Technical Series – The Hinged Stiff Link

This entry was posted on 18th September, 2013

Components

1.) Ace Riga-mortis Hooklength 2.) Fox Illusion Fluorocarbon 3.) ESP Stiff Rigger Hooks 4.) Dynamite Baits Crave Pop Ups 5.) Kryston Heavy Metal Putty    6.) Fox Tension Bar 7.) Baiting Needle 8.) Knot Puller 9.) Scissors

Part 1 - The Low Down Pop-Up Rig Part 2 - The Hinged Stiff Link Part 3 - The Semi-Stiff Snowman Rig

The Hinged Stiff Link – 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 I'll show you the hinges stiff link!

Now I know this rig isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but for me it’s always a good starting point on any new water, unless the bottom is extremely ‘dirty’.

The ‘boom’ section is around 7 inches of Fox Illusion leader/hooklength material, normally in around 20lb breaking strain. I used to use Amnesia for this, but after a bad batch I eventually settled for the Fox mono.

A figure of eight loop knot is added to each end, with a size eight swivel at one end, I use a quick change heli-swivel on my leaders and attach the loop to them.

The hook I like to use for this rig is a razor sharp ESP MK2 Stiff Rigger, I generally use them in a size 5, but will drop to a size 6 if I’m using smaller baits.

The hook is tied to a short length of Ace Rigamortis, I use this in the gravel colour with a breaking strain of 25lb, this is tied via a whipping or ‘domff’ knot to the hook and a two turn blood know to the swivel.

The length of this short hook section varies from water to water but I start with a 2 inch length between swivel and hook, I then judge the length, based on the hook holds I am achieving.

Finally to finish the rig a gentle curve is added to the Rigamortis and a good blob of putty is added to the swivel.

Cork ball pop-ups are the order of the day and I personally like to roll my own, however there are lots of pop-ups on the market that will do the job, one of my favourites being the Dynamite Baits ‘Crave’ range.