Choosing a carp rod

When choosing a fishing rod, there are several things that can be taken into account. This is the rod length, test curve and rod action. Does it still sound confusing? No worries after reading this blog you know exactly how it works and you can choose your ideal rod.

Rod length

Carp rod lengths are displayed in "feet" (ft), which equals 12 inches (30.48 centimeters). Carp rods are now available in lengths from 9ft - 13ft. The short rods from 9ft to 10ft are mainly used for fishing in places where space is limited. In addition, these rods are useful when fishing from the boat. The advantages of a short rod are that they are easy to carry in the boat and that scooping the fish from the boat is easier.

The 12ft carp rods are the most used and also the most all-round rods to use. These rods are very easy to handle and also make casting very possible. Rods with a length of 13ft are often used for fishing, mainly casting at extreme distances. In addition, a slightly longer rod can be advantageous when fishing in places where there are obstacles. This can take the form of rock dumping or other obstacles.

Test curve

The test curve of a rod indicates to what extent a rod can be loaded. The lb count of carp rods ranges from 1.25lb to 3.75lb. A rod from 1.25lb to 1.75lb is suitable for pin fishing. Rods with a 3.75lb test curve is suitable for casting heavy weights of lead. In general terms, carp rods with a test curve of 2.75lb to 3lb are the most used and can also be used all-round.

Fishing rod action

It is important to keep in mind that the test curve of a rod does not say anything about the casting characteristics. The action of the rod determines the degree to which the rod bends and thus affects the fishing characteristics and the distances it can cast.
There are "slow tapered" rods that are very flexible. The action of these rods is described as parabolic. In addition, there are also "medium tapered" rods. These rods are supple in the top but have a clearly present backbone in the lower part of the rod. This makes these rods the best choice for most carp anglers.
Finally, there are "fast tapered" rods that have a specific top action. For example, these rods are generally very tight and especially fast in the blank. This means that the rods will straighten out very quickly after casting. This ensures that the line has less friction, so that it can be thrown further. The only drawback that should be mentioned with such rods is that they yield less in the top, which can be at the expense of the playing fun.

* The maximum casting distance of fast tapered rods is highly dependent on the angler's experience. In addition, the type of line and the thickness play an important role.