How To Rig A Popping Cork The RIGHT Way
- By: Matthew Lanier
- on
Here’s how to rig a popping cork the RIGHT way…
Lately, the popping cork has been extremely kind to me and has brought me tremendous success.
Popping corks are a huge weapon for you during this seasonal transition period.
Check it out!!
Rig A Popping Cork The RIGHT Way [VIDEO]
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Featured Equipment:
- Panhandle/Big Bend Inshore Lure & Gear Bundle
- Four Horsemen Popping Cork
- 30lb Ande Monofilament Leader
- 10lb PowerPro Braid
- F.R.E.D. Paddletail
- Power Prawn USA Junior
- Power Prawn USA Original
- Z-Man Trout Eye Jighead
- Z-Man Redfish Eye Jighead
Starting at the top with your mainline, tie the braid to the leader material using your connection knot of choice.
I prefer to use a double-uni knot as my braid-leader connection.
30lb monofilament leader of about 6-8 inches is what you should be using.
Also, including a piece of leader above the cork is extremely important and it is often overlooked.
It prevents the braid from getting twisted and looped around the cork which would completely ruin your presentation.
You then have the popping cork itself followed by another piece of leader material.
The knot used to secure the leader to either side of the cork is a snug knot to maintain a strong link.
Furthermore, the length of the leader underneath the cork is dependent upon the depth you’re fishing.
If you are fishing in some deeper water, you can get away with a longer leader.
At the end of this system is your lure tied onto the leader using a specific knot.
You want to use a loop-knot to link the lure and the popping cork system so the lure can swing freely and enhance its overall action.
Quick note, I use the cup-shaped popping cork in the fall to create more commotion and noise that’s needed to attract strikes.
The oval-shaped cork is great all year round but the cup-shape excels in the fall.
Lures To Use With A Popping Cork
Lately, any of the 2.0-size paddletail lures we carry in the Salt Strong shop have been phenomenal under the popping cork.
Most notably the F.R.E.D. paddletail on the Z-Man Trout Eye Jighead.
Jighead weight will depend on the depth you’re fishing but more importantly, it will depend on the current speed.
Heavier jigheads let you get down in the current and are able to stay in the strike zone longer.
Another lure that dazzles underneath popping corks is the Power Prawn USA Junior.
This lure rigged on the Z-Man Trout Eye Jighead is a deadly combination on the popping cork.
Moving onto bigger profiles with heavier jigheads, the Slam Shady BOMBER rigged on the Z-Man Redfish Eye Jighead is also an excellent lure to use on a popping cork.
If you are using larger profile lures, then you want to up the size of your jigheads.
Longer shank hooks allow for better hook placement in larger lures.
Conclusion
Popping corks are a MUST in your tackle box, especially for this fall!!
The additional commotion and action created by popping corks simulate fish crashing and eating bait which sparks a feeding frenzy!
What other questions do you have about popping cork systems?
Let me know down in the comments!!
If you know someone who wants to learn more about how to rig a popping cork the RIGHT way, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
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Now look what you have done! I’m going to have to go out and buy a popping cork or two!
Thanks for the info on popping corks. It is getting the time of year to really use them. Awesome video. Tight Lines
I like your product, however i’m not going to pay $24 shipping on an 8oz order of mulligans and a few pac. of heads.
Hey Larry! Shimmering doesn’t sound right. It shouldn’t be that much for some mulligans and jig heads. Give us a shout a fish@saltstrong.com and we will look into it and can help you place your order! Sorry for the confusion! Let us know if we can help!
Great tips Matt!
Thanks Luke!
Great iinfo on popping cork
Thanks for watching and leaving the nice comment Fred!
Thanks Matt in the yak
I can’t believe I didn’t think of it myself. A mono leader above the cork will solve the main aggravation I get with my braid wrapping around the wire on the cork. Great tip!!
Glad it is helpful Robert!
Nice report, love your passion in the presentation and when getting tight lines! 💪🏼
Thanks Rick! We appreciate you watching!
Hey Matt! Thoroughly enjoy your reports sir!!
and this tip on rigging is no different.
Wanted to ask how you felt about bobber stops?
Here on SC coast big tide swings which is a challenge to keep consistent depths
Thanks,
Kermit
They are definitely a sure tactic for those areas with big tide swings! Richard has some great videos with bobber stops as he fishes those areas with the big tide swings.
Be sure to search for those in the fishing tips section!
Thanks for watching Kermit!
I make sure to have a popping cork tied on for EVERY trip! It is my MOST productive setup lately!
Great to hear that you are having such solid success, Jonathan! Thanks for the nice comment!
Thanks for the timely info. I tied one up for the 1st time last weekend to try on striper and it worked great. I used a weighted hook instead of a jig head. My hook up ratio might improve with the more exposed jig head hook though. I did use the same braid to mono to cork and then leader.
Great work Joe! Keep crushing em with that cork! Thanks for the nice comment!