>>Whiffle bats have a longer shelf life.
>>
>
>Yes, but fish are available in a wider range of sizes and weights, and make a satisfyingly wet slapping sound on contact!
>
>Paid political announcement by the Trout-Slap Mike Helland campaign

Just as an additional feature, they also leave behind goo. Which is handy, because people remember them longer. Not that I would know from personal experience. :-)