What to look out for When choosing a rod...
Fast-action
These rods are casting tools, with a stiff butt section for power and a whip-crack tip section for flinging leads to the horizon.
In years gone by, such dedicated casting rods would be dismissed as ‘broom handles’ that take the fun out of fighting a carp. But not any more. Modern rods with high test curves are actually more than adequate at playing fish in an enjoyable manner while still being able to hurl rigs hundreds of yards.
While most carp rods are 12ft, some of those designed for hitting extreme distances are a foot longer. However, with both 12ft and 13ft rods it’s important to be confident that you’ll use their full potential. Some of these rods take a lot of power to ‘compress’ – something that can take time to perfect. If you’re not the best caster, then buying a fast-action rod might be like shelling out on a Ferrari and only using it to nip to the shops.
At A glAnce Good for: Long-distance fishing and casting big leads and solid PVA bags.
Drawbacks: Stiffish tip section can lead to hook-pulls at close range.
Reel seat
Virtually every carp rod features a secure screw-in reel seat these days.These keep your reels steadfastly in place during the biggest casts and longest battles. Most of these fittings will accommodate even the largest reels, but it’s prudent to make sure yours will fit if you’re using big-pit reels. Remove your reels every few months to prevent the seat seizing up.
tHRouGH-action
If you don’t need to hit big distances, then a through-action rod might just 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 throughout the length of the rod. This action is great for short-range work and playing fish at close quarters and, in theory, using these rods will lead to fewer hookpulls at the net.
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 the best bet. The pay-off for this security is a lack of casting muscle. If you regularly use PVA bags or large Method feeders, then a through-action rod might not have the power to launch them far enough.
At A glAnce Good for: Short-range and margin fishing with rigs up to about 2.5oz.
Drawbacks: Lack of backbone means casting distances can be compromised.
Guides
Japanese company Fuji is the dominant name in rod guides and the firm’s products adorn a large percentage of modern carp rods. Clean your guides regularly to keep them friction-free for smooth casts. Modern fashion calls for 50mmwide butt rings (the eye nearest the reel), but these will only aid the most extreme casts.
middle-to-tip-action
These rods are a combination of the two models detailed to the left and make up the majority of carp rods you’ll find in your local tackle shop.
They will have enough power to cast reasonably heavy leads and PVA bags decent distances. However, they will also be soft enough to cushion a fighting carp at close quarters and provide welcome feedback to the angler during the battle. So if you fish a variety of waters and can only afford one set of rods, these are likely to be the best option.
Some middle-to-tip-action rods will be more suited to casting, while others will be a little more forgiving, but almost all of them will cope with angling situations from the margins to 100 yards.
Sometimes test curves can be deceiving but in this sector of the market the test curve figure will give a good indication of the way such a rod is designed to be used.
At A glAnce Good for: Covering most situations from the margins up to about 80-100 yards.
Drawbacks: None. Overall, the best rod option to choose for all-round carp angling.
Handle mateRial
The material you prefer on the handle of the rod is purely down to personal taste. However, be aware that some butt rests will be better suited to certain handle types. Handles have got dramatically thinner in recent years, with slick Japanese shrink-wrap outselling spongy Duplon. Cork handles have a classic appeal that still endures.