What rig for fishing close to snags?
Bailiff's answer, from the Carp Army rig library and what members have caught on.
Bailiff says: Helicopter rig
Fishing close to snags demands a rig that acts as a bolt setup and won't let a hooked fish reach cover, and the helicopter's tangle resistance keeps you fishing effectively with a short hooklink. The rotating hooklink above the lead resets cleanly on every cast so you can present tight to the danger zone with confidence.
Tweaks
- Use a strong size 4-6 hook
- Short 4-5 inch hooklink
- Heavy 3.5-4oz lead to nail a bolt
Helicopter rig
The hooklink rotates around the leader above the lead. Casts well, resists tangles, and can be fished on top of weed.
Parts
Helicopter leader or leadcore
Helicopter beads and sleeve
Size 8 ring swivel
Coated braid, 20lb, short
Wide gape hook, size 6
3.5oz distance lead
Bottom bait or wafter
How to tie it
- Tie the lead to the end of the leader.
- Slide the bottom bead, then the hooklink swivel, then the top bead onto the leader.
- Set the top bead to allow the hooklink to fly up the leader on the cast and sit above any weed.
- Tie a short hair rig, 4 to 6 inches, to the swivel.
Your swim is different?
Describe it and Bailiff picks for that.