Small water Carp rods ?

[Dave Matthews]

Hi all,
Here’s my dilemma, 10 years ago I was a dedicated Carper, I then got into course fishing and today do a bit of everything, float feeder and pole and fish a few matches, if you have never had an angry Carp on a pole you should try it…..
I now have the opportunity to fish a small lake [1.5 acres] that is known to have lots of Carp to mid doubles and a few 25lb specimens, call me lazy but the thought of sitting behind baitrunners reading a book has a certain allure, as opposed to watching a float/tip for hours on end sitting on a metal box, I have no intention of giving up that side of the sport however.

Things have changed, whereas 10 years ago 2.5/2.75 tc rods were commonplace and the top end, everything seems to be 3lb and above now, I’ve seen people use these as a local lake just winching in 8lb carp like a Roach and its not for me, perhaps my trip to the dark side and using a little more finesse [no offence] has changed my view.

As I said the lake is 1.5 acres, so a chuck on no more than 40 yards and using method feeders and I guess small pva bags/stringers. The water is not weedy but is tree lined.

So, do I go with the flow and get 3lb + tc rods, purely for the potential inhabitants, or do I go with my gut and get a couple of 1.75tc rods, that would take 10lb line which I guess, would mean dropping to a specialist rod? that would perhaps give me a bit more involvement in the fight.

I would value your opinion and any recommendations on rods, not too bothered about make or price but let’s say up to £70 each as a starter

 

[Lord Paul of Sheffield]

unless you are casting a long way and the carp aren't too big for 1.75 rod then that's what I would go for

 

[tom_moran]

I very often fish a lake like that, just for fun and tend to use my team daiwa feeder rod for it. Its just a normal feeder rod and is fantastic fun. I've got carp rods and a barbel rod and I've used both there but they take the fun out of it. I've even used a light float rod and a 6 foot cheap chinese telescopic rod there, all of which were great fun.

 

[thecrow]

1.75 is imo the way to go, you might get a few funny looks from the "all the gear no idea" types but they will handle fish well over the size you mention if the water is clear of snags and weeds, they will be kinder on the fish and much more fun for you to use and anyway if you ever decide to have a go on a river they will do that as well. Have a look at the korum Barbel rods, good value for the money the 12ft twin tip is within your range (just).

 

[sam vimes]

I'd suggest a slightly different way. There are sub 3lb TC rods out there if you really look, even without going second hand. I've had an awful lot of fun with short margin rods on waters similar to the one described. The rods I've used, despite having any number of barbel rods from 1.5 to 2.25TC available to me, are Free Spirit E Class Gold 10' Bank Creepers. There are cheaper similar alternative from other manufacturers and Free Spirit also do a "budget" CTX version.

 

[naxian62]

Nash Dwarfs !0ft 1.75tc £40.00 = tons of fun.

 

[mikench]

Mr Corvid, Do you have the Korum rod? I assume you mean the 12 ft twin tip rather that the 12ft 2 piece with a white end bit which is a little cheaper!

 

[tigger]

I'd go for a 12ft rod with a test curve of 1.5lb to 2lb depending on the weed / snag situation. Heavier test rods are imo more of a casting tool for larger waters rather than a fish playing instrument. I can't see the point in getting a shorter rod as "again imo" they offer less control of the fish.

 

[devon stalker]

i do hope your right tigger because ive done exactly that myself 1.5lb,though my local is a large water, but for margin and floater fishing it used to make sense so hopefully it still does after 30 odd years away from it "this week will tell "

 

[tigger]

i do hope your right tigger because ive done exactly that myself 1.5lb,though my local is a large water, but for margin and floater fishing it used to make sense so hopefully it still does after 30 odd years away from it "this week will tell "

I'm always right bud :wh .
I think you'll be ok with those .

 

[Ray Daywalker Clarke]

If the lake is tree lined are you able to use a 12ft rod with ease ?

If not then the 10ft Nash Dwarf are very good, and a great price, 1.75tc should see you just about right.

