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Do Big Baits Catch Big Fish? I Tested the Berkley PowerBait 8” Chop Block to Find Out: OHUB Review
I’ve been fishing with the Berkley 8” Chop Block soft-plastic glide bait for the last couple of months in my local ponds and reservoirs. It’s quickly become my go-to big glide bait as the water continues to cool down. I’ll explain why as you continue reading this Berkley PowerBait 8” Chop Block review.
Specs & Design Features
- Length tested 8”
- Color tested: Golden Shiner
- Lengths available: 6”, 8”, 10”
- Colors available: Chrome Gizzard, Matte Shellcracker, Crappie, MF Bluegill, Matte Pumpkinseed, Raw, Shad, Honeypot, Green Back, Hitch, Burnt Bone, and Golden Shiner
- Material: Soft-bodied with mesh-reinforced joint
- Hook rigging: Fusion19 treble hook and an integrated custom Fusion19 stinger hook. Hook retention clip and integrated stinger locking magnet keep the stinger secure during casts and retrieves
- Features: Custom-painted colors, Brush tails, Slow-sinking
I tested the 8” Berkley PowerBait Chop Block. The forked brush tail and the broad, tall profile mimic natural baitfish like shad and panfish. It’s available in three sizes and 12 colors. The unscented soft plastic is durable, but doesn’t hinder the action. It’s very easy to rig thanks to the simple but effective design.
Action & Presentation
The Chop Block looks incredibly realistic in the water. Twitch it one to three times, pause, and it cuts hard to the right and left, before slowly sinking like an injured or dying baitfish. I’ve even fished it fast by steadily reeling it in, similar to a swimbait. The action was decent with a slow retrieve, but it is easy to overdo.
Rating:
8 / 10
Casting & Ease of Use
The Berkley Chop Block is a chunk to cast, even on my Abu Garcia BEAST rod and reel. I’m still dialing in long, accurate casts, but I can be fairly accurate with it on shorter casts. It’s a big lure that definitely requires heavy gear, but it’s pretty simple to fish once you have the proper rod and reel.
Rating:
7 / 10
Hookup Ratio & Fish Response
You’ll get a lot of follows with this lure, but due to its large size, it doesn’t get a ton of bites (it’s a big fish bait for sure). However, when the big ones bite, they hammer it. The hookup ratio is decent thanks to the treble hook and trailer hooks. Berkley designed the hook harness well, plus the PowerBait soft plastic ensures they hold on long enough to get a good hookset.
Rating:
8 / 10
Durability & Longevity
The Berkley Chop Block has lasted me a few months of use. I’ve gotten snagged on limbs and in the weeds on multiple occasions, and it’s still holding up well. Berkley designed this lure to get many uses out of it, unlike other soft-plastic baits. I expect to be casting this lure throughout the winter, spring, and next fall (as long as I don’t break it off on a limb).
Rating:
8 / 10
Versatility & Conditions
The Berkley PowerBait Chop Block is a specialized lure. It’s not intended to be versatile, but it is still effective in a few different conditions when you need to mimic injured or dying baitfish. I’ve only used it in cool to cold water temps (55°F-65°F). I’ll target largemouth bass and striped bass, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a big, angry smallmouth would hit it.
Rating:
7 / 10
Value & Competition
At $16 to $30 (depending on the size), this is an expensive lure. However, it’s very durable and, compared to custom glide baits, reasonably priced. I wouldn’t recommend it for beginners because it is a specialty lure, but if you’re looking to land your PB, this lure could be your best shot. It looks incredibly natural while fishing, and I’ll be buying a couple more.
Rating:
8 / 10
Overall Rating: Berkley PowerBait 8” Chop Block Review
I don’t fish a lot of big baits (I like to catch a lot of fish, I’m not always patient enough to wait for that one big bite), but this lure has earned its way into my rotation. If I hadn’t known it was tied to the end of my line the first time I tossed it out, I would have thought it was a real fish dying along the edge of the bank. This lure is best for tournament and seasoned anglers, whether you’re a bass fisherman or a multi-species angler (I’m certain pike and musky would eagerly crush it). It’s not my go-to lure to catch fish, but when I want to catch a monster, it’ll be one of the first I grab.
Overall Rating:
7.7 / 10
The post Do Big Baits Catch Big Fish? I Tested the Berkley PowerBait 8” Chop Block to Find Out: OHUB Review appeared first on OutdoorHub.
