RIG OF THE MONTH
There are few methods of attaching the hookbait that are as effective and hard for carp to deal with as this one...
THE Slip-D Rig was invented by Martin Clarke way back in the mid-1980s and the effective mechanics of the set-up remain the same even though the materials used nowadays are far more advanced than those Martin had at his disposal back then.
Right from the word go it proved the downfall of thousands of big fish at tough venues right across the UK, and has remained a favourite presentation of many top carp anglers ever since. It has only hit the mainstream in recent years, however.
Unlike traditional D rigs which use stiff materials such as fluorocarbon or mono to form the ‘D’, this presentation features a supple braided version. This enables the hookbait, which is mounted on a small rig swivel, to come away from the shank of the hook when it’s blown out of a carp’s mouth, creating greater separation between the hook and hookbait and making it much harder for carp to eject without pricking themselves.
A further advantage of the rig is its ability to reset itself if a fish does somehow manage to eject it. This is because the swivel is able to slide freely along the D section, and will settle in a position closer to the bend of the hook when being exhaled by the carp, meaning that it will be ready and waiting for the next fish that comes along to pick it up. As a hookbait attachment method, the Slip-D can be used with coated braids with a section of the
