ASK THE EXPERTS
This month's winning question:
Dear Panel
My local water has now gone totally clear. The other day I saw a pigeon fly low over the water where the sun was shining, and as it crossed this area a good dozen carp spooked. I know the depth of water there is 12ft. I am thinking of using a Zig Rig, but I have no experience of tying up one of these. Could you suggest any tips that you think might help. I am sure on these sunny days the carp are near the surface.
Thanks,
Dale Burton
Dear Dale
Zig Rigs are becoming a major part of the carp angler’s armoury and it’s not just because it’s fashionable, it’s because they catch a lot of carp. What you have to decide, though, is whether you want to fish an anchored floater or a Zig Rig. An anchored floater is cast out using a normal lead setup but with a hooklink that is a foot or so longer than the depth of the lake (in your case about 14ft long). This will produce a lot of fish but has inherent problems, such as how do you cast out such a monstrosity, and how do you stop it being attacked by the gulls?
The Zig Rig is different in that it is set up to fish below the surface; how far below the surface is for you to find out because in a lake with depths of, say, 12ft the carp could be cruising a foot below or five foot below and the positioning of the bait will be critical.
Excellent Zig baits
First, the rig. This is the same as the anchored floater, only shorter. Use your normal lead setup but definitely with a good lead clip that the lead will come free of easily. Yes, you will lose a lead, but if you don’t, you will probably lose the carp. The reason for this is that you will, initially, tie up a hooklink that is a couple of feet below depth, about 10ft long, and to play a fish on that with a 3oz lead dangling way up the line is just asking for a hookpull.
The rig needs to be just your normal Hair Rig with pop-up, cork ball, or Chum Mixer attached, and it is best to use 8lb or 10lb nylon for this. However, to cast it out you will need a cup and a friend. Your friend should stand behind you and once you have the rod in casting position, he should put the hook and bait in the cup and hold it at arm’s length. This prevents the hook flailing around and catching on any vegetation in the vicinity. Then it’s up to you to cast it to the right spot.
If you’re fishing a couple of rods, then it’s worth putting out the other rod with a hooklink a couple of feet shorter, say about 8ft, then see what depth you get a take from and adjust the other hooklink accordingly.
A Conningbrook beauty caught on a Zig
As with all forms of angling, and especially with carp angling, you still require patience, so don’t worry if you don’t catch within the first 10 minutes! The most important thing is to find fish that are just below the surface, then take it from there.
I hope this helps and you have a great summer using it. Keep experimenting with depths – even a two-foot Zig Rig can be very successful if you’re fishing a weedy lake.
Good luck,
Jenks
