steve333

Thanks for the link Neil,must start using the search bar more!

Pretty much what i thought,i've always used my thumbnail to check hook points for sharpness,thanks for the replys

Whats peoples opinions on super gluing knots?(i only glue knots to quick links not on hooklengths,do you think superglue can weaken mono/braid or make the knot stronger?)

I'll pop in my local tackle shop & have a look at some thanks Kev

Thanks lads,will get some silkworm & maybe rub some of the lake silt down it to camouflage it & maybe counteract it's buoyany(will also be using a small stick which should help the rig straighten out & settle better on the silt),if i get problems with tangling due to the long(2'6'')hooklength,will try using fluorocarbon to see if it works better.

Makes sense to me mate,5mm seems to be a common starting point so i'll use that as a guide & adjust as neccessary,thanks

Interesting replies guys,i think i will tie some uncoated braid(kryston merlin)& some mono(what do you recommend?)that way i'll see which works best.

Cheers Nick,looked on Leslies of Lutons online catalogue at the Kryston uncoated braids & by the descriptions Merlin sounds a safe bet as i will be using long(2'6'') hooklengths on a light running rig fished over silt slack lined.

Can anyone recommend a good uncoated braid(preferably dark in colour as i'm fishing over silt & using a long(2'6'')hooklength),will be tying it knotless knot style for both bottom & critically balanced baits?

Thanks guys,i can go & tie some rigs up with confidence now,trial & error with the hair length as i thought,never realised you could work out if the hair was too long/short by where a fish is hooked-brilliant!

Perfect sense mate,so tie the hair loop,put a bait on & start again if it's not right?

Good morning all,only a week now before my 1st season as a carp angler so it's rig making/hooklength tying day today in preperation for my 1st session.Got the Fox rig video which explains in detail how to tie most basic rigs but still not sure when it comes to getting the hair right on a basic knotless knot hooklength.The 2 lakes i will be fishing most of the season are both very silty so i will be fishing light(1oz)running leads with a small flying backlead,3ft of tungsten tubing & at the business end 21/2ft of uncoated braid finished of with a small stick(with the braid pulled through with a baiting needle & the hook pushed up to the bottom of the stick so as to hopefully slow down everything so it settles on the silt,due to the length of the hooklength i know i will need to tighten up & pull back a couple of foot once the rig hits bottom to straighten everything out before slackening off as i intend fishing slack lines).Sorry to go on a bit but want to make sure i give as much detail about my intended rigs to hel;p give you a clear picture of what i'm trying to achieve,if i fish a single 14mm pop up critically balanced with a shot on the hair how do i get the hair length right & also,if i want to try a snowman rig on the other rod with 14mm baits how do i get the hair right for that rig?(appologies again if i've gone on a bit & confused anyone!)

How long would you be confident in using a pre tied rig for before disgarding/replacing the hook or after how many fish do you think the hook is still as effective as a new one?