Simple Carp Rigs
Basic carp rigs, how they work and when to use them on stillwaters.
Category: carp
Tags: rigs, carp, chod, helicopter
Carp rigs are designed to present bait cleanly while allowing the hook bait to behave naturally. Two popular setups are the chod rig for weedy features, and the helicopter rig for bait presentation over gravel.
Chod Rig
The chod rig uses a stiff hooklink and a buoyant bait that sits above weed or silt. It is ideal for fishing over soft margins or when the bait needs to stay visible above debris. Keep the hook length short and the hooklink stiff so the rig can rotate and land hook-point up.
Helicopter Rig
A helicopter rig allows the hooklink to rotate freely around the mainline, which helps the bait present naturally and reduces tangles when casting. It works well over hard gravel or gravel/sand mixes and is a great choice for bottom-bait presentations with boilies or pop-ups.
Tips
- Match rig length and stiffness to the water: softer link in clear water, stiffer link in debris.
- Use a sharp carp hook and a bait that suits the lake conditions.
- Always use a landing net and unhooking mat for safe handling of large carp.