Guru Super LWG Banded ready rigs review
I’m not proud to admit it, but as I’ve grown older I have become lazier in my fishing preparation. But can you blame me, when there are products like the range of Guru ready rigs on the tackle-shop shelves?
My favourite of these rigs currently are the superb Super LWG Banded ready rigs. For over a year now I have been using these hooks in sizes 18 and 16. Both come supplied on 6ins of 0.13mm diameter line, perfectly tied with small, strong but flexible bands on a small loop. I’ve used them for hard pellets in 4mm, 6mm and 8mm sizes, and also for banded caster and worm when shallow fishing, all on the pole.
Hand on heart, I haven’t have a single band break on me, and hardly any fish losses either – and I’m talking fish from 12oz F1s to 15lb carp. No wonder I’m getting lazy…
Kevin Wilmot
Deputy Editor, Angling Times
Drennan Carp Pole Rigs
Drennan’s new Carp Pole Rigs feature quality components and are hand-tied to exacting specifications. Robust and sensibly balanced mainlines, hooklengths and hooks, and strong reliable knots, give you peace of mind. Carp 1, Carp 2 and Carp 3 rigs all come on 3.5m of line, while the shorter Carp 4 Rig is on 3m of line. Each rig comes on a durable winder too.
Price: £3.95
Korda rigs
Component parts and attention to detail in every Korda pre-tied rig are of the very highest quality. The mechanics of each rig meet exacting standards, and the rigs are used by Danny Fairbrass and the Korda team themselves.
Under the guiding influence of Danny Fairbrass and Damien Clarke, Korda has a deserved reputation for innovative carp fishing products.
The Essex firm’s Underwater DVDs enabled anglers to see exactly what their mainlines and rigs looked like under the surface. Feeding habits, bites and aborted takes from big carp could all be witnessed in anglers’ living rooms.
To the list you can also add the championing of PVA tactics, unique leads, bespoke hooks, and a raft of ‘must-have’ carpy accessories. Even in such exalted company, Korda’s latest ready-tied rigs are quite exceptional.
Every aspect of the mechanics is perfectly executed. I’ve viewed all the variations under a magnifying camera lens, and the closer I looked, the better they became.
With superbly compressed knotless knots, millimetre-perfect loops around swivels, ideal length hairs, correctly placed kickers, and seamless, identical stripping lengths of coated braids, they render home-tied rigs pretty much obsolete.
KORDA MULTI RIG
This, the most versatile big-carp rig there is, allows the hook to be changed in a jiffy. It is most often used with pop-up and wafter hookbaits. The rig is constructed from Korda Kamo coated braid, the colours of which blend in over most lakebeds. The Krank Choddy hook boasts a wide gape and sweeping shank. Available in sizes 4, 6 and 8, barbed or barbless.
Price: £1.99
DF CARP RIG
Carp god Danny Fairbrass’s favourite all-time rig. With quality Korda Soft N-Trap 15lb coated braid and a super-sharp Wide Gape hook, the rig’s aggressively curved inward-facing shrink tube turns the hook into the fish’s mouth. Ideal for bottom baits, snowman set-ups and popped-up plastics, the moveable rig ring allows for natural movement and stops the bait being blown back over the hookpoint. In barbed or barbless, in sizes 10, 8 and 6.
Price: £1.99
CARP RIG
THIS ‘take it anywhere’ rig can be used for fish of all sizes from most venues. The Wide Gape hook’s efficiency is enhanced by a short length of shrink tube, and a small piece of silicon tubing on the hook shank ensures the hair exits at the optimum point. The rig is tied using Korda’s latest Dark Matter sinking braid in 15lb and 20lb versions, and finished with a size 8 swivel attached loop style, so it can be used with any quick change swivel. In barbed and barbless versions, sizes 10, 8, 4 and 6 hooks.
