Visit any day-ticket fishery this month and the chances are that many anglers will be sat behind static bobbins and silent alarms. The reason? They’re probably fishing on the deck, when most of the carp are cruising about in the upper layers. The answer, of course, is to fish with zig rigs.
Yet, most anglers are put off by the prospect of casting out very long hooklinks with little chunks of flavourless foam attached to the end. If you’re one of these guys who has never mastered the confidence to go zigging, make sure you use these tips to eradicate your fears. You'll be richly rewarded... we promise!
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Explore the depths
Spring temperatures vary, so carp can move throughout the water column, seeking out the warmest layers. Start by fishing zigs at multiple depths simultaneously (for example, upper third, mid-depth, and lower third), tweaking them regularly until you find the productive depth. Once you start getting bites, focus on that zone by adjusting your other rods accordingly.
Match the hatch
Black foam consistently performs well because it imitates emerging insects that carp feed on naturally in spring. However, always pay close attention to natural signs, such as insects washed into the margins, which can indicate a hatch and help guide your choice of hookbait colour more accurately.
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Use heavy leads
Fishing with leads of at least 3oz helps effectively set the hook, due to the long hooklinks used in zig fishing. Ensure that the lead can eject upon the take to maintain better control during the fight.
Crack out the Spomb
Creating a fine particle cloud around your hookbait can disguise end-tackle and encourage carp to feed confidently in mid-water. A sloppy spod mix made up of crushed hemp, particles and a liquid attractantgenerates attraction at all depths, and can draw in any neighbouring carp up in the water to your hookbait.
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Tight lines
Due to the subtle takes typical of zig fishing, tight lines paired with heavier bobbins improve bite detection. Always tighten your lines fully to the lead and set your alarms to their maximum sensitivity to make sure that even the most delicate bites are registered.
Chop and change
Frequent recasting and changing hookbait depths and colours is crucial, and there’s no point leaving them sat at the same depth all day if you’re not getting any indications. Each zig should generally be given at least one to two hours to prove effective before changing it. Zigs work just as effectively at night too, so leave them on after dark.
Give them a boost
Adding liquid attractants can significantly increase your chances. Sweet liquids like Betalin, or dedicated zig attractors like Nash Citruz Plume Juice, Goo and CC Moore NS1 Booster, slowly release flavour into the water column, drawing any nearby carp towards your hookbait.
FLAVOURING YOUR HOOKBAITS CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE TO YOUR CATCH RATES.
Be prepared
Preparing a range of zig hooklinks in advance ensures you can quickly adjust depths without wasting valuable fishing time tying rigs on the bank. Pre-tied zigs can be stored easily and deployed swiftly, allowing efficient experimentation. Always tie them longer than you think you’ll need, so it’s easier to trim them to the desired length.
Minimise tangles
Casting out long hooklinks can lead to tangles. To avoid this, always use anti-tangle sleeves on the rig , employ line clips on your reels, and watch carefully for two distinct splashes as your rig hits the water – one for your lead and another for your hookbait. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to recast immediately.
You have to commit
Many anglers dabble briefly with a single zig rig , which rarely yields results. To fish zigs effectively, commit all rods to the tactic, providing thorough coverage of various depths and presentations. Zig fishing success often comes from perseverance and complete confidence in the approach.
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