Pop-up Tiger Nut Guide - Zig Foam Method

This might be something you already know about if you’re familiar with the cork stick method and if so then maybe this article isn’t for you, but if you’re new to the carp world or interested in learning more keep reading and hopefully this will be helpful.

Now, I am a fan of both bottom and pop-up baits and both come into their own, depending on the fishing situation. I have a nice little tip for turning your bottom baits into pop-ups within minutes, which is ideal if you want to match your pop-up with the free offerings. This is mainly for tiger nuts but you can also apply this method to boilies as well.

There are two methods of creating a pop-up bait, one being the popular cork stick method and the other being zig foam. I have recently started using zig foam. I discovered this by trial and error, as I had no cork with me and I must say I prefer using foam over cork for several reasons.

I found that although you’re cutting down the zig foam to fit the bottom bait, you can reuse the foam if you feel like zig fishing with it, so in a way, you have two uses for it. It can be cheaper to use foam rather than cork and one of the best things about using foam is that it comes in a whole load of different colours which means if your applying this method to a boilie you’re able to give your boilie (soon to be pop-up) a speck of colour which a cork stick doesn’t really offer.

I personally like to use a yellow section of foam on a dark coloured bait, as it gives the carp something to home onto just as you would top a boilie with a piece of artificial corn or 10mm high viz pop-up for that little bit more attraction.

For this example, I’ll be using tiger nuts.

Step 1: Drilling out the centre

Take two of the biggest tiger nuts you have and a drill bit. I like to use a drill bit slightly smaller than my foam because the foam will fit tighter. Start screwing out the centre of your tiger nuts until your halfway through.

Step 2: Cutting the foam

Take a piece of zig foam and push it into one of the tiger nuts. With the excess foam take another drilled tiger nut and push that one onto the foam as far as you can. You may notice the zig foam between the tigers; if this is the case just keep trimming down the foam until both tigers meet flush.

Step 3: Attaching your bait

The only downside to using foam I found was you don’t have the stiffness like cork, so if you’re pushing a baiting needle into the foam while it’s in the tiger nut you may find you’re just squashing the foam rather than piercing it. Using a baiting needle slide one tiger nut down, then the foam and then the remaining tiger nut then twist and push everything together. Pull the hair or floss through and apply a bait stop to secure your popped-up tiger nuts.