My rig is old style weighted green cork with line through center post with 3 or 4” of play, orange beads and swivels on both ends, leader tied to swivel without any lead weight and #8 or 10 3x strong treble hook. I’ve tried others but always come back to that.

 

I guess you'd call me old style. Weighted cork, main line tied to swivel and attached top of cork. length of leader to hook depending on water temps...summer 24 inches or less, winter 36 inches or more. No split shot, let the shrimp move as much as possible. #6 or #8 Mustad xxxxstrong treble.

I don't find the new corks better...in fact not as effective.

 

i use a four horseman cork with the cup. I use a 1/16 oz jig head or 2/0 hook on a 12"-18" leader most of the time and fish it quicker than alot of people. I rarely use a longer leader becasue the fish in coming to check out the sound of the cork so the bait being right by the cork has helped me alot.

 

4 horseman cork 18 inch leader with a tiny split shot 4 inches above the shrimp.. pop the cork every 9 Mississippi

 

I much prefer Coastal Corks and set my leader however long I need it. Anywhere from 18" long to 6' long. It all depends on where you are fishing and what you are trying to accomplish. Most of the time I fish with a 3-4' leader for drift fishing and about an 18" leader for redfishing. I prefer to not use a split shot. If fishing a longer leader in deeper water and drifting fast due to higher wind I might add a single #7 split shot. But I really feel like I do better without the split shot if I can get away with not using one. I use treble hooks and specifically the VMC 9626 CB in a #6 which is a 4x strong O'Shaughnessy bend hook. For it's size it is super strong and they are sharp. You could use a single hook if you like but I'd recommend a kahle style single, not a circle hook. Probably like a 2/0 to 3/0 Kahle hook.

For leader length I think there are many factors that determine how long you need to go. Couple little rules of thumb I use, the dirtier the water the shorter I go with my leader. They are coming to the sound, if the water is very dirty put your bait closer to the sound and make it easier for the fish to find your bait. I might shorten up to 2-2.5' in dirty water even when drifting 6' of water. When the water is clear I like to lengthen it up and usually go with more like a 3-4' leader. There are times the fish are just not active and you have to get it in their face. I might drop it 5-6' in those situations when I am drifting 5-6' of water. With the longer leaders I start thinking about maybe adding a split shot to get it down quicker, especially if the wind is blowing.

 

I'll also add that I fish lures under popping corks almost as much as I fish live shrimp under them. Gulps, Vudu shrimp and jerk baits like Mirrolure Little Johns and Bass Assassins and stuff like that all work great under a popping cork. I use the same Coastal Corks for that and usually use 3-4' leaders and then finish it off with a very light jighead. Usually a 1/16 oz. When fishing schooling fish like that you can often catch better quality fish if you drop that jig down deeper and use a longer leader.

 

I agree with this method. I created for myself. I rig all my fisherman that come with me the same. 90% of time we catch fish. Quality fish top and bottom feeders because of the length being longer. I am able to have success. I use in my boat or when I am wade fishing. The only time it gets shortened is if I am fishing skinny water. Even then I use 2' leader with success. It's what I am used to. I am 95 percent live shrimp unless there are too many baitfish. Then I will add a gulp or fishbites. Tight lines.✌

 

I no longer use treble hooks under a cork in any scenario. Havent used them in years.
Kahle hooks with size dependent upon bait size is the way I go

 

I use a variety of different corks and do not use a split shot if at all possible. If the current is strong I will add a split shot to help keep the shrimp down. I don’t have a boat so generally fish a friends pier where there is generally some current. I use a 1 or 1/0 Gamatasu Shiner Hook which is small in diameter yet strong. Being small in diameter it seems to not kill the shrimp and allows freedom of movement. It’s also recommended by Sharkchum who catches as many fish as anyone I know.

I use braid with a fluorocarbon leader. Fishing mono with a popping cork feels like a rubber band when setting the hook.

 

Im going to switch to that set up as well. I fish out of a kayak, occassionally wading.

 

My popping cork rod is the only rod I prefer mono over braid. Much happier with the way it pops the cork and casts gently but far. 7’6”Castaway Croaker Smoker bait cast rod.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about what you see on YouTube. Anyone can post a video. Heck some of the most popular YouTubers don't even own boats and hop on other people's boats that fish alot. Hence why they catch fish.

 

A lot of good info. Thanks guys!

 

I use the Almeda Popping cork with great luck. No split weight. I have tried several different types of corks and like these the best. I also use a treble hook.

 

I have used them as well, same set up with gulp underneath. Worked well on red fish.

 

I also use braid with a fluorocarbon leader. I love the sensitivity of braid. I like the Almeda cork also because it adds weight to the set up for casting into the wind and getting plenty of distance.

 

I like the Inticer popping cork by Midcoast and have been using them for several years. With these you tie both your line and the leader to the loop on top of the cork. Sounds weird, right? But when you cast, the cork goes first, and I think it's easier to cast.

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