7' Medium Moderate Fast spinning for popping corks. The moderate fast helps to not throw the shrimp off. You don't need to spend big money on a popping cork rod.

 

Waterloo Ultra Mag.. no other choice.

Nah but really, I agree. I wouldn't spend much for a popping cork rod.. Mine is an old 6'6 MH Castaway I bought off a friend for $20..... With as little as I throw them, the rod does fine.

Another good rod for p corks is the H20 Xpress Aduros at Academy. $40.

I just can't see spending money on a rod for that.. That's like buying a $400 masterpiece from Sarge and using it to throw croaker. Get you a cheap decent rod for that, and use the good money for a nice custom tails rod

 

I throw 95% plastics, and the rods I have for corks are just not that great. I've tried using braid, and that helps, but really I just need a good set up for corks.

 

I prefer spinning rods for throwing corks. 7' to 7'6" med action. Look at the Falcon Coastal XG for a good popping cork rod that won't break the bank. You can get them for about $90. I have been using a set of 7'6" med action Falcon Coastal rods with Penn Battle 2500s and Daiwa BG 2500s for throwing popping corks for a year now. I use 30# braid on them. 20# is strong enough but I get less wind knots with the little bit thicker line. You can throw a 3/4 oz Coastal Cork a long way with that setup. It is a soft enough rod that it helps keep from ripping the shrimp off the hook when you cast but it still has enough backbone to get a good hook set.

Now, all that said I broke down and had a custom rod built for throwing corks. Times have changed and I find myself drift fishing with popping corks a whole lot of the time now. I wanted a lighter weight rod with a little more backbone but with a soft tip. I ended up with a 7'2" Crow Series Hybrid rod and I mean to tell you that sucker is awesome. It is a launcher and it's light weight is sure easier on my elbows. You don't have to spend big money on a popping cork rod but if you drift fish and throw corks all the time you'll appreciate a really good rod designed specifically for the task. I spent some time with Laithen Crow describing what I was looking for and we looked at a bunch of different blanks. It took a couple of attempts but he has the perfect popping cork rod nailed down. You can look him up, he has a website, is on FB and he is at the fishing show this week too.

 

Now, all that said I broke down and had a custom rod built for throwing corks. Times have changed and I find myself drift fishing with popping corks a whole lot of the time now. I wanted a lighter weight rod with a little more backbone but with a soft tip. I ended up with a 7'2" Crow Series Hybrid rod and I mean to tell you that sucker is awesome. It is a launcher and it's light weight is sure easier on my elbows. You don't have to spend big money on a popping cork rod but if you drift fish and throw corks all the time you'll appreciate a really good rod designed specifically for the task. I spent some time with Laithen Crow describing what I was looking for and we looked at a bunch of different blanks. It took a couple of attempts but he has the perfect popping cork rod nailed down. You can look him up, he has a website, is on FB and he is at the fishing show this week too.

Holycrap Glenn, you have a 15 year old building your rods? Or I am that old he looks that young?

 

I like throwing plastics just as much as the next guy but there are sometimes (especially when targeting reds) where I will exclusively throw a popping cork. With that in mind, my popping cork combo is just as "high end" as my plastics setups. Different strokes for different folks but I think there is value in quality gear regardless of application. With all that being said, I use a Sarge Boss. One of these best rods that I have ever thrown for this particular presentation. I prefer it over the GLoomis NRX without question.

Just my 0.02!

-SA

 

I like high end gear as much as the next guy, and I built myself some very nice spinning rods for popping corks. But, the question was about finding a good deal at the fishing show, so I'm working on the assumption that troutmauler is trying to save some money.

 

Also, if you are going to use a weighted popping cork, or going to be throwing big shrimp or the occasional baitfish under the cork.. go with the med heavy action. For unweighted corks and avg to small shrimp the med is fine. I'll defer to Johnson1408 on the tip taper ...dude builds a great rod.

 

Now, all that said I broke down and had a custom rod built for throwing corks. Times have changed and I find myself drift fishing with popping corks a whole lot of the time now. I wanted a lighter weight rod with a little more backbone but with a soft tip. I ended up with a 7'2" Crow Series Hybrid rod and I mean to tell you that sucker is awesome. It is a launcher and it's light weight is sure easier on my elbows. You don't have to spend big money on a popping cork rod but if you drift fish and throw corks all the time you'll appreciate a really good rod designed specifically for the task. I spent some time with Laithen Crow describing what I was looking for and we looked at a bunch of different blanks. It took a couple of attempts but he has the perfect popping cork rod nailed down. You can look him up, he has a website, is on FB and he is at the fishing show this week too.[/QUOTE]

I agree that if someone plans to fish a popping cork rig much then a high end will help you fish longer without wearing you down. A guy i fish with just picked up his order of a waterloo baitrunner 7'6" spinner primarily for corks, seems really nice. I may look at the Laithen tho it sounds like that one is dialed in good.

 

I agree that if someone plans to fish a popping cork rig much then a high end will help you fish longer without wearing you down. A guy i fish with just picked up his order of a waterloo baitrunner 7'6" spinner primarily for corks, seems really nice. I may look at the Laithen tho it sounds like that one is dialed in good.

His booth is the Crow Series Rods booth. Stop and ask him about the Hybrid popping cork rod he built for Glenn. He'll know what you are talking about. It's worth stopping to visit with him. He really is a good dude.

While you are there check out the Hybrid 6'6" and 6'9" casting rods. Super good wading rods. I love the carbon fiber grips. And the React rod is top shelf.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I don't mind paying for quality gear, and really don't mind saving money. I figured the fishing show would be a good one stop and shop rather than going all over the Houston area. Hopefully I'll be able to find something really nice that won't break the bank or something cheap enough that is still good quality.

 

The rod companies will all have specials. You might find a deal on the Falcons I mentioned at the FTU booth. I'm not for sure on that, though. I just know they are a big Falcon dealer.

 

Waterloo salinity spinning 7'6" . On sale at fishing show for $101.

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You get a free hat or shirt with the Falcon at the FTU booth, $90 ish for the rod. All FTU rods are 25% off though.