Zig Rig

Zigs are notorious for tangling on the cast. Casts should be made slightly higher than normal and stopped immediately before the lead enters the water in order to keep the long hooklink separate from other components on the descend.
Like insects, Zigs are often ‘snatched’ at in mid-water by carp. Therefore hookbaits should be kept tight to the shank of the hook to maximise hooking potential.

For weedier waters, don’t be afraid to use a section of standard mainline and a large hook for extra strength. Hooking a large carp is pointless if you’re unable to control the fight and dropping the lead is paramount to ensure direct contact with the fish.

Any buoyant hookbait can be used for zigs although I personally use unflavoured black foam. The Foam Twin Colour Balls offer the best of both worlds when targeting mid to lower layers of the water in that the black section will silhouette against the skyline whilst the bright coloured tip will provide a fleck of visibility to any carp passing above.

1. Using Spectrum Zig & Floater Special, tie a small hair loop before cutting hooklink to desired length.

2. Thread a Foam Twin Colour Ball onto the Hair loop and insert boilie stop.

3. Thread a small piece of Silicone Tubing and an XC5 Hook, trapping the mono to the hook.

4. Set Hair tight to the hook using the Silicone Tubing and tie a Knotless Knot.

5. Tie a Figure of Eight Loop at the opposite end and thread a Tungsten Anti-Tangle Sleeve.

6. Attach to a Lead Clip Leader.

7. Test buoyancy in the margin before casting.