The 'Bridge Rig' for Solid Bag Fishing – Ian Russell

It's well documented that Ian Russell loves using solid bags in his carp fishing, particularly if he can use a Ronnie Rig inside them. But in situations where he can't use the Ronnie, he's found a solution that's almost equally effective. Here he explains…

"Ronnie Rigs catch me plenty of carp, so do Solid Bags"

For anyone who has watched any of my recent films or social clips, you'll know there are two presentations I absolutely love: Ronnie Rigs and solid bags. If I'm not on a straight Ronnie, I'm often on a solid bag with a Ronnie inside it, but there are occasions when I've had to switch from the Ronnie in the bag to something a little different.

This was certainly the case on my latest carp fishing trip to Whelford Pools in the Cotswolds, where I decided to switch from the Ronnie on a couple of rods to a rig I've found previous success with on other venues like Linear Fisheries. The main reason for this was really crayfish activity, and not wanting any excess clutter on the rig for them to mess with, but I also like this setup in solid bags anyway, because it works.

"Watch the film this article is based on at OMC Fishing TV"

What Is the Bridge Rig?

The rig I switch to is a very short four-inch German-style rig, incorporating Ammo Braid and a size 4 Colne-V Needle Point Hook. I then match this with a 10mm iScream pop-up, and that's the important bit. The buoyancy of these is just enough to hold the bigger hook up off the bottom at a hooking angle, with the point practically parallel to the lakebed. So it actually sits a little lower than a Ronnie – I like to say it sits like a little bridge underwater. The big hook and small bait might look a bit mad out of the water, but it really has caught me a lot of fish, including on that trip.

How to Tie the Bridge Rig

1. Cut off a short length of Ammo Braid, the finished rig is around 3.5 - 4 inches.
2. Push the braid through the eye of the Colne-V Hook, leaving a small tag, and whip a knotless knot, then cut the tag end tight to the hook.
3. Slide a Vitabitz Micro Ring Swivel onto the hook and lock it in place with a Dazzlers Long Distance Hookbead, positioned opposite the barb.
4. Slide a piece of Simply Shrink Tube down the other end of the hooklink, push it over the eye of the hook and shrink it with steam.
5. Finish the rig with an overhand loop knot on the other end of the rig.

"The finished rig - very simple to tie"

Building the Solid Bag

This is all then placed in a Fade Solid PVA Bag in my standard way, which is usually hookbait first, then the lead – which these days is the new Magic Wand Inline System. I like to use this like a little bungee, rather than set like a trigger.

"The Magic Wand Inline acts like a little bungee inside the lead - proper edge"

Since their release, I've been using the Paella and iScream Micro Pellets in the bags, a blend of the two. The smaller the items, the better, in my opinion, and actually that theory goes for a lot of my fishing too, which is why my favourite loose feed boilie is the 10mm iScream.

"Micro pellets are the best baits for solid bags and I have loads ready!"

You can fish these over a baited area of crumb and pellets, or just on their own – there's enough there for the fish to be interested in, even if there is some crayfish activity. That little 10mm pop-up sits like the cherry on top.

"Fish them over bait or on their own - they will work"

If that pop-up is getting smashed by the crays, like it did at Whelford, I have no problem switching it for a couple of pieces of plastic corn, keeping the rest of the rig the same.

"Switch to plastic if crayfish are being a nuisance"

Final Thoughts

A really tidy and very effective little solid bag setup that has got me a lot of bites in circumstances where, for whatever reason, I've felt the Ronnie isn't the one. Give it a go if you're after something a little different for your carp fishing. Just remember though: small bait, big hook!