Dear anglers,

I want to use a popup this year more often. The rig I plan to use will be a chod or a hinged stiff rig. I am not looking for a fluoro carbon hooklink, because in my experience fluoro carbon doesn't really like to be knotted.

Currently I use Korda Mouth Trap in 25 lb for stiff sections, but using it for short sections (and knotting it) I can imagine that a bit of a challenge. So I am looking for a bit thinner colored hooklink that retains it's curve well, but is also a bit more user friendly.

I have found 3 contenders that I like the look of:

Korda mouth trap (20 lb)
Fox rigidity (used this in the past and I liked it)
Nash chod link
....

Which one would you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

I was using Korda mouth trap (20 lb) a lot in France last year and had no issues landing carp to over 40lb with it.

In reply to Post #1
ESP stiff rig or Thinking Anglers recoil are great. I use both.

I use 20lb mouth trap for Hinges and Chods, no issues with it at all.

It knots well even with a simple half blood knot.

In reply to Post #1
Another vote for thinking anglers recoil, I also like the angling iron version

I have always used the original esp stiff link material. The 15lb is easier to work with when using smaller hooks. The 20lb can be awarkward but not impossible but I doubt the 15lb would ever snap under 25lb on a straight pull.

It holds a curve which is a necessity for me. I've played with alternatives in tackle shops when the esp wasn't available but none I tried kept that all important curve but that was some time ago.

I'm happy with the esp material and don't expect to change.

In reply to Post #1
I use 25lb Mouth Trap for my chod and hinges with ESP size 5 hooks. I don't have any problems knotting it either with a two turn blood knot or a small overhand loop knot even on short hook sections. Give it another go,

When I first started using chods and hinges I used the ESP Stiff rig bristle filament(ESP fanboy), but I found the Korda Mouth Trap a bit more forgiving to work with.

Thanks for all of your replies, guys! I appreciate it!

In reply to Post #8
Why not try crimping it?

In reply to Post #9
Tried it, but didn't like it one bit. Sorry.

Can't go wrong with ESP bristle filament. I like it in 20lb and have never had issues with a two turn blood knot at the swivel end.

In reply to Post #10
Dont apologise, you didnt like them, nothing to do with me, i just made a suggestion

In reply to Post #1
I've used the Korda, Nash and ESP versions, all without any issues at all.
The ESP is a little more difficult to work with but really does keep its shape exceptionally well. The 15lb makes a lovely stiff rig.

Thanks for your replies again! I went with the Fox in the end, but I will buy the ESP bristle filament again when I run out of Fox filament. I would have liked the Fox to be sold in 20lb. It behaves very much like the ESP bristle filament, but I liked it's color better than plain clear.

In reply to Post #7
It's one of the few Korda products I continue to use for the same reasons you outline

In reply to Post #1
. . . slight curveball - but have you considered a withy pool rig instead? I've returned to using one this spring and had some decent results; primarily because ronnies / 360s are banned but also wanting to try something different and without all the faff of a stiff hinged.

I've been tying mine with stiff coated tungsten braid and the fox withy curves chopped down slightly . . .small section of uncoated at the base of the curve and a good dollop of putty (prefer an over-weighted pop up if I'm going to use one) - the mechanics are superb and the rig is simple with no knots / crimps / general buggeration . . .most people are also unlikely to be using it; so maybe the fish have also forgotten!

In reply to Post #15
I tied a rig with Korda Mouthtrap and indeed, it's a bit more user friendly than ESP Bristle Filament or Fox Rigidity.

In reply to Post #16
Yes, good call, was thinking about the withy pool rig a while back. I fished it in the past and caught on it. It's certainly different!

In reply to Post #1
Tried nearly all the chod filaments, mouth trap was decent but Nash chod link I found to be the best. I'm really fussy with getting perfect curves without twists or kinks I found Ta and fox's 25lb to be awful for this

Nash chod link in 25 is the only material that I can tie / tighten over steam and a couple thumb strokes it's basically perfect everytime. All the others I have to spend time tweaking and adjusting for too long.

In reply to Post #19
One question about that then: if Nash chod link needs little 'work' to get the right curve, does it loose it's curve quicker that for instance Fox Rigidity then?

I've only tried Korda Mouth Trap 25lb and TA Recoil 30lb and far prefer the Recoil.
They are both very similar diameters under the microscope, but the recoil is much stiffer and better to shape.
MouthTrap actually doesn't feel like Bristle Filament.
Can't stand the colour of the MT either.