Classic Combi Rigs

Tips for using Bottom Baits

Bottom baits are simply baits that are heavy and that sink, like pellets, boilies, meat etc. Because a bottom bait is heavy they can sink in to soft silt or weed, you can combat this by adding a small pva mesh bag which will prevent the bait sinking and provide you with some free offerings around your hook bait.
Because bottom baits are heavy they can sometimes slide down the hair to the hook, adding a float stop or bait bead to the hair means you can slide this up to the bait and lock it in to place. A bait bead can also be used to with a pellet to make the hole smaller and help to prevent water from eroding the middle of the pellet out as quick and prolong the life of your bait in the water. Bottom baits generally dont need any balancing or checks of your presentation. If you add a bit of buoyant sweet corn for example you alter the behaviour of the bait in the water this can often bring you a quick bite (particularly when you are fishing over corn or particles.
Some rigs are designed to only be used with a  bottom bait like the claw rig, this is because the mechanics of the rig require a heavy bait to make the hook fall in the right position.

Tips for using a Pop up or Buoyant Bait

To ensure your bait is presented correctly it is important to test your rig in a either a tub of water or the margins. Personally I find it easier using a tub with clear sides, this enables you to see exactly how your bait will sit when its fishing. It is important to remember Pop ups will have a different buoyancy from one brand to another and even from one bait to another out of the same tub.

What you are aiming for:

You want your hook to sit up in the water, and your boilie just above it. To achieve this you need to add some rig putty or one of the excellent ESP Balance beads to your rig. The distance you have the putty or bead from the eye of the hook will dictate the height your bait sits off the bottom. Some people will fish with their bait close to the bottom say around a inch however if there is shallow weed you may want your bait 2 inches of the bottom, you can simply reposition your putty or bead close to the lead to increase the amount your bait pop ups.
By using a tub with some water you can drop your baited rig in to it to check it sits right. If you are fishing over a soft silt bottom or weed then you want the rig to fall slowly through the water so it sits on top of the debris, you can add or remove putty as required to achieve this, you just need to ensure that you leave enough weight to counteract the buoyancy of the bait.
With some rigs such as the Ronnie or Spinner rig you would add the putty around the crimp nearest to the hook, this will make the hook sit upright with your bait just above it. 

If your Pop up or bait sits hard on the bottom:

This is a little bit more difficult to counteract because you will need to add some buoyancy to your bait, a bit of pop up corn will often give you just enough buoyancy or you can use a bait drill and drill out some of the boilie and add some rig foam or cork to give you the buoyancy you need. Often you will find baits which have been soaked in a goo or glug will often become heavier and not sit correctly. How much buoyancy you will need to add will be trial and error however, taking the time to ensure your bait is presented perfectly will without a doubt get your more success with your fishing.

Tips for using a Wafter or Balanced bait

To ensure your bait is presented correctly it is important to test your rig in a either a tub of water or the margins. Personally I find it easier using a tub with clear sides, this enables you to see exactly how your bait will sit when its fishing. It is important to remember wafters will have a different buoyancy from one brand to another and even from one bait to another out of the same tub.

What you are aiming for:

You want your hook to sit flat, and your bait to barely touch the bottom, any movement of the water should make the bait "waft" this will give you some natural movement to your bait.  If you find your wafter or bait is lifting the hook off the bottom you can do several things to achieve the ideal presentation, you can either add a split shot to the hair (if applicable) or you can simply trim your bait down using some scissors. A whittled down bait will often get the fish curious because its going to be a different shape and by taking the hard outer skin of a bait expose the core and more attractants to the water.

If your wafter or bait sits hard on the bottom:

This is a little bit more difficult to counteract because you will need to add some buoyancy to your bait, a bit of pop up corn will often give you just enough buoyancy or you can use a bait drill and drill out some of the boilie and add some rig foam to give you the buoyancy you need. Often you will find baits which have been soaked in a goo or glug will often become heavier and not sit correctly. How much buoyancy you will need to add will be trial and error however, taking the time to ensure your bait is presented perfectly will without a doubt get your more success with your fishing.