Simplicity Is Often Best
If you’re after a refined and balanced rig to present your fake corn on, then look no further than this offering from Mark Pitchers
CARPOLOGY: Compared to your version of the Hinged Stiff Link (the doubled-over Chod section), this rig looks incredibly simple—both from a tying perspective and the overall finished rig. So when would you use this set-up over the HSL?
MARK PITCHERS: “The HSL is my go-to rig when fishing over any debris or weed; where there is a risk of the hook point becoming masked and hindering the hooking potential. When there isn’t that risk I would always opt for this presentation.”
CARPOLOGY: What are the key parts/elements on this rig to get 100% correct?
MARK PITCHERS: “Finely balancing the hookbait so that the hook sits like a claw, ready to catch a hold. The positioning of the silicone on the hook shank affects how the hook sits so it’s a case of altering the tubing until the hook sits right.”
CARPOLOGY: What lead arrangement do you usually fish this with?
MARK PITCHERS: “A lead clip is my preferred set up for most situations with the exception of solid bag work.”
CARPOLOGY: Hookbaits: here you’re fishing with two pieces of fake corn, but what other hookbaits will you use?
MARK PITCHERS: “Fake corn would be my go-to for this set-up because the buoyancy isn’t affected, whereas wafters etc. will take on water and in time not sit in the desired position for the rig to be at its most effective/efficient.”
CARPOLOGY: You’re using a relatively large hook—size 5—with a small and light hookbait, is that something you often do?
MARK PITCHERS: “Yeah, the bigger the hook and wider the gape, the greater the chance of it taking hold and staying there in my opinion. The hook size is irrelevant—its weight is negated by the hookbait, and at the end of the day, carp don’t know what hooks are, it’s just debris on the lakebed to them.”
CARPOLOGY: What components do you use (product name, size, breaking strain, etc.)?
MARK PITCHERS: “Fox Stiff Rig Beaked hook in size 5, 20lb Camotex Soft and Fine Hook Silicone. Three components… it doesn’t get much simpler than that!”
CARPOLOGY: Finally, do you soak your fake hookbaits, and if so, what in?
MARK PITCHERS: “Yes, always! I have a pot of artificial corn that’s been soaking in the Carp Freaks Liquid Booster for about a year. It’s a super potent and sticky liquid that permanently flavours the rubber.”
