How to Rig a Float/Cork

Types of Floats/Corks

• Slip Float
• Popping Cork
• Standard Float
• Adjustable Popping Cork

Material Needed

This is a list of items that may be needed for some of the rigs. Not all items are needed for each rig as some are for adjustable floats or slip floats. Some will need weights, some will not.

• Float
• Hook
• Beads
• Swivel
• Weight
• Float Stop
• Leader Material

Standard Floats

Standard floats come in two varieties, weighted and unweighted. To start rigging these floats, you will need the float itself, leader material, weight (if using an unweighted float) and your preferred hook. You start by attaching your mainline to your float, which usually has swivels already attached to the float, followed by attaching your leader to the float then your hook. Kahle hooks are a fan favorite for inshore fishermen and Vanguard Wolfe offers the “Catch All” Kahle hook in many sizes for you to choose from.

Adjustable/ Slip Floats

A slip or adjustable float is another time tested float that you should keep in mind when fishing, especially if you want to work the entire water column. For this rig, you will need a float stop, a couple of beads, a slip float, a trolling weight, leader material and your choice of hook. To start, you will need to slide on your float stop to your mainline, followed by a bead, your float, another bead and then attach your trolling weight, which most have a swivel attached at the bottom. After those key components are secured, attach your leader material to the trolling weight swivel then end it with your hook.

Popping Corks

Popping corks have taken the inshore industry by storm as it attracts fish in turbulent or clarity deprived waters. Popping corks mimic the sound of a predator fish species natural food source and also make your bait jump and pop up like natural baits would do. For popping corks, you will need your cork, a weight (if you choose), leader material and your favorite hook. Start by attaching your popping cork to your mainline followed by your leader material and your hook. Weight can be attached a few different ways. First, is to take your leader material and slide it through an egg weight, looping it back around and running it through the weight again to create a stop or sorts and then attach your hook. This way is to prevent your weight from sliding down towards the hook and creating a negative action in the rig. Secondly, you can attach a short piece of leader material to the bottom of your cork and attaching a trolling weight, followed by another piece of leader material and then you hook. Some anglers will attach a section of monofilament line above the cork if you are using braided line, as this helps prevent tangling around the rig itself.

Leader & Hooks

Leader and hook sizes vary from species to species and must be honed to improve your inshore game. It is safe to use 15-20 lb. leader for inshore fishing for species like Trout, Redfish, Snook and Tripletail. You can bump up your leader sizes if you are targeting the larger of each species. Hook size also varies as each fish feeds and reacts differently, but a good size to start out at would be a #1-1/0 Kahle hook as this can hook most of the fish listed here. A thin, light wire circle hook in 2/0-3/0 size is also a good starting point for anglers that want to ensure safe release of their fish.

Bait & Uses

Each setup can be used with live bait such as shrimp, small baitfish and crabs or be used with artificial lures like jigs coupled with your favorite soft plastic bait. Applied properly, these rigs can tremendously improve your inshore fishing game.

These floats can be used in grass flats, over oyster beds, around structure, sight casting to fish. Many species of fish can be targeted with these rigs, such as Trout, Redfish, Snook, Tripletail, Flounder, Stripers and more. Let Vanguard Wolfe help get you on the water with some of the gear you need to make these rigs by visiting our selection of hooks, crimps, swivels and more.

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