Chod-Rig: Engineering a flawless assembly

When the unconventional becomes the ultimate weapon. If there's one rig capable of shaking even the most deeply held beliefs, it's the Chod rig . Unique, almost provocative in its design, it has established itself as a precision weapon in the most complex situations. Born in the UK and popularized by the legendary Frank Warwick , this rig intrigues as much as it fascinates.

Le Chod-Rig dans toute sa simplicité et son efficacité : un montage conçu pour s’adapter à toutes les situations, là où la précision devient instinct. La mécanique parfaite d’un piège discret, tenu ici entre les doigts d’un passionné aguerri. Crédit photo : Jérome Bourgot

I discovered it almost by chance, while reading a British article. At the time, my fishing world consisted of tried-and-tested rigs: classic hair rigs, D-rigs , dense baits, snowman rigs , or pop-ups , adjusted according to the substrate, the area, and the mood of the fish. The Chod had seemed… extravagant to me. Too atypical to warrant my attention. Until that scorching July day, when everything changed.

The decisive session

Stifling heatwave. I opt for a few days on a small federal lake of about five hectares, the remnant of an old quarry. A wild, almost impenetrable setting: 80% of the surface covered in weeds, inaccessible islets, and the edges as the only authorized fishing areas.

The first few meters offer a hard bottom before plunging into over a meter of soft mud. A real puzzle. I had already tackled this body of water without ever unraveling its mystery. Was it the presentation? The spot? The approach? So many questions that remained unanswered… until that fateful session.

A break from style, a total revelation

La perfection du piégeage selon le Chod-Rig : présentation aérienne, hameçon pivoté dans la lèvre inférieure, et efficacité absolue à chaque aspiration. Un montage où la mécanique parle d’elle-même. Crédit photo : Jérome Bourgot

This time, I've decided to change everything. No more bait boat , no more massive baiting, no more surgical precision. I'm going back to an instinctive approach: two rods, baiting with a cobra of 20mm boilies, and above all, a freshly set-up Chod-Rig .

I aim for a shaded islet, covered in vegetation, convinced that the heat drives the carp to seek refuge there. Four kilos of boilies scattered, a glimmer of hope, and I drift away until evening.

Upon my return, around 7 p.m., the first porpoises betrayed the presence of the fish. First cast. First drop. Barely time to prepare the second rod… a violent run!

Pop-ups Tom Baits – Des couleurs vives et des arômes précis pour sublimer la présentation du Chod-Rig. Attraction visuelle, flottabilité parfaite et finition soignée pour des montages à la fois techniques et séduisants. Crédit photo : Jérome Bourgot

The fight is short but intense. The carp seeks out obstacles, struggles, and finally gives in. A magnificent mirror carp slips into the net. That evening, two bites, two fish. The next day, a second round of baiting, a night's rest for the swim… and at dawn, another flurry: two more carp join the bank. At 7:30 p.m., the final bite, the final thrill: a superb 19 kg leather carp, my new personal best.

The Chod Rig: Perfection in the irregular

Le Chod-Rig dans sa configuration la plus pure : un montage suspendu, libre de toute contrainte, pensé pour survoler les herbiers et assurer une présentation impeccable, quelle que soit la nature du fond. Crédit photo : Jérome Bourgot

This rig blew me away. Not a single hook pull, not a single false bite. Every run resulted in a landed fish. The effectiveness of its mechanism is remarkable: once inhaled, the hook pivots instantly and locks into the lower lip. Simplicity at its finest.

When the Chod Rig Becomes Essential

Préparation minutieuse avant l’action : pop-ups multicolores, émerillons, hameçons et bas de ligne attendent leur tour. Chaque détail compte, car la réussite d’un Chod-Rig commence toujours sur la table du montage. Crédit photo : Jérome Bourgot

Cluttered or grassy areas

Dense weeds, thick mud, debris… that’s their kingdom. No need to look for an opening: carp feed in the vegetation, where natural food abounds.

In areas with heavy fishing pressure , the Chod overcomes suspicion in waters saturated with rigs. Its effectiveness relies on an unstoppable mechanism: once sucked in, it's impossible to spit out.

Quick fishing and stalking: A pot of pop-ups , a rod, a rigged chod, a landing net: you're ready. In seconds, you can exploit any sign of activity. Vary the colors, dare to be visually provocative.

Competitions and long distances

Thanks to its rigidity and compactness, it can be launched over impressive distances without tangling. Ideal for enduro, where every meter counts.

In permanent “search engine”

Always keep your rod rigged with a Chod. A jump, a swirl, a bubble? Quick cast, single hookbait , and often… a bite.

A montage for all four seasons

Ordre et précision : chaque Chod-Rig soigneusement aligné dans sa boîte, prêt à l’emploi. La rigueur du montage se joue ici, bien avant le premier lancer. Crédit photo : Jérome Bourgot

Spring : carp emerge from winter, wary. A few scattered boilies and a well-presented chod are all it takes to make the difference.

Summer : in the aquatic jungle, it reigns supreme. Adjust the height up to 1.50 m to fly over the seagrass beds.

Autumn : mud, dead leaves, organic debris: the Chod adapts and remains stable where other rigs fail.

Winter : a boosted pop-up single on a sunny edge can save a session.

The powerful cousin: the Hinged Stiff Rig

Whether in rivers, canals, or large lakes, its variant – the Hinged Stiff Rig – is the obvious choice. More stable in the current, it retains that mechanical aggressiveness while offering a heavier and better-anchored presentation.

My signature settings

Canne armée, moulinet prêt à dérouler, Chod-Rig suspendu : la précision du détail avant la tension du départ. Chaque élément trouve ici sa place, entre rigueur et anticipation. Crédit photo : Jérome Bourgot

I prefer very short chods , tied directly to the leader, between two tungsten beads spaced about ten centimeters apart. The height is then adjusted according to the density of the substrate: from 50 cm to 1.50 m.

Shot weights: Vase: 50 g maximum • Long distance: 100 to 125 g

Commercially available ready -made chods now offer remarkable quality and a real time saving, although I often assemble my own for a perfect fit. The helicopter drop-off system remains, for me, the absolute gold standard in very congested areas.

Conclusion: Try it, you'll love it!

Un piégeage exemplaire : hameçon parfaitement positionné, pop-up rose contrasté, et mécanique du Chod-Rig irréprochable. La preuve visuelle d’un montage qui ne laisse aucune chance à l’erreur. Crédit photo : Jérome Bourgot

This session will forever be etched in my memory as a revelation. The Chod-Rig unlocked water I thought was barren, proving that innovation and audacity always pay off. This rig, long underestimated, taught me the essence of modern fishing : observe, understand, adapt. So if you're still hesitating, give it a try. On the day all seems lost, the Chod could very well become your best ally.

The Chod-Rig: the finesse of ingenuity at the service of precision.