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The Solid Bag Ronnie Rig - What, How and Why? | Ian Russell

The Solid Bag and the Ronnie Rig are arguably two of the most commonly used tactics in carp angling today. So what do you get when you combine the two methods? Pure magic, as Ian Russell explains...

Like many of you, I like to keep my fishing as simple as possible, I don't want to complicate anything. So when a couple of years ago I noticed some mates absolutely nailing places on simple Solid Bag tactics, I knew I had to get on them. The thing was, for me, my confidence Rig, as it has been for a very long time, was the Ronnie. So, when I started knocking Solid Bags up, my first call was to put a short Braided Hooklink in them with a Ronnie on the end. I've been using the pair together ever since!

I caught well with this tactic from the off and never really looked back. Put them on fish and they catch, it really is as simple as that - the confidence and simplicity I want in my fishing. I do have a particular way I tie them and a few extra tips that work for me, however, and I'll share these below...

Solid Bag Ronnie Hookbaits

I've done a bit of experimenting with Hookbaits for the Solid Bag Ronnie now and I always come back to the same reliable option, a 12mm Pop-up. The thing is with Solid Bags, is that if a fish moves near them, you're now fishing a single Hookbait. So in this scenario, I'd rather be sat there with a little popped up Ronnie as a single than a Wafter lying on the lakebed. Most of my carp fishing throughout my life has been with Pop-ups, so it is something I have always done and am really confident in.

Don't get me wrong, if a greedy fish comes in with real intent, they will likely take the whole lot and it won't matter if you have a Pop-up or Wafter on the end. But if the bag is disturbed, even by tench and other small fish before the carp turn up, I'd much rather have that Pop-up sat proud waiting for them.

Solid Bag Bait Mix

The ingredients inside my Solid Bags don't change too much either. The mix is usually a combination of different 2mm and 3mm Pellets, and Crushed Hemp. I then also squirt a PVA-friendly liquid into the bag before casting, I just think it gives it that extra boost.

How To Tie The Solid Bag Ronnie Rig

Let's now have a look at how to tie this combination up. Firstly, you will need...

1: Slide some Shrink Tubing onto a Colne-V Hook before mounting it onto a Spinner Swivel.

2: Using a lighter, heat the Shrink Tube so it shrinks down against the Swivel.

3: Manipulate the pair so the Hook sits at this angle. I like this Rig to be very aggressive.

4: Slide on the Micro Ring Swivel and lock it in place with the Long Distance Hookbead. I like this positioned opposite the barb of the Hook.

5: Connect the Spinner Swivel to a short 4-inch length of Ammo Braid by forming an Overhand Loop Knot. This allows the Ronnie section movement to spin.

6: Slide on a Tungsten Bead to weigh down your Pop-up and neaten up the knot. Then tie another Overhand Loop in the opposite end of the Hooklink.

7: Slide on a small Sleeve or piece of Shrink Tube then clip onto the QC Swivel on the Bag Stem.

8: Add your Lead to the Stem, then Floss on your Hookbait as usual. That's the Rig section completed.

9: Start filling your Solid Bag, I like to go Hookbait first Lead second.

10: Make sure you really tap it down compact before you lick and stick the top of the bag.

11: Don't forget to lick and fold the corners in. This will help you cast further.

12: Make a big hole in the bag with a pair of scissors. This will prevent the bag exploding on the bottom and chucking bait all over the place.

13: At this point I look to inject some booster liquids into the bag.

14: That's it done! Here's a couple I made earlier. I do experiment a little with Hookbait colours as you might spot.

So there you have it, a simple presentation that just seems to work for me everywhere I take it. I'm sure you've seen Ronnies before and I'm sure you've seen plenty of Solid Bags tied too. Try combining them this season and hopefully it will catch you plenty.

WANT MORE? CHECK OUT THE VIDEO THIS ARTICLE IS BASED ON BELOW...

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.

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Solid Bag Ronnie Hookbaits

Solid Bag Bait Mix

How To Tie The Solid Bag Ronnie Rig