Shot-on the hooks rigs
These rigs have seen a surge in popularity recently due to the latest Korda underwater film where the showed that having a weight at on the point of the hook aids the hook up ratio. The weight will always make the point of the hook face downwards and often pricks the inside of the bottom lip before the fish has even moved, this causes the fish to spook and then turn its head giving you a exceptional hook hold.
The original shot on the hook rigs came about in the late 80s/90s and was often used by anglers like Frank Warrick with great effect. In the Korda film they show using the shot on the hook rig as a modified spinner rig with a long shank hook however, the same principle can be used on many rigs such as the classic hair rig, the slip D etc.
Instead of using a split shot which is attached to a bit of braid on the curve of the hook I use a specially designed Tungsten bead which will allow you to move the bead should it come out of position when playing a fish, or even take the bead off and reuse it on another rig if needed.
Shot on the hook rigs tend to work best on rigs that are between 3 and 5 inches long and with a heave inline lead however a simple lead clip would still be effective. Designed for use with critically balanced, bottom baits and wafters when fishing in shallow weed.
