Fishing a popped-up bread rig is a brilliant tactic in the winter months for carp and big F1’s, because the fish spend a lot more time a little way off the bottom than we might imagine. 

The blatant bread bait should be popped up straight off the lead, right in the face of any passing fish. It is essential that the bread is as buoyant as possible, so always leave the punched bread to expand before casting out. It can pay to make up a few hooklengths to allow a quick change between casts. I use a Warburtons sliced loaf, which is quite tough and nice and buoyant. 

There is no need for a big hook when fishing with bread, in fact the lighter the hook the better. I use a Sphere Beast in a size16, which is plenty enough to tame the biggest carp I am likely to hook.

I have found that a 20 gram bomb is about right, creating enough resistance to prick the carp, and  not making too much disturbance when I cast out. 

Because we are not introducing any feed try casting around the swim looking for fish. Once you have caught one, or had an indication it can be worth trying that spot again and the chances are more fish will be around. 

I know it can take a bit of confidence to fish with just popped-up bread, but believe me it is a brilliant tactic when the conditions are cold and the carp are not responding to other tactics. 

Tight Lines! 

Jim Hall

3. Tie on the size 16 Sphere Beast Eyed Barbless hook using a knotless knot. Make sure the hair is long enough to easily take three bread disks.

4. Tie a small overhand loop in the other end of the hooklength, giving a total length of about 30cm. Use a figure-of-eight loop for maximum strength.

5. Thread an inline bomb onto the end of the 0.20mm main line. 

6. Having experimented with different weights, I find 20 grams is right, with enough weight to set the hook, without making too much splash.

7. Tie a Quick Change Bead to the end of the main line. 

8. On most venues the rules dictate that the rig is free-running, with the bomb resting against the Quick Change Bead on the cast.

9. Punch three 10mm disks of bread. It is very important to leave them in the punch for a few minutes to allow the bread to expand.

10. Thread the bread disks onto the hair. There should be room on the hair for the bread to expand once it is cast out and becomes wet. 

Popped-Up Bread Rig components

0.20mm Cenex Hybrid Power Mono main line

0.12mm Cenex Hybrid Power Mono Hooklength

Size 16 Sphere Beast Eyed Barbless hook

Quick Change Bead

Quick Stops

20 gram Inline Bomb

Big carp like this can be your reward for fishing popped-up bread in winter.

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