river2sea hit a home run with its Whopper Plopper topwater plug . Now the Californiabased lure company is testing the water with a trio of new prop baits in a little different style . The list includes the long , deep-bellied Big Mistake , with dual front and back blades , the more slender two-bladed Lane Changer , and the Top Notch , which bears a single rear blade . All were introduced at ICAsT 2017 , and while the verdict is still out on whether another Whopper Plopper-sized star will emerge from the bunch , we ’ re seeing a few twinkles in the Top Notch , which I reviewed this spring . first Impression The 3 / 4-ounce bait bears a slight resemblance to the Whopper Plopper 130 , with its large profile , chubby midsection and tapered tail , but that ’ s where the similarities end .
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Beginning at the head , the 5-inch Top Notch features a cupped mouth with a serious overbite to trap water , and teardrop side vents to allow some of it to escape . Flared gills behind the head push more water .
The tail section is equipped with a flexible soft-plastic prop that spins freely on a heavy-duty stainless shaft .
In action
You know the program : Just chunk it , wind it and hold on tight .
Though not nearly as boisterous as the Plopper ,
>> ON THE WATER
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the Top Notch is still fairly loud for a single-prop model and gives the fish an entirely different look and sound . The tail prop creates the distinctive buzz of a tiny motorboat as the lure skims the surface , and it leaves a distinctive wake when reeled at a steady retrieve . The bait runs true at any speed , but winding it at a slow-to-medium pace seems to be by far the most attractive .
That ’ s not the only way you can fish it . Twitch it like a popper and the bait ’ s cupped nose slings a little water and creates a subtle
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slurping commotion while the prop buzzes and sprays intermittently . Worked in this manner , the resistance created by the cupped nose helps hold the bait in place around , say , bream beds , bushes , laydowns , docks , submerged grass beds and other high-percentage targets . It also helps prevent overworking and fouling the bait on braided line .
final thoughts
The Top Notch ’ s large size might help weed out a few peanuts , but it ’ s almost certain to attract the attention of some big girls and draw vicious strikes when the conditions are right . It should be a good choice in calm-to-moderate chop , especially during late spring and summer when bass are guarding fry or on patrol around bluegill beds . It shouldn ’ t be ruled out as a search bait during the prespawn , either .
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