We designed our very own Popping Cork, Dr. Popper, so we had to hit the water to test it out!

Check out the results and final tally below!!

Popping Corks VS. Weighted Hooks [VIDEO]

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Get Dr. Popper Popping Corks

Joe and I started off fishing the same exact lure – but I had a popping cork tied on my rig.

We both were using a Slam Shady 2.0 paddletail.

I rigged that on a jighead below the popping cork while Joe had his rigged on a Hoss Helix Hook.

Joe had it rigged on a Hoss Helix Hook and I had it beneath a Dr. Popper popping cork roughly 18 inches from the hook.

To keep things fair, we fished the same areas and swapped setups halfway through.

I kicked things off with the first fish but Joe followed it up quickly to even things out.

When the score hit 5-3 (in favor of the popping cork) it was time to switch setups.

After everything was over, the Popping Cork setup won the day catching the most fish.

The popping cork we used is Dr. Popper.

They are unique in the fact that they used monofilament line instead of wire.

That typically prevents you from fitting popping corks into most tackle boxes.

This is not the case with Dr. Popper.

FINDING THE FISH HELP

In order to help make sure that you are targeting the right areas based on the latest feeding trends and upcoming weather forecasts, make sure to use the following 3 resources because they will save you a ton of time.

1. WEEKEND GAME PLANS (UPDATED WEEKLY)

These regional game plans will show you exactly what types of spots to target in under 10 minutes… just click the video to start, and you’ll be informed on what to do on your next trip.

Weekend Game Plan Lessons

2. SMART FISHING SPOTS PLATFORM (UPDATED EVERY 15 MINUTES)

This exclusive software literally shows you where the most fish are likely to be feeding based on exactly when you’ll be fishing. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day.

Smart Fishing Spots App

3. COMMUNITY REPORTS (LIVE FEED)

The Insider Community platform is what you can use to see what is biting near you, and you can get to know other members who fish in your area. Plus, you can use it to keep a log of your catches so you can use past trips to help predict future catches.

Community Platform 

90/10 ZONE INSHORE FISHING NEWSLETTER

Oh, and be sure to sign up for FREE Access to Salt Strong’s 90/10 Zone Newsletter!

It’s the Ultimate Inshore Fishing Blast with the MOST RECENT on-the-water updates, weekly trends, hot lures, catches of the week, fish tales, conservation news, and everything else for Inshore Fishing…

Sent to your inbox free 2x per week!

90/10 Newsletter

The post Popping Corks VS. Weighted Hooks: What Will Get More Bites? appeared first on Salt Strong Fishing Club.

Only thing is, if you don’t know how to retrieve these lures, then they’re basically useless.

In this video, I’ll share my TWO favorite retrieves I rely on to consistently catch fish.

Start reeling in more fish on shrimp lures with these techniques!

Artificial Shrimp Lures For Inshore Fishing [VIDEO]

Not a member? Then click here to join the Insider Club today so you can get access to Smart Fishing Spots, discounts on the tackle in our shop, and much more.

Artificial Shrimp Rig:

• The Prawn USA
• Prawn USA Rigging Bundle
• Dr. Juice Saltwater Slam Scent

There are two types of retrieves I rely on to trigger bites on shrimp imitations.

The first is for reeling in the most fish and the second is for targeting the BIG fish out there.

Everyday Retrieve

First, cast the lure out and let it sink to the bottom.

The type of fish we’re targeting here are flounder, redfish, and other bottom feeders.

Once the lure hits the bottom, close the bail and give the lure a few rod twitches.

Keep the rod tip high so the line is semi-slack in front of you.

That will allow the shrimp to glide forward instead of falling straight down.

Reel in the slack and continue that process.

The intensity of the twitches and length of pauses will depend on the mood of the fish.

If the fish are lazy or neutral, the twitches should be less aggressive with longer pauses.

If they are actively feeding, you can pick up the pace and aggressively pop the lure.

Make adjustments from there as the fish tell you want they want to eat.

For the most part, this is how I will retrieve an artificial shrimp lure.

Sightfishing Retrieve

This next retrieve is best when you see a tailing fish or a fish cruising a shoreline.

Toss the lure out and aim in front of the fish in the direction it is swimming.

This way, as you work the lure back to you, it will intercept the fish.

Let the lure sink to the bottom and then slowly drag it along the bottom.

You don’t want to bring the lure to the fish here.

You want the fish to find the lure.

The post Top Retrieves With Artificial Shrimp Lures For Inshore Fishing appeared first on Salt Strong Fishing Club.

Different weights and sizes of hooks can have different effects on lure action.

