You can really convert a match/practice session into a red-letter day simply by feeding down the edge and being patient, yet over complicating things, being too eager or initially not finding the perfect spot to place your rig can be disastrous!
Carp dominated venues such as the Syndicate Lake at Gold Valley is a typical example of where this method works as often the bigger carp move in close, gain confidence by mopping up your carefully prime spot, before coming unstuck late in the day.
My advice is keep your rig simple but strong, have a good plumb around to find a nice flat spot at, or before the whistle if allowed, keep topping the spot up from time to time, then head down there in the last hour.
Justin Watkins
- Rigs need to be powerful and I use Cenex 0.20mm Hybrid Power Mono for the mainline of my pole rigs and a 0.18mm for the hook lengths.
2. Attach a small pole float to the 0.20mm (9.20lb) mainline. I go light, often a 0.2g float with a nice visible top as this will show up liners from proper bites.
3. Thread on two float rubbers to the main line.
4. The float is attached by the top eye as well as two tight rubbers on the stem as I don’t want it to move, which they tend to do if not secure during a hectic battle with a big carp.
5. Create a loop in the mainline with a figure of eight over hand knot.
6. Moisten and tighten down.
7. Make a loop in one end of the 0.18mm (8.50lb) hook length and pass this through the mainline loop.
8. Taking the tag end of the hook length pass this through the hook length loop.
9. Pull down tightly remembering to moisten.
10. Using a six-turn blood knot attach a size 10 Sphere Beast barbless hook to the hook length which should be around 15 inches.
11. Moisten and tighten down.
12. Cut of the tag end and test.
13. Add shot to the mainline loop, as this is the strongest part of the rig.
14. The end rig, simple but very effective.
The components that Justin uses to make up this simple rig.