So, back to the rods – what do you need?
I still have my bargain rods which are Oakwood Carp; these are 12ft 2 piece rods and have a test curve of 2.5lbs. They have done reasonably well so far, they are the best rod so I will be upgrading soon, they have done their job for now.
I believe that most of your starter budget should go towards your rods and reels. The “Daiwa” rods are a great buy at under £50 and will last a long time. They not only look great, but they also have larger eyes than usual which will allow you to cast further when you have gained some experience a few months down the line. You should definitely start off with these as a minimum, I wouldn’t advise that you go too much cheaper. The test curve you choose is down to preference, but my 2.5lb rods have coped with everything I have thrown at them so far, I may stretch to 3.5lbs for a France trip for example but 2.5lb up to 3lb will do the job fine.
It is possible to buy carp rods for as little as £10 new on eBay – but brands like Daiwa and Fox sell rod’s for not a lot more cash and provides much better value for money, they will definitely last longer, I really would suggest you spend a few extra quid on these known branded rod’s – you won’t regret it.
Cheap Fishing Rods
Cheap rods tend to be heavy, which will make your arms tired when fighting a carp. They also tend to not deal with dives as well as the £50+ rods. It’s important that you invest some money into your rods and reels as they are an integral part of catching fish, although there is no real reason to be spending £200+ for your first carp rod.
Rod Lengths
Typically, a carp rod is 12ft and is made in two sections. It is also possible to buy a 13ft rod, these are generally used to cast further. Smaller rods are available for stalking and smaller carp fishing. Other rods such as quiver tip and float rods can be used, but if you think you will be wanting to catch 20lb+ fish in the future it would be best to stick with the 12ft 2-section rods.
If you struggle for space if your car/shed – it may be of benefit for you to buy 3-section rods or Nash make a telescopic style rod which are pretty nifty!
Test Curve
Another consideration you will need to make when buying a carp rod is the test curve. Again, a typical test curve is between 2.5lb test curve and 2.75lb test curve. The larger the test curve, the more pressure you can apply to the rod when playing the fish, but it will affect other parts of your fishing if you go too high as the rod will be less responsive when playing the fish and could result in more hook pulls.
Top 5 Fishing Rods for Beginners
If you are unsure which rod to buy as a beginner, you won’t go far wrong with the five above. Each of them are trusted named brands and are all at a bargain price.
I have made a lot of mistakes during my fishing sessions and don’t want you to make the same mistakes. I’ve learned the hard way over 20 years of fishing most weekends, testing, tweaking, and testing again and now want to help you excel with your carp fishing.
If you need any help, you can reach me at Fishing Again’s Facebook page
Last Updated on February 14, 2024 by Shane
