Do Popping Corks Really Get More Strikes? [Corks VS. Jigheads]
- By: Matthew Lanier
- on
Do popping corks get more strikes?
I hit the water to find out.
With the same lure, will a popping cork get more strikes than a jighead?
Get the full scoop below!!
Do Popping Corks Really Get More Strikes? [VIDEO]
Not a member? Then click here to join the Insider Club today so you can get access to Smart Fishing Spots, discounts on the tackle in our shop, and much more.
Check out the Ultimate Popping Cork Setup
Popping Cork Setup:
- Rod: 7′ Medium-Fast Action TFO Tactical Inshore Fishing Rod
- Reel: Daiwa BG MQ
- Popping Cork: Dr. Popper Cork
- Prawn U.S.A.
Prawn/Jighead Setup:
- Rod: 7’6 TFO Pro S Spinning Rod Medium
- Reel: Daiwa BG MQ
- Jighead: Z-Man Mag ShroomZ Jighead
- Prawn U.S.A.
The Prawn USA is one of our top-selling soft plastic lures.
It is a shrimp imitation lure that absolutely crushes inshore saltwater fish in the shallows around structure.
In this test, I made three casts with the popping cork and then three casts with the jighead.
I started out throwing the popping cork once I located some fish in the area.
After no bites, I threw out the jighead and hooked into a trout.
Again, no strikes on the popping cork once I made the change back to it.
On the second go-around with the jighead, I was able to get strikes.
In this post-frontal test, the popping cork failed to get as many strikes as the jighead did.
It was slightly chilly on this morning trip so the trout were likely holding closer to the bottom.
This is most likely why the popping cork did not have as much success as the jighead.
Keep in mind, this is just ONE day on the water.
By no means can we definitively say one will perform better than the other.
But this does provide some data for us when fishing after temperatures drop in your area.
FINDING THE FISH HELP
In order to help make sure that you are targeting the right areas based on the latest feeding trends and upcoming weather forecasts, make sure to use the following 3 resources because they will save you a ton of time.
1. WEEKEND GAME PLANS (UPDATED WEEKLY)
These regional game plans will show you exactly what types of spots to target in under 10 minutes… just click the video to start, and you’ll be informed on what to do on your next trip.
2. SMART FISHING SPOTS PLATFORM (UPDATED EVERY 15 MINUTES)
This exclusive software literally shows you where the most fish are likely to be feeding based on exactly when you’ll be fishing. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day.
3. COMMUNITY REPORTS (LIVE FEED)
The Insider Community platform is what you can use to see what is biting near you, and you can get to know other members who fish in your area. Plus, you can use it to keep a log of your catches so you can use past trips to help predict future catches.
90/10 ZONE INSHORE FISHING NEWSLETTER
Oh, and be sure to sign up for FREE Access to Salt Strong’s 90/10 Zone Newsletter!
It’s the Ultimate Inshore Fishing Blast with the MOST RECENT on-the-water updates, weekly trends, hot lures, catches of the week, fish tales, conservation news, and everything else for Inshore Fishing…
Sent to your inbox free 2x per week!
Related categories:
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).
I’ve generally had better luck with jig. When drift fishing I just can’t keep the cork rig in the right zone as the depth changes.
Great work and I enjoyed the video. I assume the colder temperatures, as you suggested, might have contributed to the poor showing for the popping cork setup. When do you think is the best time to throw the cork? I have found the hotter it gets the better the cork gets. I must admit, I haven’t used a popping cork in a couple of years. It’s so much fun when the bite is on.
Good video Matt.
Thanks Joe! We appreciate you taking the time to watch!
Doah, guess I will have to watch for further testing. I do have a popping cork in my FW tackle bag. I guess I will put one in my SW tackle bag and see.
I love breaking my popping corks out on the flats this time of the year!! They flat out produce fish!
Matt I noticed it was not quite an equal comparison. You have two different jig heads. A football jig head on the popping cork and a mushroom head on the power prawn alone. Two totally different actions of jigs and presentations. You did prove the point a jig head alone seems to be better. A test with similar jigs would be a better test. Sometimes fish are just too picky and that is why we carry multiple rods.
I noticed one thing out on the water using different popping corks. The new ones from Salt Strong are bigger and louder with larger beads and honestly I have not caught a thing on them (maybe too noisy). The smaller cork and smaller beads seem to work better. Just my observation. I will find out tomorrow testing a different cork.
Great video!
Hey Douglas, you are correct, they were different jigheads, but they would perform in much the same way. if the jig heads were reversed. If putting a mushroom jig head on the popping cork would have been the difference in catching fish I would be unbelievably surprised.
Interested to hear more about your testing with the popping corks! Looking forward to seeing your findings in the community!
Did you adjust the depth of the popping cork?
That’s a good question! No I did not. I already had the leader length admit 20-24″ under the cork and I don’t normally like to go deeper than that with a cork. If I need to be deeper I’ll use a jig head as in the video. Great question!
Thanks for info Matt
Glad to help Ted!
Very nice video Matt, awesome presentation buddy 🤜🤛
Thanks Dave! So glad that this was helpful!
Interesting Matt. Last week posted 90/10 without fish and was using primarily “popping corks”. Hmmmm will test again. Water here around Cape Coral murky May try reef fishing. Yes no popping cork.
Popping corks can be very situational just like in this video. Sometimes they may not be best. Thanks for watching!
Very interesting. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!