ouchthathurt

i've used amnesia for years, it was a big edge for me on my water as everyone was using these hi-tec modern coated braids, i used good ole amnesia and did really well on it. i know it was the link that made a difference, i went from not having a single take all season, just the odd bleep or lift to having full blooded one toners with decently hooked fish. i've also been playing around with ESP ghost and bristle filament. i feel the ghost is easier to work with.

when i fished in silt, i used to hammer my 1.5oz leads flat so they sank slower, instead of crashing into the silt. i lengthen my silkworm hooklinks to 10-12" and put a PVA foam nugget over the hook. still, each and everyone of us will have found something that works for them.

or just tie a PVA stopknot a short way from the lead.

most of these "wonder-rigs" are designed more to catch the angler than the carp. i use the most simple rig i can get away with, i am more interested in offering a decent bait in the correct location. if the carp find it, and they want it, they'll have it. the more simple things are, the eaiser it is to analyse things when things go wrong.

i use ESP ghost for all my fluro links and the ESP bristle-filament for my stiff links. i either gently steam the link or i hook my forceps onto the hook and a mini-screwdriver into the swivel end and gently pull them apart, stretching the link. this tests th knots are tight and bedded down nicely and the link will also straighten out.

after thinking long and hard on this, i have made a few changes. i have used the needle knot for as long as i've used leadcore without too much hassle. but i did have a play with the spliced loop and i am impressed with how strong it actually is. as well as the fact it seems somehow tougher all round and more streamlined. so i have moved over to the spliced loop. as for learning how to do it? i sat in front of the soaps and practiced on a short length of 'core. i've had one mishap, when the loop pulled through when the leader was totally slack. but the cause was all my fault, not made the splice long enough. further experiments have found me using the helicopter rig for 100% of my 'core fishing, as if you snap off, the hooklink can come away completely from the 'core leader. i cant go back to tubing, i just am not a fan of it. i'm now playing around with fluro mainlines and leaders, as i'm fishing a low stock gin clear water at the moment.

i have always put the rolling eyes thing at the end of my posts since i first posted. its not meant to be patronising, or anything like that, its just what i use for a signature as it were. anyone that knew me well would know that. in truth, im far too laid back to patronise anyone. i never offer my opinion unless its asked for. all i have ever wanted to do on this forum is to help other carp anglers that ask for it. thats it. i try not to get involved in the petty arguments that can breakout on this site, indeed i was once very busy diffusing the warring fractions on this very site and making everyone get on again. i have NEVER judged anyone on their choice of tackle, equipment or fishing style, why should i? each to their own, how often have i typed that since 2004? i dont know... loads! i use my choice of equipment as it works for ME. who am i to prejudge or patronise anyone for their choice of equipment? i couldnt care less what you, him, or anyone else is using, unless they ask me for my opinion. at the end of the day, being a serving squaddie in a very busy garrison medical centre, i have enough on my plate without inciting arguments on a public forum. the reason why it has raken so long for me to reply is that i've been living in a hole for the last few weeks. you say i wouldnt do it in person, how do you know that? if you find it insulting or patronising, then i'm sorry, but since i first logged on in 2004, and no one has found it offensive. OUCHTHATHURT

an easy to follow diagram of the needle knot is on the inside of the packaging with the ESP leadcore. (which is my favourite by far!)

when using a D rig for my pop ups, then yeah, i'll use putty to counteract it, set at the height i want.

It holds the bait in place if theres a slight breeze - no constant re-casting! No good for windy conditions though IMO but surely if there is a slight breeze, the free offerings are going to drift away, making the static hookbait more obvoius to taking carp? surely if the free offerings are moving on the breeze, it would appear more natural to allow the hookbait to do the same?

on my water a lot of the anglers were just using plastic rings off anything they could find, or plastic runrings, yet they found with heavy mono links, they were cutting into the plastic causing the line to fray or the ring to cut in two and snap, either way losing fish. others were using the ring pull of coke cans, which sheared the line regularly. i know it sounds stupid, but this is what was being done!

when i used the rig, years back, it was very inaccurate to cast, quite fiddly and basically i found a simple controller set up just as effective.

with todays modern monofilaments and specific floater tackle, is th beachcaster rig really necessary?

same here, i dont feel in need to change my rig from a simple knotless knot presentation, it works perfectly for me. i could quite happily fish all season and not even think about the D rig.

errr...

hope it hleps pal, as the old adage goes, if it aint broke dont fix it!

it's funny, but i have never thought to worry about the affect the glue was having, as i've said i have never thought of it, but i will have to ponder over its necessity, i am happy to use without it.

i join them together with a length of spaghetti, that does it. also (an idea stolen off lee jackson) you could join up bottom baits and pop ups and use them as freebies?

you need to start with what you know to begin with, once your there, you can speak to the baillif for advice, see what the other sucessful anglers are doing and follow suit. but remember, your rigs work everywhere else? so why be in a rush to change?

i would have another go, if it happens again, i would start making subtle changes, a running lead, or changing the length of the hooklength. one off sessions like this happen, dont be in a hurry to chop and change, just accept that things like this sometimes happen!

my advice is not to overcomplicate matters, my pop up rig on rods are simple silkworm hooklinks with putty to sink it. just stick with what your confident with mate, that will make life easier. concentrate on locating the fish and presenting a bait to them. use what YOU have confidence in. the D rig is good yeah, look at the pellet rig thread and there is a drawing of one, (swimmer rig) just go with what you know!

you have stated that you are new to this game and that all these hooklinks and whatnot are confusing? am i right? if thats the case, forget about all braids and fluros and stuff, justuse simple mono hooklinks made out of your mainline, thats what i did for years, concentrate on learning your trade, get a few carp under your belt and as your knowledge and confidence grows, you will feel the time to move on to more complex rigs and materials. i've been carping nearly 14yrs, and i still revert to simple mono hooklinks these days, what with all these braided hooklinks, you will probably be the only one on mono hooklinks and thats and edge! i have braids and fluros and stiffys in my tacklebox, but i use them when its necessary, not because its fashionable. i've caught more 20s on simple mono rigs and simple running lead systems than on complex braids and lead systems. take your time, learn the game most of all, enjoy it! get a decent quality bait you have confidence in, work on your location and get to know your lake and where best to place your bait, fish properly for the conditions and if the carp wants, he'll have it! we make this carping game more difficult than it needs to be most of the time!

good spot! thats the ultima stuff i got! i'm sitting in the corner thinking about the bad thing i've done...

not if you use it sparingly, i only glued it for my own peace of mind, however during sessions where i have been caught out having to tie a needle knot without superglue, it still holds well for me, without the glue. its not strictly necessary, but i have not noticed any ill effects, but having said that, i change my leadcore regularly, so maybe i'm not giving it enough time for a problem to become apparant? something to think about.

whatever you like. i use the 'd' ring set up on my pop ups only. my hooklink is either bristle filament or ghost fluro by ESP. i fish it between 6-8'' finged stifflink style. leadwise, you can use an inline or pendant style, your preference. why have you chosen this rig over a simple hair rig?