River2Sea Whopper Plopper 190 Topwater Lure 78g Perca

River2Sea Whopper Plopper 190: Topwater lure for catfish and large pike

This 19 cm floating topwater lure is designed for anglers targeting catfish and large pike. With a casting weight of 78 g and a rotating Plopper tail, this lure produces loud plopping sounds and visible pressure waves, creating a distinctive wake on the water's surface. These stimuli can lure large predators up from deeper waters.

Originally developed by American big-fish specialist Larry Dahlberg as a secret weapon for muskie fishing in North America, the Whopper Plopper has since become popular in Germany, particularly for catfish spinning and fishing for trophy pike on the Rhine, the Elbe and at reservoirs with large catfish populations.

The Whopper Plopper 190 is particularly popular for catfish fishing because catfish often hunt in the upper water layers at dusk and at night. They react strongly to low-frequency pressure waves and conspicuous surface disturbances - precisely the stimuli generated by the rotating Plopper tail. Measuring 19 cm in length, its silhouette matches that of a fully grown prey fish, and the loud plopping sound can be detected via the lateral line from a distance, even in murky water.

This topwater lure is an excellent choice for targeting large pike thanks to its large silhouette and loud plopping sound. Its loud surface action and distinctive wake often provoke precisely those trophy pike that are hardly impressed by smaller lures. Effective fishing spots include weed beds, reed edges, sandbanks and shallow bays, particularly between May and October.

The River2Sea Whopper Plopper 190 comes fitted as standard with two River2Sea Long Shank 4X Strong treble hooks in size #5/0 (black nickel), making it ideal for tackling large predators. These robust hooks, combined with the continuous stainless steel Wire-Through-Harness system, are designed for use with large predatory fish. The soft, flexible Plopper tail rotates on this wire frame and is designed to spring back into shape upon contact with structures or fish teeth.

Practical tip: although the hardware is factory-set for large predators, we recommend checking the snap rings and treble hooks for corrosion and wear before each season when targeting catfish.

Here's how to use the Whopper Plopper 190 for catfish spinning and large pike:

• Reel in steadily. As soon as the tail rotates, the characteristic plopping sound is produced. This simple retrieve is highly effective.
• Vary the pace: Short bursts of speed, followed by slower phases, significantly increase the lure's appeal.
• Incorporate pauses: The floating lure remains on the surface, which is a classic trigger for follow-up strikes.
• Dawn and dusk: This is when the lure really showcases its acoustic strengths - the ideal time for catfish.
• Shallow areas, shore zones and groyne fields: Large predators often hunt for prey in shallow waters in the evening. This is exactly where the catfish lure comes into its own.