How to Make Your Own Cork Bobbers

Cork is a light, porous material that floats on water. Cork does not sink until the hollow chambers absorb water and weight the material. Cork works well for fishing bobbers and is easy to manipulate. The material is also cheap and easy to obtain -- from wine bottles (you need to go for the natural, mottled-brown corks, not the plastic corks found in some wines these days). The cork bobber is ideal for small amounts of weight and fishing for trout, bass, panfish and other medium to small fish.

Things You'll Need

  • Wine cork
  • Drill
  • 1/64-inch drill bit
  • Clear nail polish
  • Toothpick
  • Swivel
  • Monofilament line
  • Hook
  • Split-shot weight
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Drill a hole through the center of the cork with a 1/64-inch-diameter bit. The small bit makes a small hole for the fishing line.

    • 2

      Paint the exterior of the cork with a coat of clear nail polish. Use a thin layer to protect the material against water absorption. The thin layer of nail polish is lightweight and increases the life of the bobber. Peg a toothpick on the cork and spin the cork until the polish is dry.

    • 3

      Tie the end of the fishing line to a swivel with a clinch knot. Place the line through the swivel barbell and twist the swivel seven full rotations to twist the line. Feed the end of the line through the gap at the base of the twists and pull the line to tighten the knot.

    • 4

      Cut a 4-foot section of monofilament line from a spool. Tie the line to the free barbell on the swivel with a clinch knot.

    • 5

      Slide the line through the hole on the cork. Tie the hook to the end of the line with a clinch knot. Pinch a split shot weight 6 inches above the hook. The split shot sinks the hook and pulls the line though the bobber. The bobber stops when contact is made with the swivel.