In this latest instalment of Thinking Caps, we ask Jonny Fletcher, Mitch Hammonds and Lewis Read how their autumn approach differs from other seasons.
The Withy Pool Rig is something that I invented nearly 30-years ago now and still to this day, it remains to be my favourite pop-up rig.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN
WITHY POOL RIG
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
SIZE 7 CURVE POINT HOOK
HOOK RING SWIVEL
HOOK BEAD
SHRINK TUBING
TUNGSTEN ROUND BEAD
FLOSS
12MM POP-UP
→ Swipe right to view steps →
The beauty of this rig is that virtually every hook hold is smack bang in the bottom lip. as a result of this, i rarely ever lose fish.
The whole idea of this rig is that it has a super-aggressive curve in the shrink tube. This makes it extremely difficult for the carp to eject once the fish have picked up the bait. I use a 5mm Tungsten round bead on
the hook link, which helps bring the pop-up down. The other addition is the Hook Ring Swivel. This gives the bait optimum movement, which is key to making this rig work as well as it does.
The Hermit Lead Setup works in harmony with The Withy Pool Rig and is very effective when used.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN
HERMIT LEAD SETUP
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
HEAVY RING
ANTI-TANGLE SLEEVES
POLE ELASTIC
LEAD WEIGHT
→ Swipe right to view steps →
Nobody seems to use this lead setup and I can see why, as it is a little complicated to tie, but my word is it worth it.
The lead arrangement is known as the Hermit rig, which is something I came up with many years ago. when the fish picks up the bait, it doesn’t feel the lead, only the elastic. There is enough tension for the hook to prick
the skin and the more the fish pulls, the further the hook goes in. The fish doesn’t need to panic to get hooked and they simply can’t deal with it. I think it has been a large factor in me catching so many tricky carp.
LATEST ARTICLES
Lewis Read breaks down the history of the famous Ronnie Rig, from components to hookbaits, and how to get the best from it.
Scotty K gives an in-depth talk on how he's experimented with D-rig hookbaits over the years - alongside a step by step on how he presents his pop-ups.