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

Stick fishing is a very advantageous method of fishing as it helps illiminate tangles, can be cast long distances and leaves very little in the way of food items around the hookbait but maximises attraction. Once mastered stick fishing could help you put more carp on the bank.

All that is required to make a good dynamite stick is some Korda Funnel Web Pva, a compressor, some groundbait which in this case is Dynamite Swim Stim Amino Black and a PVA Friendly liquid or oil. Make sure you use a winterised oil for your winter sticks, these won’t congeal and have an adverse affect on the melt time of your PVA.

TFG Gunk Liquids or Winterised fish oils are ideal for stick mixes during the colder months as well as the colder ones.

Step 1.

Firstly pour your chosen groundbait into a container, I use an old pop-up pot which means I can store my mix away to avoid it drying out.

Step 2.

If preferred you can now crumble in a few boilies of your choice to customise your mix. A Korda Krusha can be used to get the finest of boilie dust. If done using your hands Id suggest gently agitating the tub, this will bring the larger items to the top of the mix which you can now crumbled further.

Step 3.

Add your chosen liquid or oil bit by bit making sure to thoroughly mix it in as you go so not to add too much, you want a slightly damp but firm mixture. It is important to get the consistency of the mix correct so it compresses properly. Now leave the mix to absorb the liquid for atleast 20 mins before making your sticks or adding more liquid or groundbait if necessary.

Step 4.

Once mixed thoroughly scoop the desired amount of the stick mix into your funnel web PVA system.

Step 5.

Now for the important part, using the compressor stick from your PVA funnel web system while holding your thumb over the end of the system compress the mix as hard as you possibly can, the firmer the better.

Step 6.

While holding the PVA tight push the compressed mix out of the end.

Step 7.

Now trying not to break up the mix in the bag tie it off as tightly as possible.

Step 8.

Tie another knot in your mesh and cut the pva between them.

Step 9.

Trim the ends of the knots down carefully and your bag is now ready to thread up your hooklink.

Dynamite sticks are ideal for winter fishing where you want as little food items as possible around the hookbait but maximum attraction.  They are alsp effective during the warmer months. Adding winterised fish oils during the winter can maximise the pulling power they have during the colder months. Another little edge, if you don’t want to use fish oils, is to use Mainline Hemp Oil  as this naturally does not congeal in cold water conditions.

If you’d much rather buy a ready made stick mix that doesn’t require any preparation then Mainline’s Pro-Active Stick&Bag Mix-Crushed Tiger Nut or Dynamite Bait’s Monster Tiger Nut Stick Mix and The Source Stick Mix are ideal.

Give them a go.

Dave