How To Choose The Best Popping Cork (And Lure) For Every Condition
- By: Wyatt Parcel
- on
With all the different types of popping corks out there, how do you know which one to choose?
And then once you do decide on a popping cork, how do you know what lure or bait to put under it?
It can definitely be overwhelming, but in this video, we’re going to dive into when to use each popping cork and what type of lure or bait to use with it.
By using the right popping cork in the right conditions, you can increase your chances of catching fish.
But if you use the wrong style of popping cork in the wrong conditions, you can actually decrease your chances of catch fish!
So if you like fishing with popping corks this video is a must-watch.
Enjoy!
Choosing The Best Popping Cork [VIDEO]
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Chugger Style Popping Cork
The open face of this cork pulls a lot of water when you pop it, so it makes a lot of commotion on the surface.
Plus, it has weights and beads which add some extra noises when you pop it.
This is the loudest popping cork here and if you’re fishing in choppy conditions or the water is very murky, this is a great option.
A paddletail (which gives off even more vibration as the tail flutters through the water) is a good lure to use under this cork, as are small baitfish like pinfish or finger mullet.
However, if the water is calm or clear, then this is not a good cork to use.
Which leads us to the next style of popping cork…
Cigar Style Popping Cork
If the water is calmer or clearer, then a cigar style popping cork is a better option.
The smaller float, beads, and weights make less noise on the surface so it’s less likely to spook off fish, but makes enough noise to get their attention.
I like to use shrimp lures or live shrimp with these corks.
Egg Style Popping Cork
If you’re looking to catch big redfish and snook and the water is murky or choppy, an egg style popping cork is a great option.
It’s big, so it moves a lot of water when you pop it and it sounds like a big red or snook tearing up bait on the surface.
When using these popping corks, I like to use bigger baitfish lures, like the 5″ Slam Shady PaddlerZ, or actual baitfish.
Conclusion
If the water is dark and you need some extra surface activity to get a fish’s attention, putting a popping cork above your lure or bait is a great option.
The bigger corks will do better when visibility is toughest, like in choppy or murky water, and the smaller corks are best for when the water is a little less murky or chopy.
Have any questions about when to use each type of cork?
Have you experienced anything different?
Let me know in the comments below!
And if you know someone who likes to use popping corks, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
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I’ve been shut out recently fishing for large and small mouth bass. Would this work for them in freshwater?
These corks can certainly work in freshwater environments too. But just like everything, there will be times when the fish love it and others when they are looking for something else.
Great informative video. I’ve always wondered about this exact topic. Well done and much appreciated! I’m actually going to try a popping cork now!
Not a cork guy but enjoyed the video. Used the chugged style for black tip shark fishing with a chunk of ladyfish while drifting the flats. You are definitely asset to the Salt Strong group.
Great video Wyatt, I did not know the differences except I used the Cigar type when it was fairly come out and the chugger when we would have slight wind on the surface of the water. Thanks for the explanation today.
Thanks Wyatt, I had no idea of the technical differences of the shapes and effects of the sound that they have on fish. I did find out though that mullet under a cigar style popping cork drove trout nuts in the fall.
No problem Don! Thanks for watching!
That pb red that you helped me land actually swallowed my cork and spit it out. It was a sliding popper with the beads in the actual foam of the cork, concave top, weighted just enough on the bottom to set it upright in the water. What do you think about those type of corks? I use them to quickly change depth. Also what do you do if that happens to you? I switched to a twitch bait in a bright color and got hooked up first cast. What’s your secondary you have on hand just in case?
That’s crazy! I’ve heard about reds hitting the corks before, but I’ve never had it happen. If they’re consistently hitting the cork instead of the subsurface lure, I’d try throwing a topwater instead. The act of hitting the cork multiple times tells us they’re feeding on top!
Very informative. One wouldn’t normally look at alternatives for popping corks for different situations. This video and narrative show insight on better techniques to catch fish. Thanks.
Glad this was helpful for you Ed! Thanks for watching!
Wyatt- I always question myself on how much leader line to trail off the cork. Your thoughts?
Wyatt, Really great ideas. Well thought out, and by experience. Very good .Thank you
No problem Tom!! Thanks so much for watching!
Thank you so much Wyatt!
Absolutely! Glad you enjoyed the video, Amanda!