| If you are fishing beyond the range of a catapult | | | | for me. |
| and Bait Boats are banned then a Spod is a very | | | | Once I have found the area I want to put out |
| versatile and invaluable tool for delivering a large | | | | my first bait using my marker float, I'll cast out |
| quantity of bait in a tight area. | | | | an empty spod past my marker float and wind in |
| Tackle for spodding | | | | until the spod is were I want it, Then I will clip up |
| The two most important pieces of kit for | | | | the line in the reel clip and wind in. Then I'll place a |
| spodding are the rod and reel. The rod and reel | | | | bank stick in the ground as a starting point. This |
| you chose will depend on the type of spodding | | | | will be the starting point for all my rods. hooking |
| you intend to do. | | | | the spod over the bank stick I will walk along the |
| The smaller spod can be cast using a normal carp | | | | bank letting out line until I reach the line clip, were |
| rod and reel set up but if you are going to use | | | | I will place a branch or stick in the ground at the |
| the bigger spod's then you are going to need a | | | | rod tip, this will give me a distance marker for |
| rod of at least 4-5lb test curve. Nearly every rod | | | | that bait. That way every time I want to spod to |
| manufactures now have dedicated spod rods in | | | | that bait all I have to do is hook the spod over |
| their own range. The spod rod will take a lot of | | | | the bank stick walk back to that baits marker |
| abuse during a season with the constant cast and | | | | whilst laying out line until the rod tip lines up with |
| retrieve of a loaded spod, so make sure you get | | | | the marker, clip the line up and I know I'm going |
| the highest quality you can afford. | | | | to be in the same spot every time. I then carry |
| The best reels for spodding are the big pit reels, | | | | out the same procedure for all the rods I am |
| like the Daiwa Emblen or the Shimano Biomaster, | | | | using. |
| which allow you to retrieve the spod a lot faster | | | | So that I know which mark is for which rod I rap |
| than the standard carp reels. I Prefer to use | | | | a piece of different color tape around the sticks |
| braided line for my spodding as the low diameter | | | | with a matching piece of tape around the front |
| and no stretch allows for more accurate casting. | | | | buzzer bar. Because I have worked out the depth |
| My reel is loaded with 20lb braid which has a | | | | of water each bait is fishing in with the marker |
| diameter of 0.25mm. If you are going to use braid | | | | float I can also use these marks for my baited |
| it is essential that you use a finger stol or a golf | | | | rods, all I have to do is add on half the depth of |
| glove to avoid line cuts. | | | | water to allow the bait to sink in a pendulum |
| As for the spod itself, there is a whole range on | | | | motion so I know my bait is always in the same |
| the market, from the small pocket rocket for | | | | place and always over the spodded area. |
| adding small amounts of particles into the swim to | | | | A Few tips to bear in mind when spodding. Keep |
| the large Korda free Spirit designed for putting | | | | the braid wet at all times to avoid wind knots. |
| large amounts of bait out at distance. there are | | | | Also to aid in accuracy you need to spod in a |
| also bollie spod's designed specifically for delivering | | | | rhythm so it helps if you raise your bucket of |
| bollies. I tend to carry a variety with me so I can | | | | spod mix up as far as you can so you don't have |
| adapt the spod to accommodate the swim and | | | | to keep leaning over. and most important Don't |
| conditions I'm. fishing in. Remember you can use | | | | overfill the spod or you will leave a trail of bait on |
| any bait you like in the spod I like to use a | | | | the cast 3/4 full is plenty and make sure you |
| mixture of particles and pellets and adding a tin of | | | | allow enough time for the spod to empty. |
| tuna works wonders on my lake. So Experiment! | | | | Accurate spodding is an art and one that only |
| Accurate Spodding | | | | comes with practice. So get out there and |
| Every one has their own way of spodding so I | | | | practice. |
| am going to describe the way that works best | | | | |