How-To… The D-Rig

While I have a bit of down time I thought I’d refill my rig box and what better way to start than with my 2 favourite rigs and a new rig which was shown to me by Neil Spooner from Korda at the Northern Angling show. I used to buy readymade rigs from time to time purely to save time on the bank, nowadays I make all my own rigs, it is a little more time consuming but more satisfying when you catch those all-important fish.

To start with lets go through making my D-Rig, to make this rig you will need Curve Shank Hooks, I use Korda Kaptor size 8 Barbless Curve Shank Hooks. You will also need some fluorocarbon Hook length, I use Korda 15lb IQ2, a ring swivel, a micro rig swivel and a line sinker.

d-rig carp fishing rigs blog

What you will need

You first need to tie the line to your hook using a whipping knot, to do this create a loop in your line and place it on top of your hook with the longest section of your line heading away from the eye.

d-rig carp fishing rigs blog

Step 1

d-rig carp fishing rigs blog

Step 2

You then need to take the loop on the side of the hooks eye and wrap it around the rig 3 times towards the eye and then back down towards the bend of the hook 5-6 times, once you have done this you can close the loop by pulling the tag end of the line towards the eye of the hook, be careful not to pull it too tight as once you have tightened it you won’t be able to move the knot. Once the knot has formed you can move it towards the bend on your hook and then pull both the tag end and the main section of your line to tighten it and then cut the tag end off.

d-rig carp fishing rigs blog

Step 3

Now you have your knot formed and tight you need to slide a micro rig swivel onto the main section of your line and up to the knot, once you have done this fold the line back on itself and pass it through the eye of your hook, this will start to create the “D”.

d-rig carp fishing rigs blog

Step 4

You now need to tie your knotless knot, wrap the line around the “D” section 6-7 times going down the shank and then 3 times going back up, this will lock the knot in place and prevent slipping. It’s worth noting here that when you start tying the knotless knot you should start wrapping the line on away from the break in the eye on your hook, if you don’t the increased pressure on the line when you have a fish could make the break in the eye cut into your line and will increase the risk of a line break.

d-rig carp fishing rig blog

Step 5

Now you have your rig formed you may want to add a sinker to your line, this should be placed over half way down the line towards your lead, this way it will help push the rig away from the lead. If you place your sinker closer to the hook than the lead you run the risk of letting the hook sink too fast and causing a bow in your line which could spook fish. To finish simply tie a ring swivel on to the end of your line using either a half blood knot or a grinner knot. I personally use a half blood knot but that’s down to personal preference.

d-rig carp fishing rigs blog

Step 6

d-rig carp fishing rig blog

Step 7

The D-Rig is best suited to a slow sinking rig due to the rig mechanics, when the rig lands on the lake bed the Fluorocarbon line will push the rig away from the lead, the sinker will pull the section of line near the lead down first further helping to push your hook away from the lead. When a fish picks up your rig and either tries to run with it or blow it back out the “D” and the ring swivel will allow the bait to slide back outside the mouth and allow the hook to take hold, without the “D” the hook could be ejected along with the bait.

Steve Bedford

Want to know how to tie a combi rig? Find out here… Part 2 – The Combi Rig 

French carp fishing lakes

Comments

2 thoughts on “How-To… The D-Rig

  1. jan.foppe says:

    how do i make a whipping knot

  2. Pieter says:

    Deaf people also catch fish and enjoy the sport. They cannot have the full benefit of You Tube. Your illustrations and descriptions are very helpful.
    Pieter

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