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 New Posts  HELP! tips for Zig Rigs
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hyperloop
Posts: 2792
hyperloop
   Old Thread  #18 30 Jul 2020 at 7.07pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #16
Or they were clearly feeding on the deck. Use zigs when you need too, not just because.
Old-Cornishman
Posts: 688
   Old Thread  #17 30 Jul 2020 at 10.14am  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #16
It sounds like you were probably too high in the water with your zig.
You might have had more success lower, say 2 or 3 ft down or even further as you picked up some off the bottom.
I’ve had my best morning on a tricky lake with a bait about a foot or two off the bottom when the water was cool and clear.
I often use a fine 8.5lb line for lower visibility if the situation allows and especially if I’m high in the water.
WillyDangle
Posts: 49
WillyDangle
   Old Thread  #16 29 Jul 2020 at 10.03pm  0  Login    Register
I was using a pop up about a foot under the surface in 7ft of water. Not tried artificial as I don't have confidence in them, maybe I should but still no luck on the zig. Gave up with it last weekend and dropped in a bottom bait. Within 3hrs I had banked 2 PB's in a row. Maybe zigs aren't for me after all.
Nelbow
Posts: 348
Nelbow
   Old Thread  #15 23 Jul 2020 at 9.23pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #14
Cheers @Yonny and @Smashingit.

I always wondered how wafters differ from pop-ups as I thought they were the same except a different shape. So they don’t float, just weightless.
Smashing_It
Posts: 1017
Smashing_It
   Old Thread  #14 23 Jul 2020 at 10.03am  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #12
It's either foam or cut down pop up for me when using zigs.

As Yonny has pointed out a wafter wouldn't cut it as these would not suspend your rig in mid or upper layer water due to their buoyancy level. They are designed to almost be weightless when a fish comes across your bait on the bottom and to sit perfect under the weight of the hook.

No idea on the zig bugs, I've never used these, sorry.
yonny
Posts: 7825
yonny
   Old Thread  #13 23 Jul 2020 at 8.57am  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #12
I use trimmed down pop ups where artificial are banned.
Messed around with zig bugs for a while, no better than foam I found.
Obviously wafters are not the one. You want your hooker as buoyant as possible mate.
Nelbow
Posts: 348
Nelbow
   Old Thread  #12 22 Jul 2020 at 10.43pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #11
Like the way you adjusted and tweaked your rig to get some interest. You mentioned a hair and foam in your rig. Have you tried the alignas?

Does anyone use anything else other than foam for zigs? Like a pop up? Or wafter?

Seen some zig bugs by Nash. Are these just a gimmick or have they worked for anyone?
Smashing_It
Posts: 1017
Smashing_It
   Old Thread  #11 21 Jul 2020 at 9.28am  0  Login    Register
I was fishing zigs a few weeks back, when the temps were up, I had an absolute pool of fish in front of me, and was initially trying to get them to have it off the top but they were extremely cautious and this tactic was unsuccessful.

So I stuck out a zig, and soon realised the carp were coming in to enquire then spooking off, a bit like they were on the surface baits, brought the zig back in and noticed my hair was probably a tad too long, so I wound the hair around the shank of the hook a couple of times, so the foam basically sat on top of the bottom curv of the hook, and to my surprise this resulted in two very quick takes.

I don't know if this is how I should have been fishing them in the first place? Though have had fish on zigs on looser hairs previously, just not as quickly or as savagely. It is certainly something I will have to consider any time I choose to fish them from now on, and maybe food for thought for some who are missing takes or getting runs with no fish being hooked.



LochLondon
Posts: 178
   Old Thread  #10 20 Jul 2020 at 10.02am  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #9
TBH they vary mate, sometimes it's a screamer, other times I've just seen the tip bouncing- I genuinely don't think they know what's going with Zigs sometimes.

What size hooks are you using I've used size 6s in the Zig aligner sleeves but overall settled on size 8s Wide Gape style hooks as they seemed to work the best.

WillyDangle
Posts: 49
WillyDangle
   Old Thread  #9 19 Jul 2020 at 7.49pm  0  Login    Register
So what are the runs like as I had plenty of action but didn't hook a thing. Had 4 good takes but not screaming runs
nickthegreek
Posts: 366
nickthegreek
   Old Thread  #8 19 Jul 2020 at 4.09pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #7
Drennan clear pike subfloat less carp tax, been using them for over 20 years with adjustable zigs never had an issue bit of foam on the hook wait for foam and float to reach surface then reel down to your required depth.
Nelbow
Posts: 348
Nelbow
   Old Thread  #7 18 Jul 2020 at 9.34pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #1
Tried the zig rig for the first time myself a few days ago. I used the Korda medium sized float kit. I must say, it was easier to set up than I thought it would be. Caught a small sized carp on it too so that gave me confidence that I can set it up, cast it out (I’d recommend using dissolvable foam to pin the hook to the float when casting) and play it into the net.
AmylNitrate
Posts: 126
   Old Thread  #6 18 Jul 2020 at 3.40pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #1
Don't rush trying to get fish into the net and obviously better if lead comes off.
But majority of my big caught carp, lead hasn't come off.
WillyDangle
Posts: 49
WillyDangle
   Old Thread  #5 17 Jul 2020 at 7.27pm  0  Login    Register
Thanks for the advice guys, plenty of action today but unable to hook in to anything 4 good takes missed.
CatertonCarper
Posts: 72
CatertonCarper
   Old Thread  #4 17 Jul 2020 at 9.24am  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #1
12lb will be fine, i've had fish up to 30lb on lengths up to 12ft on it. As said earlier drop of leads would be better, keep the clutch tight and give them time, if you try to bully a fish you'll likely loose it.
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