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Posted on 24th March 202524th March 2025 by George Callingham — Leave a comment

The Best Carp Rigs for ALL Carp Fishing Scenarios

Carp fishing is an art, and choosing the right carp rigs can mean the difference between a blank session and a trophy catch. Whether you’re fishing on pressured waters, snaggy environments, or deep lakes, selecting the right rig is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of the best rigs for different carp fishing scenarios.

1. Bottom Bait Rigs – For Pressured Waters

When fishing in heavily pressured venues where carp have seen it all, a subtle approach is key. The blowback rig is a great choice. It allows the bait to move naturally while ensuring the hook remains in the perfect position for a solid hook hold. Pair this with a critically balanced bait to outwit wary carp.

Best for: Hard-bottom lakes, pressured fish.
Recommended bait: Wafters, bottom baits.
Key tip: Use fluorocarbon hook links for stealth.

2. Chod Rig – For Weedy Lakes

If you’re fishing in weedy or silty lakes where traditional rigs get buried, the chod rig is your best friend. Its stiff hooklink keeps the bait presented above debris, ensuring it remains visible to passing carp.

Best for: Weedy, silty, or chod-ridden lakes.
Recommended bait: Pop-ups.
Key tip: Use a leadcore leader for a streamlined setup.

3. Ronnie Rig – For Big Fish and Sharp Hook-Ups

For those targeting big carp with aggressive feeding habits, the Ronnie rig is a fantastic option. Its low-lying pop-up presentation combined with the ability to reset itself makes it incredibly effective.

Best for: Large carp, venues with big fish.
Recommended bait: Pop-ups.
Key tip: Use a large curved shank hook for optimum hook penetration.

4. Zig Rig – For Mid-Water Feeding Fish

On warm days when carp are swimming in the upper layers, the zig rig is an essential tactic. This rig suspends bait at various depths, enticing fish that aren’t actively feeding on the bottom.

Best for: Warm weather, cruising fish.
Recommended bait: Foam, artificial baits, floating boilies.
Key tip: Use a black or yellow foam for increased visibility.

5. Snowman Rig – For Large Hookbaits and Selective Carp

If you’re looking to target bigger, more cautious carp, the snowman rig—which combines a bottom bait with a pop-up—is a solid choice. This creates a slightly buoyant presentation that is hard for carp to resist.

Best for: Large, cautious fish.
Recommended bait: A bottom boilie with a smaller pop-up.
Key tip: Add a PVA bag of crushed boilies for extra attraction.

6. PVA Bag Rig – For Instant Attraction and Quick Bites

For short sessions or when fishing for quick bites, a PVA bag rig is ideal. The compact bait presentation ensures your hookbait is surrounded by attractive free offerings.

Best for: Instant bites, small lakes, short sessions.
Recommended bait: Small pellets, crushed boilies.
Key tip: Use a short braided hooklink for better presentation.

Conclusion

Matching your rig to the conditions and carp behavior will significantly improve your success rate. Whether you’re fishing in weedy lakes, pressured venues, or targeting mid-water carp, there’s a rig for every situation. Experiment with these rigs and tweak them to suit your fishing style—tight lines and happy angling!

**At Cally’s Carpy Customs, you can purchase a variety of high-quality, custom-made carp fishing rigs, all hand-tied using the finest industry components. Their selection includes popular rigs such as Ronnie Rigs, Slip-D Rigs, and Blowback Rigs. Additionally, we offer Pellet PVA Mesh Balls, Crushed Boilie PVA Mesh Balls, and Leaders to enhance your fishing experience.**

Posted on 17th March 202517th March 2025 by George Callingham — Leave a comment

How to Catch Carp from Pressured Day Ticket Lakes

Fishing on a busy day ticket lake can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. With high angling pressure, wary carp, and competitive swims, success requires strategy, patience, and adaptability. In this guide, we’ll cover the key tactics to help you land more carp from these demanding waters.

1. Observation Before Action

One of the most overlooked aspects of carp fishing is observation. Before setting up, take time to walk around the lake and look for signs of carp activity. Look out for bubbling, jumping, swirling, or carp basking near the surface. Setting up in an area where fish are naturally present increases your chances of success.

2. Light and Subtle Approach

Carp in pressured lakes quickly learn to avoid conventional rigs and heavily baited areas. Try scaling down your tackle:

Use smaller hooks (size 6-10)
Opt for fluorocarbon or light braid hooklinks
Consider using a simple, well-presented rig like a blowback or slip-D rig

A stealthy approach with minimal disturbance, such as casting quietly and using back leads to pin down the line, can make all the difference.

3. Adjust Your Baiting Strategy

Many anglers rely on heavy baiting tactics, which can sometimes deter cautious carp. Consider:

Single Hookbaits: Using a bright or natural-colored single pop-up or wafter can tempt wary fish.
PVA Bags: A small PVA bag of crushed boilies and pellets offers a discreet yet attractive meal.
Spodding Wisely: If using a spod mix, avoid overfeeding. Light baiting with hemp, corn, and crushed boilies can encourage feeding without making fish overly cautious.

