How to use a popping cork for saltwater fishing

• 1). Feed the fishing line through the hole in the popping cork so the cupped face is toward the rod tip. If the popping cork has a stop be sure to feed the line through it before feeding the line through the cork.
  
  
• 2). Tie on your hook.
  
  
• 3). Tie a rubber band to your fishing line 2 to 3 feet above the popping cork to limit the bait's depth. Use your judgment based on water depth. You can easily adjust this by sliding the rubber band up or down your line.
  
  
• 4). Hook the shrimp so it can swim by passing the hook behind the eyes but not through the black spot. That spot is the shrimp's "brain," and you will kill the shrimp if you pass the hook through it. Tail hooking the shrimp or even carefully hooking it through the body length are also good ways to present the bait.
  
  
• 5). Cast in front of where you are wading or drifting. The water behind you has been disturbed by your passing especially if you're in a boat. Any fish in the area have moved out for the time being and you'll just be casting to empty water. The water in front of you is undisturbed and you'll have a better chance of locating fish here.
  
  
• 6). Let the cork sit for about 10 seconds then give a short, sharp snap of the rod. Just enough to make the cupped face of the cork dip under water. Wait about 10 seconds and give it another pop. Continue popping the cork every 5 to 10 seconds. One of the main reasons people do not have success with popping corks in saltwater fishing is not popping the cork often enough. The idea is to fool the fish into thinking other fish are feeding where your bait is.