Why I Like Paddletails Under Popping Corks (And Why It Works So Well)
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Inshore Fishing, Tackle & Gear, Artifical Lure Tips
A lot of anglers think popping corks are only for live shrimp.
That’s how I used to fish them too.
But over time I realized something interesting… there’s another setup that can be even more effective.
Especially when the water warms up and fish start feeding more aggressively.
In this quick video, I explain why the Dr. Popper Cork paired with the right lure underneath it can be such a deadly combination, especially since Insider members can grab both FREE this month.
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Key Takeaways
- Popping corks create noise and surface disturbance that mimics feeding fish.
- That commotion pulls predator fish like trout, redfish, and snook into the area.
- A paddletail lure suspended under the cork “dances” naturally in the water.
- This combo is especially effective when the water has a little churn and fish aren’t overly spooky.
- Many anglers only use corks with live shrimp, but artificials can work just as well or better.
Final Thoughts
As water temperatures rise, popping corks start becoming more effective across many inshore fisheries.
The sound draws attention, and the paddletail underneath gives fish something easy to target.
If you’re an Insider this month, you can actually test this setup yourself with the free Dr. Popper cork and free Slam Shady paddletail available in March.
It’s a simple combination, but it consistently catches fish.
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:
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2) Insider Club’s Group Discounts
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Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish ever trip
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- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
This past weekend I used a Prawn original in natural under popping corks (Dr. Popper Cork) and another and caught spotted seatrout, sand seatrout (17″), spanish mack and lady fish. The fish didn’t seem to want much else. First cast something bit me off clean. I used 4-5′ of leader under the cork and what I found interesting is this. After I cast, let it sit, did 2 pops, sit and then started doing a slow reel handle flip to make the shrimp start to “swim”. The fish either hit on the pop or after the 1st or 2nd reel flip. I believe I saw the video on here about doing that to imitate the shrimp swimming forward slowly.
The Dr. Popper seemed to need more pop to get it to move compared to the other which is similar to the Four Horseman.
Thanks for sharing your results with the Dr Popper.
Luke what’s the typical length of the leader you use behind the cork and for the slam shady what’s a good jig head and size that you recommend.
Thanks Stan
Hey Stan, I typically use roughly 18 to 20 inches of line under the popping cork. The jighead weight I like best is 1/4 oz.
I’ll have to try that out!
Great suggestion. Can’t wait to get on the water and try it out.
I wonder if this would work jigger fishing for bass
I’ve never tried them with bass, but I have to assume they’d work… especially for the post-spawn bass that start schooling in deeper water chasing shad schools (the sound will surely attract the roaming bass to find an easy meal).
We use popping corks with the 2.0 slam shady very effective when striped bass are on marsh banks we use a very light jig head.
We have had the corks attacked many times
Thanks for sharing the helpful intel
Anything I’ve ever used has been great !!!
I need to try this
Crazy question can this be used for fresh water fishing for bass or other predators
I’ve never tried them with bass, but I have to assume they’d work… especially for the post-spawn bass that start schooling in deeper water chasing shad schools (the sound will surely attract the roaming bass to find an easy meal).
Never have I ever used a plastic under a cork !! Can’t wait to check it out !! Thanks
Please keep us posted to how you do with the soft plastics.
You won’t believe this one. I was out fishing on the flats and down this canal.
I paused for a bit for lunch. I had a rod set up already with a 4″ gulp shrimp on a jig head, cast it near some mangroves, popped it once and sat down to eat my sandwich. I looked up and the cork was gone, got up and set the hook and ended up with a 21″ red when I got it in.
I had a witness as well so this will work lol