Rods and reels for carp fishing need to have qualities above typical equipment. The rods must handle more weight for casting. Besides, they need sensitivity to detect bites. A rare combination in many fishing rods. The reels need to hold enough line. Also, have to allow the line to come off freely when a carp bites. This requires specific equipment for a serious carp angler.
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In the United Kingdom, it is easy to find proper gear. The United States does pose some problems finding suitable tackle. Anglers often must purchase rods from the U. K. and pay high shipping rates. There are few in the U. S. but the selection is limited. An angler wanting better tackle for carp has to decide between the two options. Either option is going to cost more than many conventional rods available in the U. S. also.
Carp Fishing Rods
Temple Fork Outfitters Tactical Series Carp Rod
This is a higher quality carp rod. A serious carp angler will want the better tackle. Temple Fork Outfitters has rods designed and developed by Gary Loomis. This is the man who made the G Loomis line of rods.
- The 12-foot model features six double-footed guides plus the tip-top.
- Fast action, two-piece rod.
- The Carp series rods feature TFO’s proprietary, Tactical Series guides. Tactical Series guides utilize machined stainless steel inserts which are swaged into a chromium-impregnated stainless steel frame. What does all this mean? Super hard, super slick, braid-safe, saltwater-safe guides that are 30 percent lighter than standard SiC guides. TFO Carp rods have a matte black finish and premium cork split-grip.
The rod is freshwater and saltwater suitable. This rod uses stainless guides. They are good for braided line and in salt waters. This is a no-frills rod built to perform.
Daiwa Black Widow Carps
The Black Widow carp rods are based on the same blanks as their successful predecessors. These rods have been adapted to the latest requirements of carp fishing. The handle section below the reel seat is completely covered. The black shrinking tube and features a high grip. The blanks offer high power reserves, which catapult your rigs to long distances. Equipped with titanium oxide double leg guides.
- Daiwa Carpfishing Rod
- Length: 12 feet, Testcurve: 3.00 lbs, 1.97-inch Starter guide
- Transport length: 6.17 feet / 188 centimeter
- Sections: 2, Guides: 6, weight: 13.00 ounce / 369 gram
The rod has a great flex for fighting carp. A carp rod needs to have a good flex to wear the fish down while fighting. The power and action determine the flex in a rod. These are very good rods for carp fishing.
Daiwa Maddragon Carp Rods
The Maddragon is an entry-level rod for carp fishing. This rod is lower-cost with the performance needed in a carp rod. The rod handles casting method feeders and other rigs with ease. Casting carp bait requires a rod that has the right flex.
- Carbon and fiberglass composite blank combines the power and sensitivity of carbon material with the resilience of fiberglass
- Aluminum oxide guides
- Half-hood, quality reel seat
- Shrink tube handle
Carp fishing uses dough-ball and pack bait in most cases. These are loose bait that comes off when casting with the wrong rod. The rod must have a soft load but enough spring for distance. This rod has those qualities at an affordable price.
Carp Fishing Reels
Carp fishing reels are the spinning style. It is what the vast majority of serious carp anglers choose. Live bait fishing is easier on the reel compared to casting lures. Carp fishing is a cast and wait for a bite style of fishing. There are a few features that help in the choice of carp reels to pair with the rods.
Carp fishing uses longer casts for lakes. A reel needs enough line to cast effectively. Plus have enough line left on the spool to fight the fish. The size of a reel covers this aspect. A 4000 size reel or larger is common with carp anglers. Fishing an area with a lot of big carp goes with a bigger reel.
Also, the spool design affects casting. Reels have many spools designs. Some are deep and short while others are long and shallow. A long and shallow spool lets you cast farther. There is less friction when the line comes off.
Using bait with carp is a delicate undertaking. A carp has a sensitive mouth and spits out anything it feels foreign. A reel needs to let the line come off freely. A carp will feel the tension and spit the bait. Using a bait runner reel eliminates the problem. These are reels with two drags and a switch. One drag is for fighting the fish. The other is for spool tension in runner mode. The switch flips between the two drags.
