Carp hair rig (lead on a safety clip)

What you need

• main line 0.30-0.35 mm
• 60-100 cm of lead core or anti-tangle tubing
• safety clip + rubber tail cone
• 80-120 g lead
• size 8 ring swivel
• 15-25 lb braided hooklength, 15-25 cm
• size 4-8 wide gape hook
• boilie needle, stops, silicone sleeve

Steps

1. 1

   Thread the line through the anti-tangle tubing/lead core and tie on the swivel; the safety clip goes over the swivel, the lead clips into it, and the rubber cone holds the clip (lightly, so the lead can come off if it snags).

2. 2

   Tie the hooklength with the knotless knot: a hair 5-10 mm below the bend, 7-9 turns, a figure 8 loop at the end.

3. 3

   Attach the hooklength to the swivel (loop-to-loop or a quick-change connector).

4. 4

   Thread the boilie onto the hair with the needle and lock it with a stop; optionally add a small pop-up (“snowman”) for balance.

5. 5

   Cast, let the lead settle, tighten the line slightly and put the rod on the bite alarm with a swinger/indicator.

Tips

• Test the rig on your palm: if you pull the hooklength gently across your palm, the hook should turn and catch.
• On lead core there must be a breaking point at the knot -- otherwise a lost fish is left towing the whole rig.