The best and the worst carp gear

paul80 · Jan 31, 2012

Hi guy

Just wondering who makes the best and the worst carp gear.

I know every seems to hate Korda, not sure if that's a hatred of the gear or of DF.

How do you rate some of the other popular gear makers like

Nash
Fox
ESP
Korda
TF-GEAR
Any other make you like

Thanks

Paul

sam vimes · Jan 31, 2012

All the different manufacturers make good, indifferent and, occasionally, bad kit. Even TFG, which I generally wouldn't touch with a bargepole.

My carp kit consists of bits and bobs from Nash, Greys, Shimano, Fox, Korda, Gardner, Solar, Delkim, Korum, ESP/Drennan, Daiwa, Trakker, Angling Intelligence, Pestige, Thinking Anglers and Chub (and probably others).

barbelboi · Jan 31, 2012

I've been using Harrison rods for most of my carp/specialist angling for many years - plenty of variety there and haven't felt the need for change.
Jerry

Peter Jacobs · Jan 31, 2012

The Best:

Older rods were Century 2½lb T/C

Newer rods are Greys X-Flite's 2¾lb T/C

Landing Net is a Greys X-Flite to match the rods

Reels are Diawa Infinity 5500's - Main lines are Shimano Technium

Rod Pod is a Solar Worldwide

Bite alarms and remote are Delkim Txi Plus - purple haze

Other bits and pieces from all different manufacturers, Nash, Fox, ESP etc., but all of my hook length materials are from Kryston.

I tend to use whatever brand suite a particular purpose regardless of associated 'names'

and the Worst:

Nearly forgot, my Bait Boat which is a Viper Mk 3 P.O.S.

mol · Jan 31, 2012

paul80 said:
Hi guy

Just wondering who makes the best and the worst carp gear.

I know every seems to hate Korda, not sure if that's a hatred of the gear or of DF.

How do you rate some of the other popular gear makers like

Nash
Fox
ESP
Korda
TF-GEAR
Any other make you like

Thanks

Paul

I'll echo what has already been said, every tackle company makes some good stuff and some stuff that shouldn't be sold.

Nash - I will not buy anything from Nash;
Fox - Love the lead clips and carp sleeves, illusion is good stuff too. Hate there feature finder leads, backleads and marker floats;
ESP - Use the big T's alots, the funnel mesh is good. Hate their unusally sized lead clips;
Korda - Widegapes, long shanks and throwing stick. Not much else, I find them expensive for what they are;
Kryston - Most of my hooklinks are from them, expensive compare to others but faultless;
Ebay - shrink tube

I used to fish with all the bells and whistles but I don't believe the hype anymore, I find I catch more and spend less if I fish 'basic'.

90% of my fishing is done with a combi link made from supa nova and illusion, widegape hook if I'm fishing over gravel or a big T if not. I always aline with a bit of shrink tube. Thats fished either as a leadclip if I think I need to drop the lead, or running rig on a slack line. Nothing complex

Jim Crosskey 2 · Feb 1, 2012

I tend to grab whatever I need on a trip by trip basis... I'll generally go with ESP for terminal kit when possible, otherwise I'll look for a name brand. However for "best", my definition of this tends to be "effective and bulletproof" - i.e. does it perform the job you purchased it for well and does it last a good amount of tiem thus delivering good value for money. In this category, special mention goes to:

NASH - 4play Outlaw 2-rod pod. Rock steady, Easy to set up. Adjustable rod length (so works with two carp rods on a lake or two avons on a river). Lightweight. Happy in the soil or on gravel or even concrete at a push.

FOX - Micron ES bite alarms. Tells me when I've got a bite (yeah I know - but friends of mine have had alarms that have failed in this most basic requirement!) Had them for six or seven years now and they work today as well as they did the day I bought them. Use standard PP3 batteries too, via a compartment that doesn't need a screwdriver. Easy to set up. Inexpensive. With the plastic snap on case, totally rugged.

waggler · Feb 5, 2012

The worst from the big brands...TFG (Total Fishing Garbage)

dezza · Feb 9, 2012

waggler said:
The worst from the big brands...TFG (Total Fishing Garbage

Hey just hang on a minute.

Matt Hayes says that TFG is the best carp gear on the market, because he's the best carp angler in the world and he uses TFG.

So it must be the best - right!

Berty · Feb 9, 2012

Ron The Hat Clay said:
Hey just hang on a minute.

Matt Hayes says that TFG is the best carp gear on the market, because he's the best carp angler in the world and he uses TGF.

So it must be the best - right!

Watch out for the all new, singing, dancing............Fladen carp gear, endorsed by non other than Matty!

caesarson · Feb 10, 2012

Peter Jacobs said:
The Best:

I tend to use whatever brand suite a particular purpose regardless of associated 'names.

Could not agree more

themyth · Feb 11, 2012

cotswald and aqua make quality luggage,harrison or century for rods.
steer clear of the vision and stillwater tat!

terry m · Feb 12, 2012

I second the remark about Century Rods. I have yet to find better, although Greys are generally pretty good.

barbelboi · Feb 12, 2012

Never used Century although a few of my more carp orientated friends swear by them. As I rarely find the need to cast out of sight my favorites are an aged pair of balista slims.
Jerry

bradp · Feb 26, 2012

Favourite:

Generally swear by fox gear however find them to be a bit pricey these days!

Least favourite:

Badger, ESP pva bags and TFG

I swear by the motto buy cheap buy twice, its really worth shelling out a few extra quid to get something you feel confident with and which will last.

terry m · Feb 27, 2012

barbelboi said:
Never used Century although a few of my more carp orientated friends swear by them. As I rarely find the need to cast out of sight my favorites are an aged pair of balista slims.
Jerry

Just as a point of fact not all Century Rods are built to cast to the horizon. My NGs are through action right into the butt and are a dream to play fish on but would not be much use casting beyond 100-120yds.

Of course they do make some tools that propel leads into next year, but not all of them.

mark brailsford 2 · Feb 29, 2012

Ron The Hat Clay said:
Hey just hang on a minute.

Matt Hayes says that TFG is the best carp gear on the market, because he's the best carp angler in the world and he uses TFG.

So it must be the best - right!

Funny that, did he not used to say that about Shimano???????

Mark

sam vimes · Feb 29, 2012

mark brailsford 2 said:
Funny that, did he not used to say that about Shimano???????

Mark

He doesn't say it about Shimano or TFG now. He's moved on to Fladen.
http://www.fishingmagic.com/news_events/news/15753-trade-news-mattster-joins-fladen.html

dalesman · Feb 29, 2012

Best carps rods I ever had, a pair of century Armalites at 2 3/4 tc. Whish I still had them.

British made in Washington Tyne and Wear

---------- Post added at 03:49 ---------- Previous post was at 03:30 ----------

Lets face it you would put your name to a product if you were offered
£,000's.

Matt Hayes....Shimano, TFG and now Fladden

Des Taylor....Maver and Grand Slam

and the list goes on.

terry m · Feb 29, 2012

The debate regarding integrity and sponsorship is a long running one.

It really boils down to whether you believe what they say. Personnaly, an endorsement from someone that I know personally would always carry more weight.

Morespiders · Feb 29, 2012

barbelboi said:
Never used Century although a few of my more carp orientated friends swear by them. As I rarely find the need to cast out of sight my favorites are an aged pair of balista slims.
Jerry

The only thing you and me have in common

The best and the worst carp gear

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