cobleyn

I tend to use 2-3inch hook links with solid bags. Usually with supple braid.

It's not that it wouldn't work with a bottom bait. I used it a lot in the past with critically balanced/ snowman rigs....its just that's it's widely regarded as a good pop up rig.

I have no valid retort. My name is Cob...and I like long hairy bottoms.

I always like a long hair for bottom baits.

A few comments: A ring swivel (as previously mentioned) will be better on the hook. See Nige's recent photo tutorial for a cracking way to fix the swivel and bait on. Maybe try a size 6 or slightly thicker shank hook for more weight. I personally like the carp r us long shank nailers. The tubing on the left hand side (ie on the swivel) will inhibit the pivot into the fishes mouth. Whilst not a pure 360 rig (more of a hinged stiff rig), you could consider a length of mono in between the hook and the swivel. This allows you to vary the distance between the deck and the pop up and if you crimp it on adds weight. A loop knot to the ring swivel (Rather than the fixed one you use) will add potentially add more movement to the rig.

Hooklink or mainline?

Fleabay gives you a full choice of sizes. I've carried one for years for worms and to inject pva bags with flavour.

Red wine and Camembert.

As Mick says- don't worry about driving in France it's a piece of cake and you can consume hundreds of miles easily on their road networks. With modern sat nav it's just so easy- the French used to change their road names all the time, which could catch you out. But with sat nav there's no need to worry. Just make sure you put a tank of fuel in before you get on your ferry. The roads out there will usher you out of the port and on your way very quickly (ie avoiding the town centre) and it may be 50 miles before a fuel station. You may have left it a bit late for most of the popular lakes as they get booked up. If you are serious...you need to get phoning around now. I did review on lac de premiere a few months back. As its a new lake you might be able to get on there and it will tick all of your boxes (easy to get to, good facilities, lots of fish). There are quite a few lakes that do uk pick ups, like dream lakes (I think). Not sure how they all fish though as they get pressure all the time. Try and work out how good you think your angling is...don't assume that France is always easier. A lot of them see as much pressure as the lakes at linear so they aren't the bite a chuck lakes they once were

I use the solar stuff in 80lb for hooklengths for arapiama. Awesome stuff. Nash armour braid is good stuff. Not the most flexible braid on the market, but sinks like a stone and is really abrasion resistant.

Blanksalot beat me to fortinerres ...I fished there about 5 years ago and it was a bit run down. Since the new owners have took over it looks a load better.

Luke Moffat has just joined the forum. He used to do guided river trips in France...maybe worth dropping him a PM to see if he still does them...or knows someone who still does.

My rig board is a bit of a mess. But generally I have the following tied up: Short braid rigs for bag work. Hinged stiff rigs for pop ups. Combi links for general use (boilie/ maggot). I have a variety of hook sizes in there as I match my hook to my bait size. In the summer I was using a size 2 with a 35mm bait. My hinged pop-ups are between an 8 and a 12 as I tend to use them in winter as singles. If the hook is still sharp- it goes on the rig board and I'll use it again if the need arises. After about 6-9 months I'll empty it and bin everything (except swivels).

Few advantages- firstly is the non-tangle aspect, secondly is the ability for fish to deal with it- ie if they have been used to dealing with Braid, it can present them with a different presentation to deal with. third- its a material that re-sets itself when coupled with a more buoyant hook-bait.