A chod rig is a short, stiff hooklink with a pop-up that slides on a leader above the lead, so it settles on top of weed or silt however deep the lead sinks. Fish it only on a safe helicopter set-up whose top bead pulls off.
What a chod rig is for
A normal bottom-bait rig needs a clean lake bed. Cast it into thick weed, deep silt or a carpet of leaves and the bait sinks out of sight, the hook point gets masked and the carp never find it.
The chod rig gets around this. It's a short, stiff hooklink with a pop-up on the hook, and it slides freely on a leader above the lead. However deep the lead sinks into weed or silt, the rig settles on top of it and the pop-up sits just above the mess, where the fish can see it.
It also casts well, rarely tangles and works with a single hookbait, so it's a favourite for fishing spots you can't see clearly.
The parts
- Chod hook. A size 6 to 8 pattern with an out-turned eye and a curved shank. The out-turned eye helps the hook flip and catch hold on such a short, stiff hooklink.
- Stiff filament. 5 to 10 cm of stiff chod filament, 20 to 25 lb. The stiffness is what makes the rig work, so don't swap it for soft braid.
- Micro ring swivel or rig ring. Sits on a small loop of filament (the D) at the back of the hook eye, and the pop-up is tied to it with floss.
- Pop-up. A buoyant boilie, usually 12 to 15 mm, that holds the hook up in the water.
- Ring swivel and two beads. The ring swivel at the top of the hooklink slides on the leader between two beads.
- Leader. A metre or so of leadcore or a heavy leader, with the lead at the bottom on a helicopter set-up.
How to tie it
- Cut 12 to 15 cm of chod filament. If it's coiled, straighten it in steam from a kettle and let it cool.
- Pass one end through the back of the hook eye and whip it six or seven times down the shank, then pass the end back through the back of the eye (a knotless knot).
- Slide a micro ring swivel or small rig ring onto the short tag end, pass the tag back through the eye to leave a small D behind it, and blob the tag with a lighter so it can't pull through.
- Tie your pop-up to the micro ring swivel with floss so it sits just clear of the hook.
- Measure 5 to 10 cm from the eye and tie the filament to the small eye of a size 11 ring swivel with a two-turn blood knot. The swivel's large ring is the part that slides on the leader.
- Steam the hooklink into a gentle curve so the hook points slightly back towards the swivel. This is the classic chod shape.
- Thread the ring swivel onto the leader between two beads. Push the bottom bead onto the lead end of the leader and set the top bead where you want it.
The top bead controls how far the rig can slide up the leader. Push it close to the lead for fishing over light weed. Set it a metre or more up the leader for deep silt or thick weed, so the rig always has room to settle on top.
Fishing it
Cast to the spot, let the lead hit the bottom on a tight line and then feel for the drop. A soft thud means silt or weed, which is exactly where the chod comes into its own.
Many anglers fish a chod with just a single hookbait. Others scatter a few freebies or crushed boilie around it. In weed, a single bright pop-up often gets found faster than a bed of bait the fish can't see.
Use a hook bead or putty above the hook if you want the pop-up to sit lower. On bottoms with thick weed, a slightly longer chod hooklink keeps the bait well clear.
Common mistakes
A soft hooklink
If the filament isn't stiff enough the rig collapses and tangles. Use proper chod filament and replace it when it loses its shape.
A pop-up that won't pop
Test the bait in a glass of water or the margin before you cast. It should hold the hook up slowly. If it sinks, change it or trim the putty.
Fishing it on clean gravel
The chod isn't built for clean, hard spots. On gravel or clay, a hair rig with a bottom bait is usually the better choice.
A chod rig must only ever be fished on a safe helicopter set-up. If the main line breaks, a hooked fish must be able to pull the hooklink up and off the top of the leader, so it isn't left towing the lead. Use a top bead that pulls off under pressure, and make sure nothing at the top of the leader, such as a knot, swivel or tail rubber, is too big for the ring swivel to pass. Read lead clip, helicopter or inline before you fish one, and check your fishery's rules: some waters ban chods.
Questions
How long should a chod rig be?
The hook section is usually 5 to 10 cm. Shorter is neater and tangles less; longer gives the bait more movement. Start around 6 to 7 cm.
What bait goes on a chod rig?
A buoyant pop-up, usually 12 to 15 mm, tied to a rig ring on the hook shank with floss. Bright colours are popular because the bait often sits alone above weed.
Can I use a chod rig on a lead clip?
No. A chod has to slide on a leader between two beads, which is a helicopter set-up. On a lead clip it would not work as designed.
Why is my chod rig tangling?
Usually the filament is too soft or has lost its shape. Use proper stiff chod filament, steam it into a curve, and replace it once it straightens out.
Is the chod rig safe?
It is safe on a correctly set up helicopter, where the top bead pulls off under pressure so a fish can shed the rig if the main line breaks. Some waters still ban chods, so always check the fishery rules.
