Neil Spooner - Why I Love Using Solidz

Solidz are a tactic that I absolutely love, and I still believe they are a massively underrated approach.

I don’t think there’s a better approach to guaranteeing presentation – You know, with 100% confidence, that you have a lovely parcel of bait, right around your hookbait. What’s more, you can be sure that your rig isn’t tangled, and is sat perfectly waiting.

They are so versatile, you can pretty much fish them in any situation, be that as stand-alone rigs, or over beds of bait to a spodded area. You can fish multiple rods on a spot, or fan them around the swim. They are mega effective in the edge, or can be cast huge ranges. You can fish them in and around weed, or on polished gravel spots. Their versatility and reliability is what makes them so effective and such an important part in my angling.

I set my solidz rigs up with inline square pear leads, usually on leadcore or safe zone leaders, that way, I can make loads up in advance and simply loop to loop them onto my mainline.

Short 4-inch Supernatural braided rigs are then tied to a size 6 or 8 Krank, which I like to add a small kicker to. I’ve even done really well on the ready tied rigs for my Solidz fishing, just making life that bit easier.

When it comes to hookbaits, I like something small, balanced and something that stands out. I’ve done really well on Orange Fake Corn in my solids, particularly on the day ticket scene such as Norton and Linear.

I favour using the small Solidz, adding micro pellet around my hooklink, ensuring it is all covered up, but laying neatly within the bag. Fishing in this way, you know that your rig is sat out their, totally covered by the pellet and when the carp come in, the first thing they’ll see if your little balanced bait, sitting above the pellet.

If fishing a popped up or balanced bait however, ensure you’ve tested the weight of the bait vs the hook in the edge, just so you know exactly how it sits. It’s also important to pay attention to your hookpoint to ensure the pellet will not blunt the point. To avoid this, either placing some crumb, powder or groundbait around the hook will eliminate this, or nick the hookpoint out of the bag.

Another top tip for solidz, if you’re wanting to dry your rig out, dipping it into a bag of powder or groundbait will help quickly absorb the moisture. There’s nothing worse than trying to tie a bag with a wet rig! Take the lead out of the swivel and ensure that it’s all dry, as water will hold inside the lead.

Don’t underestimate solidz, they are a superb way to catch carp and so simple. Anyway can use them and you always know you’re fishing.