How to make your own corkball pop-ups

Looking for an edge over matey down the bank? Rolling your own special hookbaits is one of the easiest and we show you how to roll the best corkball pop-ups going

Why bother?

‘Corkball’ pop-ups were one of the first ways anglers were able to fish a boilie type hookbait up off the deck. The fact that they are still as popular today, despite the reliability of readymade pop-ups is a clear mark of how effective they can be. Yes, the corkball ensures a high-buoyancy is ensured, a key requirement of heavier rigs such as the Stiff Hinge Rig and Chod, but there are other advantages to gain.

Firstly, you are using the exact same base mix that makes your free boilies, matching them perfectly in both smell and appearance so nothing to lower the confidence of feeding fish. Alternatively you can, as we have done here, ‘up’ the level of flavour to increase attraction and help the smaller amount of paste used to produce a good food signal. You can also tweak the bait with other additives you feel could give you an edge. Here’s how to make them…

The recipe

Production time: Approximately 120 minutes
Ingredients: One cap full (15ml) Activ-8 Activator, Activ-8 Dedicated Base Mix, Corkballs, Two eggs
Equipment: Mixing bowl, measuring syringe or pipette, fork, spoon(s), saucepan and sieve or strainer
Ready-to-use in… 24hrs air-drying but preferably five to seven days

1. Start by sieving around 300gms of base mix, removing any larger items that can protrude through the skin of the finished bait to allow undesired water ingress.

2. Crack a whole egg into the mixing bowl, followed by just the white of another egg, which will act as a hardening agent to help secure the thin layer of paste used.

3. Add a cap full (15ml) of Activator to the egg liquid next – you can also add any other liquid flavours at this point although this is optional and not essential.

4. Now add the sieved Activ-8 base mix or dedicated base mix of your choice to the bowl a little at a time. Mixing with a fork then by hand to build-up the paste.

5. You’re looking for a consistency where the paste no longer sticks to your hands and the texture is firm yet pliable. Now place it into a plastic bag to prevent it drying out.

6. Pinch a small piece of paste and flatten it in the palm of your hand and place a corkball in the centre like so. You want just enough paste for a thin and even layer.

7. Roll the paste wrapped corkballs between the palms of your hands to make 40-50 hookbaits and freeze the remaining paste to make fresh pop-ups at a later date.

8. Roll the paste wrapped corkballs between the palms of your hands to make 40-50 hookbaits and freeze the remaining paste to make fresh pop-ups at a later date.

9. The baits will be ready to use after a few hours, but ideally air-dry for several days before storing and perhaps adding some Hookbait Enhancement System glug.

Top tip
Empty egg cartons are perfect for placing your baits in after boiling and initially drying on a towel, as they help remove any moisture to allow them to harden and toughen-up.