posted by admin on Apr 8

The Carp Fishing Rods Guide

One of the most difficult choices to make in carp fishing is which carp fishing rod to purchase. There are quite a few out there on the market and it really can be difficult to determine which one  (or ones) to get. How big are the carp your fishing? Where are you fishing them? What depth? What bait? What type of fishing are you doing? From land or boat? There are so many factors that go into this that it is difficult to decide.

The carp fishing rods I have fished with thus far are Shakespeare, Chub, Prologic Harrison and Wychwood. Each of these rods has its own pro’s and con’s. If you made me choose a favorite rod though, I would probably say that my Daiwa is the best rod I have fished with.

The John Wilson’s are not too bad either but can get to be a bit pricey. If you can’t make a decision then believe me you’re not alone. With everyone claiming to use Carbon Fiber and Kevlar along with the lightest Blanks it can get confusing. If this is the case, then go to your local fishing spots and ask the guys there, I am certain those guys will be happy to tell you what rods they think are tops.

Below we will take a look at some of the main factors to analyze when you are deciding which carp fishing rod is best for you so that you can make an educated decision on which brand and model to go with.

The Carp Fishing Rods Action

There are two main types of rod action that you will see in carp fishing rods. Tip action, or fast action rods bend mainly at the tip of the rod. Fast action rods are better for casting over long distances. The down side is that they are not so good for playing the fish. Now if you don’t have to cast long range then a through action rod is recommended. Through action rods will bend throughout the length of the rod and this will make playing the fish a nicer experience. This will give you a better chance of successfully setting the hook on the carp. If you are like the majority of the carp fishing population, your fishing will take you into different territories. As a result, the through action is the most versatile and as a result more highly recommended.

The Carp Fishing Rods Length

A 12ft carp rod is usually a good choice for the average carp fisherman. This will handle most fishing scenarios and is a good choice if you are doing a number of types of fishing. When you need to cast your hook over long distances it is best to get a 13 foot rod as the range is longer. When you are margin and/or floater fishing, an 11 foot rod is going to be your best bet. Although, if you will be stalking your carp then I would advise you to use a 10 footer. These are the best for skulking through the brush. As with everything else, the length will depend on exactly the type of fishing you are doing. The types of fishing that we spoke about above are going to be fairly accurate guides to work with regarding the rod length you should get.

The Carp Fishing Rods Materials

Carbon fiber is the standard material for manufacturing carp fishing rods. When you spend more money for the fishing rod you will usually be getting higher quality carbon fiber. It will usually cost more, but Kevlar is sometimes used in the manufacturing of the rod. This makes them stiffer and stronger. The potential negative to the Kevlar rods though is that they are stiffer and can make it more difficult to play the fish. I have used Kevlar rods before and can recall several times when I lost a hook set because of the rigidity. You should pick up a standard carbon fiber rod unless you know that you will be dealing with huge carp.

The Test Curve of the Carp Rod

A carp fishing rod’s test curve is an important factor that you need to take into consideration when choosing your dream carp rod. The amount of weight you will be able to cast is in direct proportion to the test curve of the rod. When the test curve is too high you really lose any sensitivity to the rod which makes it much more difficult to gently draw the fish in. Balance in your carp fishing rod is a necessity and “balance” is determined by the type of fishing you will be doing. 2.25lb (2 1/4lb) test curve and 2.75lb (2 3/4lb) test curve is best for medium to close range fishing. Carp fishing rods in this range are softer when trying to play the fish, but remember that you can’t cast as far.

Which Carp Rod Is The Best?

Fladen, Drennan, Normark, Rod Hutchinson, Wychwood, Daiwa, Shimano, JRC, Shakespeare, TFG (Matt Hayes) , Prologic, Abu Garcia, Masterline, Fox, Chub, Ron Thompson,  Greys, Harrison, John Wilson, Grauvell, E.S.P.

So how are you going to make a decision on which one? I believe that all of these manufacturers develop a good solid fishing rod. First determine what type of fishing you are going to be doing, and then understand exactly what your budget is. Once you’ve done this, any choice that matches will be a winner.

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