FishingSage.com

(This article has been written to give you the information you need, for making the best choices, when choosing for the equipment that is required to start carp fishing.

In this article, there is a lot of information about carp fishing tackle. If you are new to carp fishing or fishing in general, this might be too much to take in at once, so take your time in reading this article. And, in order to really digest this information, you might want to read it again at some point in the future.)

As you take up carp fishing as a hobby, one of the first things to consider, is what kind of equipment you need. Before you actually buy carp fishing tackle, make sure what your needs are – how big fish are you after, how often you plan on going carp fishing and how much you can spend on your gear.

If you are someone who likes all kinds of different types of fishing, like pike fishing for example and only plan on going carp fishing once in a while, you probably don’t want to spend all your money on special carp fishing gear.

If you have the right bait and rig, use the right methods and are skilled enough, you can catch carp with a rod and reel that are not really meant for carp fishing. However, if you want to have the best experience, or if you want to have the best shot at hooking one of the really BIG ones, special equipment will definitely give you an edge.

Because carp fishing has been extremely popular in Europe for a long time now and because of the incredible intelligence and strength of these fish, a huge amount of specialized equipment, baits and different catching methods have been created.

If you are a full-time carp fishing fanatic or are planning to become one, I highly recommend that you get yourself the best quality carp fishing tackle that you can pay for. Not only will your chances of catching large carp be greater, you will also enjoy yourself more. It’s a lot more pleasurable to catch fish with a smooth reel and a comfortable rod than some rusty old junk that clatters loudly enough to scare away all fish in a hundred yards.

There is no point in being too stingy about spending money on good carp fishing rods as thanks to today’s technologies and materials, they’re practically ageless and very durable. Well-cared-for carbon-fiber fishing rods will last for years and can later be sold, if you want to buy new ones. The rotation of expensive fishing equipment is quite spread in the world, because good things are always in price. In fact, if you are planning on buying your first carp fishing kit, perhaps an already used one would be perfect. Of course, buying used stuff is always a risk, so think this through carefully before making your choice.

So, if you’re serious about carp fishing and plan on getting all the right equipment, there are quite a few things you need to know.

• Carp Fishing Rods

First of all, before you choose your rod, you must know its qualities and how it performs, so you could make the best choice in regard to your needs and ability. For that you need to know it’s “test curve”  and “action”.

“Action” shows how the rod responds to bending force and how fast it returns to its neutral position. The three main categories are “slow taper”, “medium taper” and “fast taper”(or “through action”, “medium action” and “fast action”).

The “slow taper” rod is meant for those who plan on fishing close to the shore and love to spend more time playing the fish. This rod curves in its entire length, making it ideal for playing carp at close range, as it gives maximum control over the nearby fish and minimizes the chances of a hook pull or a broken line. It’s best for making short accurate casts and enables the use of thinner line and smaller weights. However, its softness makes it ineffective for long casts and playing fish at long distances.

[Note: This is probably the best type of rod if you are planning to use the "Stalking Method". However, if you want to use a PVA bag or a spod and still want to use a through action rod, you must first make sure the rod is rigid enough to handle the weight(more on that below).]

(In this video you can see a bit of the Stalking Method and some general good carp fishing)

The “medium action” rod is the most common of the three main types and unlike the slow taper, this rod curves mostly from the middle which gives it the qualities of a medium distance rod. Even though it’s not good for fishing very far or very near, it can be considered a kind of all-situations-rod, as it is good for playing carp, can cast medium sized weights and even small to medium sized PVA bags and spods. The more rigid rods of this type can even cast to distances over a hundred yards.

The fast taper rod is meant for casting heavy weights to extremely long distances(150 yards or more). To be able to reach that far of course requires experience and right casting techniques. Unlike the other two types, this rod curves at the tip which makes it good for playing fish at long distances, but at close distances the rod’s stiffness becomes a hindrance, as one is unable to feel the fish well enough which could result in a broken line. Because of the stiffness, playing the fish is also not as fun as it could be.

[Note: At these kind of distances it is usually better to use braid instead of ordinary fishing line as braid stretches very little, giving a better feel of the fish. At close distances however, the opposite is true, as the stretching line softens carp's runs and makes playing the fish easier and more enjoyable.]

The “test curve” shows how rigid the rod is. For example, a rod that has a test curve of 3,5lbs (1,6kg) will bend to an angle of 90 degrees if you apply a weight of 3,5lbs to its tip, while at the same time the handle of the rod is in a straight horizontal position. The higher the test curve, the larger the force the rod is going to handle and the heavier the weights can be, which also results in longer casts, even though the length of the cast is more dependent on the “action” of the rod, rather than the “test curve”.

Long powerful rods are becoming more and more popular these days as carp is growing bigger than ever. If you are fishing in a weedy area, especially if there are big carp around, you should consider getting some of the more rigid rods.

[Note: Another way of measuring rigidity is to look at the maximum weight the rod can support casting.]

For the most part, carp fishing rods that are made in the test curve range of 2,75-3,5lb, with the maximum cast-able weight in the range of 80-120gr and are about 3,6-3,9m(12-13 feet) long, have proved to be the most optimal. But of course, if there are special conditions, you might need something different. For example, if you want to cast a very heavy PVA bag, you might need a sturdy rod with 4 lb test curve or so, especially if the rod is not originally meant for long distance casting.

Besides the test curve and action, there are some other small factors which determine the balance, recovery rate and overall feel of a rod. Testing the rod in the shop will not give you the complete picture of what that rod is capable of. Only a true experience of catching carp will do that.

To get the rods and equipment that is best suited for your needs, you can always ask for more advice from experienced anglers that you know or from a fishing forum. Fishing shops, especially the big ones, usually have quite knowledgeable salespeople, who know extensively about what they sell and can give quite good advice, so don’t be afraid to ask.

