How to tie a hair rig
Present a bait away from the hook so a carp takes bait and hook together — the rig that changed how coarse fish are fished for bait.
Last reviewed 26 September 2026 · Editorial policy
What this skill is for
A bait threaded on a hook is often spat out once the fish feels the metal. A hair holds the bait on a short length of line beside the hook, so the fish inhales the bait, the hook comes with it, and the hair can be swapped for a different bait without retying the whole rig.
What you need
- A length of stiff hair line or braided hair.
- A hook with a wide gape and a ringed or plain shank.
- A hair stopper or a small piece of tubing.
- Scissors, and a baiting needle if you use soft baits.
Step by step
- 01
Form a loop in the line
Pull a loop of line through the hook's eye or ring, long enough that the bait will sit clear of the bend.
- 02
Thread the hair
Pass one end of the hair through the loop and lay it back along the shank, with the free end pointing towards the hook point.
- 03
Stop the hair
Fit a stopper a few millimetres beyond the bend and press it home, so the hair cannot slide back through the loop.
- 04
Tie the hook
Pull the main line loop tight to seat the hair against the shank, then tie the hook with a knot that runs cleanly along the shank.
- 05
Mount the bait
Thread a boilies, pellet or corn onto the hair with a baiting needle and stop it with a small stopper, so the bait lies beside the bend rather than on it.
- 06
Trim and check
Trim the hair tail short and check that the bait can move but not slip off.
Where it goes wrong
- A hair so long the bait floats in open water well away from the hook.
- No stopper, so the bait slides off on the cast.
- A knot that crosses the shank and turns the rig sideways.
- Reusing a frayed hair after a snag.
- A bait too soft to survive the cast without support.
Related guides
Common questions
What do I need for tie a hair rig?
A length of stiff hair line or braided hair., A hook with a wide gape and a ringed or plain shank., A hair stopper or a small piece of tubing., Scissors, and a baiting needle if you use soft baits.. Nothing specialist beyond that — if a step needs something extra it is listed in the guide itself.
What is the most common mistake with tie a hair rig?
A hair so long the bait floats in open water well away from the hook.
How do I know tie a hair rig is done correctly?
The bait sits just beyond the bend, the hair runs straight along the shank, and the whole rig stays aligned when you pull it tight.