Nigel Sharp's top zig rig tips
Go against the grain for more success with zig rigs according to Nigel Sharp
“I will admit that it has taken me a long time to really get onto Zigs. I know they work and have seen how devastating they can be, but it has been a trust issue. Having rigs sat out in the lake that could potentially be a tangled mess sends shivers down my spine. It’s the main reason I haven’t fished with them as much as I should.
“There have been an awful lot of things written about Zigs but as with everything, I have tweaked my approach with them to suit my own fishing. Everything is there for a reason and does a specific job, simple and effective – just how I like it!
“My Zig set-up is almost identical to my floater set-up with the float replaced for as small a lead as I can get away with. Hooks no bigger than a size 8 Palomar-ed onto some light mono, a uni-link swivel and an inline lead – it really couldn’t be easier!”
Sharp Edge #1
“I attach the uni-link swivel ‘back to front’ with the large ring butting up to the in-line lead (which is stopped with a small rig stop). This is something I have done for years when floater fishing as it gives the swivel full movement and all but eliminates tangles. Why it took me so long to try it for Zigs I will never know!”
Sharp Edge #2
“Hookbaits for Zigs are a bit of a debated issue really; everyone seems to be using bits of black foam now, which I have used in the past, but as always I will try and go against the grain, so a trimmed-down pop-up is now my preferred choice and I always carry a few colour options.”
Sharp Edge #3
“Casting long hooklinks can be tricky so I opt for the time-honoured method of placing the hookbait in a mug. With longer links they are going to be on the ground so this avoids picking up any twigs and leaves on the hook or even worse blunting it!”