Thread: Rod/Reel advice?

Although some of my carp tackle is pretty exotic, you don't need a lot of special gear. I would suggest a light to medium steelhead rod in the 8.5-9' range. Check out some of Cabela's steelhead rods. They are very reasonably priced. Pair that with a nice reel in the 3000-4000 class and you're all set. Baitrunners are necessary for certain things, but regular spinning reels are perfectly adequate for most carp fishing. I don't use baitrunners.

Lots of good information here for the beginner:

Carp Anglers Group Forums -> Beginning Carping

Carp fishing doesn't have to be as complicated as most put it to be. You don't need baitrunner reels or extra-long rods to catch them. I fish primarily Carp, and I just use closed-face or open-face reels with 12lb monofilament, two of my rods are 7' the other two are 6'. I like the 7' rods for open water casting, and at times would like to have an 8-footer.

I like the rod to be pretty flimsy, I want it to load up on the cast. That's why I like something Medium-action, rated about 6 to 15lb or 8 to 17lb line.

For my reel, it can be anything but a baitcaster. I'm decent with one, but when using lighter weights a baitcaster (especially a round one) doesn't give you a good enough cast. I'd stay with open-faced reels but closed-face works too.

For line, I use monofilament, mainly because of it's cost. I like to use a blue line in about 12lb breaking strength. I prefer Stren, it's a little linky on smaller open-face reels but should work fine on larger ones. I use this blue line because it's pretty visible and I can detect light Carp bites easily. 14lb may work better for larger fish but the fish I catch all range under 10lb's. I haven't gotten hold of a big one just yet.

The rig I use is as simple as anything can get. I tie on a #2 (occasionally a #4 but the #2's result in lower swallowed hooks) baitholder-style hook, Eagle Claw makes some sharp ones, but to tell you the truth I use mainly cheap $1.16 packs of hooks from Wal-Mart, which are baitholder-style as well. After I tie on the hook (using a Clinch knot), I add the largest split-shot I can find about 12-inches above where my hook was tied.

You can also use a "Carolina-rig", as I've heard it lets the Carp feel no resistance, which would be good in highly pressured waters. Use a 1/4oz egg sinker, swivel, 12" leader of clear mono, and a #2 baitholder hook.

Since you're just starting out, don't buy any fancy rods or reels. Go and buy a Shakespeare Tiger spinning combo from Wal-Mart for $20. I use one and it works fine for me!

Originally Posted by JigNgrub1997

You can also use a "Carolina-rig", as I've heard it lets the Carp feel no resistance

Oftentimes, you want the carp to feel resistance. That's how the bolt rig works.

Originally Posted by deathb4disco

Oftentimes, you want the carp to feel resistance. That's how the bolt rig works.

To clarify, as I understand it, the "bolt rig" allows the fish to feel the un-natural resistance of the weight. It then tries to spit out the rig and "bolt" off - thus the name. Doing this causes the fish to get hooked, and the game is afoot.
Carp are somewhat skittish fish and they will shy off from things that they don't recognize. The bolt rig takes advantage of this.