[Features] [On the top] [The Gallery] [Links] [Particle Baits]
[Tackle Tests] [Tall Tones Top Tips] [Home]

Spodding by Kev Robinson

Using a spod is sometimes the only way of accurately baiting at range with particles. (I say sometimes, as you could use a baitboat!). Baits such as hemp, trout pellet, partiblend & multimass are all fairly small & light - no way would you be able to catapult them very far at all. On waters that haven't seen a lot of spodding before, the fish should respond well to bed of bait at range, as it's something new to them, they don't expect it to be there.

Trout Pellets - a popular choice for spodding

As far as spodding equipment goes, you will need some pretty specialised kit. To start with a spod full of your favourite bait can weigh between 8-12oz, you don't really want to be heaving that lot out on your top-notch Carp rods! Gardner Tackle have recently released the Pocket - Rocket which is a small spod that can be used with 'normal' Carp gear. (The little yellow dude, far left below).

Various types of spod. Pocket Rocket, Particle Bullets & Bait Bullet, from Gardner Tackle.

As far as spod rods go, there is now a multitude available. Manufactures like Fox, Century, Greys & Daiwa all produce quality spod rods. Loads of tackle shops around the country also produce their own brand spod rods. The average price of a rod is about £100, a cheaper alternative is a sea anglers beachcaster, they are designed to cast such weights long distances and can be picked-up for as little as £30.

Coupled to your spod rod you will need a fairly decent reel with a shockleader tied to the mainline.(see diagram below). I use a Daiwa Emblem 'big pit' reel as it holds plenty of line & has excellent line lay, which helps when spodding at range.

The method I use for most of my spodding is as follows. I find an area that I want to fish to with my marker rod, to my marker I cast my baited rig. I then cast the empty spod to the marker, if I require any extra weight to reach the marker I simply add water to the spod. When I am happy with the accuracy of my cast, I clip the line on my reel to the clip on the side of the spool. (clip-up). On some reels, if the clip is sharp, you may have to put a couple of turns of powergum around the clip first, to stop the line from being damaged. (I know Tournament 5000's have a nasty clip). Next I reel the spod in & cast to the marker again, just to make sure I'm happy with the range I've clipped-up to. If all is well then it's spod's away! A nice baited area, where the Carp don't expect it to be. Nice.