LTrain1985
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Everything posted by LTrain1985
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No offense taken, I understand the skepticism based on past experiences for y’all. I suppose that was pretty extreme for a first post. I just wanted to share with everyone the great experience I’ve had with the Berkley Choppo baits that have become my favorite lures to use besides chatterbaits. To anyone questioning the authenticity of my post and real world experience with the forum topic, I’m in healthcare recruitment. Specifically, I recruit physicians to work civilian contracts in VA and DoD healthcare facilities across the country. That should suffice and I don’t feel the need to include a link to my LinkedIn profile... OP, sorry to have this get so off topic. Tight lines everybody!
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I’ve been fishing both sizes of the Choppo since October. I have a few 110 Whopper Ploppers and two 90’s. They were my favorite toowaters since I first got some a few years ago, but I’m not ashamed to say I almost exclusively fish the Berkley baits now. The 90 Choppos don’t roll over like the 90 WP’s do and the tail starts up immediately when you start reeling. I found myself hardly ever using the WP 90’s because of those issues. As far as the Choppo 120 goes... it’s basically perfect. The rigid tail on these baits makes a deeper pitched sound than the WP’s do. The big Choppo can be fished to make as much commotion as a WP 130 in windy conditions or as subtle as a 110 in flat calm water. I also have a better hookup ratio on the Choppo 120 vs the WP 110. Not that hookup ratio is bad on the 110 considering most bites are super aggressive, but I’ve definitely had plenty of short strikes too. Well that extra 10mm on the Choppo that makes it a 120 is in the tail section of wire and the rear hook is situated just a little farther back behind the tail, acting almost like a trailer hook. I’m telling you it makes a real difference in a positive way. The lure body itself is pretty much the same size as the 110, but with a little more girth. In regards to quality and components, the paint and hooks are top notch. The Fusion 19 hooks are awesome... sticky sharp and plenty strong. I’ve caught plenty of 4-5lb fish the last several months on the Choppo 120’s with heavy braid and the hooks didn’t bend at all... although I typically throw the Choppo 120 with 15lb CXX on my 7’6 Falcon Cara heavy action rod. That rod has a lot of tip that allows it to load up well on casting and strikes, and plenty of strength for chucking a 1oz lure 40-50 yards. I have fished the 90 size with braid as well and haven’t bent any of its hooks yet either. The paint finish on both Choppos is flawless and tough. Also, Bone is my go to color for topwater hardbaits and the Choppo versions are the typical “bone” color we’re accustomed to... unlike the bone Whopper Ploppers which are practically yellow (trivial to some guys, but it’s something that’s always bothered me). Some people are posting that the Choppos are cheap knockoffs of the R2S Whopper Ploppers, but I’m telling you that’s just not the case. In my opinion the overall quality is better on the Berkley baits and at $9.99 they’re a STEAL. If you won’t fish one because it’s a “copy” then you also better not be throwing any stick worm that isn’t a Yamamoto Senko. I’ve got a lot of hours under my belt fishing Berkley Choppos the last 6 months and I hope you guys find some of this information helpful.
