Korda Kamakura Choddy Hooks

When it comes to hook sharpness, there is “sharp,” and then there is Kamakura. At Gerry’s Fishing, we’ve seen plenty of innovations, but the Kamakura sharpening process is a genuine breakthrough. Traditionally, hooks are sharpened and then coated, which can dull the point. The Korda Kamakura Choddy is sharpened after production to an extremely high tolerance, resulting in a point so fine and needle-like that it has to be seen to be believed.

The “Choddy” pattern is a cult classic for a reason. Featuring a drastically outturned eye, it is purpose-built for use with stiff materials like Korda Mouthtrap or thick fluorocarbons. This ensures that when the hooklink is curved for a Chod or Hinged Stiff rig, the hook sits at the perfect aggressive angle to “prick” the fish the moment it tests the bait.

Key Features & Performance

• Ultimate Consistency: Every single hook is sharpened to the exact same microscopic tolerance. Gone are the days of sorting through a packet to find the “good ones”—with Kamakura, every hook is the best hook.

• Post-Production Sharpening: By sharpening the hook after the coating process, Korda achieves a level of “sticky-sharpness” that is impossible to replicate with standard manufacturing.

• Wax Protection: To preserve that delicate, needle-sharp point, each hook is dipped in a specialized wax coating. This ensures the point remains factory-fresh and protected from corrosion or blunting until the moment you are ready to cast.

• Outturned Eye: The eye is specifically angled away from the point. This is crucial for stiff rig mechanics, as it allows the hook to rotate and turn instantly without the stiff material “closing” the gape of the hook.

• Robust Wire Gauge: Despite the ultra-fine point, the Choddy is a “nails” hook. It features a heavy wire gauge that can withstand the most brutal fights in weedy or snaggy conditions.

Technical Specifications

Examples of Where to Use

• The Classic Chod Rig: This hook is the undisputed king of the Chod. When fished on a short section of Mouthtrap, the Kamakura point ensures that even the wariest carp, just “sampling” the bait, is hooked instantly.

• Hinged Stiff Rigs: For fishing over cleaner lake beds or light debris, the Choddy hook on a stiff boom provides a “resetting” rig that is nearly impossible for a fish to eject once the point finds a hold.

• Naked Chod Setups: When fishing straight onto the mainline over silty or weedy bottoms, the reliability of the Kamakura point gives you total confidence that your one-and-only hookbait is performing at 100%.

• Large Wafter Presentations: While primarily for pop-ups, the wide gape of the Choddy makes it excellent for large wafters or “Snowman” rigs where you need the hook to remain clear of the bait for a solid hook-hold.

Gerry’s Pro Tip

The “Wax-Off” Technique:

That little red wax cap is there for a reason—don’t take it off until the very last second! To get the best out of these hooks, tie your rig completely, attach your bait, and perform your final checks. Only then should you gently flick the wax off with your fingernail. This ensures the point hasn’t touched anything (including your rig board) before it goes into the water. Also, remember that because these points are so fine, they are delicate. Always check your point after every cast or if you’ve dragged the rig through gravel!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are these more expensive than standard Choddy hooks?

The cost reflects the intensive post-production sharpening process. Each hook is essentially “hand-finished” by a machine to a standard that was previously only achievable by anglers spending hours with a sharpening stone and a magnifying loupe.

Can I sharpen them myself once they go blunt?

You can try, but it is almost impossible to replicate the Kamakura factory finish with a hand tool. These hooks are designed for “one-fish” or “one-session” maximum performance. If the point is damaged, we strongly recommend changing to a fresh hook to maintain the edge.

Does the wax affect the hooking ability?

Not at all. You remove the wax before casting. Even if a tiny residue remains, it is incredibly soft and will not hinder the hook’s ability to penetrate.

Which sizes should I use for 12mm vs 15mm pop-ups?

For 12mm pop-ups, a Size 6 is usually perfect. For 15mm pop-ups or larger “cork ball” baits, a Size 4 provides the necessary gape to ensure the hook can still turn and catch the bottom lip effectively.