Chod rig

The chod rig is a technique for carp fishing, generally regarded as having two main advantages: the way in which it allows a bait to be displayed over soft mud, weed or debris; and the way its distinct shape allows the chosen bait (usually a buoyant substance) to be attached. The latter benefit is also generally utilised in the chod rig's immediate ancestor, the stiff-hinged rig. It revolves around a rig consisting of a rigid or stiff link, an aggressively angled hookpoint and the ability to spring 360 degrees around the axis of the hook.

The chod rig is widely used and developed by large fishing manufacturers. Industry headliners^{[according to whom?]} such as Jim Shelley and Terry Hearn use the chod rig to great effect. Known carp such as Benson and Heather the Leather have been captured by the chod rig.

The two key features of the chod combine to make it very difficult for a carp to avoid the hook or physically dislodge it after being snared. The hookholds that the chod delivers are generally very strong and secure, causing less damage to the fish's mouth. Not only do very few fish fall off with this set-up, but they suffer minimal damage.

Components needed to make a chod rig

Hook
Teflon ring
Stiff line (fluorocarbon is preferable)
Swivel
Flexi Beads
Silicone tubing
Leadcore
Kwik Change Sleeve
Lead or casting weight

During 2012, a version of this rig called the flying chod rig was made popular by Jim Shelley^{[citation needed]}. Whereas on a normal chod rig the short hook length is held in place by a stop on the line, a flying chod does not use any form of stop: when a fish picks up the bait it can run freely. Jim Shelley used this technique in conjunction with slack lines and putting his rod tops in the air.

Sources