This helps you choose the BEST possible hook option depending on the situation.

Find out more here!!

How Paddletail Action Compares Based On Hook Weight [VIDEO]

Not a member? Then click here to join the Insider Club today so you can get access to Smart Fishing Spots, discounts on the tackle in our shop, and much more.

Mentioned Gear:

• Slam Shady 2.0 Paddletail
• 3/0 Hoss Helix Hook 1/8 oz.
• 3/0 Hoss Helix Hook 1/16 oz.

Hook choice is critical.

Depending on the situation, weather, and other conditions, you’ll want to use the BEST possible weight and size of hook to maximize your results.

You’ll notice how the Slam Shady 2.0 on the 1/8th oz. hook has more lively action to it on the descent.

While the same lure on the 1/16th oz. hook has much less kick to it.

Why is this important?

Most of the time, fish will strike your lures on the descent as it falls to the bottom.

So more action on the fall will lead to more strikes.

There are situations when you don’t want as much action if the fish are spooky.

This is why lure and hook choice is so critical.

If you want to see the rest of the comparison video, you’ve got to be an Insider Member.

Not only will you be able to view the full video, but you’ll unlock all of our exclusive content and more.

Insider Mastery Courses, the Insider Community, as well as Smart Fishing Spots are all at your fingertips to instantly boost your inshore saltwater fishing knowledge so you can up your game and impress your buddies.

Oh, and you get 20% OFF or more on just about everything in our online tackle shop.

FINDING THE FISH HELP

In order to help make sure that you are targeting the right areas based on the latest feeding trends and upcoming weather forecasts, make sure to use the following 3 resources because they will save you a ton of time.

1. WEEKEND GAME PLANS (UPDATED WEEKLY)

These regional game plans will show you exactly what types of spots to target in under 10 minutes… just click the video to start, and you’ll be informed on what to do on your next trip.

Weekend Game Plan Lessons

2. SMART FISHING SPOTS PLATFORM (UPDATED EVERY 15 MINUTES)

This exclusive software literally shows you where the most fish are likely to be feeding based on exactly when you’ll be fishing. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day.

Smart Fishing Spots App

3. COMMUNITY REPORTS (LIVE FEED)

The Insider Community platform is what you can use to see what is biting near you, and you can get to know other members who fish in your area. Plus, you can use it to keep a log of your catches so you can use past trips to help predict future catches.

Community Platform 

90/10 ZONE INSHORE FISHING NEWSLETTER

Oh, and be sure to sign up for FREE Access to Salt Strong’s 90/10 Zone Newsletter!

It’s the Ultimate Inshore Fishing Blast with the MOST RECENT on-the-water updates, weekly trends, hot lures, catches of the week, fish tales, conservation news, and everything else for Inshore Fishing…

Sent to your inbox free 2x per week!

90/10 Newsletter

The post How Paddletail Action Compares Based On Hook Weight appeared first on Salt Strong Fishing Club.

This lure has a great darting motion when retrieved with a twitch-twitch-pause motion that causes predator fish to strike due to their instinct to take advantage of injured prey.

The only con of this lure is that it is not for beginners because it requires skill to get the right action in the water… if you’re a beginner, you need to start out with The 2.0 paddletails because they are much easier to use.

But if you’re ready to take on a more advanced lure, here’s a mini-course so that you can see exactly how to rig and use this lure.

Here are the lessons you’ll see below:

• How to rig
• How to retrieve
• When to NOT use soft plastic jerk lures
• Ideal equipment for using soft plastic jerks (rod, line, & reel)
• Best knot to use
• How to repair bent/crooked lures

Just click on the respective videos below to see the details.

How To Rig Soft Plastic Jerk Lures

Here are links to my favorite rigging items for these lures:

Shallow Zones = Helix Weighted Hook (3/0 size fits best)

• 1/16 oz for 0 – 2 ft
• 1/8 oz for 1-3 ft
• 3/16 oz for 2-4 ft

Deeper Zones = Round Eye Jig Head (2/0 & 3/0 hooks)

• 1/8 oz for 2 – 4 ft
• 3/16 oz for 3 – 7 ft
• 1/4 oz for 5 – 10 ft
• 1/2 oz for 10 – 20 ft

Retrieving Soft Plastic Jerk Lures

When To NOT Use Jerk Lures

Soft plastic jerk lures are extremely versatile, so they can be successfully used in most situations. The times in which I recommend against them are the following:

• When lots of pufferfish are in the area (it’s best to go with a hard lure when puffers are around)
• When it’s very windy (these lures can be tough to retrieve properly in windy conditions, so going with something with more drag in the water is generally best (spoon or swimbait)

Ideal Equipment

Here’s a quick listing of the overall equipment that has proven to help maximize the results when using the Twitch lures:

Rod

I highly recommend 7’6″ Fast Action blanks with Medium power. Here are links to my 2 favorite combos for using soft plastic lures like The Twitch:

• Slot Machine + Fuego 2500 Combo (Premium)
• TFO Pro S + Fuego 2500 Combo

Line

I highly recommend using light braid for maximizing your results when using soft plastic jerk lures so that you can maximize your casting distance and feel of taps vs. thumps.

