Leaderboard

I’ve used leadcore almost exclusively for over 20yrs and I’m with Nick on this one, if you’re not sure about it, give it a miss, it can be dangerous if not set up correctly. I only use helicopter rigs as the hooklink can separate from the leadcore completely in the event of a snap off. Besides, modern tubing and other rigs are just as effective nowadays. With modern fluro mainlines, you can achieve very good rig concealment fishing mainline straight through to the lead. Check out the vids posted above, chat to your tackle dealer when they reopen, ask them to explain basic carp rigs to you, any tackle shop employee worth his salt will take the time to educate you, (then you buy what you need from them and everyone’s a winner) do you have any mates that carp fish? Otherwise, buy some basic bits, ready tied rigs, tubing, inline leads, lead clips etc and have a play putting it all together, I learnt through experimentation, you also have the bonus of being able to post your results on here so you can have the confidence that they are safe and right. When a ready tied rig reaches the end of its natural life, don’t bin it, take it apart and work out how it was tied so you can emulate it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, I learnt through asking anglers what they were doing.

Your answer in a nutshell (pardon the pun) all I would add is to ensure they are well prepared correctly or use ready prepared nuts, use sparingly and use simple rigs that you already have confidence in.

I would start off with Pva bags tbh mate, they will help you catch more fish, nice and simple Shopping list PVA bag stems Braided hooklink PVA bags not too big PVA tape to tie the bags with 2mm pellets and a hookbait 1) tie a fairly big loop in your mainline (figure of 8 is what I use) big enough to fit your bag through, 2) simple hair rig knot less knot about 4-5 inches with a wafter or smallish hookbait, I tie another figure of 8 loop knot on the lead end 3) I then feed the loop end of the rig through the swivel on the bag stem,add an online lead to the stem also, and put the hook end through the loop so it is locked on the swivel, you could tie it to the swivel if you preferred 4) make the bag starting by putting the hook and bait in, keeping the lead out, add some pellet bit more rig bit more pellet till its about 1/2 full add the lead bit more pellet leaving the top of the bag stem above the top of the bag make it abut 3/4 full with pellet twist it so it's tight tie it up then pack it down, there are loads of Pva bag vids around to show you this Then push the loop on your mainline through the top of the bag stem until the bag will go through the loop them drop it through the loop and it should be ready to cast out, I think Pva bags will catch you more fish as a beginner mate, they are more forgiving if you don't cast it perfectly, and they really do work, simple but effective A couple of videos to get you started 👍

As I’ve stated elsewhere, I last fished in oct 2000, I’ve just found this photo from back then, borwick lake near carnforth, I think it’s called birchwood now

They'll work all year mate. Don't use too many. They're best bulked out with something imo (hemp is a good option). I tend to use them with boilie to avoid nuisance species. I don't do anything fancy when it comes to rigs. Keep it simple.

Another waterfall, this one near the tan hill inn, and one on the Pennines near Bacup

A couple more shots of weirs and waterfalls.

You can get some amazing shots when you get used to the editing software, I use a couple of apps on my iPad to enhance too