Carp Specialist UK
Dan Chart Rigs

Chods and wind

So does the wind really effect then? Let's find out...

Another Chod Rig question... When it's windy and your fishing Chods, how do you maintain a slack line in order for the rig to work correctly? I pull line off and allow it to sink then I put the indicator on and all I get is false bleeps because of the indicator is rising until the line is tight. Help?! Marcus Ball, via e-mail

Dan Chart says: "I have also fished in atrocious conditions where the wind is savage and casting out is hard enough let alone getting your indication right; we are in England after all! What is important in bad weather conditions is to make sure you get your line down and I mean right down onto the lakebed when using 'Chods' – and many other rigs for that matter.

Normally I like using a lead with as little weight as I can get away with to hit the distance required, but in strong winds I increase that to a minimum of 2.5oz, with my favoured leads being the Gardner Bolt Bombs because of their dense base. Upping the lead size allows you to tighten up onto the lead immediately after the cast helping you get the line under the surface rapidly without bumping the lead.

“What is important in bad weather conditions is to make sure you get your line down”

It's important to choose a line that has a proven track record for sinking like Gardner's GR60, HydroTuff or the even faster sinking Mirage Fluorocarbon. When these are combined with a heavy leadcore like Gardner Plummet in 45lb you can be certain that everything will be down flush to the lakebed.

Once you've cast out put the rod tip down into the water as far as you can in order to ensure the line is down as far as you can get it. Holding the rod tip low in the water for a while you can then start to peal line off the reel until you are completely sure it has sunk to the very bottom. Only then put the rod on the buzzer.

A strong wind will generally have no influence on your indication if you spend that little bit extra getting your line sunk as best you can.

This article was taken from issue 81 (December 2010) of CARPology magazine. Be the first to read CARPology's premium articles in print and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing on-line.