In this article I will cover one of the most basic hook links, with a bolt rig. The nice part about this rig is that it is very versatile and van be used as a pop-up rig or as a bottom bait rig.

What we are going to use :

1. Braid Scissors
2. 25lb Cortex coated braid
3. Fox Excess BP Arma Point Size 6 Hook
4. Fox Lead Carp Safety Bead
5. Fox Flexi Ring Swivel
6. Rig Putty ( For Pop-Up)
7. Boilie Needle
8. Boilie Stops
9. Anti Tangle tubing

Step 1

Clear about 7cm of the coating off with your thumbnail and forefinger. Now fold the supple braid double over on it self to tie a small over handed loop knot. This will be used to keep the bait in place with the boilie stop. Trim the excess piece of braid without the coating as to not have a big loose piece of braid tangling around.

Step 2

Now we are going to tie the hook by means of a knotless knot. Thread the long piece of coated cortex through the eye of the hook. Remember to do this from the back of the shank so the braid exits through the front of the hook eye, if it is done from the other side the hook will not turn correctly to ensure a proper hook-up. Place your bait of choice now on the hair, this is done to ensure we do not make the hair to long or to short. We want 5-10mm clearance between the top of the bend of the hook to the bait. Now turn the cortex 7-8 time up the shank of the hook, starting from the smooth side of the shank. Starting from the rough point where the eye meets the shank could cause damage and ultimately failure to the braid. Now tak the point of the braid back through the eye of the hook so that the point again exits through the front of the hook eye.

Step 3

Different ways of connecting your hook link your lead/main line are used but for this rig we will be making use of a five turn grinner knot to tie the hook link to the big eye on the flexi ring swivel. Trim the excess of the cortex away, leaving a small piece just as a margin for error.

Step 4

Although this is a semi stiff hook link we are still going to use anti tangle tubing to ensure the main line does not damage the carp. First place a gummy stop onto your main line, this will prevent your main line from just running freely through your safety bead. Now thread your main line through the tubing, slide your Lead Carp safety bead up the tubing and tie the swivel to the end of the line. Push the safety bead and weight onto the back end of the swivel. This is a very safe and basic bolt rig setup.

Points of importance

It is important to keep a piece of cortex cleared of its coating, around 20-25mm, just in front of the hook eye.

If you are going to use this rig to fish pop-ups place a piece of rig putty where the coating ends 20mm before the hook eye, or else use as is to fish bottom baits.

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

The Usage