Zig Rigs: The Best Carp Method for Deep Venues | Ian Russell
Zig rigs are a phenomenal tactic throughout the year, but they really come into their own when targeting deeper lakes during the spring and summer months. At this time of year, on deep pits, carp are naturally drawn to the shallowest or warmest areas of water towards the surface—exactly where a zig can place your bait right in front of them.
What Is a Zig Rig?
A zig is essentially a buoyant hookbait suspended straight off the lead towards the surface. These rigs are usually tied with a lighter, less visible monofilament hooklink and attached to a standard drop-off lead system. I tend to use leads around 3oz with mine, but let distance dictate shape and size.
The hookbaits can be anything that floats, but small pop-ups and, in particular, coloured foam are the most effective. Black foam, in my opinion, is arguably the most successful zig hookbait in modern carp fishing.
Finding the Right Zig Depth
The key to zig fishing success lies in knowing the depth of the water in front of you. This helps you determine the correct length of your hooklink and, ultimately, the depth your zig will be fishing at.
A good starting point I always go by is two-thirds of the total depth. So, for example, if I’m fishing in 15ft of water, I’ll begin with a 10ft zig. From there, I’ll adjust the depth depending on the activity and fish behaviour. Some days you’ll need to fish closer to the lakebed, while on others, you’ll need to be practically kissing the surface to get bites.
Don't be afraid to experiment. That two-thirds rule has worked well for me over the years, but being adaptable is the real key to zig success.
How to Prevent Tangles with Zig Rigs
Fishing with long hooklinks, as is common with zigs, does come with the risk of tangling. To combat this, here are a few tips I always use:
1 – Add an Anti-Tangle Sleeve
An Anti-Tangle Sleeve pushes the hooklink away from the lead system on the cast, keeping them separated and reducing the chance of them twisting together.
2 – Stop the Cast / Hit the Clip
This is crucial. Stopping the line just before the rig hits the water causes the hookbait to kick away from the lead system. You're looking to see two distinct plops—one for the lead, one for the hookbait. If you only see one, it’s probably tangled—recast it.
3 – Add Foam or PVA
PVA foam is excellent for stopping tangles during the cast. If you haven’t got any, two old pop-ups in a small mesh bag will do the job just as well.
Mix It Up and Ring the Changes
Zig fishing is a very active method. If you’re on the fish, you shouldn't be waiting long for a bite. That’s why I recast often and switch things up regularly. Try different hookbait colours, vary your depths, and eventually, you’ll land on the right combination for the day.
And hey, it keeps you busy on the bank—and off your phone!
Best OMC Tools for the Job
Lock Hooks
I used these recently at Linear Fisheries’ Tar Farm, and credit to Ali—these hooks truly live up to the name. They lock in. I prefer them in a size 8.
Zig Zombies
A quick and easy hookbait option. They’re not released yet, but when they drop, I’ve no doubt they’ll be a popular choice.
Peekaboos
Spotting fish on or near the surface is a big edge in zig fishing. A good pair of polarised sunglasses like these, paired with a cap, will help you scan the water and know exactly where to cast.
So that's about it, there's plenty more other zig tips I can share with you in the future but for now, with the sun out and carp up for it, get out there and catch some. If you can't get out, check out my latest YouTube film on the subject of zigging here...
Article author Ian Russell, or as we like to call him "The Carp Catching Machine", is the latest addition to the OMC Family. An experienced angler, Ian has done it all in the sport. Offering tutorials and specialising in bait making, Ian is just as at home fishing tricky syndicate venues as he is on the country's best day-ticket waters.
