Rigs for Pop Ups
D-Rig:
This rig should only be used with pop-ups. It is especially usefull on waters where the carp are suspected of picking
up baits, and then ejecting it without giving any indication on the buzzers. Basicaly this rig allows the Carp to pick up,
and mouth the bait, but if the Carp trys to eject the bait... it basically can't!!! The rig itself is brilliant in design.
How D-Rigs work
The reason the carp cannot eject the bait is because of the d-shape on the shank of the hook. The bait can move up,
and down this via a stainless rig ring and some bait floss. The carp will try to eject the bait, and the bait will just move
up the shank of the hook leaving the hook itself still in position. Ingenius!!!
It is worth adding that the variations of the d-rig are quite large. You can tie it using either braid or mono.
Sliding Ring Rig:
The sliding ring rig works similarly to a d-rig, except that the bait doesn't slide down the "d" it slides directly
down the hook shank, bypassing the need for the "d". This rig is best suited to pop-ups.
This is a really easy rig to tie, once you have the hook bit sorted. To do this you must:
1)First of all
get a straight long shanked hook,
2)Then get a 2-3mm
stainless steel ring (1.5mm is a bit small),
3)Thread the ring
onto the hook and up the shank,
4)Get a small rubber
bead ("Solar Rig Beads" are ideal),
5)Thread this onto
the hook and up to the start of the shank, this will stop the ring from coming off.
This is the main hook bit done, now just tie on the hook link and the swivel. This rig can be used with either braid
or mono. You can attatch the bait to the stainless ring by either bait floss or an elestic bait band. But check that either
of these methods will remain in tact after casting. I have used bait bands before, and when i have retrieved the end tackle
in the morning, the bait and the bait band has fallen off. This was because i'd had the bait bands a while and i guess they
must have perished.
By the way this rig has been especially effective for me during the winter months. So give it a go, and remember it
is most effective with pop-up boilies.
Withy Pool Rig:
This rig has been much publicised in the Carp angling media because it is so effective. This rig has been designed
for pop-up boilies, and is an adapted version of the sliding ring rig, in fact the only difference is the curved shrink tube,
but don't under estimate this piece of curved shrink tube. Because this is what gives the rig such good
hooking properties. To make this rig you will need the following components:
1.
Any good strong Carp hook.
2. 2-3mm Rig Ring.
3.
Clear Shrink Tube
4.
Split Shot or Putty.
5.
Monofilament
6.
Swivel
7.
Elastic Bait Band.
8.
Small rubber rig bead.
This rig works because the hook is almost spring loaded. And when the Carp sucks the bait in their
is no way it can get it out again, because it always finds a hook hold. To tie this rig read the instructions below:
1.
First of all get your hook,
2.
Then get your 2-3mm stainless steel ring (1.5mm is a bit small),
3.
Thread the ring onto the hook and up the shank,
4.
Get your small rubber bead ("Solar Rig Beads" are ideal),
5.
Thread this onto the hook and up to the start of the shank, this will stop the ring from coming off.
6.
Now tie your hook link on to the hook using the palomar knot or the grinner knot.
7.
Thread your shrink tube onto your hook link, and down to the eye of the hook. The shrink tube should be the right length so
that when you bend it, the shrink tube reaches the line opposite the point of the hook (look at the picture if this confuses
you!)
8.
Now holding your shrink tube in place, place it over some hot steam until the shrink tube shrinks. But be careful not to heat
the hook link as this can weaken it, but more importantly try not to burn your fingers.
9.
With the curved shrink tube set, place your split shot or putty just where the shrink tube ends.
10.
Now to finish your rig tie the swivel on to the hook link.
I know that this rig is quite complicated to construct, but it is worth it because of the hooking potential it offers
when used with a pop-up bait.
Amnesia Combi Link:
This rig should only really be used with pop-ups, it utilises 25Lb Clear Amnesia of about 5 inchs in length, and then
a braid link connected to the hook, and the amnesia is attatched via a stainless steel ring, or a small swivel. You should
make the braid length as long as you want the hook bait to be off the lake bed. Tie the amnesia by
using a loop at both ends, as this is easy to tie and also gives the rig flexibility. This is a good rig for fishing over
weed with, using a light lead as the lead will sit nicely on the weed, and the bait will be suspended an inch or two above.
The only bad point about this rig is that, you must tie it correctly unless you will get poor hook holds.
The "Terry Hearn Stiff Link":
The Terry Hearn hinged stiff link rig is an adaption of the above amnesia combi link, and the d-rig. Incoporating the
best parts from each world. This rig has caught more large carp in recent years than anything. Again this rig should only
be used in conjunction with a pop-up bait. this quite an advanced rig and
if you are a beginner you may want to start off with something a bit more straight forward. To make this rig you will need
a:
1.
A Pen
2.
A Cigarette Lighter
3.
Any Hook of your choice (short shank)
4.
1 oval rig ring or 1 round rig ring
5.
1 medium sized rig ring (must be strong)
6.
A stiff link material (Amnesia, or similar)
7.
A good quality swivel, a swivel with a ring on is best.
8.
Super Glue (Krston Bondage is good)
I know you need a lot of components for this rig, and thats why beginners should start off with something more
simple. I will show you how to use all of these latter on. I'd recommend 25lb Amnesia as a hook link, but use what
you want. So this is how you tie the devastating rig:
1.
Cut a 10 inch length of your hook link material. Thread on the medium sized rig ring. This rig ring
will be used as part of the hinge.
2.
Tie a grinner knot around a pen or tie a loop knot, with the ring inside the loop. If you decide to tie the grinner knot,
pull it tight to make sure it dosn't slip. If you want super glue the knot for extra security.
3.
Get your swivel and tie the hook link material to it using a grinner knot. So now you should have the main hook link bit finished,
now for the difficult part.
4.
Now it's time to tie the second part of the rig- the hook end. Cut off about six inches of Amnesia and tie on your hook using
the knotless knot, but without the overhand knot! Now you must thread the oval rig ring onto the straight tail left over from
the knotless knot.
5.
Loop the tail round and back through the eye of the hook, to create a big 'D'. The oval ring rig should be within the big
'd'.
6.
Pull the loop untill it is a suitable size to make the 'D' out of, then trim the tag end of the 'D', but dn't trim it too
short i.e leave about 1cm.
7.
Get your cigarette lighter and making sure you don't burn the hook link or knot, just scorch the tag end. It should burn towards
the eye of the hook as it does this the mono will form a little ball, this will stop the 'D' from
coming apart.
8.
You should now have the second part of the rig finished. This is the time to make sure the 'D' is not going to come apart.
9.
Get your two parts of the rig, and now tie the hook part of the rig to the medium sized rig ring, make the hook part of the
rig between one and four inches long. The length that you make this will depend on how far off the lake
bottom you want your bait.
10.
Get a little bit off putty, and mould it around the medium sized rig ring, this will keep the rest
of the rig on the lake bottom.
You now have the most devastating pop-up rig ever designed,
all you have to do now is tie your bait on. You can use this rig with both inline lead and helicopter set-up.
