A Zig Rig is a carp rig where the hookbait is presented not on the bottom, but at a specific depth in the water column. This way, you can target carp that are not feeding on the bottom.

When does a Zig Rig work best?

A Zig Rig works especially well when carp are swimming in the mid-water or near the surface. You often see this in spring, on sunny days, or when the fish show little interest in bottom baits.

At what depth should you fish a Zig Rig?

That varies per session and per water. Often, success starts with testing. For example, begin halfway down the water column and adjust your depth from there until you get activity or takes.

Which hookbait do you use for a Zig Rig?

When zig fishing, anglers often opt for small, bright, and buoyant hookbaits. Think foam or small pop-up style presentations, where colour and visibility play a major role.

What is the difference between a fixed and adjustable Zig Rig?

A fixed Zig Rig is fished at one preset length. An adjustable Zig Rig makes it easier to change the depth while fishing without having to tie a completely new rig each time.

Is a Zig Rig only for spring?

No, definitely not. Although many anglers strongly associate the Zig Rig with spring, this method can be effective all year round as soon as carp are not actively feeding off the bottom.

Zig Rig fishing: explanation, tips, and Korda Masterclass video

The Zig Rig, one of the carp-catching methods everyone knows is effective, yet not everyone masters it successfully. Why that is, and how to get started with zig fishing? You’ll learn everything in this 2025 Masterclass by Korda member Rob Burgess.

Zig fishing is perhaps one of the most underrated yet highly effective ways to catch carp. Especially in tough conditions, when fish won’t feed well off the bottom, a well-set Zig Rig can be the difference between a blank and a successful session.

Watch the video

Why is the Zig Rig so effective?

Many carp anglers automatically think of bottom fishing. Yet carp are not always on the bottom. Especially in spring, during colder periods or on days with changing conditions, fish often suspend in the mid-water layers. That’s exactly where the Zig Rig shines.

With a Zig Rig, you present your hookbait not on the bottom, but at a chosen depth in the water column. This way, you can reach fish that normally remain completely out of sight for traditional rigs.

What will you learn in this Korda Masterclass?

In this masterclass, Rob Burgess shows step-by-step how to make the Zig Rig much more accessible. No vague stories or complicated theory, but clear explanations so you can get started right away.

How to correctly build a Zig Rig and avoid tangles
Which hookbait colours work best in tricky conditions
How to determine and continuously adjust the right depth
How to better locate carp in the mid-water layers
Why small tweaks can immediately bring extra takes

Why many anglers struggle with zig fishing

The Zig Rig is known as a method that can be extremely effective but also frustrating. This is often not because the method doesn’t work, but because details are off. Think wrong depth, lack of confidence, poor bait presentation, or simply not enough patience to find the right layer.

That’s why this video is so valuable. Rob Burgess shows that successful zig fishing isn’t about luck, but about logical setup, careful observation, and smart adjustments.

How to start with the Zig Rig?

If you want to start zig fishing, it’s best to keep it simple. Begin with a clear approach and don’t try to perfect everything at once. First, pick a water layer you trust, watch for fish activity, and then consciously vary your depth. The adjustable zig rig can help with this.

Hookbait also plays a key role. On a Zig Rig, it’s often about visibility, subtle triggers, and presenting a small hookbait exactly in the right spot. Sometimes a slight colour difference can make all the difference.

Besides that, location might be even more important than the rig itself. If you see carp cruising, hanging, or moving in the upper or middle water layers, that’s often a much stronger signal than blindly sticking to bottom fishing.

Zig fishing in spring

Spring is a period when the Zig Rig can really shine for many anglers. Carp come out of winter, aren’t always feeding hard on the bottom yet, and often seek more comfortable water layers. That’s when a well-placed Zig Rig can be especially effective.

In this masterclass, you see exactly how Rob Burgess approaches this at Linear Fisheries’ Hardwick and Smiths Lake. This makes the video not only educational but also practically applicable for anglers fishing in similar conditions.

Conclusion

If you want to better understand why the Zig Rig can be so effective, but also why many anglers struggle with it, this Korda Masterclass is definitely worth watching. Rob Burgess clearly and practically shows how to use this technique smarter and build confidence faster.

For anyone wanting to catch more carp in tough conditions, or simply learn to fish better in the water column, this is a video you must see.