Photos: RidgeMonkey · supplied retailer imagery
Terminal tackle · Chod hooks · Our take
RidgeMonkey Ape-X Chod Hooks
Barbed
A sharp, properly thought-out chod hook with a micro barb, out-turned eye and a stealthy gun-metal finish. Here’s where it fits on the bank.
- Available in sizes 5, 6 and 8.
- Barbed pattern with a micro barb.
- Made from Japanese Carbon 80 Steel with a forged bend and shank.
- 10 hooks per pack, with a 10° out-turned eye and RM-Tec Gun Metal coating.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the RidgeMonkey Ape-X Chod Hooks in sizes 5, 6 and 8. Each pack contains 10 barbed hooks.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A focused, well-equipped chod hook with the right features for its job and very few obvious frills.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality9.2/10
- Performance9.1/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.9/10
- Ease of Use8.6/10
- Value for Money8.8/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Chod and hinged-rig anglers. The out-turned eye and dedicated chod shape are aimed squarely at presentations where the hook needs to turn and grab over messy lakebeds.
- Carp anglers fishing over chod, silkweed or light debris. The pattern gives you a focused option when a conventional hook presentation could get masked or sit awkwardly.
Maybe skip if
- Anglers wanting one hook for every rig. This is a specialist chod pattern, not a universal hook for bottom baits, wafters and pop-ups across the board.
- Anyone who mainly fishes snaggy, brutally abrasive spots. A fine sharp point needs frequent inspection in rough areas, and hook choice should always match the swim and fishery rules.
The lowdown
Introducing the RidgeMonkey Ape-X Chod Hooks
A sharp, properly thought-out chod hook with a micro barb, out-turned eye and a stealthy gun-metal finish. Here’s where it fits on the bank.
- Available in sizes 5, 6 and 8.
- Barbed pattern with a micro barb.
- Made from Japanese Carbon 80 Steel with a forged bend and shank.
- 10 hooks per pack, with a 10° out-turned eye and RM-Tec Gun Metal coating.
Quick verdict
Verdict
The RidgeMonkey Ape-X Chod Hooks have all the key bits you want for a chod rig: an out-turned eye, forged construction, a long needle point and a micro barb. It’s a proper purpose-built pattern rather than a general hook trying to do every job.
They’ll suit anglers who like fishing stiff chod sections over choddy lakebeds, silkweed and general detritus. Pick the size to match the hookbait and the stamp of fish you’re after, then keep that straight point absolutely spot on.
A focused, well-equipped chod hook with the right features for its job and very few obvious frills.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality
- 9.2/10
- Performance
- 9.1/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.9/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.6/10
- Value for Money
- 8.8/10
Japanese Carbon 80 Steel, forged construction and a quality dark coating make this a properly specified specialist hook.
The out-turned eye, straight point and long needle point are all aimed at reliable chod-style mechanics.
A dedicated chod pattern can improve presentation over messy bottoms, provided the rig is tied and checked properly.
The hook itself is straightforward, though chod rigs demand more careful setup than a basic knotless-knot rig.
Ten specialist hooks per pack and a useful three-size range make it a sensible option for anglers who regularly fish chod presentations.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
RidgeMonkey
RidgeMonkey Ape-X Chod Hooks (this one)
Top scorer
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the RidgeMonkey Ape-X Chod Hooks
Chod rigs are one of those bits of carp tackle that can be absolutely bob on when the lakebed is doing you no favours. Chod, silkweed, soft detritus and general bottom rubbish can all make a normal presentation sit a bit naff. That’s where a dedicated chod hook earns its place in the box.
The RidgeMonkey Ape-X Chod Hooks are built around that job. They’re available in sizes 5, 6 and 8, with 10 hooks in each pack. So you’ve got a decent spread of options, whether you’re lowering a compact pop-up into the margins or chucking a chod rig towards a bigger area of weed.
The standout feature is the 10° out-turned eye. That’s a proper chod-rig detail, not just a bit of fancy wording on the packet. It helps the hook work with a stiff or semi-stiff section, allowing the presentation to turn and catch hold when a carp mouths the bait and moves away.
The hook has a forged bend and shank construction, too. In plain English, that gives the pattern a purposeful, solid feel on paper and keeps the shape focused around the sort of aggressive hooking mechanics chod anglers are looking for. It’s not trying to be a dainty little fine-wire hook for sneaky short-range work.
Up front, you get an ultra-sharp straight point with a long needle point. That’s the business end, obviously, and it’s the bit that needs treating with a bit of respect. A long point can be lovely for getting purchase, but it also deserves a quick look after casting onto gravel, dragging through weed or landing a few fish.
The micro barb is another nice touch. You still get a barbed hook, so you’ll need to check the fishery rules, but the smaller barb should make unhooking less of a faff than some chunkier barbed patterns. As ever, wet the mat, keep things calm and don’t go wrestling with a hook when a pair of forceps will do the job.
Finish-wise, the Ape-X Chod gets RidgeMonkey’s RM-Tec Gun Metal coating and a black finish. That gives it a suitably stealthy look for clear water, bright days and wary carp. No hook coating makes you invisible, of course, but a dark hook is a sensible match for a low-lying chod presentation.
The Japanese Carbon 80 Steel construction adds to the hook’s credentials, while the available sizes make it easy to tune the presentation. A size 8 can be tidy with a smaller pop-up; a 6 is a cracking middle option; and a 5 gives you more presence when the bait and target fish call for it. Don’t just grab the biggest one because it looks tougher.
