But im wondering so ill ask. How much difference do you feel different rigs make on getting more runs. Im specifically interested in the success rate of getting runs, not necessarily hookup rates. I realize that some rigs provide a higher hookup potential, but i think thats a whole nother discuaion.

What im getting at is. If you fish 2 bottom bait rigs (whichever you can think) that both present a boile or maize directly on the bottom side by side. Will different rigs create a greater chance of a fish picking up that specific bait?

Ive always figured a hungry fish is going to eat if he likes the food being offered.h Regardless of how how it is tied on.

Not sure if that question makes sense, but if you get what im driving at, id like some opinions.

Hook size to hook bait is very important on hookups. Bigger boilie means bigger hook.

If you are using a #6 hook, that would be good for maize or a smaller boilie.

If youre using a 16mm-20mm boilie, i would go bigger like a 4 or 2

You want the hook to be about as wide as the bait.

This is also important for boyancy. Fake maize or pop ups...

Keep in mind that some rigs like the blowback rig are designed not just to get the hook into the fish's mouth, but to keep it there. See if you can find Nash's "Rig Evolution"- it'll give you some good insight to the thinking behind the designing of some rigs.

The blowback rig was designed so that when the fish sucks the hook and Boilie into its mouth, then spits it out; the Boilie could be spit out without ejecting the hook.

Also, check YouTube for Jerome's series- "Carp Live". He tests different rigs in his underwater videos. I also like the Korda underwater videos. You'll need two years to check em all out. Lol

I have found that neutral buoyancy gives better pickups and hookups

Ditto

If you are looking for more runs than hook ups try using a running rig instead of a semi bolt rig. You"ll have to set the hook unless you make a shocker rig( a rubber bead up the line a few feet)

Aaron, If I read this right the others missed your point. And the answer would be no. Bottom bait rigs would all be the same until the fish actually picked it up. How they look doesn't make more runs. Depending on water clarity bait color and size could make a difference though.

+1

I get more runs using pop ups or wafers.

I will be a little more clear, my neutral buoyancy bottom baits get more runs than standard bottom baits - I am not talking about pop ups.

Didn't say you were. Just agreeing and adding my own twist.

its not a dumb question at all and I agree, the only difference might be buoyancy of the bait.

If the bait has less "weight" it will be picked up a lot easier than a heavier bait...but considering you fish with method, the fish will probably be feeding heavy enough it probably wouldn't make much of a difference.

I have tried plenty of different rigs over this year as well as many different baits, and my conclusion came to fishing a smaller bait, on a simple hair rig, in conjunction with a quality method mix made for a lot more runs over anything else. (Bedding baits, stick mixes, etc)

Considering I fished 30+ hours a week for several months, I think its safe to say in our area this could be your best tactic to producing more runs or fish in general.

It also includes fishing lakes rivers and ponds over the period of time.

You nailed it. Thanks sherman. All the other answers were all also very helpful.

Ive been having some success during recent trips doing what ive been doing. Just trying to learn some rig theory. And a do actually have a copy of "rig evolution" may have to rewatch it.

Rig mechanics does make a difference.
The angle and sharpness of the hook, the buoyancy of the bait, the length, stiffness, suppleness, weight, etc of the hooklink, size of the hook; it all matters to some extent.
Pay attention to detail, and learn from the best: Richard, Keith, and the others who have proven themselves over the years. Yes, even Tom Brooks! ;-)

Word!

i hook up on fish more consistently using a size 6 hook with a single piece of rubber midi corn and a little foam topper for neutral bouyancy. ive fished that rig side-by-side several other rigs / presentations / baits and it always outfishes!

Big baits with small hooks, small baits with big hooks, long hooklengths (18"+) , short hook links (under 3"), stiff rigs, ultra supple rigs, combi rigs, all sorts of ways of attaching the hook, bouyant baits, semi bouyant, neutral bouyancy, on the bottom, zig rigs - every one of these and a good many more have caought me carp over the years. I use pretty simple rigs all the time here in the US as the carp here have almost zero pressure in comparison with waters in Europe and specifically the UK

Location is always the most important factor, followed by identifying the feeding time (or more importantly the catching time), lastly presenting a bait the carp want to eat.