Price: £1.99
HINGE RIG
There’s no better big-fish rig out there. It’s all but impossible to tangle, even at extreme range, as the stiff element of the rig kicks the hookbait away from the lead on the cast to give perfect presentation. Constructed using 20lb IQ2 fluorocarbon and 20lb or 25lb Mouth Trap line tied to Korda Choddy hooks, the hook section is beautifully curved to allow the hook to spin into prime hooking position every time a fish mouths the bait. In sizes 4, 6 and 6.
Price: £2.49
IQ D-RIG
This superb clear-water rig took a prized fish from the Linear complex during filming of Korda’s Underwater Part 7 DVD. The 12lb IQ Extra Soft Fluorocarbon gives near-invisible bait presentation, and natural movement is achieved via a long D-style loop and tiny bait swivel. Ideal for balanced bottom baits such as wafters, and slow-sinking plastics that hover just above the hook, the rig is well suited to small PVA bag work. You get free Korda Extenda stops too. Sizes 8, 6 and 4.
Price: £1.99
NGT Drop Shot Kits
Just in from NGT are these two Drop Shotting Kits.
Ideal for the novice lure angler, you have a choice of four 5cm or 7cm lures in various colours, 5g or 7g weights, and two pre-tied ready rigs on 8lb line to a size 4 barbed hook (or 10lb line to size 2 barbed hook).
Both options come on handy foam winders.
Daiwa Tournament Pre-Tied Drop-Shot Rigs
Daiwa’s Tournament pre-tied Drop-shot Rigs offer the lure angler an excellent and convenient ‘quick fix’. The Fine Finesse versions feature fine wire hooks and are ideal for smaller lures in a fixed position.
The WOS (Wide Offset Dropshot) rigs use an innovative knot and whipping arrangement to create a system that allows the hook to be moved without damaging the line.
Both types are tied to 120cm of quality monofilament, in hook sizes 2 to 3/0 and on 0.20mm to 0.35mm lines.
WOS Rigs £3.99
Fine Finesse Rigs £2.99
Daiwa Tournament ready-tied drop-shot rigs
These two pre-tied rigs will appeal to the lure angler who likes a convenient life.
Made using Daiwa’s unique SaqSas lure hooks, there is a Wide Offset Rig that looks ideal for larger lures and features a clever moveable hook system that allows the depth to be adjusted without damaging the rig line. There is also a brilliantly pre-tied Fixed Drop-Shot Rig that looks ideal for all smaller soft baits and jigs. Two rigs per pack.
Fox Edges PVA Bag Rigs
The perfect length for use with solid PVA bags, these rigs are made with Fox’s ultra-sharp Arma Point SSBP and SSBP (barbless) hooks. Each pack of two incorporates the very supple Edges Reflex Hooklength braid, one in Light Camo and one in Dark Camo. Edges Trans Khaki Micro Line Alignas go over the eye of the hook to ensure it turns quickly into the fish’s mouth. A short length of Trans Khaki Hook Silicon is used on the hook shank to trap the hair in place, with a Trans Khaki Micro Anti Tangle Sleeve completing the set-up.
Hook sizes are again matched to line breaking strains, and can be attached to the swivel of an Edges Ready-tied Leader via a loop-to-loop connection.
Price: £3.49
Fox Edges Kuro S4 Carp Rig
Perfect for runs as well as hard-fished waters, the Kuro S4 Carp Rig is tied using Edges Cortex Matt Hooklink material, with barbed or barbless Kuro S4 XS hooks.
The rig comes with a size 7 standard swivel, Kwik Change Swivel and Flexi Ring Swivel options. The set-up can be attached to the swivel of an Edges ready tied leader via a loop-to-loop connection, and is available in hook sizes 2, 4, 6 and 8.
It comes in choices of Weed Green or Gravel Brown, and features Trans Khaki Line Aligna Adaptor and Anti-Tangle Sleeve, and a Trans Khaki Hook Silicone placed on the shank of the hook to trap the hair in place.
Supplied with free extending Hair Boilie stops, the hook sizes are geared to line breaking strains – 15lb for size 8, 20lb for size 6 and 25lb for sizes 2 and 4.
