What’s the Best Popping Cork Leader Length?
- By: Matthew Lanier
- on
- Found In: *Tackle & Gear, Fishing Tips, Lure Rigging, Weekly Newsletter: 9-15-24
Popping corks are an effective way to catch inshore fish, but the wrong setup can wreck your chances. So, what’s the best popping cork leader length?
In this video, I’ll share some tips about how popping corks work and the best leader length to use.
Have any popping cork tips you’d like to share or questions you’d like an answer to? Drop them in the comments below and join the conversation!
Best Popping Cork Leader Length Video
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Recommended Lures to Use With a Popping Cork Rig
- Dr. Popper Popping Cork
- 2.0 Paddletail
- Mulligan Paddletail
- Prawn USA Junior
- Hoss Round Eye Jigheads
- Dr. Juice Saltwater Slam Formula
Recommended Setup for Inshore Fishing with Popping Corks
- Reel: 2500 Series Spinning Reel
- Rod: 7’6″ Medium Action Spinning Rod
- Mainline: 10-lb Braid
- Leader: 20-lb Mono
These two combos are perfect for inshore fishing:
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Key Takeaways
- Always make sure your lure is hanging above the bottom or structure you’re fishing to avoid getting hung up.
- Don’t put so much leader on that fish drawn in by the sound of the popping cork don’t actually see the lure.
- I usually use 18 – 20 inches of leader line.
What’s the Best Leader Length for Popping Corks?
Understanding How a Popping Cork Works
Popping corks serve two primary purposes: make noise and create action for your lure/bait.
When you “pop” your popping cork, the cupped section moves toward you to create a popping sound against the water, very similar to the way a topwater popper works. Some models also include clackers that add additional interest like a rattle on steroids.
At rest, a popping cork floats vertically. When you pop it, it turns horizontal, and that action lifts your bait up and pulls it forward. The stronger and longer you pop the cork, the more aggressive the lure action.
Piecing it altogether, the sound draws the fish in and then the action alerts them to the lure or bait you want them to eat. It’s a highly effective method when fish need some extra help to find your lure.
Setting the Leader Length on Your Popping Cork
Setting the right leader length is critical to your success.
You need to keep it short enough that your lure isn’t dragging the bottom or structure you’re fishing around. If it does, you’re likely to hang up on something and the lure action isn’t ideal.
On the other hand, you don’t want it too long, either. If it is, the fish might come to the sound of the cork but not see your lure. The dirtier the water is, the more critical this becomes.
Typically, I use 18 – 20 inches of leader line on my popping cork rigs. It seems to be a good balance and gives me enough line to retie a couple of times if my line starts to fray from fish or structure.
That said, I’ve also heard of people who have a lot of success using just a foot of leader line. Try a few different lengths and see what work best for you!
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Thanks for the great information Matt!
Awesome! Definitely let us know what you think after you give it a shot! They work in the right conditions!
Loose the popping cork and replace it with Moonwalker….tie 30” leader to the back eye on moonwalker…presto…double rig…now you will catch that Red that wants to take bite out of your popping cork 🎣
I definitely got to put that to the test on the water!! I believe Tony has done it before and had a good day catching trout!
I used my first popping cork yesterday, the yellow one like in this video. Went to one of the Smart Spots in the upper Perdido Bay area. Had it set for about 18 inches. First cast right away got a good hit! Using the 3 inch prawn. Got consecutive hits every cast, but the fish were not getting hooked. Tried to let them play with it before setting the hook, still could not hook them. Any ideas what I might be doing wrong? Maybe fish were too small…?
Hey Rodney, great to hear that you were able to give it a shot on the water! What it sounds like is you might have been in an area with some pinfish or even pufferfish that were hitting your lure. They can take it down but dont always quite get the hook as they aren’t quite big enough for that. But that means that you were in an area with high bait content which is great when looking for fish! That would be my best guess as to what was happening. Thanks for watching!
This video really blew up the comment board
I always have 1 rod rigged with a Cajun thunder but may have the distance too long for the shallows I fish. Thanks for the info! Do you think cajun thunders are as effective as the popping cork?
Cajun thunder is a popping cork I believe and they work! Thanks for adding to the comments!
Thanks again for the great info Matt🤙🏽
Glad to help Nick!
Matt, would a popping cork be something you would throw in clear water like the Tampa Bay area? When retrieving, are you drifting it with the tide and popping it occasionally and taking up slack?
Hey Brett, they could def work in Tampa Bay as Luke has been having some success lately with one. The really flat calm days are probably not best conditions, but when you have some water movement and some chop, they could work great! Thanks for watching!
OK, thank you, Matt.
Matt I live in the Tampa Bay area. 2-4 foot max is what I fish. I am having issues with grass getting stuck on my life bait. What cork do you recommend using with clear, shallow grass flats.
Great info !! learn something new always!!
Awesome! Thanks for watching!
Great video.. I always have a rod rigged with a slip cork for quick depth changes.
You and me both! I always have to have my popping cork ready to go with me! That is mandatory! Thanks for watching, David!
Great advice Matt! I get my corks set up and give it a try here in Cape Coral.
Awesome! Good luck out there, Mike!