Rigs For Carp

Carp Rigs: The Practical Michigan Setups

Rigs don’t need to be complicated. Most Michigan carp situations can be covered with a small set of proven rigs, tied well, fished safely, and matched to the bottom in front of you.

This rigs section is built around:

• Reliable hook holds (not fancy knots)
• Safe systems (especially near mussels, wood, rocks, and weed)
• Clean presentation on the bottom you actually have
• Repeatable builds you can tie at the kitchen table

Quick Picks

• Bottom bait / wafters: Hair Rig → KD Rig / Blowback Rig
• Pop-ups: Ronnie/Spinner Rig → Multi Rig
• Weed/silt: Chod (only when it’s needed)

On This Page

• How to use this rigs section
• Rig Starter Kit (3 core rigs)
• Bottom-Bait Rigs
• Pop-Up Rigs
• Silt / Weed / Chod-Style
• Safety basics (don’t skip)
• Next steps

How to Use This Rigs Section

• Start with the Rig Starter Kit if you’re new.
• Pick the rig category that matches your bottom and bait (bottom bait vs pop-up).
• Build it exactly as shown first. Once you’ve landed fish, then tweak.

Rig Starter Kit (3 Core Rigs)

• Hair Rig (baseline bottom bait rig)
• KD Rig or Blowback Rig (step up for wafters/bottom baits)
• Ronnie/Spinner Rig (go-to pop-up rig)

Bottom-Bait Rigs

For boilies, particles, and wafters fished on clean or lightly silty bottom.

Pop-Up Rigs

For pop-ups and balanced baits when you want a clear presentation and fast turning.

Silt / Weed / Chod-Style

For when the lakebed is messy: chod/silt presentation, helicopter style setups, and “get it fishing clean” solutions.

Safety Basics (Don’t Skip)

• Use systems that can eject the lead or stay safe if snagged.
• Match your setup to snags and mussels: abrasion matters.

Related guides:

• Leaders & Snag Safety
• Mono vs Braid Leaders
• Playing Carp Near Weed & Snags
• Lead Systems for Carp

Next Steps

• Pick one bottom-bait rig and one pop-up rig and master them.
• Keep hooks sharp: Hook Sharpening Guide

Latest Rig Articles

Next steps:

• Start Here
• Session Diaries
• Boilie School