This Is The RIGHT Way To Cast A Popping Cork
- By: Richard Thomas
- on
Here’s the RIGHT way to cast a popping cork without getting tangled!!!
There are so many ways for the system to wrap itself or get tangled, especially if you’re casts aren’t right.
Learn more in the video here!
The RIGHT Way To Cast A Popping Cork [VIDEO]
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Featured Equipment:
- Four Horsemen Popping Cork
- Power Prawn USA Junior
- TFO Professional Series 7’6 Medium-Heavy
- Daiwa BG 3000
- 20lb PowerPro
- 30lb Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon
Popping Cork Tackle & Gear
First and foremost, you need to have the right tackle rigged up to properly fish a popping cork.
Most importantly, you need to be fishing with the RIGHT rod.
Usually, anything below a Medium is out of the question because you don’t want anything too light.
That will, however, depend on the weight of the cork.
I use the TFO Professional Series 7’6 Medium-Heavy with a popping cork.
A 7’6 fishing rod is critical because 7-foot rods tend to cause your baits to helicopter and tangle more.
Moreover, you have to take the action of a rod into account.
A Moderate or Medium-Fast action is the sweet spot.
Fast action rods that are more on the stiff side don’t have enough give to prevent your lure from helicoptering.
The reel you use is not as important as the rod, but for ease of use, I do recommend a reel that will balance out the rod you’re fishing with.
I personally fish with the BG 3000 on my popping cork rig.
It is a bit heavier but it does an excellent job of balancing out the entire outfit.
As far as line goes, you can’t go wrong with using 20lb braid on this system.
Popping Cork Systems
From the top of the system working down, I tie a normal FG knot to connect the mainline to the leader.
You can use a heavier monofilament leader, but I suggest a fluorocarbon leader.
Fluorocarbon is a slightly stiffer material that keeps the popping cork system away from the braid.
The braid is what would cause tangles and mishaps in the system.
Up next is the cork itself and then a section of leader with your bait or lure presentation on the end.
The #1 mistake anglers make at this stage is using too long of a leader below the cork.
I suggest a leader length of nothing over 30 inches.
You don’t really want a long leader anyways because the objective of a popping cork is to create noise and attract fish close to the cork.
I typically cut 18-inch leaders but never exceed 30 inches.
Another common mistake anglers make is using the wrong weight on their jigheads or hooks.
Too much weight or too little can cause the system to spin and appear unnatural.
A 1/8 oz. jighead usually covers all bases and falls naturally in the water column.
I wouldn’t go above a 1/4 oz.
How To Properly Cast A Popping Cork
Let’s start by addressing the WRONG way to cast a popping cork.
Right off the bat, anglers usually have the cork way too close to the tip of their fishing rod.
That just increases your chances of the lure helicoptering and getting tangled.
Furthermore, you do not want to cast vigorously over the top.
That gives the lure more opportunity to spin and possibly wrap around the cork.
Now we’ll talk about the RIGHT way to cast out a cork.
Begin by dropping the cork down further away from the rod tip about 18-24 inches.
Instead of throwing the cork out over the top, you want to cast it at a slight angle.
Another thing to note is you should not follow completely through on the other side of your target zone on each cast.
Rather, follow the cork and bait out with the rod tip to further decrease the chances of it spinning.
Conclusion
Popping corks can add some versatility to your fishing skill set and I’ve caught some of my best fish on them.
Just be sure you have the right gear and everything is tied up properly or it can be a headache out on the water.
Make sure not to cast overhead and drop the cork a bit lower than you normally would!!
Was there anything else you can think of when casting a popping cork?
What other popping cork tips do you want to see or have questions about??
Go ahead and drop them in the comments!!
Finding The Fish Help
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1. Weekend Game Plans (updated weekly)
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2. Smart Fishing Spots Platform (updated every 15 minutes)
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Cool information
Great lesson! With your permission I am going to use your exact words when I show people how to better cast those popping corks on my Inshore charters! Very well worded instructions🎣🎣🎣
Absolutely Captain Dave! It took a lot of tangles before I started casting this way with corks. Glad I could share it!
Thanks for the good info- very helpful reminders
Appreciate it Bruce, and anytime!
Congrats on looking healthy. What diet regime worked for you?
Appreciate it Randall! I am
A kinesiology major so I made my own diet/workout regimen.
I added more Protein and cut carbs. That is what worked best for me.
What is the right way to set the hook with a popping Cork? Last time I went out, I missed two after long fights, then broke off setting the hook too hard.
It depends on the bite, but usually as soon as the cork is submerged I make the line tight and give a slight hook set an that usually does the trick!
Thanks Richard…very timely for me as went out yesterday and struggled all day with tangled float on main line…was casting too vertical and float too close to rod tip. Caught lost of fish on the full moon, but dealt with a little aggravation and mosquitoes in Bastrop Bayou TX. Cheers
Glad you got on some good fish Michael! Appreciate the feedback, it’s a few tips I learned after going through the struggle of tangles as well!
Awesome tutorial Richard!
Appreciate it Wyatt!
What scenarios or conditions do you look for to pick up the rod that’s rigged with the cork?
Good question Judson, It’s more of when I can’t present a lure correctly, whether that is because of positioning/angles/depth or current direction
That was interesting Richard, I typically do not use popping corks, but that may change now. Good tips and well present material. I guess this old dog learn a new technique. I will add the popping cork to my Wish List (it is getting bigger each day). I use a Daiwa BG 3000 and 7’6″ TFO PRO Professional Spinning Rods.
Awesome Danny! There’s is always one on my boat for about 9months out of the year!
I now have two in the boat…LOL!
Great job on walking us through that process. I know when I first started throwing a popping cork I had a ton of issues that would have been solved if I saw this video first.
Thanks Pat, we had to learn the hard way just glad we can share those experiences and tips with others!