 

[Dave Matthews]

Hi yes the lake is tree lined, but the swims are well defined and trimmed back, so a 12 footer would be ok, however I am looking at any suggestions posted, this is exactly what I was hoping for, given that the general concensus is that a lighter approach would be ok, its just a matter of making a choice on the rod and the reel for that matter, I was thinking of the Shimano DL 4000/6000 ?

 

[john step]

I cannot spend a lot on rods, preferring the decent end of budget stuff.
I have a pair of Shaky 11ft Sygma Specialist rods at about £35 each.

They cover a multitude of disciplines at 1.5tc and are ideal for light/small water carp. The makers rate them for lines up to 12lb bs.
Nice playing action. A tench will put decent bend in one and it has lower down power for bigger lumps.

 

[Lord Paul of Sheffield]

I have a shimano rod 1.5tc cost £50 - avon top and 3 quiver tip - ideal for mid double carp

 

[Dave Matthews]

Hi all, thanks for all the advice, and I'm definitely going to go down the lighter route, and have some favorite's that in the end wil be a personal choice.
I have one question left, the Chub Outkast plus SW (small water) at 2.25 has been recommended to me the suggestion is that the action of these rods are superb and although a touch higher than originally planned the slightly higher test curve would not make a difference.
Has anyone used these rods ?and would this be a good choice ?

 

[Keith M]

If you intend to use finer tackle (smaller hooks and finer hooklengths) just remember that a carp rod of 2.5lb upwards is not going to be quite as forgiving as a 1.5lb or 1.7lb rod and you might suffer a few more hook pulls or line breaks on a small water; but otherwise it should be fine especially if the rod in question has a fairly forgiving action and it only has a 2.25lb test.

Keith

 

[sam vimes]

If you intend to use finer tackle (smaller hooks and finer hooklengths) just remember that a carp rod of 2.5lb upwards is not going to be quite as forgiving as a 1.5lb or 1.7lb rod and you might suffer a few more hook pulls or line breaks on a small water.

Quite true if you are going to use light line. Everything depends on the rods in question and the techniques employed. I wouldn't want to try big lead or bag work with most 1.5/1.75lb rods I've encountered. I well remember my first proper carp rod being 1.75lb. It was man enough for anything that swims back then, and probably still is. However, the techniques most were using back then involved far lighter weights than many modern methods. No doubt some will say "why would you want to use big leads/bags on a small water?" It's a fair point, but many do want to use modern methods. Get the right 2.5lb rod and you can get something that's versatile enough to use with light and heavy methods that'll still be good fun when playing pretty modest fish. As ever, you can't tell the action of a rod based on nothing but a stated test curve.

 

[Ray Daywalker Clarke]

I wouldn't go any bigger than a 4000 reel size. The Diawa Procaster is a cracking reel for around £55, shop around there are deals out there.


You may want to look at the Korum rod range, for the price they are outstanding rods, I am sure they do a 2lb Tc rod, if your thinking the 1.75 is a little on the light side.

Good Luck

 

[Dave Matthews]

Hi All thanks for all the replies, this forum is excellent for helping wade through the manufactures guff, I thought I would be a bit restricted on what I could get considering my original post, but thats not the case it seems

I have zeroed in on a choice of the following three rods teamed up with a 4000/5000 size reel, I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has used these and can give feedback on their their actions considering my original post wanting a lighter rod for a bit more 'feel'

Korum Twin Top Plus 12' with a 1.75 and a 2.2 tip
Greys Prodigy VX Barbel 12' in either a 1.75 or 2.00 TC
Chub Outkast plus Small Water carp 11' 2.25 TC

Thank you guys

 

[robtherake]

I bought a pair of 1.6lb Youngs barbel rods for this very purpose and they're bloody perfect for the job. Light, well balanced with a biggish baitrunner fitted, soft in the tip and with bags of low-end power, they're a terrific buy. They've already dealt with carp to almost 25lb without drama.:w I wouldn't want to chuck big PVA bags with them, but they're happy with two ounce leads and a teabag of pellets or a PVA stick.


https://www.tacklebargains.co.uk/acatalog/J_W_Young_Ray_Walton_Barbel_Rod_11ft_2pc.html

You can see them in use here: http://www.fishingmagic.com/forums/general-fishing/350900-how-did-you-get-481.html#post1390233