This site is full of carp..........I guess I should rephrase that
Hair rig 101.
The Europeans use braided line for the hair rig, I find no advantage to it.
I prefer lighter line and the lightest possible weight to get the bait out to the fish.
Hook....#10 short shank, wide gap, Lately I've been experimenting with Octopus hooks. 4 lb Low Vis Green Stren is my standard.
Basically, you snell the hook on to a length of leader and leave a long tag end, 6" or so. past the hook. Tie a surgeon's loop in the tag about 1 1/2 - 3" past the hook. Using a bait needle, thread your bait on to the hair. Stop the bait from falling off with a dried pine needle or something. Add a small piece of flotation (foam) to balance the bait and float it slightly off bottom.
RG