Puffballs vs. Corkies

6wapiti6 · 02-27-2004, 02:58 PM

I had the oppurtunity to use puffballs w/eggs for the first time last week on the elk & sixes river. I have only used corkies in the past but was really impressed with the puffballs. I liked the fact that you could thread them on your hook, and the soft feel made me think it was less noticeable to the fish than corkies. Are there times when one works better than the other, or is it personal preference?

Hooker · 02-27-2004, 04:09 PM

I bought and used some last weekend. I really like the small profile and the feel of the Puff Ball compared to a Corkie. Although I didn't get any action on them, I will give them another try this weekend. I'll let you know what I come up with.

All IN · 02-27-2004, 04:36 PM

The puffballs have worked well for me. I've hooked a few fish on them but I just started using them, haven't landed anything on one yet. The only problem I had was that some would crack or fall apart after awhile. I always carry some on me though.

Akuracy503 · 02-27-2004, 04:38 PM

Both float your presentation bait very well, i personally like the color choices of corkies. its not a bad idea to tip off your hook with a puffball if you use a sandshrimp so it prevents the shrimp from slipping off the hook.

Gun Rod Bow · 02-27-2004, 04:50 PM

I used them for the first time yesterday while on a trip with Travis Moncreif. Got an invite from a buddy and had a great time with Travis. He's a great guide and a good guy to fish with. Here's one result

They are soft and if you test, they are about twice as bouyant as corkies. Also as said, softer when the fish chew.

I'm sold.

Hooker · 02-27-2004, 04:53 PM

Gun Rod Bow,

Did you use the Puff Ball alone or with bait? Nice fish by the way!

Gun Rod Bow · 02-27-2004, 05:01 PM

With eggs.

Hooker · 02-27-2004, 05:04 PM

Thanks. Travis is sure a class act and a great fisherman. We are probably going to fish with him on the Nushagak this summer. Glad you got into some chrome.

Drakeblake · 02-27-2004, 05:54 PM

Ive used puff balls alone before with some shrimp or egg scent on them. They soak it up really well but the only problem is that they do fall apart and come off easily like All IN said.

-blake

Lured In · 02-27-2004, 06:39 PM

The other 'advantage' of puffballs is that they can also help to keep the hook pointed up, preventing snags and increasing hookups. [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] They usually just break off when bit. (not a bad strike indicator either when you are wondering if you just missed a take while driftfishing. No puffball=miss. [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] )

Nice fish Bruce, but where's the lucky hat.

blackdog · 02-27-2004, 10:20 PM

I've fished strictly with PuffBalls this year and am liking the success. Easy to put on and change colors if desired, less expensive than corkies, plus you don't run the risk of having them float up your leader like other drift bobbers can have a tendency to do.

GRB - nice fish! That thing looks like a chrome football!!

Hooker - you won't be disappointed with a trip to the Nush. That place makes dreams come true!!! The only drawback, it might spoil you for fishing this coming fall back in Oregon.

spare link · 02-28-2004, 08:07 AM

how do you put the puffbal on the hook. do you have a pic.?

RogueFisher · 02-28-2004, 08:15 AM

Here in Southern Oregon and Northern California we've been using Puff Balls for years.

All you do is poke the hook right through the middle and push through the ball. I run the ball right up almost to the eye of the hook.

There's several different manufacturers of these. My choice are the Fish Pills brand.
Fish Pills have better colors with sparkley stuff in them.

:grin:

B-run · 02-28-2004, 03:07 PM

SHHHHHH. It's still a secret.

Jennie@ifish · 02-28-2004, 03:17 PM

I've been using puffballs for a couple years.
I'll tell you what is really working for me.
I put a very small pink clown corky on, and then the shrimp head, threaded up the hook. Get your loop ready, slide on a puffball to meet with the shrimp head, put the tail of the shrimp on the hook point, and tighten the loop.
Not only does this give your bait an extra "lift" off the bottom, but I swear I get four or five more casts out of a shrimp, because it's not rubbing directly on the hard hook shank.
Plus, hey... I've been hooking a lot of fish that way. Try it! You'll like it! :smile:
And don't forget Marie's shrimp scent!
I fell off the scent wagon for a while, and now that I fell back on it, I'm rockin!

(edit: Oh! I forgot! Also, when I run OUT of bait, I have been known to slide a couple or even one puffball all the way to meet the corky, dab on the scent, as puffballs retain scent better, and fish on, just on that! :smile: It makes it look like those double beaded jig heads. Killer! )

Jen

[ 02-28-2004, 04:19 PM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

Hooker · 03-01-2004, 04:13 AM

Just to follow up, I used Puff Balls this weekend on my drift gear and did well. They float very well and my shrimp lasted a couple more casts than normal. They will certainly be a addition to my tackle box from now on.

My only issue with them is they do fall appart. In fact, I had to put a new one on about every other time I baited up. Are there any other brands that hold up better?

Hooker-

Dragfreedrift · 03-01-2004, 12:56 PM

nobody has mentioned the key difference between Pufballs and Corkies yet. Let me explain:

I think the key difference besides softness is that the puffies are riding on the hook....this means that they are showing up first as the bait drifts downriver as opposed to a corkie which is usually above the hook on the leader, somewhat obstructed by the bait....

In fact, I would argue that many steelhead never even see the corkie when grabbing your bait as it is riding far enough above the bait to not really do anything for you other than give some bouyancy.

Just my 2c.

HC

nitrobass · 03-01-2004, 02:59 PM

It seems like when you go to the south coast streams its all puff balls, and north coast is all corkies. They are really perfect for side drifting eggs, and orange is by far the most common color.

I used to put them over the point of the hook so the tip of the hook barely stuck out the other side. Fish bites, puffball breaks, fish on. On the chetco last year I tried sliding them around the bend of the hook onto the shank and that made a nice looking bait also.

They are super easy to use, but when your hands are numb and cold its hard to get them on the hook. Also when the wind is blowing they can blow out of the boat pretty easily.