Toothpick is perfect. Sounds like you�re doing a lot of stuff right. It�ll click soon and you�ll be all over the fish.

So... I've been having really solid luck with just plain old wet Oats mashed to cover the hook (how I finally caught my first carp). I am also using unsweetened watermelon, cherry, and grape boilies, but the oats seem to be the point of success.

I'm going to do a trial next time out to test just a plain old hook with oats vs the oats and boilie approach. I'm still not 100% sold on the hair rig. I think I miss a lot because it requires the stars to align. I've seen A LOT of videos where the hook is taken in and blown out without incident.

Don't get defensive Euro-carpers. It's most likely something I am doing wrong, but simplicity trumps complicated technique if it can be applied successfully.

I have also ordered more hair rig related supplies, so I don't intend to abandon it. Just looking for the right combo.

simplicity= on the Puff