The Humble Bobby Cork
Most Australian rock fishers use some kind of float, such as running
floats, to keep their bait suspended off the bottom of the ocean. But
perhaps the most popular and advantageous method used in rock fishing is
the bobby cork.
Advantages of the Bobby Cork Over Running Floats
- cheaper to buy
- easier to make
- no protruding stem to snag the line during a cast
- can be made from cork, plastic foam or even dead flower stalks
- can be painted with luminescent paint making them visible in
most conditions
Bobby corks are used in rock fishing as small as 7 g and range to
about 42 g, but some anglers use them as large as 113 g. The lighter
corks sizes are handy for fishing for bream and rock blackfish in
gutters and white water with a split shot right above the hook.
Baits That Work Well With Bobby Corks in Shallow Water
- cut crab, for rock blackfish, groper, and bream
- cunjevoi, for trevally
- bread bait, rock blackfish
Baits That Work Well With Bobby Corks in Shallow Water
- cunjevoi, for rock blackfish, trevally, groper, luderick,
leatherjacket, sweep, kingfish, tailor, salmon
- live yellowtail, for tuna and kingfish
- cut yellowtail, for tailor and salmon
- prawns, for salmon
When rock fishing with a bobby cork, baits should be suspended about
1 to 2 meters off the ocean floor to avoid snagging in the rocks. You
should be able to slide the bobby cork up and down to make these
adjustments. This will also help you to avoid junk fish that you are not
likely interested in catching; like eels. But don’t worry: any fish that
you do want to catch will come up from the bottom to get your bait.
Rock Fishing with a Big Bobby Cork
The larger and heavier bobby corks are good to use when conditions
are windy. They allow you to use a heavier sinker which really helps in
a moderate to a strong wind.
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