My personal favorite after doing a lot of line tests of the years is the 10 lb J-Braid 8 Grand because it is very strong, casts great, and has proven to hold up to a lot of abuse.

Reel

In my opinion, the reel is not nearly as important as the rod and the line. I recommend 2500-sized reels for inshore fishing with soft plastic jerk lures because they hold plenty of line and have more than enough drag strength while they weigh much less than the larger reels.

My personal favorite is the Daiwa Fuego 2500 XH because it’s super light and it holds up to saltwater exposure great for a reel under $100.

For lures like this, it’s best to use a loop knot so that you can allow the lure to have maximized freedom of motion in the water.

We recommend the Non-Slip Loop Knot since it’s quick to tie and it results in a tag end that points back towards the lure which ensures it won’t snag any floating debris.

How To Repair Bent Lures

No matter how well soft plastic lures get packed into a bag or tackle tray, there will always be some that end up getting bent out of shape.

The good news is that reforming them is very easy. Here’s a lesson showing tips on how to get any bent soft plastics back into good shape:

Conclusion

The Tweaker is a lure that can help you increase your consistency in catching quality fish because it flat out can generate strikes when fish aren’t hungry.

A key to success is to focus on both rigging and retrieving the lure properly because both are crucial.

When used properly, you’ll surely find that this lure will become one of your most trustworthy lures when fishing calm conditions where a silent darting lure shines.

If you have any questions, please use the Comment section below.

Tight Lines!

The post Polk County Tweaker Lure Mini-Course [Rigging, Retrieving, & More] appeared first on Salt Strong Fishing Club.

Typically, you would break this type of rig out for the spring bite.

But, I gave it a go this winter and haven’t looked back.

Take a closer look in the video below!!

Forgotten Wintertime Technique [VIDEO]

Not a member? Then click here to join the Insider Club today so you can get access to Smart Fishing Spots, discounts on the tackle in our shop, and much more.

Featured Gear:

• Gamakatsu Superline Offset Shank EWG Worm Hook
• F.R.E.D. the Jerk

I’m talking about the WEIGHTLESS Jerk Shad rig!

As I mentioned, this is a popular springtime technique.

But, under the right conditions, this can be a secret weapon for you this winter.

One of the top reasons people struggle to catch fish in the wintertime is fishing too fast.

They retrieve their lures way too fast and miss out on the bite.

If you’re fishing too fast with a weightless jerk shad, it will move right up to the surface.

That is not where the fish are going to be eating.

They’re down on the bottom looking to pick off easy meals.

Additionally, as this rig falls, it has a slow descent similar to that of a stunned or dying baitfish.

As a word of warning, you need to use the right type of plastic for this technique.

You need plastisol lures and not those made out of TPE.

There’s nothing wrong with TPE lures, however, they float and with a weightless rig you won’t have the desired outcomes.

How To Retrieve Weightless Rigs

First, cast out the lure and let it sink to the bottom before closing the bail.

Then, give the lure a few twitches and pause to let it sink back down to the bottom.

The twitches need to be light and not aggressive while keeping the rod tip pointed down.

Keep your eyes on the line – any twitch or movement that doesn’t look normal is likely a fish.

The maximum depth you’ll want to fish this rig is 3 feet or less.

Also, you need a few warm days leading into the day you plan to fish for this setup.

FINDING THE FISH HELP

In order to help make sure that you are targeting the right areas based on the latest feeding trends and upcoming weather forecasts, make sure to use the following 3 resources because they will save you a ton of time.

1. WEEKEND GAME PLANS (UPDATED WEEKLY)

These regional game plans will show you exactly what types of spots to target in under 10 minutes… just click the video to start, and you’ll be informed on what to do on your next trip.

Weekend Game Plan Lessons

2. SMART FISHING SPOTS PLATFORM (UPDATED EVERY 15 MINUTES)

This exclusive software literally shows you where the most fish are likely to be feeding based on exactly when you’ll be fishing. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day.

