Rigs & Knots
Fishing knowledge, from your first setup to the finer details. Practical guides for carp, match, predator and sea anglers.
Guides
Beginner · carp
Bottom-Bait Rigs: Choosing a Simple Presentation
Bottom baits remain a reliable approach when carp are feeding on or close to the lakebed. A presentation that settles cleanly and leaves the hook point clear is the priority.
Intermediate · carp
Carp Lead Systems: Running, Lead Clip, Inline and Helicopter
The lead arrangement influences bite indication, casting and how the hooklink settles. More importantly, it must be configured so a broken line does not leave a carp trailing a dangerous tether.
Advanced · carp
How to Build and Fish the Hinged Stiff Rig
The Hinged Stiff Rig is a well-established pop-up presentation that combines a short, curved, stiff hook section with a longer boom. The hook section gives the pop-up an upright working position; the boom is selected to settle across the lakebed and maintain separation from the lead. A swivel between the two sections allows articulation, which explains the word hinged in the name.
Beginner · carp / match
How to Tie a Knotless Knot: A Step-by-Step Carp Fishing Guide
The knotless knot is one of the most useful connections an angler can learn. It secures an eyed hook to a hooklink by binding the material around the shank, and it can leave a separate length of line - the hair - to carry the bait. That simple arrangement underpins many conventional carp rigs. Learn it carefully and you will understand not only how to tie a hair rig, but why eye direction, whipping and bait position matter.
Beginner · carp
Method Feeder Fishing for Carp
Method feeders carry dampened groundbait or pellets close to a short hooklink. They are widely used for commercial fisheries and smaller carp, with safe setup and appropriate tackle essential.
Beginner · carp / match
The Carp Hair Rig: Components, Construction and Presentation
The hair rig helped change modern carp fishing by separating the bait from the hook. Instead of covering the hook point with a boilie or piece of bait, the bait sits on a short extension of the hooklink. That gives the bait some freedom to move while the hook remains exposed. It sounds simple, and a basic version is, but its performance still depends on sound construction, appropriate tackle and accurate presentation.
Advanced · carp
The Chod Rig Explained: Components, Setup and Safe Use
A conventional bottom-bait rig needs somewhere reasonably clean to settle. On a lakebed covered by broken weed, leaves and light debris, its hookbait may be buried or the hooklink may lie awkwardly. A Chod Rig approaches that problem differently. It uses a very short, stiff, curved hook section carrying a buoyant pop-up, usually as part of a compatible helicopter-style arrangement. The hookbait can sit above some of the debris rather than following a long supple hooklink into it.
Intermediate · carp
The Ronnie Rig (Spinner Rig): A Practical Guide
The Ronnie or spinner-style rig uses a swivel-mounted hook section that can rotate independently of the boom, usually with a pop-up bait. Good component compatibility is essential.
Intermediate · carp
Zig Rigs: Fishing for Carp Off the Bottom
Zig rigs suspend a small hookbait above the lakebed, targeting fish holding at a chosen depth rather than feeding on the bottom.