THROUGH ACTION

If you don’t need to hit big distances, then a through-action rod might be the most satisfying to use when bringing carp to the bank. These can still be powerful enough to lead a fish out of weed or snags, but will generally offer a more ‘connected’ experience during a fight. Each lunge of the fish will be cushioned through the rod.

This action is great for short-range work and playing fish at close quarters. In theory, using these rods will lead to fewer hook-pulls too.

Another feature of this type of rod is the ability to use lighter lines and hooklinks, as the rod itself will act as an extra buffer. So if subtle set-ups fished at short range are your thing, these rods might be best. The pay-off for this security is a lack of casting muscle for long chucks.