Smart Fishing Spots App

3. COMMUNITY REPORTS (LIVE FEED)

The Insider Community platform is what you can use to see what is biting near you, and you can get to know other members who fish in your area. Plus, you can use it to keep a log of your catches so you can use past trips to help predict future catches.

Community Platform 

The post Why You Need To Use THIS Forgotten Wintertime Technique appeared first on Salt Strong Fishing Club.

All you need is ONE lure and fish near any bridge.

You’ll get the bites needed to avoid the dreaded skunk.

Take a closer look here!!

Never Get Skunked In The Winter Ever Again [VIDEO]

Not a member? Then click here to join the Insider Club today so you can get access to Smart Fishing Spots, discounts on the tackle in our online shop, and much more.

Download The UPDATED Lure Rigging Depth Chart

Get the Prawn Junior

Get Hoss Weedless Football Jigheads

The Prawn Junior is our artificial shrimp lure in the smaller size that we’ve worked on for quite some time.

After months of fishing and relying on this lure, we can safely say it is one of the best shrimp lures out there.

It has an effective glide when rigged on a Hoss Weedless Football Jighead.

Also, this setup can easily bounce over the structure found below most bridges.

Not to mention, everything down there eats a shrimp!

The goal is to mimic a scared shrimp bouncing along the bottom over rocks and ledges.

Plus, this technique will trigger strikes from Texas on through to Virginia.

FINDING THE FISH HELP

In order to help make sure that you are targeting the right areas based on the latest feeding trends and upcoming weather forecasts, make sure to use the following 3 resources because they will save you a ton of time.

1. WEEKEND GAME PLANS (UPDATED WEEKLY)

These regional game plans will show you exactly what types of spots to target in under 10 minutes… just click the video to start, and you’ll be informed on what to do on your next trip.

Weekend Game Plan Lessons

2. SMART FISHING SPOTS PLATFORM (UPDATED EVERY 15 MINUTES)

This exclusive software literally shows you where the most fish are likely to be feeding based on exactly when you’ll be fishing. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day.

Smart Fishing Spots App

3. COMMUNITY REPORTS (LIVE FEED)

The Insider Community platform is what you can use to see what is biting near you, and you can get to know other members who fish in your area. Plus, you can use it to keep a log of your catches so you can use past trips to help predict future catches.

Community Platform 

The post Never Get Skunked In The Winter Ever Again appeared first on Salt Strong Fishing Club.

It’s time to put an end to failed hooksets and lost fish.

Avoid these mistakes and you’ll get the tight lines you deserve.

Take a closer look below!!

When To Set The Hook While Fishing With Paddletail Lures [VIDEO]

Not a member? Then click here to join the Insider Club today so you can get access to Smart Fishing Spots, discounts on the tackle shown below, and much more.

Mulligan Rig:

• Mulligan Paddletail Lure
• 3/0 Hoss Helix Hook 1/8 oz.
• 15lb Ande Monofilament Leader

When fishing with the Mulligan or other paddletail lures, the core goal is to feel weight on the end of your line.

Toss the lure out where you know there are fish and start reeling.

Don’t go to set the hook before you feel weight or a thump on the end of your line.

Once you feel some weight, bury the hook into the fish’s mouth.

For the most part, the fish will hook themselves.

Keep the line tight and when you feel the weight, lift your rod up to set the hook.

You don’t have to aggressively set the hook.

By using a wild hook-setting motion, you risk losing more fish and potentially creating a bigger hole in the fish’s mouth.

That’ll lead to losing more fish.

As long as you’re fishing with sharp hooks and braided line, let the fish set the hook themselves.

A calm pullback on the rod is all that is needed.

FINDING THE FISH HELP

In order to help make sure that you are targeting the right areas based on the latest feeding trends and upcoming weather forecasts, make sure to use the following 3 resources because they will save you a ton of time.

1. WEEKEND GAME PLANS (UPDATED WEEKLY)

These regional game plans will show you exactly what types of spots to target in under 10 minutes… just click the video to start, and you’ll be informed on what to do on your next trip.

Weekend Game Plan Lessons

2. SMART FISHING SPOTS PLATFORM (UPDATED EVERY 15 MINUTES)

This exclusive software literally shows you where the most fish are likely to be feeding based on exactly when you’ll be fishing. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day.

Smart Fishing Spots App

3. COMMUNITY REPORTS (LIVE FEED)

The Insider Community platform is what you can use to see what is biting near you, and you can get to know other members who fish in your area. Plus, you can use it to keep a log of your catches so you can use past trips to help predict future catches.

Community Platform 

The post How & When To Set The Hook While Fishing With Paddletail Lures appeared first on Salt Strong Fishing Club.