How To Tie The Zig Rig

Carp Advanced

Carp actually spend very little time on the lakebed, so presenting a bait midwater can be the difference of blanking or not! Follow these steps to tie an effective zig rig presentation

You will need:

Zig Line

Mixa Hook

Silicone Tube

Dark Matter Anti Tangle Sleeves

Razorblade Scissors

Zig Foam

Hair Stops

Step 1

Create a hair loop

Form a small overhand loop knot in the end of the Zig Line to create a hair rig

Step 2

Add your hookbait

Thread your hookbait - such as a piece of Zig Foam or a small dumbbell pop-up - onto a Super Fine Braid Needle and onto your hair, securing with a Hair Stop

Step 3

Thread on your hook

Cut your Zig Line slightly longer than the length you require the finished rig to be and thread it through a Mixa hook eye from back to to front.

Step 4

Correctly position your hookbait

Position your hookbait so that it is almost touching the bend of the hook - zigs use a bait that is tight to the hook

Step 5

Tie on your hook

Tie a knotless knot by whipping the Zig Line down the hook shank from top to bottom, 10-12 turns, then pass the line through the eye from back to front, and carefully tighten down the knot, moistening it with saliva. Remember you're using a light nylon hook link material that can be weakened by a badly tied knot.

Step 6

Add a piece of silicone tubing

Cut off a piece of silicone tube around 10mm long, thread it onto the end of your Zig Line and slide it all the way down to the hook, and push it over the eye. It should cover the eye completely and protrude back up your hook link, which helps the hook to turn once insde the mouth of the carp, and also protects the knot.

Step 7

Tie a loop knot in the other end of your hook link

Tie a figure-of-eight loop knot and carefully bed it down, moistening it with saliva. Don't use a standard overhand knot as this can significantyl weaken fine diameter, pre-stretched nylon materials such as Zig Line. A Pulla Tool helps to tighten and bed the knot down properly.

Step 8

Attach the hook link to your lead system

Thread on a Dark Matter Anti Tangle Sleeve (or a Zig Anti Tangle Sleeve if using with an adjustable zig). Then attach the loop in the hook link to a QC Swivel which has been tied onto the end of your main line (make sure your lead system has been threaded on before you atatch the swivel!), and secure it with the ant-tangle sleeve. This will allow you to quickly change your hook link when needed or you want to try a different depth. In terms of lead systems, an inline lead works well, or if it is weedy, a lead clip.

Topic Overview

Parent Topic: Zig Fishing.
Primary Topics: Zig Rig; How to Tie a Zig Rig.
Related Topics: Adjustable Zig Rigs; Zig Rig Hook Link Material; Carp Hooks; Zig Rig Storage.
Related Products: Zig Line; Zig Foam; Mixa Hooks; Zig Kit; Zig Magnet; Zig Box.
Skill Level: Basic/Intermediate