Daiwa ECLTBR5000-C Emcast Bite & Run Spinning
This reel has the features a carp angler needs in a reel. The dual drag system with a switching clutch. A longer shallow spool for longer casts. The bait-runner feature allows the fish to run with the bait. There is no resistance until the handle is engaged and the drag kicks in. It features a Carbon Light Body, 4 bearing System (3 + 1), and a machined aluminum folding handle. Also, a Daiwa Air Rotor is lite and smooth. This reel has a 5. 2: 1 gear ratio.
- Automatic Bite n’ Run Clutch
- Carbon light body
- Machined aluminum folding handle
- Digigear system
- 4 bearing system (3 + 1)
Okuma Avenger Baitfeeder ABF-40b
Okuma is one of the first companies to offer bait runner technology. This reel is designed for bait fishing. The runner drag is adjustable for precision. A turn of the handle engages the main drag. There is no need to turn off the bait-runner. Simply turn the handle and set the hook. The reel has a large line capacity.
- On/Off auto trip bait feeding system
- Multi-disc, Japanese oiled felt drag system
- 6BB + 1RB stainless steel bearing system
- Corrosion-resistant frame, side plate, and rotor
- Rigid metal handle design to reduce flex
- RESII: Computer balanced Rotor Equalizing System
- Machined aluminum, 2-tone anodized spool
- Quick-Set anti-reverse roller bearing
- CFR: Cyclonic Flow Rotor technology
- Precision machine-cut brass pinion gear
Okuma Ceymar Baitfeeder Spinning Reel
Okuma Fishing Tackle delivers more than just fishing gear. They deliver the motivation to hit the water. The Ceymar is a great choice in a bait runner reel. The auto trip bait feeding system is simple. The brass gears are the higher level in reel components.
The graphite body and rotor offer strength with less weight. The 8 bearings provide smooth long-lasting service in the reel. Advance rotor control to improve the line lay.
- On/off auto trip bait feeding system
- Multi-disc, Japanese oiled felt drag washers
- Precision machine-cut brass pinion gear
- Corrosion-resistant graphite body and rotor
- 8 ball bearings
- 15.8 oz
- CFR: Cyclonic Flow Rotor technology
- Aluminum spool
KastKing Sharky Baitfeeder III
The Kast King Sharky comes with 2 spools. This allows an angler to spool two strengths of the line. Using a lighter line when fishing areas where line visibility is an issue helps. The other spool can have a heavier or abrasion-resistant line for waters with more hazards.
This reel comes with a high drag making it suitable for large catfish. Anglers often target carp and catfish as their preferred species. The reel has dual useability for the purpose.
- NEW! KastKing Sharky Baitfeeder III is a unique bait feeder style fishing reel with classic front and rear drag functions. Approved for freshwater and saltwater fishing.
- DURABLE-Each Sharky Baitfeeder III live liner fishing reels have 10 + 1 shielded stainless steel ball bearings, precision alloy gears with a 5.5:1 gear ratio, and a stainless steel main shaft.
- POWERFUL-The Sharky Baitfeeder spinning reels have carbon fiber drag washers for up to 26.5 Lbs/ 12 Kg of the smoothest fishing reel carbon drag on the fishing tackle market.
- INSPIRED DESIGN- The KastKing reel features a CNC aluminum Shark Fin Braid Ready Spool, a high modulus corrosion free graphite body, and computer balanced rotor. Also comes with a spare high strength graphite spool.
- VERSATILE – KastKing Sharky Baitfeeder III has a black and red color scheme, and is equipped with interchangeable right or left-hand handle with sure-grip T-handle for great spinning reel performance.
Summary
Carp fishing can be done with an all-around set-up. Yet some anglers choose to specialize in carp fishing. These rods and reels are designed for long casting and the weights involved in carp fishing.
Anglers choosing to specialize in carp will be well rewarded with this proper gear. It will make casting and fighting the fish more enjoyable.
John McIntyre