4. Fish at Less Obvious Spots

Most anglers fish open water or known hotspots, making these areas heavily pressured. Instead, try:

Fishing close to margins, snags, or lily pads
Casting to features such as gravel bars or drop-offs
Checking overlooked areas like quiet corners or behind islands

Carp often move to less disturbed areas, especially during busy times.

5. Change Tactics Based on Conditions

Carp behavior varies with weather, time of day, and angling pressure. Adjust accordingly:

On warm days, use zigs or surface baits
On colder days, fish slower and closer to the bottom
If night fishing is allowed, take advantage of the reduced pressure

6. Stay Mobile and Adaptable

A flexible approach increases success rates. If after a few hours you see no signs of fish, don’t be afraid to move to a more active swim. Light tackle and minimal gear make relocating easier.

7. Patience and Confidence

Finally, confidence in your tactics and patience are crucial. Pressured carp require finesse, but with the right approach, you can outwit even the wariest fish.

By observing fish behavior, refining your rig and bait presentation, and staying adaptable, you’ll improve your results on busy day ticket lakes. Tight lines and happy fishing!

Posted on 4th February 20254th February 2025 by George Callingham — Leave a comment

Best Carp Rigs for Spring 2025

Spring is one of the most productive seasons for carp fishing. As water temperatures rise, carp become more active, feeding heavily after the slower winter months. To make the most of this prime season, it’s essential to choose the right rigs that match the conditions and carp behavior. Here’s a guide to the best carp rigs for spring 2025.

1. The Ronnie Rig

The Ronnie Rig, also known as the Spinner Rig, remains a top choice for targeting carp in spring. This rig is highly versatile and excellent for presenting pop-up baits just above debris or silt on the lakebed.

Why It Works in Spring:

Carp tend to patrol marginal areas and silty bottoms where natural food is abundant.
The Ronnie Rig’s 360-degree movement ensures a natural bait presentation, increasing the likelihood of a take.

Key Components:

A curved shank hook
A swivel or quick-change mechanism
A pop-up boilie or artificial bait

Pro Tip for 2025: Use bright-colored pop-ups like pink or white to attract carp in murky spring waters.

Browse Our Ronnie Rig Range Here

2. The Zig Rig

As the water temperature fluctuates in spring, carp often swim at different depths to regulate their body temperature. The Zig Rig is ideal for suspending bait in the mid-water column where carp may be feeding.

Why It Works in Spring:

Carp are often active in the upper layers during sunny days in spring.
This rig allows you to present bait precisely where carp are cruising.

Key Components:

A long hooklink (adjustable to depth)
Foam or buoyant artificial bait
A lead system for anchoring the line

Pro Tip for 2025: Experiment with different depths and use sweet or fruity flavors to entice spring carp.

Browse Our Zig Rig Range Here

3. The Chod Rig

The Chod Rig is a classic choice for fishing over weed or soft silt, which are common in spring lakes. Its design keeps the bait elevated, making it highly visible to passing carp.

Why It Works in Spring:

Carp forage in areas with natural weed growth that begins to re-emerge in spring.
The Chod Rig’s stiff hooklink material prevents tangles, ensuring a perfect presentation.

Key Components:

A short, stiff hooklink
A buoyant bait, such as a pop-up
A lead system like a helicopter setup

Pro Tip for 2025: Pair the Chod Rig with a fluorocarbon leader to keep your setup discreet in clear spring waters.

Browse Our Chod Rig Range Here

4. The Method Feeder Rig

For anglers who want to combine bait attraction with hookbait presentation, the Method Feeder Rig is an excellent choice. This rig is perfect for heavily stocked venues or when carp are feeding aggressively.

Why It Works in Spring:

Spring carp respond well to baited areas with high food content.
The method feeder ensures a concentrated bait area around your hookbait.

Key Components:

A method feeder loaded with groundbait or pellets
A short hooklink
A hair-rigged boilie or pellet

Pro Tip for 2025: Use PVA-friendly groundbait mixes with added liquid attractants for a scent trail that draws carp from a distance.

Browse Our Method Feeder Rig Range Here

5. The Blowback Rig

When targeting wary carp in spring, the Blowback Rig offers an effective solution. This rig improves hook penetration, reducing the chances of carp ejecting the bait.

Why It Works in Spring:

Carp can be cautious as they transition from winter to spring feeding patterns.
The rig’s mechanics ensure a solid hook hold even with light bites.

Key Components:

A straight shank hook
A small rig ring or kicker
A bottom bait or wafter

Pro Tip for 2025: Incorporate tungsten putty along the hooklink to keep the rig pinned to the bottom.

Browse Our Blowback Rig Range Here

Final Thoughts

Spring is a dynamic season for carp fishing, and adapting your rigs to the conditions is essential for success. Whether you’re targeting carp in the margins, mid-water, or over silt, the rigs mentioned above offer proven effectiveness. Experiment with bait colors, flavors, and presentations to find what works best in your chosen venue.

Gear up, and enjoy the thrill of carp fishing this spring season. Tight lines!