Rig

Hair rig

The bait sits on a short hair behind the hook, so the hook is free to catch in the carp's mouth.
Use this rig in the builder
Hair rig rig diagram with numbered parts123456

The numbers match the parts list. The drawing is stylised, not to scale.

How it works

A carp sucks in a bait and blows it out. On a hair rig the bait hangs behind the bare hook, so when the carp sucks, the hook goes in with it. It is the base of almost all modern carp fishing.

Best for
Carp over a baited area, and bottom feeders that suck baits in and out.
Conditions
Still or slow water with a soft bottom.

Parts list

  1. 1

    Main line. 12 to 15 lb mono.

  2. 2

    Lead clip and lead. Releases the lead if the line breaks.

  3. 3

    Swivel. Joins the hooklink to the clip.

  4. 4

    Hooklink. A soft braid or fluorocarbon, 15 to 25 cm.

  5. 5

    Hook. A wide-gape or curved-shank hook.

  6. 6

    Hair and boilie. The bait hangs behind the hook on a short hair.

Build it

  1. 1

    Tie a hair about 1 cm long to the bend of the hook.

  2. 2

    Thread the boilie on the hair and hold it with a stop.

  3. 3

    Tie the hook to the hooklink with a knotless knot.

  4. 4

    Attach the hooklink to a swivel and lead clip.

  5. 5

    Cast to your baited spot and set the free-spool or bite alarm.

Strengths and trade-offs

Strengths

  • Hooks well
  • Works with many baits
  • Easy to change baits

Watch out for

  • More parts to tie
  • Needs care with the hook link length

Very effective, but it needs a bit of practice to tie, and the lead and hooklink must suit the bottom.

Knots and hooks

Hook sizes 4/0 to 8/0 suit this rig. See the hook guide.

Rig and hook recommendations are pending review by a local angler. Check bag limits and gear rules for your area before you fish.

Gear

Gear that suits this rig

Keep going

More rigs