Pop up rigs are a vital rig used in Carp fishing. This is because although we would like to think that in every Carp lake there will be a nice clean clay or gravel spot for you to position a bottom bait this isn’t always the case. With some lakes you simply just can’t find a nice clean area to present a bait and this is where a pop-up rig comes into play. Being able to ever so slightly elevate your hook bait ensures your hook isn’t burying into the silt or low lying weed. Although, pop-up rigs are used when a clean spot can’t be found this isn’t the only reason an angler may use them.
There may be a clear area in a lake you can fish but these areas are often clean for a reason. That reason being the Carp feed there, on one hand this may be great knowing the Carp feed there but on the other, it may also mean the Carp are used to being caught there. Therefore, positioning a hook bait with a pop-up to the side of the clean spot, over slight low lying weed may catch you an extra Carp, as the fish may feel safer feeding there as they're not used to being caught over that kind of ground so often.
When someone says to me, “pop up rigs for Carp fishing," three main rigs spring to mind. The Chod rig, the Hinged-Stiff rig and the Ronnie rig. The most versatile of them all is the Chod rig. This is a rig that can be cast almost anywhere and still be fishing effectively.
When this rig came out it completely changed the game for Carp fishing. This is because no longer would you worry if you saw a Carp show at the opposite end of the lake over unknown ground and risk leading around and ruining your chances. With the Chod rig you can move onto the showing fish and get a bait deployed to the zone knowing the rig will be fishing over just about anything. That’s why for me, the Chod rig is the ultimate pop-up rig for Carp fishing.
So, how do you make this pop-up rig for Carp fishing?
Firstly, you need to ensure you have a helicopter lead set up, this allows the Chod rig to freely run on the line enabling it to settle over any debris on the lake bed. Move your top bead up as high as you predict the debris to be sitting off the bottom. For example, if you think the weed on the bottom is three foot high then position that top bead three foot up your line; you can always go a-bit more and slide it up four foot for added security. Before adding your bottom bead you need to slide your Chod rig made from a short length of curved fluorocarbon or bristle type monofilament onto the main line. Always ensure you are using a ring swivel so that there is ample movement for the Chod rig to move freely up the line settling over the debris on the lake bed. Then move your bottom bead up slightly longer than the length of your Chod rig to the lead, this will ensure your rig won’t be getting caught on the lead when casting out.
Ensure you have an extra buoyant pop-up tied on, as you don’t want this rig falling down if it is left out in the lake for a prolonged period of time. You now have your finished pop-up rig for Carp fishing, which is sure to help present a bait quickly and easily when hunting for the Carp!
The Stiff Hinge Rig
The stiff hinge rig is renowned choice among avid big fish anglers. This rig doesn't play it coy, boldly lifting the pop-up a few inches or more above the bottom. As a result, its effectiveness shines on venues with sizable carp, although it might come off as a bit ostentatious for the smaller fish.
This rig features a rigid boom linked to a short, stiff hook section through a hinge, providing crucial movement. The stiffness of the boom makes the rig prone to awkward presentations if it lands over debris on the lake bed. Therefore, it's advisable to deploy it on clean ground, whether it's gravel, clay, silt, or sand. Employing a helicopter set-up allows for adjusting the top bead, lifting it a few inches to counteract the impact of an uneven landing. Similarly, it's wise not to overbalance the rig, as a slow sink won't encourage it to sit flush.