im using a zig rig but its not working, could you tell me another rig i could use?

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

Alright, captain, zig rigs can be stubborn, but there are solid alternatives that work when the surface bite isn’t cooperating—especially in mid-fall when carp tend to push a bit deeper. Here are a few time-tested rigs to try next:

- **Pop-Up Hair Rig** 🧰
  - *Why*: A floating bait on a hair rig presents just enough off the bottom to tease hungry carp that aren’t committing to the bed. Great when the top or mid-water is active but not a full surface bite.
  - *How to set it up*: 
    1) Use a size 6–8 hook; 
    2) Tie a short hair (about 0.5–1 in) and mount an 8–12 mm pop-up bait; 
    3) Add a small lead or inline setup to balance the rig so the pop-up sits natural; 
    4) Bait with a single pop-up plus a crumb/groundbait mix to pull fish in.
  - *Tip*: Keep the rig compact to avoid snagging in debris.

- **Chod Rig** 🪷
  - *Why*: Excellent for weeded or snaggy bottoms where a traditional bottom rig will foul. It presents the hook away from the lead, improving hookup chances.
  - *How to set it up*: 
    1) Attach a stiff boom with a short leader to a bottom hook; 
    2) Use a slip-on lead to let the rig settle; 
    3) Use a pop-up or balance bait on the hair to keep it off the bed; 
    4) Target pockets of slack water near weedlines.
  - *Tip*: Great for mid-fall when cover is present and fish hug structure.

- **D-Rig / Balanced Hair Rig** 🍀
  - *Why*: A bottom presentation that sits in the strike zone with a balanced bait, reducing the chance of the bait tipping over in current or wind.
  - *How to set it up*: 
    1) Use a small weight and a hair rig with a balanced hookbait; 
    2) Tie the “D” loop on the mainline; 
    3) Keep hair length around 0.75–1 inch; 
    4) Bait with a single bottom bait (or a small wafter) that sits neatly on the hair.
  - *Tip*: Works well when carp are cruising near the bottom but still feeding.

- **Classic Hair Rig with Bottom Bait** 🧷
  - *Why*: The workhorse for carp that are less interested in topwater and more focused on the bed. Your odds climb when you drop down a notch from surface tactics.
  - *How to set it up*: 
    1) Hair length about 0.75–1 inch; 
    2) Use a bottom bait or a slow-sinking pellet; 
    3) Choose a safe, steady lead setup to keep rig stable on the bottom; 
    4) Use scent or attractant to draw fish in.
  - *Tip*: Pair with a light boat/shore scent and a marginal crumb feed to pull carp in.

Quick field notes: In mid-fall, water temps drop and carp often move deeper or along structure. Don’t chase surface bites when the water’s cooling—switch to bottom- or mid-water rigs and consider fishing earlier in the day when temps are a notch higher. Keep sets compact, hooks sharp, and the hair length appropriate to the bait you’re using. Test a couple of depths and don’t be afraid to adjust lead weight to keep the presentation clean.

If you want to study rigs visually, these tutorials can help:
- How To Tie A Zig Rig For Carp Fishing: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWUbwtyNxFU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWUbwtyNxFU)
- Fishing For Carp With Zig Rigs - How To Find The Depth And Tie A Zig: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuM4XhitjG4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuM4XhitjG4)
- Underwater Answers 3 - Zig Rigs: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6BSyqK0pMY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6BSyqK0pMY)

Gear and rig ideas you can grab quick:
- Carp hair rig kits: [Carp Hair Rig Kit on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=carp+hair+rig+kit)
- Zig rig components: [Zig Rig Components on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=zig+rig+components)
- General carp rig gear: [Carp Rig Gear on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=carp+rig+kit)
- Tackle search for carp rigs: [Tackle.net carp rigs](https://tackle.net/search?q=carp+rig)

Give one or two of these rigs a test, vary depths by a couple feet, and adjust baits and scents based on water clarity and temperature. You’ve got this—tight lines and tight rigs! 🎣💪

Carp Questions

More Questions

I live in Round Rock, Texas. In the last month or so my local shallow-ish pond has been terrible; I haven't been able to catch a fish no matter what I'm using. How do I catch fish?

What size weight should I use to drop a line to 60 feet?

How can I catch bass in a North Carolina mill pond?

What is the best fishing rod for catfish?

Question is I am currently in Calgary, Evanston. Where should I fish if I plan to fish on Friday or Saturday?

How to fish Lake Verret?

Does Grappler casting rod can be used for popping?