Price: £2.25
Fox Edges Chod Rigs
Each rig features an Arma Point SR barbed hook tied to Edges Rigidity Trans Khaki hooklink material (25lb for hook sizes 6, 7 and 8 and 30lb for sizes 4 and 5).
Perfect for anglers without the time, expertise, or physical capability to tie their own Chod Rigs, they come in packets of three.
Price: £4.99
New Fox Edges Ready-tied Chod Rigs
Mark Pitchers talks you through Fox's new range of ready-tied Chod Rigs that form part of their highly rated Edges range of terminal tackle. If you want to save time on the bank or have a physical impairment that makes tying rigs too hard then these are well worth checking out...
Korda Ready-made Zig Rigs
Just in from Korda, these ready-tied zig rigs are all tied to exacting specifications using Korda's own 8lb Zig Line and ultra-sharp size 10 barbed or barbless Mixa hooks.
The rigs come in 6ft, 8ft, 10ft or 12ft lengths, presented on durable protective EVA foam spools. Three free foam hookbaits in black, pink and yellow are included.
Price: £4.99
Drennan AS Pole Rigs
Twenty years ago the thought of a ready-tied pole rig would make you shudder but with five times World Champion Alan Scotthorne at the helm of this range, you’ll struggle to come up with better by doing it yourself - individually hand tied in Drennan’s factories, the quality is second to none!
Using Alan’s exacting specifications, even down to the shotting pattern and type of hook, each rig comes on a specially printed pole winder and is tied using Drennan’s popular Supplex line in the appropriate diameters for the job in hand, finished with a 15cm hooklength and sensible Drennan hook.
Commercial fisheries are where the AS rigs are aiming with four styles on offer using Alan’s own AS range of floats. For big carp there’s the AS2 and AS4 floats while for more delicate silverfish and F1 hybrid work, check out the AS1 and AS3.
Here’s the rig specifications in full:
AS1
Target: Carp & F1 hybrids
Float: AS1
Sizes: 0.3g, 0.4g and 0.5g
Stem: Thickened stainless steel
Tip: 1.5mm hollow
Rig length: 3.5m
Main line: 0.18mm Supplex
Hooklength: 15cm of 0.15mm Supplex
Hook: Size 16 Drennan Wide Gape Pellet
Shotting: Spread bulk
AS2
Target: Big carp
Float: AS2
Sizes: 0.4g, 0.5g and 0.6g
Stem: Thickened stainless steel
Tip: 1.75mm hollow
Rig length: 3.5m
Main line: 0.20mm Supplex
Hooklength: 15cm of 0.18mm Supplex
Hook: Size 14 Drennan Wide Gape Carp
Shotting: Bulk plus two No10 droppers
AS3
Target: Silverfish and F1 hybrids
Float: AS3
Sizes: 0.3g, 0.4g and 0.5g
Stem: Carbon
Tip: 1.25mm hollow
Rig length: 3.5m
Main line: 0.15mm Supplex
Hooklength: 15cm of 0.117mm Supplex
Hook: Size 18 Drennan Silverfish Maggot
Shotting: Bulk plus two No10 droppers
AS4
Target: Margin carp
Float: AS4
Sizes: 0.2g, 0.3g and 0.4g
Stem: Carbon
Tip: 2mm hollow
Rig length: 2.5m
Main line: 0.23mm Supplex
Hooklength: 15cm of 0.20mm Supplex
Hook: Size 12 Drennan Margin Carp
Shotting: Spread bulk
Maver Slotty Ready Pole Rigs
Tying pole rigs can be a fiddle, a hassle and when time is valuable, a real chore but Maver’s new Slotty ready-made rigs takes away the pain and gives you a range of floats good to go straight from the packet and squarely aimed at commercial carp waters. Incorporating Maver’s Slotty floats, which have proved hugely popular through the summer for crashing out big weights, each rig is tied to top quality Maver line and finished with sensible hooks, all types of pole fishing are covered from shallow work, catching in the margins and tackling deep water for a mix of species. Lines and hooklengths are sensibly matched and the overall quality is excellent meaning no shoddy knots or over-sized loops.
