Carp Catchers Blog

The Shot On The Hair Rig is basically a bottom bait rig with a small shot added to the hair to allow a pop-up hookbait to be used. This completely alters how the rig to reacts to how it would with a bottom bait. The hookbait is allowed to move more naturally due to it’s bouyancy and the length of the hair. The shot on the hair allows you to either critically balance or overweight the pop up hookbait.  The nature of supple braid allows the hookbait to be picked up with minimal resistance and the pattern of the hook means the point hangs low below the hookbait helping it to grab hold. The simplicity of The Shot On The Hair Rig makes it easy to tie and it minimises the bulky components such as shrink tubing used on some rigs.

For the purpose of this demonstration I used the Korda Supernatural Hooklink, a Korda Kurv Shank Hook and a No.4 split shot. The shot size is determined by the size and bouyancy of your choosen pop-up, the bigger and more bouyant the pop-up the larger the shot. I found a No.4 shot to work perfectly with a 14mm Richworth Pineapple Hawaiian Pop Ups  although it varies between different makes and types of pop-ups.

Step 1.

Cut 14″ of Korda Supernatural from the spool and tie a small overhand loop knot in one end.

Step 2.

Thread on your choosen pop-up and secure in place with a bait stop.

Step 3.

For this version of the rig pinch the shot onto the hooklink below the pop-up. This will give you a slow sinking hookbait which is almost critically balanced. We will show you an alternative version of this rig, which has  the shot positioned differently, soon.

Step 4.

Thread the Korda Kurv Shank Hook onto the hooklink passing the braid though the back of the eye to the front and position the bait about 6mm from the top of the hook.

Step 5.

Now whip the hooklink up the shank of the hook 6-7 times and then pass the hooklink through the back of the eye to the front to finish the knot.

Step 6.

Double over the other end of the hooklink.

Step 7.

Then form a loop with the doubled over section of the hooklink.

Step 8.

Now pass the end of the doubled over section around the bottom and through the back of the loop created in step 7.

This creates the figure of eight, if you get this eight shape then you have done it right.

If you struggle with tying the knot then try this method. Alternative Figure of Eight Loop Knot.

Step 9.

Now gently tighten down the knot and trim the tag end.

The rig is now complete and ready to be attached to your lead setup.

The rig is best fished of with a small Dynamite Stick or PVA Mesh Bag thread down the hooklink over the hook to avoid tangles.

Tight Lines

Dave

The Claw rig is a very effective bottom bait rig. With no shrink tube or rigs rings its also very simple to tie.

For the purpose of this demonstration I used the Korda Hybrid Stiff Coated Braid, a Korda Kurv Shank  Hook and a 3mm length of the Korda Silicone Tubing.

Step 1.

Remove roughly 4 inches of coating from the Korda Hybrid stiff hooklink and tie a small overhand loop in the stripped end.

Step 2.

Now thread a 3mm section of Silicone tubing onto the hooklink.

Step 3.

Then pass the hook point through the silicone tubing towards the loop tied in step 1. Make sure not the snag the hookpoint in the braid on the way through as this could damage the hooklink.

Step 4.

Thread the hooklink through the back of the eye and then thread your choosen hookbait onto the hair and secure it with a bait stop. Set the hair with about a 1cm gap between the hookbait and hook.

Step 5.

Now whip the hooklink up the shank of the hook 6 times before passing it through the back of the eye to create a knotless knot. 

Step 6.

Next thread two of the small Korda Sinkers onto the hooklink. It is easier the strip a small amount of coating off the end of hooklink as the coating makes it too thick to get the sinkers on.

Step 7.

Tie a figure of eight knot in the end of the hooklink.

Double over the end of the hooklink and create a loop like so….

Then pass the end of the doubled over loop through the loop just created….

And again….

Moisten the knot and pull it tight.

Step 8.

Position the Korda Sinkers evenly apart along the hooklink and gently steam it straight over a kettle.

The rig is now ready to be attached to your lead setup and cast out.

Due to the stiffness and nature of this rig it is best fished over firm/hard lakes beds.

Tight Lines

Dave

The new Nash Deliverance Spods feature a unique dimpled nose cone taken from golf ball technology. This dimpling ensures that the Nash Deliverance Spod  has a longer, and straighter flight giving both increased distance and pinpoint accuracy. The nose cone is also specially loaded for retrieval with minimum effort. For more information or to purchase please click on the above link.

                                                                      Nash Deliverance Spod

Best Fishes,

John

We now have the new season JRC Stainless Steel Banksticks and Buzz Bars in stock now as well as the very carpy JRC Digital Scales. We have The JRC Stainless Steel Banksticks  in two sizes 12”/30cm and 16”/40cm and they are made of high quality stainless steel with a classy JRC embossed logo. Very reasonably priced, they are adjustable and the inner is removable for easy cleaning. For more information or to purchase please click on the above link. The JRC Stainless Steel 3 Rod Buzz Bars are also reasonably priced and very versatile. They can be used either with a single central bankstick or with two outer banksticks for a rock solid goalpost set up. Adjustable, they also come in two sizes so you can fan your rods out. Again for more information or to purchase please click on the above links.

The JRC Digital Scales  are fantastic value for money and have a host of features. They have a moulded carry handle and can weigh the largest of carp as they go up to 100lb. The JRC Digital Scales have a memory function, nightlight and come with a padded carry case. For more information or to purchase please click on the above link.

                                                  JRC Stainless Steel Banksticks

                                      JRC Stainless Steel Buzz Bars

                                                      JRC Digital Scales

Best Fishes,

John

The Guru Micro Lead Clips provide a fish safe anti tangle option for the Match/Pleasure angler thats suitable for fishing with either leads or feeders. The design of Guru Micro Lead Clip  ensures that your lead or feeder can be released should it become snagged. 

Guru Micro Lead Clips

The leads I used for the purpose of this demonstration were the Guru Square Leads.

Step 1.

Thread your mainline through the tail rubber and then the lead clip.

Step 2.

Double over the tag end of your mainline and pass the loop through the eye of the size 11 swivel provided.

Step 3.

Now tie an overhand knot with the doubled over section of your mainline but don’t tighten it yet.

Step 4.

Pass the swivel through the loop created by the overhand knot.

Step 5.

Now moisten the knot and gently tighten it down.

Step 6.

Pull the lead clip down over the swivel until you hear it click into the clip.

Step 7.

Now clip your lead/feeder on and slide the tail rubber over the lead clip so the angled edge sits the right way on the clip.

All you need to do now is tie on your rig and your ready to cast out. But before doing so make sure the clip is working correctly and the lead will discharge easily. You are now fishing a carp safe set up.

Tight Lines

Dave