Carp Fishing Rods - A Practical Guide to Choosing the Right Carp Rod

What type of carp fishing you are going to be doing? This will be the determining factor when choosing your new carp fishing rods. So let's take a look at few of the popular carp fishing styles and factors to gain a better understanding of what rods are right for each of these.

Margin fishing or fishing under the rod tip is an electrifying experience, big angry carp bursting off at 100 miles an hour requires a good rod that can put the brakes on bring control back in your favour. So what rod to choose? Carp fishing this close requires a good shock absorbing rod and i would recommend a "Through Action Rod". The design allows the full energy of the fight to be absorbed from the tip to the grip giving you greater control over the carp in the margins during the fight. A test curve of around 2.25lb is optimal for this style of fishing.

Stalking carp or sight fishing the art of stealth. This type of carp fishing requires a rod with a little back bone when engaging in difficult areas such as weed or snags. Here I would recommend a smaller rod the not the usual 12 to 13 footer smaller rods tend to have more direct control over the carp in this type of fishing. Therefore a 6 to 9 foot rod is best this gives a better freedom of movement in the bushy areas and less chance snagging in the brush and spooking the carp you have so patiently stalked. A test curve between 1.25 an 2lb is perfect for these rods.


Float fishing for carp there are a few considerations to be made here, such as the weight and length of your rods with float fishing. The weight of the rod is important as you will most likely be holding it most of your fishing session so firstly you will want to hold the rod get a feel of it before purchase. Next is length float rods are generally long from 12 to 18 foot this allows the rod to be very responsive picking the line up from the water quickly and easier to flick your float passed 20 yards, the eyelets are better positioned marginally further off the rods to avoid line sticking to shaft. A test curve of around 1.5 to 2.0lbs is best for these types of carp fishing rods.


Method feeder rods a few things to consider here the action can be fast and brutal so your rod choice needs to match. A good 12ft carp rod with a "Semi Through" action is also design to give excellent shock absorbing qualities whilst playing and landing your carp also giving you great deal of distance and accuracy casting to place you bait. Accuracy is extremely important with method feeding as placing the bait in the same hot zone repeatedly. A test curve 2.75 to 3lb is best for these types of rods.

In summery knowing what type of carp angling you wish to pursue choosing a rod will be a lot easier with the knowledge you have acquired. Happy Carping.

Grant johnson is webmaster for a list of clients in a variety of markets and in particular fishing related niches. He writes for FishingAustralia.com.au and owns several websites in more than one niche. He is a full-time Webmaster and Internet Marketer. His passion for fishing began after catching his first fish at 5 yrs of age.

Carp Fishing Rods

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