Using A Topwater Like A Popping Cork – Shocking Results!

If you’ve ever wished your topwater lure could do a little more than just walk the dog, this is a fun little trick to try.

In this video, I rigged our Moonwalker topwater like a popping cork by removing the rear hook and adding a soft plastic trailer behind it.

It’s a simple tweak, but it gives fish two very different targets to focus on.

Watch the full breakdown below to see exactly how this rig is tied, retrieved, and when it can make sense to throw.

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FEATURED GEAR:

• Rod: Slot Machine Custom Rod
• Reel: Otis 2500
• Topwater Lure: Moonwalker Topwater
• Trailer lure: Polk County Tweaker – Terd Ferguson Color
• Hook: Hoss Helix Hooks 3/0 1/8oz
• Mainline: Diawa J-Braid 10lb
• Leader: Ande 15lb Mono Leader

What Is A Topwater Cork Rig?

This setup modifies a topwater lure so it can function similarly to a popping cork while still remaining a fishable lure itself.

The rear hook is removed from the topwater and replaced with a short section of leader connected to a trailing soft plastic.

In this case, the setup used:

• A Moonwalker topwater
• A Polk County Tweaker trailer
• A light-weight Hoss Helix hook

The front hook remains attached to the topwater, which gives fish the ability to strike either bait during the retrieve.

Why Does This Topwater Rig Work?

This setup creates two completely different presentations in a single cast.

The topwater creates splash, noise, and surface commotion that helps attract fish from a distance.

Meanwhile, the trailing soft plastic moves naturally underneath the surface and gives fish a second target to focus on.

Depending on fish behavior and conditions, fish may:

• Commit to the topwater
• Ignore the topwater and eat the trailer
• Follow the setup longer before striking

That flexibility is what makes the rig interesting, especially around shallow feeding fish.

How Should You Retrieve This Rig?

The retrieve used here was more aggressive than a traditional walk-the-dog retrieve.

Instead of slowly working the lure side-to-side, the setup was fished using:

• Sharp pops
• Quick bursts of movement
• Short pauses between pops

That aggressive action helps pull the trailer higher in the water column before allowing it to naturally fall behind the topwater during the pause.

The result is a combination of surface disturbance and subsurface movement happening at the same time.

What’s The Best Leader Setup For This Rig?

A short leader section was tied between the braid and the topwater lure to help prevent braid from tangling around the plug during aggressive retrieves.

The setup included:

• Short braid-to-leader connection
• Loop knot tied to the Moonwalker
• Trilene knot connecting the rear leader section
• Loop knot tied to the trailer bait

Using loop knots helps both baits move more freely and naturally in the water.

When Should You Try This Setup?

This rig can make sense when:

• Fish are feeding shallow
• Fish are reacting to surface disturbance
• You want extra drawing power from a topwater
• Fish are following but not fully committing
• You want to experiment with different retrieve styles

It’s also an interesting option during warmer months when fish are actively feeding higher in the water column.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use any topwater lure for this rig?

Most walk-the-dog style topwaters can work, but smaller topwaters tend to manage the trailing bait more naturally during the retrieve.

What trailers work best behind the topwater?

Paddle tails, soft jerkbaits, shrimp imitations, and other lightweight soft plastics can all work depending on the conditions and bait.

Should both hooks be removed from the topwater?

No. Leaving the front hook attached gives fish the opportunity to still strike the topwater itself.

Why use a loop knot on this rig?

Loop knots allow both the topwater and trailer bait to move more naturally and freely during the retrieve.

Final Thoughts

At first glance, this setup looks a little unconventional.

But combining a topwater lure with a trailing soft plastic creates a presentation that covers multiple feeding behaviors at once while still keeping the surface commotion that makes topwater fishing so fun.

And because the modification is simple, it’s an easy setup to experiment with the next time fish are active near the surface but acting unpredictable.

IMPORTANT REMINDER

The 2 core benefits we promise to Insider Club members is to be able to find and catch fish easier than ever before while saving money on fishing equipment.

So I am including links to the quickest ways to achieve each:

1) FINDING FISH SYSTEM

2) INSIDER CLUB’S GROUP DISCOUNTS