Catching GIANT Reds in Murky Water (Popping Corks vs Plugs)
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Fishing Reports, Red Drum, Artifical Lure Tips
Joe and I had an amazing trip away from Florida targeting bigs redfish, jacks, and black drum.
The video below shows some crazy fishing that we experienced the first morning of the trip… here’s what you’ll see:
- Multiple drag screaming doubles on big redfish
- Popping cork vs plug contest while fishing murky water
- New travel rod battling bull reds and big jack
- Top performing lure breakdown at the end
Watch the full breakdown and chaos on the water below!
Our new Traveler rod dominated these BIG redfish. If you’re in the market for a rod you can trust to take anywhere, don’t hesitate to grab this one! Plus, there are huge savings on it during our Black Friday deals.
Featured Equipment
My Setup
- Rod: Slam Stick Traveler (Medium-Fast)
- Reel: Otis 2500
- Lure 1: Skinny Lipper XL
- Lure 2: Mulligan 5″ Bomber rigged on 4/0 Hoss Round Eye Jighead 1/2oz
- Popping Cork: Dr Popper Popping Cork
- Lure 3: Prototype 5 Inch Topwater Plug
- Line: Daiwa J-Braid 10 lb
- Leader: Ande 30 lb Mono
Joe’s Setup
- Rod: Custom
- Reel: BQ MQ 4000
- Lure: Mulligan 5″ Bomber rigged on 4/0 Hoss Round Eye Jighead 1/2oz
- Popping Cork (Joe): Four Horsemen
- Line: Daiwa J-Braid 20 lb
- Leader: Ande 40 lb Mono
Guide
We had the pleasure of fishing with Capt. Hollywood Johnson on this trip. His business is located in Islamorada, but he goes over to Venice on a yearly basis targeting big reds and black drum as shown above.
Final Thoughts
This trip was the perfect reminder that in deep, muddy water, sound and speed matter more than anything.
The popping cork stole the show from start to finish, and the plugs just couldn’t compete in those conditions.
If you’ve got questions about the setups or want help dialing in your own approach, drop them in the comments and I’ll help out.
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Great fish!
Great video, tons of fish. Sweet
I can’t wait to get a big ol red on my SS Traveler!
So now you finally realize how the water here in northeast fl is because its pretty much the same clarity in Louisiana as it is in northeast fl where I fish in fact from Jacksonville all the way to at least north Carolina on most of the Atlantic coast the water is murky pretty much most of the year and I have been saying this for years anyways just saying plus I don’t really use popping corks anymore never really did a whole lot with them but I do know they work just not very well for me
When was this video filmed?
This was filmed during the summer (end of July).
Great video! I was impressed how well the Mulligan worked under the cork.
Thanks Scott!
Great Video, Fighting Bull Reds in Louisiana is always at great time. The slam stick w/ the Otis handle them Bulls well.
Yes, that setup sure handled the strong fish surprisingly well for a medium power combo.
Great video guys. Any guide recommendations in that area?
Thanks John. I highly recommend Capt Eric and Moe at Journey South: https://www.journeysouthoutfitters.com/
Awesome video and some great action.. Do you have any information and contact information for the guide .. I’d love to go on a trip like this .. Thanks guys
Here are the guides that I recommend for fishing from Venice: https://www.journeysouthoutfitters.com/
Once again another great video! You have me sold on the travel rod. But am wondering about the Otis ~ have you had to do any repairs on it and if so where can it be serviced at?
Thanks Leo! I haven’t had to divest repairs in mine yet. But I’m sure that any reel service guy could tune it up nice whenever I get to that need.