Popping cork question
 

I had some marginal success with a popping cork last week, but I feel I was missing a lot of bites. I caught the trifecta of flounder, red, and specks, though the numbers weren't great. I lost some solid fish. So what do you use? I found a bit more success with a circle hook. What do you use??

treble hook is what I use #4

Bang time cork with a 1/8 ounce Yellowmouth jighead. 20# power pro mainline, 20# flouro leader

Don't jerk. Don't bow to the fish. Lean and real.

Khale hook 2/0 or 3/0. You may have been setting the hook prematurely or too hard. On trout you don't really need to set the hook, It's more of a pick up the rod as you reel

7:1 reel to get the belly out quicker, especially when windy

I just switched to really thin cigar type corks to try out, thinking this will allow less resistance and net a better chance of hookups.

Edit: corks aren't cool, I don't use them ;)

Dont set the hook till you feel the fish. I use a plain shank eagle claw 2/0 and have good success.

guess you're not using the right one.

Only time I use a cork is for reds....bomber paradise popper with 12" of 40lb big game mono leader,1/4 oz yellowmouth jighead with some type of gulp. Every now and then I will use a clip on cork with a sparkle beetle for trout,then I use a 1/8 oz jig.

Sometimes I use a cork but I don't prefer to...don't perch jerk and set the hook when the cork goes down, wait until you feel the fish start to pull then reel slack/lift rod up. If you try to set the hook you will lose more fish...from my experience

Thanks for the tips. I find roadside fishing works best with a cork. Planning on getting a boat in 1-2 years which will open new options. And will also necessitate the obligatory "what kind of boat works best in south Louisiana" threads.

I use braid with a cork. I lose less fish and get better hook sets.

Bingo

try using a spinning reel instead of a bait caster

This. I hate braid for any kind speck fishing, but it's absolutely invaluable with a cork on hooksets and easy popping.

As a famous capt told me a hundred times in one trip .Don't Jerk Just Reel!!

Get a Kayak for now. It will open up whole new worlds to you off of Hwy 1. You don't need a big boat to catch fish.