Rig of the month: PVA stick rig

A small pile of loosefeed is all that’s needed to nick a bite in winter and a PVA stick provides exactly that!

AT THE turn of the century PVA sticks were all the rage. Unfortunately they seemed to disappear from the banks of carp lakes along with Realtree camo which was also hugely popular at the same time. But if you’re looking for an edge to encourage a lethargic carp to pick up your hookbait then a PVA stick could be precisely what you’re after. Not only do they prevent tangles and keep the hookpoint safe as the rig falls through the water and settles on the lakebed, but once the PVA melts you are left with a compact pile of feed directly around the hookbait. You can make your own stick mix but many bait companies produce ready-made mixes specifically for use in PVA sticks and bags. To make a PVA stick, drop a handful of the mixture into a narrow PVA funnel tube, compress it and push it out the other end using a plunger tool. Keeping the sticks tight will ensure the mix explodes free when the PVA starts to melt. A PVA stick will work on a variety of set-ups but the dedicated Kodex Stikk rig detailed below is particularly effective. The supple braid hooklink will settle flush over any debris on the bottom and the stick will help eliminate any tangles which can be a risk with supple braid materials. They feature a strong GenomicMGP wide gape hook which are incredibly sharp. The quick change swivel enables you to attach a new hooklink with a fresh PVA stick in seconds.