This is a question asked so many times by beginning carp fishermen. The answer is no. I know many fishermen want to try carp fishing but lack the knowledge to tie their own hair rigs, and they don't have stuff like bait needles and hair stops that go along with hair rigging.
When using a hair rig, you are putting the bait on a string that dangles off the bend of the hook. You are fishing an exposed hook and this offers a very efficient way of hooking a carp that takes your bait. For most experienced carp fishermen who use a variety of baits, it is the preferred way to fish. However, beginning carpers can put the bait directly on the hook provided the bait is soft. Packing bait on a hook (see pic of sweet corn on hook) works well if you are using soft baits such as sweet corn or dough. Both of these baits are soft, and the hook will pull through the bait easily to hook a carp that hits. Note that this works especially well only if you are using the right hooks. You want to go small on the hook with sizes #6 or #8 being ideal. Most beginner carp fishermen are using hooks that are way too big for carp which tend to have small round mouths (see photo). If you are a beginner or a fisherman who wants to try carp fishing, you don't need a hair rig to catch these fish.
This is a question asked so many times by beginning carp fishermen. The answer is no. I know many fishermen want to try carp fishing but lack the knowledge to tie their own hair rigs, and they don't have stuff like bait needles and hair stops that go along with hair rigging.
When using a hair rig, you are putting the bait on a string that dangles off the bend of the hook. You are fishing an exposed hook and this offers a very efficient way of hooking a carp that takes your bait. For most experienced carp fishermen who use a variety of baits, it is the preferred way to fish. However, beginning carpers can put the bait directly on the hook provided the bait is soft. Packing bait on a hook (see pic of sweet corn on hook) works well if you are using soft baits such as sweet corn or dough. Both of these baits are soft, and the hook will pull through the bait easily to hook a carp that hits. Note that this works especially well only if you are using the right hooks. You want to go small on the hook with sizes #6 or #8 being ideal. Most beginner carp fishermen are using hooks that are way too big for carp which tend to have small round mouths (see photo). If you are a beginner or a fisherman who wants to try carp fishing, you don't need a hair rig to catch these fish.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletehave you noticed a differene in catch rates from sweet corn on the hair or sweet corn directly on the hook?
ReplyDeleteWith the exception of freelined doughballs and freelined mulberries, I never put the bait directly on the hook. I will always use the hair rig for sweet corn because that is the most efficient way to go and will result in the highest percentage of hook-ups. The intent of the post is to give beginners who may not be familiar with hair rigging an alternative that does work.
ReplyDelete