plopper
The Amazon listing linked from the old Bass Fishing Facts review still resolves. Sizes and colors change, so use the retailer page to check current options rather than relying on the decade-old price or selection.
Amazon affiliate link
Bottom line
The useful conclusion from the original test is modest: the Whopper Plopper gave a topwater-skeptical angler a presentation that was easy to cast, easy to retrieve and worth keeping in the rotation. That is a stronger recommendation than claiming it is a magic lure.