yonny

The difference in feel of the lead going down, and bite indication, would be negligible with any other mono or flouro imo mate.

This is why out-turned eyes are generally used for stiff rigs. The gape on Nick's rig is closed far too much (imo) by the standard curve shank.

Nah that's not accurate buddy, just look at the spinner/ronnie - very short and zero stretch. The important bit in shaping the stiff link on a hinge/chod or steaming the shrink tube on a spinner/ronnie is to ensure the shape of the hook is extended. You should be able to draw an imaginary line along the shank and it should continue progressively all the way down to the swivel with no nasty angles or corners. These rigs are basically intended to be an extension of the hooks shank. The one you tied here is almost spot on - that smooth radius from the bend of the hook to the putty is what you're after.

What is your thinking here Nick? Why do you think this would give extra movement over a standard swivel? Surely there will be similar friction between the tungsten beads and the mini swivel than there would between the ring and barrel on a standard swivel? In the image above the gape is closed way too much imo. The stiff material is supposed to serve as a sweeping extension of the hook shank, there should not be any right angle between hook and the hook link imo.

Respect to you sir. The right thing to do imo.

I just fish a pop up over worms. When you get them going on naturals it really doesnt matter what you have on the rig imo. It will be taken.

Yes, and they defo are by the sounds of it mate.

This^^^^^^ Until you find them you're just guessing which is no good for anyone buddy. Keep at it, they'll show you where you need to be eventually.

Mate....... what is going on over there is a joke. As you know I pop over once or twice a year but not this year, it looks awful man!

Well done @crusian👍

Mental looking kipper that one 😍

Weed is taking oxygen at night but giving it during the day. If you can find a spot near the heaviest weed it's generally a good bet come bite time (evenings/mornings). Ya lazy git!🤣😉

They have another one called spike which is even longer/bigger (50+) and bunch of others in their 40's. Gotta be the best lins in the country?

I use the Trent Baits cork ball pop ups. UB Baits are also decent. Just the standard proper jobs are more than buoyant enough mate.

It's the pop up mate. I prefer cork ball pop ups. For standard pop ups it has to be Proper Job Pop Ups. They are as buoyant as you'll get.

My choice on heli set up depends on the lake tbh. Leadcore is MILES better for hooking potential (imo) but I'm currently using a fluoro leader set up for distance. Your suggestions (Pin down, qc ring, lead) will be absolutely fine. Maybe get a sleeve of some kind to smarten it up. Any old lead will do mate.

Good call. It was iCARP: https://icarp.org.uk/

I think you will struggle to get a reply Lewis - the post is 3 years old. I found the website for the group. You can contact them through the site. https://www.exmilcarpers.co.uk/

Me🖐️ It sounds like you want to use the hinge due to weed and chod. If you chuck and inline into weed/chod the lead will drag the rig down into the weed, maybe only partially or maybe it'll bury it. You'll be relying on an element of luck to be presented. Luck is not the one mate, you need to KNOW you're presented, every time. Why not bro? A heli is perfect if you're worried about weed/chod/presentation. Imo the 'roddie' rig is the stupidest rig that anyone ever came up with. It takes all the disadvantages of the chod and makes them worse. Avoid at all costs imo.

This^^^^^ The human body constantly yields heat, you just need to harness it by wearing decent togs. This time of year you barely need a sleeping bag, let alone a heater imo.

I think seed is more effective for mass baiting out in the pond (mass baiting in the margin never seems to work for me, it's all about small handfuls/traps). For margin spots pellets are the one imo. Vitalin good for both. Correct, you cannot overdo molasses.

It's a well established bait that's caught lots of carp mate.

If you think you're overthinking it you're defo overthinking it mate. The key to getting your head round this is to know why you're changing something. There is no point changing from a blowback to a ronnie to a stiff D rig just because they are different. You end up changing so much that even if you do get a take you don't know which of the many changes you've made was the difference. Make sure you have a reason to make any changes. For example if the deck is super clean change to a bottom bait rig. If it's not use a pop up rig. If you see carp spooking off your line/leader change to fluoro etc. etc. Keep your eyes open and use what the fishing situation requires. The lake/fish will tell you what to do if you look hard enough. Apply logic and have a reason for every change. It is the quickest way to success.

I can personally vouch for the size 4 on a ronnie mate, very effective.

No mate, it's a decent pattern. It must be a problem with the rig. What rig are you using?