In the real world, this hook makes most sense when the rig is doing the heavy lifting. Build the chod section carefully, check the eye and point before every cast, and make sure the hook can move freely. If the point is dulled, bent or damaged, bin it. They’re not expensive enough to risk a blank — or worse, lose a proper lump — over one tired hook.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Pattern
- Ape-X Chod, barbed
- Sizes
- 5, 6 and 8
- Pack quantity
- 10 hooks
- Material
- Japanese Carbon 80 Steel
- Eye and point
- 10° out-turned eye; ultra-sharp straight point with a long needle point
- Finish and construction
- RM-Tec Gun Metal coating; forged bend and shank; black finish; micro barb
Specs checked with RidgeMonkey, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
The short version
This is a focused chod hook with a strong feature set and a suitably discreet finish. The 10° out-turned eye helps it sit correctly in the chod-style presentation, while the forged bend and shank construction give it a reassuringly purposeful look.
The main thing to remember is that this isn’t your all-round bottom-bait hook. It’s designed around a very specific presentation, so it makes most sense when you’re fishing a hinged or chod-style rig and need the hook to turn, flip and grab cleanly.
A specialist pattern
What you’re actually buying
The Ape-X Chod is a barbed hook built specifically around chod-style presentations. Its 10° out-turned eye, forged bend and shank, long needle point and straight point all point towards a hook that’s meant to turn aggressively and find a hold from a stiff or semi-stiff rig section.
The RM-Tec Gun Metal coating gives it a dark, low-key appearance, while the Japanese Carbon 80 Steel construction and forged shape give the pattern a proper purposeful look. There are three sizes — 5, 6 and 8 — and each pack contains 10 hooks.
Worth knowing. The long needle point is a key part of the design, but sharp hooks don’t stay perfect forever. Check the point after casting, especially over gravel or through weed, and swap it immediately if it catches on your fingernail or looks damaged.
Match the hook to the water
Where it earns its keep
This is the sort of hook to reach for when the bottom is messy and you want a chod presentation sitting above the rubbish rather than disappearing into it. It’s a natural choice for chod rigs and hinged stiff rigs, particularly when you’re fishing pop-ups over chod, silkweed or soft detritus.
Size 6 is the handy middle-ground option for plenty of carp work, while size 8 suits a smaller, more discreet hookbait. Size 5 gives a bigger profile when you’re using a larger bait or targeting a more substantial carp. Always match the hook to the bait, target fish and fishery rules.
Worth knowing. Don’t use a chod hook just because it looks mean. If you’re fishing a clean lakebed with a straightforward bottom-bait or wafter rig, another hook pattern may present the bait more naturally and with less faff.
Quick answers
The bits anglers usually ask
Are the Ape-X Chod Hooks barbed? Yes. They have a micro barb, so check whether barbed hooks are allowed on your venue before heading down. The smaller barb is a sensible touch for controlled unhooking, but good fish care still comes down to your handling and the fishery’s rules.
Which size is best? There isn’t one magic answer. Size 5, 6 and 8 cover different hookbait sizes and presentation styles. Start with the hook that sits neatly with your bait and doesn’t overpower it, then make sure the point is exposed and the chod section can move freely.
Worth knowing. Product codes are RMT238 for size 5, RMT239 for size 6 and RMT240 for size 8. Handy if you’re restocking a particular size rather than rummaging through a tackle-shop peg.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Purpose-built chod pattern with a 10° out-turned eye.
- Long needle point and ultra-sharp straight point.
- Forged bend and shank construction for a solid, purposeful hook shape.
- Micro barb is a neat balance between hold and easier unhooking.
- Stealthy black RM-Tec Gun Metal coating.
Worth knowing
- It’s a specialist hook, so it isn’t the obvious choice for every rig in the box.
- Only available in sizes 5, 6 and 8.
- A sharp, long point still needs checking regularly around gravel, snags and hard lakebeds.
Want one?
Add it to your Wanted list or join a Group Buy — shops see anonymous totals only.
Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01What rigs are the RidgeMonkey Ape-X Chod Hooks for?
What rigs are the RidgeMonkey Ape-X Chod Hooks for?
They’re designed for chod-style presentations and are also a natural fit for hinged stiff rigs. The 10° out-turned eye helps the hook work with that stiff, turning presentation.
02Which size should I choose?
Which size should I choose?
Size 5 is the larger option, size 6 is a very useful middle ground, and size 8 gives you a smaller presentation. Match the hook to the hookbait, target fish and fishery rules rather than choosing purely by habit.
03Are these hooks barbed?
Are these hooks barbed?
Yes. The Ape-X Chod Hooks are barbed and feature a micro barb, so check the rules of the lake you’re fishing before tying one on.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: verdict. The strongest reasons to choose it are purpose-built chod pattern with a 10° out-turned eye. and long needle point and ultra-sharp straight point.; the main trade-off is it’s a specialist hook, so it isn’t the obvious choice for every rig in the box..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Purpose-built chod pattern with a 10° out-turned eye.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Chod and hinged-rig anglers: The out-turned eye and dedicated chod shape are aimed squarely at presentations where the hook needs to turn and grab over messy lakebeds.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “It’s a specialist hook, so it isn’t the obvious choice for every rig in the box.”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
What our readers rate RidgeMonkey Ape-X Chod Hooks
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Owner reports
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