Technical Series - Semi-Stiff Snowman Rig

This entry was posted on 26th September, 2013

Components 1.) Anti Tangle Sleeves 2.) ESP Rig Sleeves 3.) ESP Raptor Longshank 4.) ESP Two Tone 5.) Dynamite Baits Crave Fluro Pop Ups 6.) Gardner Baiting Needle 7.) Kryston Heavy Metal Putty    8.) Knot Puller 9.) Fox Tension Bar 10.) Nash Coated Braid Stripper 11.) Korda Razor Blades Part 1 - The Low Down Pop-Up Rig Part 2 - The Hinged Stiff Link Part 3 - The Semi-Stiff Snowman Rig

Semi-Stiff Snowman Rig – Michael Stewart

First of all I’m no rig expert and don’t claim to be! I am not one to play about with the latest rig and I prefer to stick with what I know and trust. I hardly ever fish with a bog standard, out the bag bottom bait and nearly all my fishing is done with some sort or buoyant hookbait .

So here goes, here’s an insight into the rigs I like to use, this week its the semi-stiff snowman rig...

If the spot I’m fishing on is clean and firm then this is rig I usually opt for. On the water I’m currently fishing the bottom is sandy gravel, so I opt for the ESP Two Tone in a 20lb breaking strain. This is then tied knotless knot style to a size 7 ESP Longshank X hook, it’s also worth noting I like to add a small ring to the shank of the hook, blowback style. I like a gap of around 15mm between the bend of the hook and the bottom of the bait to give a good separation; I also like to add an angled shrink tube ‘Kicker’ onto the eye of the hook. It’s also worth noting I strip a little bit of the hooklength coating back, exposing just enough to allow the hook to pivot.

A figure of eight loop, anti tangle sleeve and a couple of blobs of rig putty, along the length of the hooklength, complete the rig. I will generally fish this around 7inches long, however throughout the session I may change the length depending on how I feel the rig is fishing. It’s also worth noting I like to add a small shot on the hair, pushing into the top of the bait, to help balance it out.