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Carp Fishing

Q.Why do I need different rods to fish for carp?

A.The important factor in selecting any combination of rod, line, hook size for any type of fishing is "Balance". If the size of hook and strength of line do not balance with the "Test Curve" of the rod you will suffer lost fish due to line breakage or hook pulls.

The "Test Curve" of a rod is the pressure needed in pounds and ounces to pull the tip at right angles to the butt. This gives an indication of the line strengths that will balance with the rod and the ideal casting weight to achieve maximum distance.

For example a carp rod may have a test curve of 2lbs. The ideal casting weight will be 2ozs and the best suited line will be 8lbs -10lbs. Similarly a carp rod with a 3lb test curve will cast up to around 3ozs and be best suited to a 12lb -15lb breaking strain line.

If you apply the same calculation to a float rod which has a test curve of no more than 12ozs you will see that this would match lines of only around 4lb breaking strain and cast up to only 0.75ozs., obviously too light for serious carp fishing.

Unless you are fishing large waters where you need to cast in excess of 75 yards to reach fish then 12ft 2.5lb test curve rods (casting around 2.5ozs and balanced to 10lb - 12lb line ) are ideal.

Q.What reels match these rods ?

A.The main requirements of a carp reel are that it is large enough to hold the required amount of line (200yds of 10lb - 12lb), is sufficiently robust to withstand the landing of double figure fish and is fitted with a quality drag system to prevent lost fish.

The most popular type of reel used today is the Shimano Baitrunner. This type of reel fulfils all three criteria and in addition has the facility to release the drag setting at the flick of a lever in order that you can fish with a closed bail arm and yet still offer no resistance to a taking fish.

Other manufacturers such as Daiwa and Shakespeare make similar types of reel.

Q.Must I have bite alarms, bivvies, rod pods etc.?

A.In a word No. The essentials are rod, reel, line, hook and bait. Everything else either aids presentaion or makes life more comfortable for you the angler.

Q.What about Hair Rigs, Bolt Rigs, Helicoter Rigs, Stiff Rigs etc.?

A.The simplest carp rig is a hook and a chunk of bread crust freelined on the surface. No weights, just using the weight of the bread to enable you to cast.

All other rigs follow on from this is in an attempt to increase the number of runs you get from feeding fish during your fishing session.

By mounting the bait on a "hair" rather than directly onto the hook results in more positive takes from shy biting fish.

The concept relies on the fish being hooked as it tries to eject the bait from its mouth and "bolting" against the resistance of a weight.

All of the rigs you mention are variations on the same theme.

Q.Where can I go carp fishing?

A. Commercial carp fisheries have opened in all areas of the UK and nobody is more than a few miles away from waters that are heavily stocked with carp up to double figures. Cost varies between around five and ten pounds for a days fishing. These waters are heavily stocked with fish and are ideal venues to gain experience of catching carp.

Are you ready to give it a try? Take me to the Kits !!

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