Hair Rig, Bolt Rig and the Knotless Knot

By CAG Director and Ohio Chair Bob Bernowski

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North American Carp Angler

For 30 plus years I freelined doughballs and swung at twitches...or sat watching the twitches waiting for a good take too swing on...then a few years ago I found the HAIR RIG, thanks to the British, and my whole approach to carping and catch rates changed drastically. Unlike many of my "nice to have", but, "not necessary" Euro items of tackle....this is now a "must" for me..along with baitrunner reels. It can be frustrating when first learning...just like anything else in life....but, with frequent use comes familiarity....and you won't be sorry.

Using a hair rig will greatly increase your catch rate. Carp, for the most part, will usually mouth/taste food first...inhaling it, then quickly exhaling. If they don't like the taste...they won't touch it again. The hair rig will usually catch these finicky eaters on the first taste...especially if coupled with a heavy weight (bolt rig)...which will be covered more later.

The hair rig will also allow you to use harder baits that can't be used on a standard "hook" set up. This has the advantages of being able to cast harder/further and the bait will last longer once cast out. Some of my favorite baits are re-hydrated field corn ($5 for 50 lb bag), chic peas (garbonzo beans), boilies and doughbaits. To use doughbaits on hair rigs...just thread on a small cork or bead on your hair and then you can mold your dough around the cork; thus your hook hook won't be buried in the bait.

Many carpers use a knot to form a loop in the end of their hair. I find this makes too big a hole in the bait you are threading....so I just make the whole hair a loop, as shown in the picture above. Spider Line, 50 lb test is my material of choice for tying hairs...then using a leader material that fits the situation.

To bait a hair, first thread your bait on a baiting needle and hook the hair loop with the needle. The yellow is simulated corn...the red is foam to lift the bait (not the hook) up off the bottom as this will make it more visible and give you better scent attraction in all directions. The foam is not necessary though and could be replaced with another kernel of corn. Another feature of using the foam though is that it can be dipped in a flavor/attractant and further enhance the attractiveness of your bait.

NOTE:You can make a baiting needle by just straightening out a long shanked hook.....slide the bait on the shank...hook the hair's loop with the barb...slide bait onto the hair.

Next...slide your bait from the needle onto the hair.

Then put a hair stop through the loop. I use little plastic bar bells available at craft stores. You can also use a piece of grass or heavy piece of mono line as well. Just something small that will keep the bait from sliding off the loop. Lastly, slide the bait down to the stop. The gap shown between the base of the hook and the bait is about all the bigger you want to have it.

To tie the "hair" itself...view the animated picture below. This is called the knotless knot and in this one you'll notice that to form the loop in the hair...a loop knot was tied. Also...recommend (not shown in animation) that before going through the eye the last time....run the line through your last loop..this makes a half-hitch and "locks" the knot. This is a great way of tying hair rigs if you are going to use the same leader material as you want your hair to be. There are many rig variations in using the hair rig...but, that won't be covered here.

I mentioned the Bolt Rig earlier....If you use a heavier weight ie 2 to 3 oz or even heavier...when the carp feels the hook point upon spitting it out...he'll bolt/flee to get away from it...and the weight of your lead/sinker will set the hook. WARNING: If not using a bait runner reel or some method of allowing line to pay out on the strike...watch your pole closely. :-)) Below is a pic of my typical bolt rig...notice this one is set up for doughbaits...cork is threaded on the hair to mold dough around.

Hope this helped ya some...good carping to you. HAVE A GREAT DAY AND BETTER TOMORROW

Buckeye Bob
Bob N Tammy's Carp Corner