Anatomy Of A Carp Rig | Rob Hughes' German Rig

For many years I used a standard short shank beak point hook and was more than happy with my results. However, a couple years ago I went to Croatia to fish the mighty Sumbar only to be told that my size 4 hooks were a little bit too small for the job. The only hooks in my box that looked a bit bigger were some medium curves, so I quickly tied up a German rig, added a line aligner sleeve and cracked on – 23 bites and 23 fish later, including a number of fifties and a 65lb 8oz fish, and I was sold on the modified German.

It’s an amazing rig that, once a carp has sucked it in, it really struggles to get rid of. It works brilliantly with either a single bottom bait, a snowman, or even a pop-up, but for me it comes into its own with a big heavy bait on the deck. As most of you will know I’ve recently moved from Fox to CarpSpirit, and I’m really pleased that it has some great hooks in the range. Truth be known its sister company VMC is the leading hook manufacturer in the world and also does a brilliant medium curve. In fact, its medium curve is the old ACE hook that everybody raved about so much when ACE were around. It’s quite simply brilliant; immensely sharp and very user-friendly.

Tying the rig is a piece of cake too. Simply grab your desired length of coated braid – in my case I like to use Combi-soft – tie on the hook using a palomar, and thread on a line-aligner sleeve over the shank. Take a ring, or if you fancy a micro ring swivel, thread it on the hook from the point end, and stop it with a small stop just on the start of the bend. You can then thread on your bait/s of choice using the blob method.

I’ve been a bit of a man of habit for a long time; I don’t change things unless I really have to. However, finding this rig has made a big difference to both my confidence and, more importantly, my catch rates.

Step-By-Step: Tying Rob Hughes' German Rig

1. Cut off your required length of Combi-Soft braid

2. Take a large curved shank hook. The Carp Spirit Medium Curve pattern is perfect for this rig.

3. Tie the hook on using a Palomar knot and snip off the tag end.

4. Pass a line aligner sleeve on to the hook link.

5. Position it over the knot to further extend the shank of the hook.

6. Slide a rig ring or micro hook ring swivel on to the shank of the hook.

7. Follow this with a hook bead, which is positioned roughly opposite the barb.

8. Take a length of bait floss and pass through the hook swivel.

9. Mount your hook bait on to the bait floss and push down over the barrel of the swivel.

10. Use a lighter to blob the top to secure the bait in position.

11. Slide an anti-tangle sleeve on to the hook link.

12. Tie a small figure of eight loop in the other end to be mounted on to a quick-change swivel.

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