Sitting in a location where limits of speckled trout had been taken before, the two anglers scratched their heads as to just where the fish were on this day.

Southerly breezes washing salty green Gulf water over the reef were an indication that conditions were right. Now, if only the fish would cooperate.

Both anglers had on their favorite baits. One was casting his preferred plastic grub, while his counterpart was using the ever-reliable live shrimp. Still, no takers.

In an effort to change their luck, both decide to change their approach to the situation. The angler using the shrimp put on a popping cork to float his bait offering along.

Using the concave head of the cork to simulate a feeding fish, the shrimp-soaker was soon rewarded.

Casting the shrimp over the same area as before, the angler started popping the cork at regular intervals. The "sploosh-sploosh" of the cork sent out the signal that the chow line was open. After just a few pops, the cork disappeared.

"Hey, look out! I just got a strike. I knew that cork would call 'em up! You better dump that piece of plastic, then tie on a popping cork and a shrimp," an excited Bobby said.

"Don't worry about me; as soon as I get this next grub on, I'll be right with you," muttered a disgruntled Joe.

Joe watched in disgust as Bobby whipped the thrashing speckled trout over the side. "Had to be luck," he thought. Luck or not, as soon as Bobby got another shrimp out and started popping, lightning struck again.

"Hot dog! I've got them going now. You better get a shrimp on and pronto! I don't want have to catch all the fish today," a giddy Bobby said.

Refusing to use a shrimp - after all, shrimp are for eating, not fishing - Joe instead slipped on a popping cork above his grub. Casting in the same area as Bobby, while popping the cork in a similar fashion, it happened. The cork disappeared in an instant.

"Look out! I've hooked-up too," said a relieved Joe. "Maybe there is something to this popping cork thing."

For the next hour and a half the two anglers, corks a-popping, worked on their limit of trout. Begrudgingly, they both agreed that using the cork was the difference.

If you sharpen up your skills using a cork in your fishing this summer, you too may experience some great action.

There's nothing quite like fishing with a cork. Whether you are a small child or a grizzled old fisherman, the excitement that comes along with watching the bobber drop is fascinating.

When waters warm up along the Gulf Coast, the popping cork becomes a valuable part of the angler's arsenal. Not only do the corks serve as a strike indicator, today's popping corks actually attract fish to your bait.

STANDARD POPPING CORKS

For many years, saltwater anglers have had success with the popping cork. This simple Styrofoam float slides onto your fishing line where it is held in place by a plastic pushpin. The pin is inserted into the cork, against the line, so it holds the cork at the desired position or depth.

The concave head of the cork allows it to give the "sploosh" type sound meant to imitate a feeding fish. This sound is made by giving your rod a vigorous jerk, or as it is known to most anglers, a pop.

While most folks use a popping cork to fish a live shrimp, artificials may be used with the cork as well.

There are various styles of popping corks. Some are weighted, so they will float upright, while others have no weight at all. This causes them to float on their sides, making the popping sound even easier.

RATTLING CORKS

Rattling corks are just as the name implies. These corks produce a rattling or clicking sound intended to attract curious fish. While some corks have tiny rattles in them, other corks use a different method to produce the rattling sound.

The Cajun Thunder cork is an oval-shaped cork threaded on a stiff 6- to 7-inch wire. At the bottom of the cork there are two brass beads. Above the cork there are two plastic beads. Anglers simply attach a monofilament leader below the cork and they can fish either live bait or artificial.

When the Cajun Thunder is cast out, the splashing and loud clicking noise can attract fish from great distances. When twitched or popped, the Cajun Thunder will produce a substantial commotion, then return to the upright position quickly.

This quick "standing up" of the cork will allow you to detect any strikes easily.

My personal experience with the Cajun Thunder has been phenomenal. I have done quite well by using smoke-colored grubs or plastic shrimp-tail grubs below the cork.

I have also had great success using an opening night-colored Saltwater Assassin grub, on a one-quarter-ounce jig-head

The Equalizer cork is the kid brother to the Thunder. This cork does not have the weighted brass beads, but is very effective in shallow-water conditions. Much like the un-weighted popping cork, the Equalizer tends to ride horizontally in the water unless your bait is weighted.

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

The absolute latest craze on the cork fishing scene is the Speculizer. Created by Rob Martin of Metairie, Louisiana, the Speculizer combines many of the nuances of traditional cork-fishing while adding a new twist.

Martin has combined an oval-shaped (Comal) cork and a rubber shrimp (DOA) with a few modifications. After tinkering with the combination, Martin feels he has produced a lure that works as well for novice fishermen as it does for seasoned veterans.

"The popping cork doesn't only let you know when a fish takes your bait. Most importantly it calls the fish to that area," Martin said. "The reason I use the oval cork is because it's the only cork I've seen that when you pop it with a single hard tug of your rod tip, pulling it downwards or sideways, it sounds just like a speck when they strike their prey on the surface. All the other corks I've tried sound like baitfish alone."

Martin claims there is a proper way to fish his new lure, and if you follow the simple directions and fish are in the area, you will hook up.

"When I first cast, I give some single pops to sound like a speck hitting on top. I do each pop about three seconds apart. Then after three or four hard pops, I give my rod tip two to four quick twitches to make it sound like a school of baitfish fleeing a would-be attacker. I repeat that a few times. Next, I repeat the sequence to mimic the sounds of speckled trout feeding on these schools of baitfish," Martin said.

Many folks were skeptical that Martin's Speculizer was nothing more than a rattling cork with a plastic grub under it. While at first glance it may appear that way, Martin is quick to point out the subtle changes.

"What makes the Speculizer so effective is the cork, leader assembly, weight and length. I add weight under the cork in a certain place so that when you pop it you get incredible action. It jumps so high that it almost hits the surface. The extra weight also gives you the long cast, which is essential to catching more fish," Martin said.

"The extra weight also puts the cork back into position very quickly, which makes it less likely to spook fish. The line of the leader is heavy for a slow fall of the bait, but not too heavy to impede the action."

Finally, he uses the line (leader) as long as he can make it and still be able to make the long-range cast he preferss.

"I'd make it even longer if it wouldn't stop the long cast," he said. "There is another important thing to know about the long leader. The Speculizer does not have to suspend off the bottom to be effective. It works as well in 6 inches of water as it does in 6 feet."

Legions of Bayou State fisherman are singing the praises of the Speculizer, so I don't think it will take too long for this rig to spread across the coast.

CONCLUSION

There's no doubt that cork-fishing is a proven way to catch many species of fish in shallow water along the Gulf Coast. With so many options available, there's bound to be a cork out there to fit your style of fishing.

Whether is be a popping cork or rattling cork, we all love to see them go under.