Spodding

Some anglers say that spodding is a difficult technique to learn and only professionals can do it.  Actually spodding is not that difficult and complicated, the trick is just in the mix.

This technique involves finding the chosen feature by using the feature finding float and rod and then marking the spot with a marker float.  In my first cast, I fill the spod with some stones or water, launching it to the desired spot and clipping the line onto the reel clip.  By doing this the distance and target will be set on the reel.  After, reel in and put your mix in the spod.  It's quite useful to protect the line and clip by using a small piece of pole elastic under the clip first as a buffer or feathering the line to lessen the pressure on the line.  Once the spod hits the water it will flip over and disperse the mix into that area.  It is easier to retrieve the spod high and quick and repeating the process to build up your swim.

Spodding is a great way to get lots of bait far out into a lake where it is not possible to bait by hand or using a spoon, also the sound that the spod makes upon contact with water in my opinion does not scare the fish away and it may even attracts fish and this also makes it a great method for bait delivery.  I myself make my own spod mixes but there are many pre-mixed spod mixes available on the market.  My usual mix contains hemp, sweetcorn, maize, half a kilo of boilies (1/4 chopped, ¼ whole), CSL and Halibut pellet and molasses to bind it all until it becomes sticky to avoid contents flying out of the spod.  The amount you use depends on the waters you’re going to fish.  You could start by using 6 to 8 spodfuls every 3 to 4 hours if on a long session to build up the swim while changing the regularly in accordance to the fish’s response.

I recommend using a big pit reel and a purpose made spod rod to make life much easier or you will get tyred very quickly.