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scozza
Posts: 18150
   Old Thread  #8 2 Apr 2026 at 7.17am  1  Login    Register
In reply to Post #7
Similar to me

Don't tamper with rigs much myself, the only thing i do regular is adjust the length and that is based on the lake bed, generally go long and shorten it over hard spots or if i think there is a problem.

With all the crap that's about a lot of anglers are more conditioned than the fish nowadays, i used 10 inches of sinklink as a stater for years with no problems

A couple of inch can make a massive difference in setting the hook on the take in my experiences.
MrGreen
Posts: 113
   Old Thread  #7 1 Apr 2026 at 7.57pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #6
I’ve fished a lot of silty lakes. I found hook length didn’t make a huge difference but light leads, pva bags and dissolving foam does. The goal is to slow the sink rate through the water and widen the surface area of whatever makes contact with the silt.
finbob
Posts: 3426
finbob
   Old Thread  #6 1 Apr 2026 at 1.15pm  1  Login    Register
In reply to Post #1
2-3 rods so plenty of scope to try different lengths and see if it makes any odds.

I fish a v silty lake and my head says longer links /heli's but guys catch on short rigs i'd not consider so experiment.
MrGreen
Posts: 113
   Old Thread  #5 30 Mar 2026 at 1.11pm  0  Login    Register
I use a 7-8 inch rig. I’ve tried lots of different lengths but I found the length of the hair to be more important than the rig length.
Ynnek
Posts: 869
   Old Thread  #4 28 Mar 2026 at 6.17am  2  Login    Register
The length or the rig depends on many factors: 1) hardness lake bed 2) manner of baiting up: compact vs spread of bait 3) how the fish are hooked: corner of mouth, deep , edge, … 4) type of hooklink and rig 5)… Start with 6 or 7’’ and adapt to the situation
0nslow
Posts: 1392
0nslow
   Old Thread  #3 27 Mar 2026 at 11.42am  1  Login    Register
In reply to Post #1
I fish 6-7" rigs everywhere - popup, wafter or bottom bait doesn't matter, neither does size of fish.

Not bothered about what's happening on the bottom either because there is always somewhere to put it that they eat from.

Keep it as simple as you can and you will catch plenty on you new water - good luck 👍

daneeyre
Posts: 248
   Old Thread  #2 27 Mar 2026 at 11.15am  1  Login    Register
In reply to Post #1
7 inch is fine, the fish still has to pick up the bait off the deck whether its on a 3inch rig or 10 inch rig. For me the cleaner the spot the shorter the rig as a rule
JeffE
Posts: 1154
JeffE
   Old Thread  #1 27 Mar 2026 at 10.31am  0  Login    Register
For my bottom bait rigs I use a blowback rig of 7" which has always worked well for me. I'm going to a new water where the fish are much bigger. Should I just use what works for me or lengthen it by one or maybe two inches?
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