What rig in what situation?

[alec]

Hi guys I know there is endless debate about rigs but I have a few questions:

A friend of mine told me when I started carp fishing to choose 2 rugs which I could learn to tie and be confident in. These rigs I chose where the kd rig and blowback rig (with the micro ring)

I thought these where a good choice due to being able to use the rigs as bottom baits rigs, critically balanced and pop up rigs between the 3....

I have used the rigs to success on a few venues (prob the easier types)
but I recently fished a lake that was very weedy although I thin layer! I was getting strands of about 4-6 inches long on the marker rod.

The thing I'm interested to know is what type if rig would you guys use in this situation? I tried using stick with longer hooklink to about 12 inches thinking the lead will sink to the bed bellow the weed but the rig will sit on top. Would it sit in top and be presented well in say a kd rig with a spilt shot on? Or will it just eventually end up in the weed?
I did not catch on the session I believe this to be other circumstances ie to much noise setting up and wrong baiting approach but I just wanted your guys opinion as to of you think these rigs would have worked if I had got the fish in the swim?

I'm also not 100% on when to use stiff link material and soft?

All ideas would be appreciated with thoughts on rigs for any surfaces not just weed etc... Many thanks for Reading I know it's a long post :)