• Carp Fishing Reels

The most common reel used in carp fishing is the baitrunner reel. It is a fixed-spool reel with two separate clutches. The first clutch is set to just under the breaking strain of the line you are using and the second clutch is set, so that minor movements, like wind or waves wouldn’t drag line off your reel. The baitrunner clutch is also useful in case there is a sudden pull from a fish. So instead of pulling your rod into the water, it freely pulls off more line. If you then turn the handle, the carp reel instantly engages the first clutch and you can start playing the fish. It is also important that the reel could hold at least 200 yards of 0,3 mm fishing line if you plan on fishing far from the shore. You wouldn’t want to be on the end of your line when playing a 30lb carp up and down the lake.

• Carp Fishing Line

The most common fishing line used for carp fishing is about 0,3 – 0,35 mm in diameter. That’s more than enough if you are fishing for carp under 25 lbs. It is important to make sure the fishing line isn’t floating and should be harmonious with the color of the bottom you are fishing on as carp have extremely good eyesight and are very cautious. This is especially true in a lake that has clear water or is frequently fished for carp as these fish adjust to the danger and can learn quite clever strategies to evade capture. To make sure the carp doesn’t notice the line near your rig, you can use small weights to keep it hard on the bottom.

• Carp Fishing Weight

In this type of carp fishing the weight has a very important part to play. Its shape is selected according to how far and what kind of bottom you are fishing on. A heavy weight will fly further, yet a smaller one will be less visible to the fish. A flat sided weight is used on a hard bottom and especially on a slope as it doesn’t roll. Round weights are used in places that have a softer bottom. It is also important to pay attention to the aerodynamic qualities of the weight, as it will fly further and more accurately.

• Carp Fishing Hooks

When fishing for carp, use the smallest hook you possibly can. A big hook has a firmer hold, but is much more easily noticed, as carp has very sharp senses. The size of the hook must always be in harmony with the size of the bait you are using. A size 8, inward eye hook will fit most circumstances, but you might still want to have 5 or so different types and sizes for specific situations. For example, on some lakes, the use of a barbed hook is forbidden, so it’s always good to have a set of barbless hooks with you, just in case.

It is also very important to make sure the hook is sharp enough, before you attach it to the rig. To test the sharpness of a hook, all you must do, is place the hook point on your thumb nail and then gently pull it toward the tip of the nail. If it grips and makes a thin line, it’s sharp enough, but when it simply slides over your nail, it’s become dull and should not be used.

Carp hooks should not reflect sunlight, as that would make them painfully visible. Either buy a black hook, or color it with a waterproof smell-less marker. Most fishing stores have special carp hooks on sale, so choosing for them won’t be much of a problem.

• Carp Fishing Kit

If you want to use the most ordinary(and perhaps the most foolproof) method to catch carp, you will need two or three rods combined with baitrunner reels, each holding up to 200 yards of fishing line, that’s at least 0,3 mm thick. It would be ideal, if the rods and reels were all identical, because it’s easier to make accurate casts and play the fish, when all your rods behave the same way.

To hold these rods you need a rod support system, combined with bite alarms and bite indicators. For the rod support system you can either get a Rod Pod, that’s good to use on hard ground, or some Bank Sticks, which must be stuck into the ground.

The bite alarm is an invaluable tool, as it registers the smallest pull, so you wouldn’t have to watch the line all the time, fearing you would miss the bite. Having a bite alarm makes carp fishing a lot more comfortable, so getting one should be a priority.

The rest of the standard equipment for carp fishing includes rigs, rig components and rig tying tools, bait components and bait mixing containers, PVA bags, method feeders and spods, a slingshot, a comfortable chair, a large dense landing net, an unhooking mat, tackle boxes and bags, a tent, a bed chair, a sleeping bag, a headlamp(if you plan on fishing at night), food and drinks, warm clothes and sleepwear.

You do not have to buy all of this stuff at once, or ever if you choose not to. Most big fishing stores have starter backs for beginners, that contain most, if not all of the equipment you need to get started. The amount of equipment you need depends entirely on when and how you plan on catching carp.

If money is an issue and you can’t afford to buy a full carp fishing kit, start off with just buying the bare essentials: one rod(or use the one(s) you already have); a reel(it doesn’t have to be a baitrunner); fishing line; rig components(tie a rig); use sweet corn as bait and get a backback stool to hold your stuff. If you’re willing to get your feet wet, you can even get by without an unhooking mat or a landing net, but be careful not to injure the fish if you plan on releasing it.

When you start off with the Stalking Method and don’t plan on spending the night at the lake, you can get by with very little equipment. In time, after you have caught a few carp and want to improve your catch rate or use a more passive method of fishing, you might want to increase your arsenal. If you’re like most fishermen then at one point you will probably need a small trolley to carry all of your stuff.

• Carp Fishing Rigs

When it comes to carp rigs, you can either buy ready made ones off the shelf or buy the components and tie them yourself, whatever suits you the best. Of course, buying ready made carp rigs is many times pricier than making them yourself, but compared to the rest of your equipment, it’s still a pretty small investment. If you have never tied a rig before in your life, buying a few would probably be the best choice. However, if you decide to tie your own rigs, make sure you know all the right knots and carefully follow the instructions. A small error in tying your rig could make it a lot less effective.

The basic rules of tying carp fishing rigs are to always match the bait size to the size of the hook, always make sure the carp can loose the weight in case of a break and make sure the rig isn’t too visible on the bottom. Some fishermen even go as far as to use a weight that looks exactly like a stone and cover the line near the hook with a fake weed. But in general, keep them simple.

(Here’s a detailed video on how to tie one of the most foolproof carp rigs.)

May you catch a big one!

Sage

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