My Winter Maggot Rig
These are the simple parts and tools I use for the rig:
Korda IQ.
Nash Armourbraid or similar.
Kamasan B175 size 6 (or Korda Curve Shank as shown in rig image).
Small barbless hook (Kamasan or Korda Mixa) size 12 or 14.
Popup corn or zig rig foam.
Micro Swivel.
Split shot.
Baiting Needle, Braid Scissors, Rig Putty, Tail Rubber, maggots (plastic shown).
1. Tie the small hook to the end of around 6"s of the braid.
2. Thread onto this either some Zig Rig foam or a piece of Popup corn (thread through at a slight angle as shown below, this will centralise the bait once the small hook is pulled in).
Korda IQ.
Nash Armourbraid or similar.
Kamasan B175 size 6 (or Korda Curve Shank as shown in rig image).
Small barbless hook (Kamasan or Korda Mixa) size 12 or 14.
Popup corn or zig rig foam.
Micro Swivel.
Split shot.
Baiting Needle, Braid Scissors, Rig Putty, Tail Rubber, maggots (plastic shown).
1. Tie the small hook to the end of around 6"s of the braid.
2. Thread onto this either some Zig Rig foam or a piece of Popup corn (thread through at a slight angle as shown below, this will centralise the bait once the small hook is pulled in).
3. Tie this KD style to the main hook.
4. Fit shot, ideally use a shot size that will sink the foam or corn very slowly.
5. Tie the other end to a Micro Swivel at approx 1 to 2" long (you may want to play around with this length to suit your fishing situation), the rig image is approx 2" long.
6. Tie a desired length of IQ to the other eye of the Micro Swivel.
7. Tie a loop knot in the other end of the IQ, this will allow easy rig changing if using a quick link. The IQ length should be somewhere between 4 to 7" long.
8. Fit a tail rubber, this will help reset the rig if it is disturbed or ejected. Critical when bites are slow in winter.
9. Apply a small blob of rig putty around the micro swivel.
10. Bait the small hook with maggots and then pull into the foam or corn stopping the maggots wriggling off the hook.
4. Fit shot, ideally use a shot size that will sink the foam or corn very slowly.
5. Tie the other end to a Micro Swivel at approx 1 to 2" long (you may want to play around with this length to suit your fishing situation), the rig image is approx 2" long.
6. Tie a desired length of IQ to the other eye of the Micro Swivel.
7. Tie a loop knot in the other end of the IQ, this will allow easy rig changing if using a quick link. The IQ length should be somewhere between 4 to 7" long.
8. Fit a tail rubber, this will help reset the rig if it is disturbed or ejected. Critical when bites are slow in winter.
9. Apply a small blob of rig putty around the micro swivel.
10. Bait the small hook with maggots and then pull into the foam or corn stopping the maggots wriggling off the hook.
Tips and presentation:
- The more maggots you use the less buoyant the rig becomes. Adjust accordingly the shot or the foam.
- Try soaking the foam in some Goo for added attraction.
- I would always fish this rig with either a small PVA mesh bag of maggots and boilie crumb OR ensure it is cast with PVA rig foam around the hook and hair.
- The rig should be used KD style (hair exiting the knotless knot early, making the hook point heavy) and the hook should lay flat to the bottom. Check the rig in the margin before casting.
