THE ZIG RIG

The Zig-Rig allows a buoyant bait to be fished from the lakebed (legered) at any set depth from a couple of inches above the lakebed right up to the water’s surface. This allows the angler to be able to present the hookbait at the depth at which the carp are either cruising, or more importantly, feeding.
The zig rig has been around for many years now and allows a buoyant bait to be fished from the lake bed at the depth of your choice. Although effective at any time of the year, zig rigging really comes into its own through the spring/summer when the carp are spending much of their time in the upper layers. A good starting point on any water is to begin at two thirds of the depth in front of you and then take it from there. If you have no luck to start with then don't be afraid to experiment. The depth the carp are sitting at will vary on conditions and the time of day. Also remember that the carp won't suddenly all swim to the bottom just because it gets dark. Carp will pick up a zig rigged bait at any time of the day or night - if you have the nerve to give it a go!

i use a zig rig to search out the water layers from any where from 3ft off the bottom to the surface layer and
i fish totally different rigs around weed and over silt these are based around criticaly balanced bait .
what i,m looking for is carp cruising at particular heights (where ever that may be on any giving session) in front of me and not routing in weed or over silt but just cruising around.
also carp that are again cruising in the top layer sunning them selfs or that are spooky to surface baits and this is where the zig rig scores well in my opinion .

as for depth the way I do it is I start off by setting the hook link about ½ the depth of the water I’m fishing I.e if its 5 foot deep I would go for 2 ½ foot then if you see the fish milling in the top layers bring it up I have done very well with it set about ½ foot under the water in the summer. If nothing happens in an hr I would alter the depth.

There are a couple of problems.

Obviously its all well and good for fishing in shallow water, but things get sticky if you're fishing in say 14ft of water. Thats one hell of a long leader, but casting it can be done.
1. Use PVA string. Carefully roll the leader up into a loop to shorten it, and tie the loop up with PVA string (which dissolves in the water.)
2. Use a mat, lay out the leader carefully on it and cast. Some people will roll the leader up in a bowl.
3. Always 'feather' the cast. Before the rig hits the water put your finger on the rim of the spool to slow down the line coming off. Stop the line feed just before the rig hits the water, which will help seperate the leader from the weight ( this is a technique you should get used to using, since it helps reduce tangles regardless of which set up you use )

My preferred Zig-Rig setup is a 10lb fluro hooklength tied to a safety in-line lead, which is then fished on the lakebed (legered) and setup with a bite-alarm and indicator, as you would normally. Fished in this manner the Zig-Rig is therefore a semi-fixed bolt-rig.

But I am now going over to a adjustable Zig

An adjustable zig allows you to alter the depth without reeling in and changing the hook link by means of a sub float at the base of the hook link, and a free running lead behind that.
The whole lot is cast out, and then line paid off slowly a foot at a time until the sub float reaches the surface. The sub float and bait are then pulled back down a foot at a time until you reach the depth you require.

This is great as you have not got to cast out again and disturb your swim, and its less line to tangle.

Have a bit of pos for that Stotty, its a rig that I am really struggling with, I have used it on a number of venues and although I do get rattles on the rig I am struggling to get hook ups, I think its because my hair is too long, or my bait is too big

as stotty has already said.. the adjustable is the way forward..

just a confidence thing getting over the thought of the sub float not spooky ol Mr Carp...

im no expert in the matter but that sounds like roach playing football to me woody.

Trash wrote:im no expert in the matter but that sounds like roach playing football to me woody.

It could be

may be one of the carp boys will put one up for you!

Trying this out tomorrow on an 28ft deep water...

Rock n roll...

good luck ed

A a length of tubing over the swivel as this will prevent tangles.
B Fluorocarbon line
C pop-up boilies as this will provide the buoyancy to suspend the bait well off the bottom.
D In mild water conditions, a bait presented at mid-water can gain you more takes.
E gripper-style lead to hold the bottom securely as you dont know if you have cast your rig onto a steeply-shelving bottom.

It was a 3ft hooklength, 2 ft buffer with tubing on and the float in the middle then my main line...

Nothing until 10 mins before leaving, a cheeky bleep bleep bleep.... bleeeeep!

My ar5e fell out as I approached my rod and saw 2 fecking birds having a play around with my bait...

Not a success but the water is an odd one. about 40 od chub cruising about and even a switchover to a size 14 hook and smaller bait wouldnt do the business!

Illgive another whirl for sure, it's a beggar when it tangles though!

edbeef wrote:It was a 3ft hooklength, 2 ft buffer with tubing on and the float in the middle then my main line...

Nothing until 10 mins before leaving, a cheeky bleep bleep bleep.... bleeeeep!

My ar5e fell out as I approached my rod and saw 2 fecking birds having a play around with my bait...

Not a success but the water is an odd one. about 40 od chub cruising about and even a switchover to a size 14 hook and smaller bait wouldnt do the business!

Illgive another whirl for sure, it's a beggar when it tangles though!

quick melt pva string..

loop the line carefully and neatly then tie it off on both sides with quick melt PVA string.. 1 single wrap and a little granny knot..

also on the hook use rig foam.. this will give you an indication of melt when it pops to the surface...

hope that will hep a little

could someone take a picture of one set up so we can see what it looks like?

There is a picture of the normal zig if you look down through the post, i will try and do a running rig at some point

thanks :)

Stotty wrote:

Great illustration stotty, i like how you have captured the realness of the weed it's uncanny

Zigs are awsome,first fish i caught on one was 16 foot in length after that i went and got myself a sub float its defo the way forward

jason wrote:Zigs are awsome,first fish i caught on one was 16 foot in length after that i went and got myself a sub float its defo the way forward

im guessing you mean your zig was 16 foot.........

yes mate, propper bitch to play a fish on

Very underrated rig. I had my pb common 28lb 6 on a 16 foot fishing with Jason. Very difficult to play fish on.

Branny wrote:Very underrated rig. I had my pb common 28lb 6 on a 16 foot fishing with Jason. Very difficult to play fish on.

Especially when you try to net it on your own cause somebodys at the bog

Was playing the first fish for 20 mins waiting for you to get back!

Dando wrote:

Stotty wrote:

Great illustration stotty, i like how you have captured the realness of the weed it's uncanny