How to Use a Popping Cork for Salt Water Fishing

fishing image by Keith Frith from Fotolia.com

A popping cork is a special kind of bobber with a concave top. When an angler pulls up sharply on this cork, it "pops" against the surface of the water. This popping sounds like a fish attacking its prey and lures other fish who think there must be something good to eat. These fish will then spot the bait below the bobber and, hopefully, bite.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Fishing rod
Fishing tackle
Bait
Boat (optional)

Step 1

Rig your line with a popping cork, a hook and a small split shot to keep the bait under the cork. Rig the popping cork with a fixed leader 18 to 24 inches in length and the hook of your choice on the end. Alternately, rig a sliding cork with a stopper at the desired distance. A fixed leader is a bit easier to pop and keeps the bait at the right depth. A sliding leader, however, is easier to cast a long distance.

Step 2

Rig your hook and attach your bait to the hook.

Step 3

Allow your boat to drift gently downwind. Cast downwind ahead of your boat. If you are not on a boat, cast downwind or upwind as you prefer.

Step 4

Take in enough slack so that the line does not drift under the boat or get fouled on obstacles, but let it sit in the water. Do not try to take in all the slack, since this can pull the cork quickly towards you, preventing the bait from presenting correctly.

Step 5

Hold your pole with the tip angled upward. Gently snap your wrist to pop the cork. According to Hough's Guide Service, the cork "should create a chugging sound, and a splash of water 6 to 8 inches high."

Step 6

Pop the cork every 5 to 30 seconds to attract fish. Experiment with the cadence until you find a rate that works for you.

Article Written By Isaiah David

Isaiah David is a freelance writer and musician living in Portland, Ore. He has over five years experience as a professional writer and has been published on various online outlets. He holds a degree in creative writing from the University of Michigan.

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