Fishing the Whopper Plopper for Spring Bass

Spring is a great time for fishing and the Whopper Plopper can be a great lure to use as both bass and prey move into the shallows to feed. 

Here are several tips for using the Whopper Plopper and similar plopper-style baits for spring bass fishing:

Choose the right size plopper and gear: It’s often important to choose the right size Whopper Plopper, when fishing for spring bass. The size of the lure should match the size of the bass forage and gear being used during your spring outing. The #60 size Whopper Plopper is usually best fished with light spinning tackle and when bass are eating small forage; the #75 & #90 sizes fished with medium power casting or spinning gear and when bass are targeting mid-sized forage; and the #110 & #130 sizes should be fished on M/H to H power casting gear when bass are on larger forage or you're targeting larger bass. As with all topwater baits, it's usually best to use either monofilament or braided line when fishing plopper-style baits.

Vary retrieve speed: Bass are more active in the spring, and they are looking for prey that is moving at different speeds. Varying the retrieve speed and action (straight versus pulsed) of the Whopper Plopper can help trigger more bites.

Pay attention to the water temperature: The water temperature is a key factor in determining the activity level of bass in the spring. A good rule of thumb is to use a slower retrieve when the water is cooler and a faster retrieve when the water is warmer. Always experiment with retrieve speed and action to determine the right combination to trigger more strikes.

Fish shallow water: In the spring, bass are more likely to be found near or in shallow water, so focusing your fishing efforts on the flats or in the bays is a great place to start. The Whopper Plopper can be especially effective in shallow water because it creates a lot of surface disturbance, attracting the attention of nearby bass. After a front passes, check the areas along the first major shallow to deep water break line. 

Use different colors: Different water conditions and light conditions can affect the visibility of the Whopper Plopper, so it’s a good idea to have a variety of colors on hand. Experiment with different colors until you find the one that works best in the conditions you are fishing. In low light and stained water conditions start with white, bone and darker (Loon) colored ploppers and more natural color patterns (bluegill, perch or chrome) in sunlit or clear water situations.

Fishing the Whopper Plopper for spring bass can be an effective and exciting way to catch these elusive gamefish. By timing your fishing trip correctly, considering the water conditions, selecting the right color of your bait, and fishing in the proper locations, you'll be on your way to many successful days of spring bassin'.