Chod Rig

This rig is useful when fishing in areas of deep silt where the bloodworm live. The chod rig is a popular presentation among some of the best carp anglers in the UK but why? Well, it’s practically tangle free, lays perfectly over any type of bottom and carp find it very hard to eject due to the ultra-short hooklength.

When the lead hits the silt it will sink to a certain depth but the hooklink which can slide up the tubing or leadcore until it reaches the silicon stop will remain above the silt layer.

This rig is extremely effective for silt feeding carp. We prefer to use leadcore from the Esp stable in 45lb. Using dissolving rig foam (pva) when the bottom is chody will aid your presentation.

The foam will hold the rig up in the water for a minute or so (depending on water temperature) before it melts and your rig drifts slowly to lay on the bottom. Without the foam, when you cast your rig out it will normally shoot a few feet along and burry its self in the chod. This is another reason why fishing in the near margins is always a good idea as it aids in careful presentation and baiting accuracy.

Some tackle manufacturers now produce the Chod Rig ready assembled and one of the best are those created by Korda tackle. Korda Chod rigs are precision tied using the proven 25lb MouthTrap and quality components. Featuring a unique whipping knot that allows the hooklink to exit the hook eye at the optimum angle and create one of the most effective presentations in modern carp fishing. Combining its tried and trusted Stiff Rig Bristle Filament hooklink, Stiff Rigger hooks and Uni Link swivels.

Silt depth

There is a great method of gauging the silt depth which involves tying a length of dental floss or similar to a heavy lead then casting into the silt and leaving in situ for an hour. When you retrieve the lead, the floss will be stained showing the depth of the silt. You can then match the distance on the chod rig from the lead to the silicon stop to that on the dental floss. When you cast out, the hooklink will slide up to the silicon stop allowing the hooklink to rest above the silt.

Components to make a Chod Rig...
Size 6 hook
25lb Rigidity Line
Swivel
2 x Flexi Beads
0.75 Silicone tubing
45lb Leadercore
Kwik Change Sleeve.

Use as light a lead as you can get away with. 1oz is ideal. You don't want a heavy lead because when you do hook a fish there can be to much strain on the hook hold as the hooklink hits the lead which can lead to a fish bumping off.

Use a rubber bead which can easily slide over the silicon stop so that if in the unlikely event that you lose the end tackle and a carp picks it up it will easily be able to get rid of it.

Use a flexi ring swivel of either a size 11 or 12. It should offer just enough weight to anchor the pop-up. This rig works well with a big hook, even if you are using a 14 or 16mm pop-up boilie. And the perfect bait for this rig is a 14-16mm pop-up boilie. If you choose to use tubing then pick the excellent ESP anchor rig tubing in 1.75mm or similar. Using dental floss to attach the pop-up will help the buoyant bait to remain buoyant for longer because water will not penetrate the bait as quickly as it would if you pierced it with a baiting needle.

Using a large pellet band is another alternative. You splice the leadcore to your main line and with the ESP Leadcore all instructions are provided, also included is a splicing needle. This rig has been made famous by the likes of Terry Hearn and other famous anglers who have demonstrated its effectiveness time after time.