The solid PVA bag rig
As presentations go, solid PVA bags offer a number of advantages that few other set-ups can rival.
Firstly, because the rig is safely packed inside the bag, they can be fished over pretty much any lakebed type and you can be confident your hookbait will be presented effectively. There’s no need to worry about the hook becoming masked by any weed or detritus as it falls through the water. This makes it perfect for casting towards showing fish when you’re unsure of what the lakebed is like.
A short hooklink in conjunction with an inline lead offers unrivalled hooking potential as fish come into contact with the weight of the lead much quicker. Cast out on it’s own, this set-up could easily bury into silt but, as it’s placed inside the bag, this isn’t a problem.
Tying up a few bags prior to your session means you can have all three rods fishing in no time at all and, once the bag melts, you’re left with an irresistible mouthful of bait around your hookbait.
How to make a solid PVA bag
Step 1)
Start by placing a small quantity of your mix in the bag followed by your hookbait. Then add more bait, followed by the lead and then top up with yet more bait mix.
Step 2)
Ensure contents are tightly packed and twist the open end around the lead’s tail rubber
Step 3)
You can carefully lick the twisted section or use PVA tape to keep it all sealed in place
Step 4)
Once the top is sealed, push in the corners at the base of the bag
Step 5)
Moisten the folds and then press them down to create a neat aerodynamic bag for casting.
How to tie: A supple braid hookline for solid PVA bags
Step 1)
Take a short length of supple braid and attach to a curved shank hook using a knotless knot
Step 2)
Trim the tag end of the knotless knot and then slide a small rig swivel on to the hook
Step 3)
This needs to be followed by a small rubber hook bead to trap the swivel in place
Step 4)
Cut a 1cm length of shrink tubing and push it down over the eye of the hook, and steam.
Step 5)
Attach the hookbait by threading it on to a doubled length of fluorocarbon, then blobbing
Step 6)
This is what the finished rig should look like. Its hooking potential in unrivalled.
