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Tackle Index Guide · Carp Fishing / Carp rigs

Ronnie Rig (Spinner Rig): How to Tie It and When to Use It

The ronnie rig, also called the spinner rig, is a crimped stiff boom with a hook that threads onto a swivel and spins freely. Here's what each part does, how to put one together, when to use it and the safety checks that matter.

  • Pop-ups & wafters
  • Intermediate
  • Quick hook changes

Written & researched by Tackle Index Editorial Team · Last checked 6 October 2026 · 4 sources checked · Methodology

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Tackle Index Answer

A ronnie rig, also called a spinner rig, is a short stiff boom crimped to a spinner swivel. The hook threads onto that swivel and is held at an angle with a kicker, so it can rotate and catch hold quickly, then reset if a carp ejects it. It's mainly a pop-up and wafter rig for clean to moderate bottoms, and hooks swap in seconds.

At a glance

Also called
Spinner rig
Hookbait
Pop-ups and wafters, mostly
Lakebed
Clean to moderate; a helicopter set-up helps if it isn't clean
Difficulty
Intermediate; crimping takes a bit of practice
Main advantage
Hook rotates freely and changes in seconds
Main watch-out
Wrong crimp size for the boom and it can slip

Is a ronnie the right call?

  • Pop-up over gravel or firm clayGood fitExactly what it's built for.
  • Wafter on a clean spotGood fitWorks well; balance the bait so it just sinks.
  • Light silt or debrisWith caveatsFish it on a helicopter-style set-up so the rig sits higher than the lead.
  • Heavy weedLook elsewhereA chod or a different spot will usually present better.
  • Venue bans pop-ups or stiff boomsLook elsewhereRules first, always.

What you need

  • Stiff boom material

    Sold specifically for this job in several strengths.

  • Crimps and a crimp tool

    Match the crimp size to the boom diameter. This is the bit people get wrong.

  • Spinner swivel or spinner ring swivel

    The hook threads onto this.

  • Kicker or shrink tube

    Holds the hook at the right angle on the swivel.

  • Hook bead and a small ring swivel

    The bead stops the ring swivel sliding; the ring swivel carries the pop-up.

  • Tungsten putty

    To balance the pop-up so it sits just off the bottom.

  • A curved-shank or wide-gape hook

    Follow the maker's pairing for their swivel.

Rig tackle in the database →Hook Finder →

How to put one together

This is the general construction. Component makers vary, so follow their sizing notes.

Ronnie (spinner) rig schematicA stiff boom section crimped to a spinner swivel. The hook threads onto the swivel and is held at an angle by a kicker; a pop-up on a ring swivel sits on the hook shank, with putty on the hook bend to balance it.crimpstiff boom sectioncrimpspinner swivelkickerpop-up (on ring swivel)putty to balancehook rotates freely
Original Tackle Index schematic, not to scale. Boom length, crimp size and hook pattern vary by maker; follow the component maker's own sizing.
  1. 1

    Cut the boom

    Cut a section of stiff boom. Many anglers start around 5–8cm finished length; shorter keeps things neat, longer gives a bit more movement.

  2. 2

    Crimp one end to the spinner swivel

    Thread a crimp on, pass the boom through the swivel eye and back through the crimp to form a small loop, then crimp it firmly with the tool. Use the right size crimp for the boom.

    Tip: Give every crimp a hard pull test. If it creeps, re-do it.

  3. 3

    Crimp the other end to a loop or swivel

    Form the second loop the same way. This attaches to your lead system.

  4. 4

    Thread on the hook

    Slide a hook bead onto the hook, then the small ring swivel that will carry the pop-up, then thread the hook point through the spinner swivel's eye.

  5. 5

    Fit the kicker

    Push a kicker or piece of shrink tube over the eye of the hook and onto the swivel so the hook sits at an angle and can't flop.

  6. 6

    Mount and balance the hookbait

    Tie the pop-up to the ring swivel with floss, then add putty to the hook (or a weight on the boom) until the bait just sinks with the hook sitting on the bottom.

  7. 7

    Check it before casting

    Drop it in the margin. The bait should hover with the hook on the deck, and the hook should spin freely on the swivel.

Fishing it

Because the boom is stiff, the ronnie kicks away from the lead and lays out straight, which makes it very tangle-resistant. That's a big reason it's so popular for single hookbaits and small bags of bait.

Change hooks often. That's the whole point of the design: if the point catches on a stone or turns, slide it off the swivel and fit a fresh one in seconds.

Problems & fixes

  • Symptom

    Bait sits too high

    Likely cause

    Not enough putty

    Change

    Add putty a little at a time until the bait just sinks.

  • Symptom

    Crimp slipping

    Likely cause

    Crimp the wrong size or not squeezed fully

    Change

    Use the maker's matching crimp size and the correct crimp tool slot.

  • Symptom

    Hook won't spin

    Likely cause

    Kicker too tight or wrong swivel size

    Change

    Ease the kicker or try the matching swivel size for your hook eye.

  • Symptom

    Comes back with debris

    Likely cause

    Bottom isn't as clean as it felt

    Change

    Fish it helicopter-style or switch to a chod.

Safety & venue rules

  • Fish it on a set-up that lets the lead come off if the mainline breaks. On a helicopter, the top bead must be able to pull off the end of the leader.
  • Some venues ban pop-up rigs or certain components. Check before you tackle up.

Bank-side quick reference

  1. 1.Match crimp size to boom
  2. 2.Pull-test every crimp
  3. 3.Hook on swivel, angle set by kicker
  4. 4.Bait should just sink
  5. 5.Fresh hook at the first doubt
  6. 6.Helicopter if the bottom isn't clean

Stuck on something? Ask Willy about this guide.

FAQs

Why is it called a ronnie?

It's the common nickname. Spinner rig describes how it works: the hook spins on the swivel. Both names mean the same rig.

Can I fish a bottom bait on it?

Some anglers do, on a hair off the ring swivel, but it's mainly a pop-up and wafter rig.

Do I have to crimp it?

Crimping is standard for stiff boom because stiff material doesn't knot neatly. Use the right tool and size.

Sources & methodology

Source-backed editorial guidance. We checked the mechanics and safety points against the publishers listed below, then wrote and drew everything here ourselves. Tackle Index hasn't bank-tested this rig as part of this guide and we don't claim catch results. Venue rules always beat anything written here.