Rigs According To Luke Stevenson

Do you think we now focus too much on the mechanics of a rig, and have forgotten the importance of stealth? Surely, a carp that doesn’t sense fear will be easier to hook…
“Absolutely. That’s a really good question and I couldn’t agree more. I feel we, as anglers, do focus far too much on rig mechanics at times, when often, we should be concentrating on concealing our presence. I put stealth way further up my list of priorities than rig mechanics. Hence, with presentations that I know work, I’ll stick to my guns a lot of the time. I don’t really see why anglers make it difficult for themselves by constantly chopping and changing rigs, almost rolling the dice in terms of whether a presentation might work or not. The best anglers out there all have their mainstays in terms of what they use for the different waters, and the various lake bottoms they be fish over. Some will even stick to the same rigs, just tweaking certain things like lead arrangements to help their presentation over low-lying weed, deep silt, etc.”

Do you remember the first time you caught a carp by doing something new, that you’d not seen before?
“No, is the simple answer. I don’t look to innovate or trial things myself. I like to use set-ups I have full confidence in. The risk is too high. I put in the effort, taking into account external factors and variables, and I’m not willing to take a risk on something which may or may not work. I’ve used the rigs I use now for a very long time, and in all honesty, I couldn’t tell you when I started using them. So much of my fishing has revolved around them, and I’ve never fallen into the trap of being lured into using a rig, just because it’s gained a lot of attention. In that way, I’ll not be influenced. Chods and Hinges have been around a good while, and they remain among the very best out there, despite the fact that numerous rigs might well overshadow them in a popularity contest.”

Do you have a particular rig which stands out from the rest, one that increased your catch rate significantly from the moment you used it, perhaps?
“Chods and Hinge Rigs, on their day, and going back to your first question, they allow you to present stealthily, with minimal disturbance and without alerting the carp to your presence. Taking this into account with their rig mechanics, they’re second to none. In my eyes, their hooking capabilities really take some beating. The hook arrangement is aggressive and claw-like, and you can’t see them doing anything other than catching the fish’s bottom lip when the hookbait’s sucked in. They use simple rig mechanics, yet offer incredible hooking properties.”

When it comes to fishing in silt, which is your preferred hookbait: pop-up, wafter, one straight out of the bag or a weighted bottom bait?
“If I find detritus on the hook, I’ll look to use a pop-up. Over cleaner ground like firm silt, or somewhere I know I can present a hook laying flat on the lakebed, I’ll use a bottom bait straight out of the bag. I don’t use wafters or semi-buoyant hookbaits. If I can present something which lays on the lakebed, why would I want to use a wafter, that might flutter around and behave differently to everything surrounding it? I don’t like the idea of a wafter. Bottom baits take on water and become heavier, and they’re my preference.”

How reluctant, or perhaps keen are you, to tweak your rigs? What indicators tell you that it’s time to change something… how do you know?
“I’m always reluctant to change my rigs, very reluctant, in fact. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, as the saying goes. Some might say that that’s boring, but I know what works. Generally, something substantial needs to happen, and on multiple occasions, before I consider changing my presentation or tweaking something.”

When does lead shape and size become important? What factors dictate a change?
“Generally, I’ll use as light a lead as I can for the distance I’m fishing. This might sound strange, but I don’t use the lead as a means of hooking the carp quicker. I also don’t use a heavy lead just to give them something bigger to deal with. Hooks like Kamakuras are so sharp now, and they take hold quickly and efficiently when the hookbait goes into their mouths. I also fish with fluorocarbon or braid with leaders, and slacken my lines. When a fish picks up the hookbait, it will feel the weight of these, too, through the lakebed. The weight they feel is progressive, through the set-up.”

TACKLE-BOX ESSENTIALS
Luke’s top five terminal tackle must-haves 

1. Windproof Lighter
“Everyone has a lighter, but make sure the wind can’t blow the flame out on yours. Trust me, it’ll save you from those little frustrating moments on the bank.”

2. Size 4 Choddy Kamakuras
“The pattern of hook with the sharpest end gives me the utmost confidence that it’s going to do the job I want it to. This is an adaptable pattern, one you can also use with bottom-bait rigs.”

3. Bait Floss
“I use this for tying on my corkball pop-ups, and it’s something I don’t go fishing without!”

4. Kama Kote
“If my rigs are going to stay out there and remain in position, the last thing I want is their precious points being adversely affected. Hence, I’ll never cast out without using something that will prevent this from happening.”

5. A Set of Very Sharp Scissors
“If you use a cheap pair of scissors and they don’t cut flush, your trimmed hooklinks will have frays. Also, your chod filament will have blobs on the end, which can be a real pain when whip knots. It’s a simple choice but a must!”