Pole fishing is a great way of targeting carp on commercial fisheries and the rig you choose will impact how successful you are at catching them. While you can buy ready-made rigs, when you learn to tie your own you can have much more flexibility with what terminal tackle you use, and it's much more satisfying catching a fish on something you made yourself.
In this article I plan on giving the fundamentals of rig making in order for you to create my five must have carp rigs, that will ensure you are prepared to tackle any situation your chosen swim could present.
The 'Pellet' Rig
The perfect choice of float pattern is one with a long slim body, that is stable but offers sensitivity, my choice would be one in 0.4g (4x16), and a carbon stem with a 2mm bristle. Use a 5lb (0.16mm diameter) mainline, a 4lb (0.14mm diameter) 10cm hooklength with a band, and some No9 shot.
Mount the float on to the main line, below the float, add the shotting pattern and on this rig a simple ‘strung bulk’ with the No9 shot placed at equal 5cm intervals.
The final shot of the 'strung bulk' should be placed right against the loop tied in the mainline to attach the 10cm hooklength. Attach the hooklength with a loop to loop connection and you have the completed pellet rig.
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The 'Shallow' rig
The key to a good shallow rig is avoiding tangles, therefore a float choice should be something you can see, a dibber or short float with a visible bristle is perfect.
My choice would be a round bodied float with 2.5mm tip no longer than 15cm in length. Float size should be 0.2g (4x12), mounted as normal using silicon to a strong but stiff 6lb (0.18mm) mainline and a 15cm, 4lb (0.14mm) hooklength with a band.
Place the bulk of 4 No 9 shot above the loop to loop hooklength connection. This should keep the rig from tangling if you chose to rotate or 'slap' the rig or when shipping.
USING THE BEST FISHING CATAPULT IS CRITICAL TO KEEPING FEED ACCURATE WHEN USING A SHALLOW RIG.
The 'Mud line' rig
The key to a good 'mud line' rig is stability as the rig needs to stay as still as possible with the turbulence that feeding fish can create in the shallow water.
My preference is a 0.3g (4x14) short, round bodied float with a 2mm bristle. Use a 5lb (0.16mm) mainline and a 10cm 4lb (0.14mm) hooklength. This could have a band or just a hook to match your hookbait preference. With this rig it's important to use a bulk for added stability and to help avoid line bites. A bulk of 4 No 8 shot above the loop to loop connection of the hooklength is ideal.
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The 'Margin' Rig
The 'Margin' rig needs to be strong and robust as this is where you're likely to encounter the biggest inhabitants of the lake. The float must be stable in order to stay stationary and suppress line bites when those big fish come into feed.
Opt for a strong 0.4g (4x16) short, round bodied float with a 2.5mm bristle. Mount to an 8lb (0.20mm) mainline, to a 10cm 6lb (0.18mm) hooklength to a strong carp hook ideal for large baits like corn, bunch of dead maggots or a couple of worms. Use a bulk of 5 No 8 shot just above the loop to loop connection of the hooklength.
THE BEST MARGIN POLES WILL HELP YOU LAND MONSTER CARP FROM THE MARGINS.
The 'Short line' rig
The 'Short' line often referred to as 5m or 2 plus 2 can be very productive early and late on in a session. A strong buoyant float is key as there can be some big bonus fish on this line.
My choice for this line would be a 0.4g (4x16) diamond shape body float, with a 2mm bristle and a glass stem. Using 6lb (0.18mm) mainline to a 5lb (0.16mm) hooklength with a strong wide gape hook suitable for baits like sweetcorn and luncheon meat.
On this line I would use a "bulk' of 6 No 9 shot in the bottom third of the rig with two No 9 droppers one on the loop to loop hooklength connection and one 10cm above that, this ensures the bait gets to the bottom quickly with the final fall more natural and controlled.
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