Gardner Rigs Hinged Stiff or Chod or Ronnie Rig Fishing Terminal Tackle

Ronnie Rig:

Since Gardner Tackle started producing videos and writing about the Ronnie Rig it has established itself as an amazingly effective low pop up arrangement. It’s a sensationally effective pop up presentation that will rightfully stand the test of time, like other classics such as the Hinged Stiff Rig, Chod Rig, Magaligner, Blow Back, etc.

Each pack of ready made Ronnie Rigs includes three perfectly constructed ‘hook sections’ that have been constructed to exacting standards here in the UK and their launch now makes this rig available to everyone!

These Ronnie Rigs use our exquisitely sharp size 4 and size 6 Covert Dark Mugga hooks attached to the new dedicated XT Flexi-Ring Kwik Lok Swivel. Essentially, the combination of the Mugga hook’s in-turned eye, swept shank and amazing razor sharp point is particularly effective in getting the most out of these rigs, as it creates a fast and aggressive reacting hooking mechanism that takes a firm hook hold. Each end section features a mat finished sliding Covert Hook Swivel, held in position with a Covert Hook Stop.

This phenomenal rig has been tried, tested and proven time and time again on big carp waters across the UK and Europe with truly devastating results!

To get started, all you need to do is tie your favoured hooklink material onto the Flexi-Ring, tailoring the hooklink length and material to the nature of the lake bed you’re fishing over and the lead arrangement that you are using. As a rough guide we recommend monofilaments like our hugely successful Trick-Link and Invisi-Link for Helicopter rigs, and softer hooklinks like the awesome Ultra Skin on Covert Lead Clip (or similar) arrangements.

Finally, all you need to do is tie on a pop up that is buoyant enough to hold the rig section up. You should add a small amount of Critical Mass (Tungsten Putty) moulded around the shrink tubing, that holds the XT Swivel in place, so the rig sinks slowly to the lake bed. If the hookbait is not buoyant enough the hook will not be able to rotate freely and this will detract from the rigs ultimate performance.

We generally prefer to use and recommend a small pop up. The easiest way to attach readymade pop ups is to thread a section of main line or dental floss onto the hook swivel and pull the two tags through the bait. Pull the dental floss through the bait whislt pushing the pop up onto the Covert Hook Swivel eye (which helps keep it in place). Finally, tie a number of granny knots flush to the outside of the hook bait, trim the floss to 1cm and blob the tag ends to secure the hook bait firmly in place.

General features include:
    3 Ronnie Rigs per packet
    Made with mat Covert components, including the new XT Kwik Lok Flexi-Ring Swivels for hook attachment
    Manufactured in the UK



Chod Rig:

Fishing with a Chod Rig is a supremely versatile method, ideal for presenting hook baits over a vast number of different lake and river beds.

The Chod Rig has become massively popular in recent years but it can be tricky to tie so that it works effectively. Our professional rig tiers have been perfecting the art to ensure these ready tied Chod Rigs are spot on.

    Chod Hook – designed specifically for use with stiff and mono type hooklinks.
    15lb Tripwire – the highly acclaimed stiff hook length material acts like a long curved rigid extension of the hook’s shank which ensures that the hook turns and gains effective purchase.
    Anti Glare Flexi Ring Swivel is a small Size 12 and orientated the correct way so that the rig is free running on the leader and will sit straight.
    It is important to use baits that are buoyant enough to hold the hooklink up off the flexi ring swivel and when leadcore is not being used, simply balance with Critical Mass putty.
    Tied in the UK to guarantee the highest standards. Always reliable and easy to use, our ready tied rigs are the convenient way to ensure ultimate presentation. Our rig tiers are real anglers who take great pride in their work, paying incredible attention to detail and taking the time and effort so you don’t have to.



Hinged Stiff Rig:

The Hinged Stiff Rig is one of the most effective pop-up rigs there is, effectively offering the most consistent bait presentation of ‘pop-up’ and buoyant hookbaits possible! This rig is legendary simply because it has accounted for so many big fish over the years. It’s not an easy rig to tie right though…

These ready tied Hinged Stiff Rigs are tied and supplied in the most versatile format, using the tried and tested 15lb Trip Wire hook section from our ready tied Chod Rigs that has been curved for optimum effectiveness and this is combined with a ‘skinned’ boom section. This style of boom section works well with both helicopter and lead clip style lead arrangements. The boom section is stiff enough to kick the hook bait away from the lead or leader, but supple enough to lay over if held up by a stone or twig on the lake bed.

The Hinged Stiff Rigs phenomenal effectiveness is down to a number of key mechanical characteristics:

    It will reset even after being mouthed by a carp.
    The super stiff ‘Trip Wire’ hook section and ‘D’ style loop and rig ring used to mount the hook bait means the hook goes in the right way (bend first) is free to twist and take hold as soon as the hook link tightens. *This configuration also offers exceptional ‘ant-eject’ properties.
    By counterbalancing the buoyant hook bait so the rig settles gently to the lake bed, with the boom section laying the rig out away from the lead, you enhance the rigs effectiveness by ensuring the rig reacts immediately when mouthed by a browsing/feeding fish.

Just like Chod Rigs, it’s really important that you use a highly buoyant hookbait, one that holds the hook section upright. If the pop up doesn’t need to be counterbalanced (with additional Critical Mass Tungsten putty moulded around the top eye of the swivel) then they are not buoyant enough. Mould just enough tungsten putty around the top of the swivel so the hook bait sinks slowly.

If the 25lb Chod Skin boom section becomes kinked it can be straightened by gently ‘steaming it’. If you note the shape of the curve in the hook section you will be able to reset it after each fish. Also check the hook point. These checks and adjustments are important to maintain the rig’s performance.