I was going to use some corks like you have, but decided against that and bought some foam popper bodies and I still plan on getting some balsa dowels which I think will be the best of all. I need to also get some type of tools for cutting them into shape so they look good. I could do them by hand, but not without proper tools as I am not sure I am that talented with wood, but I have not really tried either. The foam popper bodies are not all that high cost and they come is several sizes from blue gill size to bass size. You do need to epoxy the hook in though which means you need a turning wheel for that.

See below for a few of mine..It has probably been 2-3 years since I made any though.

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