The chod rig: the pop-up rig for weed and silt

Tying a chod rig

Take 2 to 4 inches of stiff chod filament. Tie a small ring on the hook with a knotless knot, then put a slight curve in the material with steam. Form a loop or tie a ring swivel at the other end. Mount a pop-up on the hook ring and pull it tight to the hook.

• Hook: curved chod-pattern, size 4–8
• Hooklink: stiff chod filament, 2–4 inches
• Bait: a buoyant 12–15mm pop-up

The helicopter set-up

The chod runs on a leadcore or a heavy fluorocarbon leader, with a bead above and below it. Set the top bead a foot or two up the leader so the rig can rise over weed. Always use a safe set-up where the lead can drop off. Read your fishery's rules, because some waters ban leadcore or helicopter rigs.

Where the chod rig shines

Over silkweed, Canadian pondweed, leaf litter and soft silt, and for casting long distances, because it rarely tangles. Fish a single hookbait or scatter a few freebies. A big bed of bait tends to suit bottom-bait rigs better.

Common questions

Is a chod rig safe?

It is safe on a properly set up helicopter rig where the lead and top bead can come off if the main line breaks. Never fix the top bead permanently.

Chod rig or ronnie rig?

Chod over weed, silt and unknown bottoms; ronnie over clean gravel and firm spots where you know the bait will sit just off the lakebed.

How long should a chod rig be?

Short, typically 2 to 4 inches. Longer chods lose the quick hook-turning action that makes them work.

More carp fishing guides

• The ronnie rig: how to tie it and when to use itThe spinner-style pop-up rig: kit list, step-by-step tying, balancing and when to use it.
• The zig rig: how to catch carp off the bottomMid-water carp fishing: zig set-up, hooklink length, foam colours and finding the depth.
• Carp rigs explained: which rig, and when to use itBottom bait, chod, hinged stiff and solid bags — what each rig is for and how to match it to the lake bed.
• Carp fishing for beginners: how to actually startLicence, kit, first water, bait and safe fish handling — the whole start-up in one page.
• Note the lakebed in your journalRecord weed, silt and gravel spots for each swim so you know which rig to use next time.
• Carp waters near youSearch England's carp lakes by postcode and county.