HOW TO CATCH CARP ON MAGGOTS

In the winter months, catching big carp can be quite difficult as they seem to switch off from the usual feed of boilies and pellets and instead turn their heads towards more natural baits such as Maggots. Which is why knowing how to hook your maggots correctly and efficiently is crucial when it comes to catching more carp. Below are two ways of rigging your maggots the first way is via threading this when you thread maggots onto a hair rig creating a big ball of natural bait for the carp to feed on. The second way is to add corn to this mix as this gives off some colour that will help catch the eye of any passing carp.

We asked Nash backed Paul Garner to show us how to hook up these two rigs correctly when fishing for big carp.

Rigging maggots

Although maggots will catch the largest carp around, using such a small bait on strong tackle can be problematic. In open water you can simply scale down your rigs and use a bunch of maggots straight on the hook. I like to use a size 10 or even a 12 hook, as long it is a forged pattern that is quite thick in the wire.

Half-a-dozen grubs on a hook of this size is about right. I tend to hook the grubs through the head end, rather than the conventional way, as used this way they are less likely to mask the hook.

If you want to hair-rig maggots, there are several ways. A size 8 or 10 hook gives a secure hookhold.

Threaded: I use a fine sewing needle to load a bunch of maggots on to a piece of strong sewing thread and then tie this to a small rig ring attached to the hair.

This neat and simple method allows me to make the maggot baits as large or as small as I want with minimal fuss.

Maggot clip: Another simple alternative is to use a maggot clip loaded with grubs. Once again this is tied to the hair and then loaded with maggots. You can buy clips in several sizes to match the number of maggots you want to use as a hookbait. I tend to add a sliver of ring foam to the maggot clip to counterbalance its weight.

Corn and maggot: For a substantial hookbait, combine maggots with a grain of plastic corn. This rig incorporates a size 12 round bend hook tied to the end of the hair with the piece of plastic corn pulled over the point.

Three or four maggots are mounted on the small hook, the point of which is then pulled securely into the plastic corn.

The corn provides a visual slow-sinking hookbait, with the added benefit of the bunch of wriggling grubs. Fish this with a PVA stick.

HOW TO THREAD YOUR MAGGOTS

1. Thread six maggots on to a sewing needle, thick end first.

2. Slide the maggots off the needle and on to a length of sewing cotton.

3. Tie a small metal ring to the end of your hooklength to form the hair.

4. Slide on tubing and then tie on the hook itself, using a knotless knot.

5. Tie the threaded bunch of maggots on to the small metal ring.

6. The finished rig is very neat and all ready to catch you a winter carp.

CORN AND MAGGOT

1. Tie a size 12 hook to the hook length and thread on a grain of plastic corn.

2. Tie on your main, unbaited hook using a standard knotless knot.

3. Hook five maggots on to the small size 12 hook with the corn above.

4. Attach the stick by hooking it through the dissolving foam.