Ok, so were going to look at the classic hair-rig known as “The Knotless Knot”, a remarkably simple rig that’s used all over the world. Once you have mastered this knot, you will never need to buy a pre-maid hair rig again. A spool of braid can last for years. I bought 6 spools of braid over 10 years ago and i still have 2 left. I really like Snakeskin, but until I use up the others I have its Mantis right now. Which has never let me down.
To start, take a length of braid and tie a loop in it. I always make a large loop, so that the knot is in the centre of the boilie and acts as a grip to stop the boilie moving out of position.
Then I add the boilie using a bait needle. 
Thread the bait needle through the boilie and then hook it into the loop. Then pull the loop back through the boilie. Then place a bait stop into the loop and pull it tight to the boilie’s surface.
Next, slide your hook down the length of braid until it is in position. You want the have the braid running along the shank of the hook. Don’t position the hook too close to the bait, but don’t have it too far away either. The idea is to find a happy medium, so that if a fish sucks up the bait and the hook. Too big a gap will mean the fish will only suck up the bait and you wont hook when you strike. If its too close, the fish will feel the hook when mouthing the bait.
Now that the hook is in place, hold the braid and hook in place by closing your fingers over the eye. Then wrap the long length of braid around the shank of the hook, ensuring that the short end (with the bait attached) runs parallel to the shank. Wrap it 8 times then pass the braid back through the eye of the hook. Gently pull the knot tight.
You can use this rig with any bait you like, its not just limited to boilies. You ca
n make loops of corn with some fake pop-up corn mixed in to create pop-up corn balls. You can hook pellets, although I prefer to use bait bands for pellets. You can hair-rig surface baits too if you wish. This rig has endless uses. Start experimenting today.
