tonybranno

I much prefer to use putty for counterbalancing my pop up rigs and im using Krystons Heavy Metal for this purpose at the moment but the big problem i have is that it takes an awful lot just to counterbalance a single 10mm boilie. On another session this week i was using a 15mm Source pop with a load of putty over the braid knot but the putty was nearly as big as a 12mm boilie itself, it looked like a huge grey bogey hanging on my line. Is there any much heavier putty on the market which you recommend? Because at the moment ive had to go back to using the good old split shot which im not 100% comfortable with.

That sounds a nightmare! Its bad enough with mono never mind braid.

If i wanted to make a really fruity and sweet attractor bait out of a standard and cheap 50/50 mix, what preservative could i use in the mix to make it shelf life?

Not to sure but im certain the fish might actually smell the paint and not go near your hook anyway.

Take a look at this, its what Nick posted sometime ago. http://www.carp.com/carp-forum/viewtopic.php?t=22183 I hope that helps you.

Agree with you Nick. I first seen this "shocker" type rig publicised in Carp World by an angler called Chris Haswell, like you said maybe 15 years ago.

I bought them and i dont use them now. I think you have gotta place the slot in the lead on the hooklink a certain way round as well, cos ive found it can screw up the presentation of the rig.

Same here, you aint gotta re tie your whole rig if you wanna go lighter or heavier.

Ive got a lot of confidence in the green 15lb BS Snakebite. I love the stuff.

Righto im currently using ESP barbless Raptors but im becoming increasingly unhappy with them due to them not being quite sharp enough, even straight out of the packet. Im now looking for a new hook pattern. Now they must be barbless due to the rules and regs of my club water. I was thinking of the Korda wide gape B's but what does anyone else use and what do you recommend for standard bottom baits and pop ups?

That looks like a coated braid matey! Whats your preferences on that sort of hooklink material?

Do you only fish once a year?

I still prefer to tie my own!

Any of them mentioned from previous posts. It just depends if you have the experience and ability to be able to play a carp of any size without having hooks pull out or straightening!

The words 'instant carp angler' spring to mind!.

Have you done ANY coarse fishing?

Its another name for an helicopter rig. But dont use it just cos its new and in vogue! If you are fishing over weed or silt then i would strongly recommended it but if you fish over hard clear or even gravel patches then stick to the normal in line or pendant lead arrangement!

Well done mate. Its a shame you havent got some pictures!

I prefer to use stiffish hooklinks like Korda IQ or a combi link made from Kryston Snakebite when fishing ove gravel and hard clear patches. Everywhere else i use Kryston Merlin!

That they do fella!

Well i use Kryston Merlin, Kryston Snakebite, Korda IQ (but i feel its a bitch to work with) and ive recently moved over to good old Maxima. I havent used it as a hooklink but im gonna give it a go this weekend cos ive heard that so many people still catch on it!

I thought the same matey as well. Personally i do like the look of the rig but surely if the mainline parted then the stop bead would stop the lead from discharging from the rig? But then again you could say the same about the helicopter/chod rigs!

I use the ESP Raptors and got complete confidence in them!

I use the coated ESP Raptors but to be honest i think all hooks dull over time anyway, even the shiny ones like the Nash Fangs but if you were happy using the Kordas before then use them again matey.

That happened to me the first time i made them. I made a handful up in advance and i threw one in the margins to check how long it took to dissolve and it was well over 20 minutes. Not good really so i make all mine up now as and when i need them!