wayno

Basically, if you have had fish on the bait you are using and the rigs you are using in the summer months chances are you are not doing that much wrong. just stick at it mate you will get them just use less bait. In the winter I mostly use single hook baits, have a look on the site there are loads of good tips.. good luck

I agree totally, its very rare I use pop ups these days I only use them if i feel I am using them for a reason. I would rather use a bottom bait for a single hook bait presentation if possible. If i am going to use a pop up generally I use a hinged stiff link made out of bristtle filament. And I never use them over a bed of bait. if the carp are feeding on the bottom they will often shy away from a pop up like salokcinnodrog said

If your on nice flat gravel patches have you tried a stiff link i.e 7" long hook link made out of bristle filament using a D ring?. Or if you like braid try the 20lb version of Korda hybrib, I know people used to have trouble with the 15lb so use the 20lb. This has always worked for me in the past on clear gravel

If I am making up any stiff rigs I use the ESP stiffrigger hook on a D ring

Your right mate a supple hair is better, I tried playing about with stiff hairs a few years ago and I dont know if it was just me but I had alot of problems with hook pulls/poor hooking so I switched back to a supple hair and i had no problems