RRP: £3.50 each
Gardner Tackle Ready Rigs
Gardner’s hooks and hooklinks are well respected by carpers and specimen hunters alike. Now the long-standing firm has brought out a range of ready-made presentations featuring its tough Covert Incizor hooks and Disruption hooklinks. If you lack confidence in tying your own rigs then these offerings, available in sizes 6, 8 and 10 in barbed or barbless, are ideal.
RRP £1.99
Fox Rage Drop Shot Fish Snax Kit
These beautifully designed kits really do make drop-shotting easier than ever. Supplied with three ready-tied drop-shot rigs incorporating a brass weight and drop-shot hook already attached, the kits are supplied with a selection of four soft lures ideal for helping you to catch your first drop-shot predator! Each kit is supplied with four baits – Gold Shiner Micro Fry, a Salt ‘n’ Pepper Mini Fry, a Hot Olive Micro Tiddler Fast and a Lemon Tiger Micro Tiddler Slow all of which are infused with real fish oil. Three rigs and four soft baits per pack.
Price £7.99
Fox Rage Drop Shot Ready Rigs
Perfect for anglers new to the world of drop-shot fishing, these ready-tied rigs make this highly-effective method all the more accessible. Supplied on a 1.2m length of new Trans Khaki Illusion fluorocarbon, the rigs already have the brass weight and drop-shot hook attached, meaning you only have to attach the leader to your mainline, hook on a lure of your choice and start fishing! There is a loop in the end of the leader for easy loop-to-loop connection to your mainline, or you can cut off the loop and attach with a back-to-back grinner knot. Three rigs per packet.
Price £3.99
Shakespeare Mach XT Hooks to Nylon
This complete range of ready-tied hooklengths for the modern stillwater and river angler spans micro barbed and barbless hooks, and hair rigs too. Inpacks of 10.
Price: From £1.75
Garbolino Pole Rigs
One of the best-selling products so far this year has been Garbolino’s brilliantly tied range of pole float ready rigs.
Designed by England international Darren Cox for the commercial match angler, the range covers every pole fishing tactic from shallow up in the water to margin, paste and meat rigs – even silverfish patterns – to cover every eventuality.
These ready-mades also really score in having two hook options on the winder, so different sizes and types of bait can be used. Spare Garbolino hooks to nylon can be purchased separately to make your rigs last even longer.
Price: £3.50
Avid Carp Zig Rig Kit
Big-fish brand Avid Carp has just introduced its latest terminal tackle accessories, and if you struggle to tie zig rigs then look no further – pre-tied versions are now available. These come all ready to use with a short hair-rigged yellow and black foam Zig-Lite grub on the eye of the hook. An anti-tangle sleeve, zig clip and tail rubber prevent the lead from reaching the hook and bouncing it out of the fish’s mouth.
The rigs come come in 8ft and 10ft lengths, all with a size 10 wide gap barbed or barbless Avid hook tied to 11lb (0.26mm) mono. You also get easy to follow rig assembly instructions on the back of each pack.
Price: £2.99
Middy Ready Pole Rigs
The wide range of patterns in this range will cover all pole fishing situations on commercial pools.
Barbless types available include: Paste Carp, Meat Carp, Xtra-Strong Carp, Finesse Carp, Pellet rig, Animal Carp rig designed to cover all depths.
The company also makes a range of ready rigs fitted with special hairs incorporating lassos, bands, springs and bayonets to fish pellets, paste and mini boilies.
A unique selling point is that each rig has been individually tank tested to ensure that it’s bang-on straight out of the packet.
Middy uses its own, high quality floats, rig line, hooklength, hooks and micro shot in construction and each winder displays a sticker giving essential details like float capacity, mainline, bottom and hook size as well as recommended elastic size.
FROM £2.99
