Why You Need The Chod Rig This Spring | Steve Hill

There was a time when the Chod Rig was one of the most popular Rigs in carp fishing, but in recent years, the Spinner Rig seems to be favoured more by anglers. In this short article, Steve Hill shows why the Chod is still very much a part of his angling...

Spring is almost here, which is getting me buzzed, not only for warmer weather, but for big carp becoming much more catchable. With that said, however,  it will take something really special to beat last year's Spring fishing for me, where I was lucky enough to catch the unbelievable 'Rodger The Dodger' from the historic Horton Church Lake.

This fish, like many others over the years, fell to a proven Spring tactic - casting Chods with bright Hookbaits at showing fish. This is a method that just works. The Chod or 'Choddie' presents over any bottom, so you're always fishing. This means you can focus on just finding the fish and getting a bait to them wherever they may be - no messing about looking for the perfect spot.

The Chod has lost a bit of favour over the last few years, and I myself don't use it all the time, often choosing a more subtle presentation like my go-to Multi Combi. But in the Spring in particular, the Chod is THE rig to cast out. Little baiting but BIG fish. Find them and get a Chod to them, and they're yours for the taking! 

HOW TO TIE AND SET UP A CHOD RIG

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create the Chod Rig. If you don't fancy tying the actual Rig yourself, check out our Chods Away pre-tied versions.

You will need:

• 25lb Memory Hooklink
• Size 4 Redesmere Hooks
• Vitabitz Micro Ring Swivel or Tweakers Eyed Bait Screw
• Vitabitz Size 11 Ring Swivel
• Corefree or Blend Leadcore Leader
• Vitzbitz Crimps
• Safety Beads

1: Cut yourself a short length of the 25lb Memory Hooklink - this Hooklink holds its shape to help create the stiff curve crucial for this Rig.

2: Pass the Hooklink through the eye of a Redesmere Hook. It is important to use a Hook with an out-turned eye for this Rig and material.

3: Tie a standard Knotless Knot, remembering to go through the back of the eye to complete. I use 12 turns. 

4: Add a Vitabitz Micro Ring Swivel to the tag end, push through the back of the eye of the Hook and blob down with a lighter. 

5: Complete the other end of the Hooklink with a Vitabitz Crimp and Size 11 Ring Swivel (crimp to the swivel, not the ring). You can make the Rig as short as you like in this process. 

6: Floss on your chosen Hookbait and secure in place with a Tweakers Bait Blob. Try to use as buoyant a Hookbait as possible.

7: Counter balance the Rig with a blob of OMC's awesome Blend Putty. I like to mould this around the Crimp.

8: That is the Chod Rig section completed.

This Chod Rig section should then be slid on to a Helicopter Leader and left running between a Top and Bottom Bead. It is very important that these Beads can come off the Leader under pressure, by either falling off or sliding over the top of the Leader Knot.

When cast out, the Chod will fly up the Leader towards the Top Bead, which acts as a stop. It will then settle somewhere between the two Beads. For more weedy or silty lakebeds, push the Top Bead higher up the Leader to ensure best presentation. 

As mentioned, this Rig is a superb choice for single Hookbait fishing, but can work just as well over bait too. I keep my bait mix for Chods to a mix of Boilies in different sizes and chops.

Give this Rig a go this coming Spring, and I hope you're smiling from ear to ear with a new PB - just like I was this time last year. Get on the CHODDIE! 

WANT MORE? WATCH THE VIDEO THIS ARTICLE IS BASED ON BELOW...

Steve Hill is one of the faces of the OMC Sponsored Angler Team and an experienced Carp Angler. Alongside OMC's Roo Abbott, he runs Carp Tuition Socials, where he shares his skills and knowledge with beginners to the sport.