The Rotten Bottom rig is designed to cast into very weedy swims with the confidence of knowing that if the lead gets trapped in the weed the weak mono link will snap allowing you safely play the carp. The rig is based upon a helicopter rig and uses many of the same components. By simply altering the length of the Rotten Bottom (mono line) you are able to place the baited rig such that it will sit nicely upon the upper layers of the weed and therefore be more visible to passing fish.
What you need
- Leadcore
- Size 8 swivels
- Korda mini beads
- Light swivel lead
Step 1 Cut a 45cm length of leadcore using the scissors. Then fold back the end 20cm parallel with the main leadcore.
Step 2 Push the outer braided skin back to expose 8cm of the inner lead wire, and break this off.
Step 3 Now insert the splicing needle at the point where the braid skin meets the start of the lead wire to a depth of 3.5cm.
Step 4 Place the micro rig onto the braid and splice the micro rig ring into the leadcore.
Step 5 Pull the braid tight trimming off all excess braid that might show through the wall of the braid. Superglue the splice to secure.
Step 6 Create a loop in the opposite end of the leadcore. Start by pushing off the outer braided skin back to expose 8 cm of the inner lead wire, and break this off.
Step 7 With 8cm of lead wire broken off allow the braid to slip back over the lead wire so you end up with 8cm of braid with no wire inside it.
Now inset the splicing needle at the point where the braid skin meets the start of the lead wire to a depth of 3.5cm.
Step 8 Now pass the end of the braid skin into the gate of the splicing needle and gentle ease the needle back pulling the skin into the braid.
Step 9 Gently pull the splicing needle back through the braid until it is all the way through.
Step 10 Now tease the loop in the braid until you get the correct size you need. When you have the correct size tension the loop with a rig puller until the braided loop is tight.
Step 11 Once you are happy with the loop super glue the braid to lock it in place.
Step 12 Place two Korda beads and a size 8 swivel onto a gated baiting needle and slip onto the leadcore.
Step 13 Tie a knotless knot using the ESP Mk2 stiff rigger hooks and Solar Stiffy stiff link material. The hook length is very stiff so can be difficult to manipulate. Using a three turn blood knot tie a short 6.5cm hooklength to the swivel. Carefully melt the tag end (using a lighter blob) to ensure the knot does not slip.
Step 14 Now cut the required length of low breaking strain mono to act as the rotten bottom and tie this to the micro ring spliced into the end of the leadcore. Now attach a light lead 1.5oz to the other end. Attach your main line to the spliced loop in the leadcore. Now add a couple of PVA nuggets to the hook and cast into your swim.
