I’m fired up because this blog is all about a brand-new bait from Berkley that’s truly one of a kind. I’m talking about the Berkley PowerBait Chop Block Glide Bait, and this one’s going to blow you away.
The Chop Block is not your ordinary lure. It’s a soft glide bait, which is a totally new concept. Glide baits have been one of the biggest trends in bass fishing lately, right up there with forward-facing sonar and finesse fishing. Anglers love them because they don’t just catch bass, they catch big bass. And this bait takes that glide bait idea and gives it a twist; it’s made out of PowerBait soft plastic instead of hard wood or resin. That makes it totally different from anything else out there.
Soft Glide Bait = Big Advantages
Let’s start with the obvious, the Berkley PowerBait Chop Block is soft. It’s a collapsible, bendable, moldable PowerBait. That might not sound like a big deal, but it totally changes the game.
When a bass eats a traditional glide bait, one made of hard plastic or wood, it can only compress so far. You get a lot of missed fish because they can’t fully get it in their mouth. But with the Chop Block, the whole body collapses, just like a worm or a swimbait. That means when they bite it, they get all of it, hook and all.
That softness also gives it incredible action. A normal glide bait joint can only swing a little bit, but this one folds way over on itself. You get that perfect, wide “S” swimming motion, that chopping and gliding look that drives fish nuts. And because it’s light, you can cast it with the gear you already have, you don’t need a big heavy rod or a special setup. Skip it under docks, even make roll casts.
And don’t forget the PowerBait advantage. Glide baits are known for “drawing” fish in because they mesmerize bass from a distance. With PowerBait scent built in, those fish not only follow it, they commit. When they bite it, they taste it and they hang on longer.
Three Sizes, Tons of Color
The Chop Block comes in three sizes; a 6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch model and each one has its place.
- The 8-inch is my favorite all-around size. I fish it on a 7’4″ to 7’6″ medium-heavy flipping stick. It’s got that perfect blend of drawing power and manageability.
- And the 10-inch, that’s your big-bait, big-bite machine. Throw it on a heavy 7’6″ to 8’0″ rod, the same setup you’d use for punching mats or dragging a big Carolina rig.
Each size comes in 14 hand-painted colors; all match-the-hatch style: bluegill, crappie, shad, hitch, gizzard shiner, you name it. The scale detail and two-tone paint are beautiful.
Smart Design from Nose to Tail
Let’s talk about features. The Chop Block borrows some of the best design ideas from Berkley’s PowerBait Nessie, but upgrades them for glide-bait performance.
It’s got a paintbrush-style tail, which adds flash, profile, and just the right amount of resistance. When that bait collapses in a fish’s mouth, they feel that slight firmness, it feels real, like a bluegill tail.
Then there’s the mesh joint. This is a single connection reinforced with a surgical-style mesh, so it never tears. The back section is a little wider than the front — that’s what gives it that smooth, rhythmic “S” glide whether you’re reeling slow or burning it.
You’ll also notice oversized eyes, that was a must for me. Big eyes trigger headshots. Bass that are feeding on panfish or perch often aim for the head, and when those eyes turn and stare them down, they can’t resist.
Finally, the Chop Block has a hook harness system with a belly treble and a stinger tail hook. Both clip neatly into place with magnets and a little “C” clip, so you can skip it, hit docks, or smack structure without the hooks flopping around. But when a fish bites, the hooks pop free, no leverage, no throw-offs, just solid hook-ups.
Easy to Modify, Easy to Fish
Here’s something else I love: this bait is modifiable. You can make quick changes to match the conditions. Want to change the color? Use a Spike-It marker, add gills, bloodlines, or a chartreuse back. Want it to sink a little faster? Just insert a nail weight in the belly. The soft plastic makes that super easy, and you can fine-tune the sink rate by adding one, two, or three small weights.
There are three main retrieves I use:
- Slow Reel: for a wide, lazy “S” motion which is great for beginners.
- Fast Reel: tightens the glide for a fleeing-baitfish look.
- Chop Retrieve: short jerks with pauses, it keeps the bait in the strike zone longer and makes it dart left and right.
And the secret move? The 180-degree turn. After a chop, give the bait some slack by bowing your rod forward, the Chop Block will spin around and face the fish. When those big eyes lock on them, it’s game over! The Berkley PowerBait Chop Block combines everything we love about glide baits, drawing power, realism, big-fish potential but with the softness, scent, and versatility of PowerBait. It’s collapsible, beautiful, affordable (under $20!), and deadly effective.
So if you’re ready to catch bigger bass and try a whole new way to glide, check out the Chop Block. Trust me, once you see that “S” motion in the water, you’ll be hooked!
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