End Tackle According To... Tom Rossiter

The game-changing rig moment which altered everything for me came back in the day, when I realised the importance of a sharp hook. That was a big one, but in more recent times, I’ve also increased the length of my rigs.

The last rig-related item I used and loved was the Kamakura Wide Gape in size 4, fished on a long IQ2 D-Rig. 

On my wish list for future end-tackle items are those from the Korda Mindset range. We have a few specialist ideas that I’m really looking forward to exploring.

The best rig tweak or trick I saw was Barry Delderfield’s. He was using ridiculously long rigs—in excess of 18 inches (Fig. A). Seeing how consistent Barry is, this really influenced me. I’ve always favoured a long rig, but Barry’s were next level. During the last few years, I’ve been using rigs of around 18 inches in length, and they’ve proved highly effective.

Who influences me when it comes to rigs? With my work, I’m out every week with some of the UK’s best anglers. I get to see first-hand how these anglers fish, and this undoubtedly has an influence. It’s easy to confuse yourself and overthink things, so I try to stick with what I know. I try not to chop and change too much and don’t allow myself to be over-influenced. I really like the mindsets of Scott Sweetman and Barry Delderfield when it comes to rigs, and I try to bring this into my own approach. Their stealth, and their focus on getting rigs out quietly has to be admired.

I have an excessive collection of hooks. I’m super fussy about my hook points. If you’re going to spend money on any item of tackle, for me, it has to be hooks.

I think people are always trying to develop new rig ideas, but we are so advanced now, it’s crazy how many options there are out there. Can it go much further? It’s hard to say. 

One small tweak I made to my rigs which had a massive outcome was, as mentioned, the use of long rigs. 

Hand-sharpening hooks is, I believe, really important in certain situations. I’m an avid user of Kamakuras (Fig. B), but when I fish lakes that hold a lot of silvers, or when fishing over pea-shingle gravel, I’ll happily use a hook straight from the packet. As long as it pricks my fingertip and gives me that sharp pain, I know it’s sharp enough. Also, when fishing Zigs or floater-fishing, I’ll always look to use a Kamakura, and by doing so I can convert those half chances when carp just mouth the bait. 

My preferred hooklink length is 18 inches! If I’m fishing a pop-up, I’ll use a Hinge Rig featuring an 18-inch boom. My preferred method, though, is to fish a bottom bait on a really long hooklink, one of at least 14 inches, but often longer. Last week I had a lovely old one (Fig. C) on a Hinge with an IQ2 boom of two feet.

When it comes to hooklink materials, I’ve always loved the N-Trap Semi Stiff in 20lb. In recent times, I have been using the IQ2 more and more, mainly for concealment. When combined with a fluorocarbon main line straight through, the entire rig is virtually invisible. The IQ2 is stiff enough to prevent tangles, but it’s also quite soft, so will follow the contours of the lakebed.

When it comes to mounting my hookbait, I like to use a micro ring swivel and bait floss for 90 per cent of my angling, and I blob the end.

TACKLE BOX ESSENTIALS
If you’re ever low on the following, just visit Tom’s tackle box… 

1. Plenty of hooks
You literally can’t have enough.

2. Sinkers and Putty
I place a huge emphasis on keeping all my end tackle pinned to the lakebed so I always have a few tubs of putty.

3. Plenty of tools
Razor blades, baiting needles and lighters. I’m always misplacing these bits, so I like to have a few spares knocking about.

4. Zig Kit
You never want to be caught out without it. All year round, I ensure I have kit to tie Zigs. 11lb Zig Line and size 8 Kamakura Wide Gape are my go-to components.

5. Bottle opener
To celebrate or commiserate!