Why I prefer running rigs for carp

In this post David Harding explains why he recommends running rigs on his lake;

You can imagine my thoughts when asked to write an article on the running rig, firstly by trying to remember when I first used it. My mind went back to as far as I can remember to Lincoln 1958 and it consisted of a 18” end rig of soft material with a ½ oz lead (no 2 or 3oz leads then!) running along the main line.  In fact this was the only rig used at the time but I must say it was a bugger to cast (ie tangles) and there is nothing worse than sitting looking at your bobbins and wondering did it land okay and is it tangled?

Getting back to the modern day running rig which I use all the time now and being fortunate now owning my own lake (mind you it’s has taken 58yrs!) I now recommend it to all my lads and it catches a lot of fish.

I will firstly explain why I think this rig works so well. The rig consist of a 12” soft hook link.  I prefer soft hook links for this rig because of freedom of movement with a balanced bait.  In the old days we used Dacron (but tangle free it was not!) so I cured this by using plumbers freeze spray.  This I used to spray my end rig and it used to freeze it for casting.  On entering the water after 10 seconds it unfroze  but left me in a good frame of mind back on the bank.

Getting back to the fundamental materials of the actual set-up;  materials needed for this is a 12” soft hook link, a number 8 swivel & 1 metre of tubing.  The tubing is threaded onto the main line firstly with a 2oz lead attached to a decent size run ring and buffer bead.  The buffer bead is threaded on the tubing after the run ring.  Some people use a stop at the end of the tubing but I prefer complete free running leads, this I find the carp love and the runs are really fast and I believe it really catches fish.  But I must say it is a set-up you cannot leave & go and talk to your pals.

I prefer to use non in-line leads because I believe if you cast a inline lead any distance on a soft bottom the rig goes into the  silt/sand like a V shape and jamming the lead and hook link into the soft  bottom , no longer becoming running.  I use 2oz flat leads attached to my rigs these never stick in the soft lake bottom.

This is the most successful rig to start people on and on my water the simpler the rig works better and you will always have peace of mind as you cannot leave a carp tied up with a running rig. Always remember if you can share a little knowledge with the man next to you, do so.  I myself always consider this  a privilege

Good Luck!

David Powers Harding