The Popping Cork Rig (this one from DOA Lures) has long been extremely popular down south and throughout the Gulf Coast for catching sea trout, snook, tarpon, jacks, red fish and many other different types of inshore, shallow water species. However, it has never really caught on in the Northeast or else where for use as a striped bass rig. That is unfortunate, as this rig can be extremely effective on striper's as well as weakfish.

Popping Corks are probably one of the simplest and easiest rigs to use and to fish fish. Not only that, they are a lot of fun to fish with, especially when you see that cork disappear beneath the surface when a fish takes the bait below. It reminds me of being a kid again and catching sunfish, perch, and bullheads on the local pond. The excitement of it is the same, but now the fish are bigger and fight harder and how can you beat that.

There are three (3) types of Popping Corks. The Cigar shape, shown above, Oval shaped, and one that has a carved out face to it similar to a popping plug for more noise. Each one has its own particular use and circumstances to use one.

The Cigar Shaped Popping Cork is used for shallow water situations where the water isn't all that deep and is also calm. It's smaller size and aerodynamic shape doesn't make that much noise when it hits the water so it doesn't spook shallow water fish. It's also good for when the wind is blowing as it has less or little wind-resistance.

The Oval shaped Popping Cork is used for fishing bigger size plastics. An example would be Fin-S Fish, bigger shad bodies, larger size Slug-Go's etc. It's best to use when its windy or when you are fishing deeper water as it makes more noise and causes more commotion that the Cigar shaped cork. 

The Open Head/Popper Cork is used for when you want a lot of noise to attract fish from a long distance. The cupped-out face of this cork can really move some water and makes a loud "pop" when worked properly. It is also good for using a larger size plastic bait and is good for fishing visible structure in deeper water like shorelines where rocks are visible and the water drops off quickly.

All the corks are rigged in similar fashion. A leader of at least 18 to 24 -inches with a some type of plastic bait attached to the end of the leader. Leaders should be tied from fluorocarbon leader material as this has great abrasion resistance and is harder for the fish to see, especially in shallow water situations. To fish one you simply cast it out, let the bait settle, when it does the cork will sit "upright" in the water letting you know that the lure beneath has sunk to its lowest level. You then simply give the rod tip two or three quick jerks. The cork will splash or pop, the lure will rise, and then settle back down slowly. Once the three or so pops are made, you wait for the cork to right itself again and then repeat the process. It's that simple.

In shallow water areas such as back bays, coves, rivers, etc., one of the best lures to use on the end of this rig is the plastic shrimp. Shrimp are one of the main food sources for striped bass and weakfish in shallow water, especially during the early spring and early summer periods. Another good bait is the freshwater tube style bait used in freshwater for largemouth bass fishing. This bait can resemble a small squid or even a large size shrimp. The DOA shrimps work very good as they have been balanced correctly to be fished beneath a popping cork. Other good shrimp imitations are Bay Side Lures shrimp. the Berkley Power Shrimp, and the Tsunami shrimp.

Fishing these corks is one of the times that fishing with braided line is better than mono. Since there is no stretch to braid, you get a better "pop" from the cork and there is less water resistance to the bait. Mono has some degree of stretch to it and on a long cast can make popping the cork difficult. Rods should be 7 to 7 1/2-feet in length and of medium action. I like a flexible tip with good backbone in the lower two-thirds of the rod. This allows for easy popping as well as a good hook-set when a fish strikes.

If you have never used one of these rigs you owe it to yourself to try one and see how much fun it is fishing with one. Once you see that cork disappear beneath the surface you will be hooked on fishing with them from then on.

Capt. Jim White