Tag Archives: Fishing Rods

Carp fishing Reels, fixed spool or baitrunner which is best?

As well as carp fishing rodscarp reels are a very important part of your tackle that you will need to get right. You will find two types of carp reel that anglers use when they go fishing. One is the fixed spool one clutch reel and the other is the baitrunner two clutch reel. Both carp reels have their supporters and critics, but they both in essence do a similar job.

Fixed Spool Reel

The fixed spool reel is normally setup with the clutch set just under the breaking strain of the line however it does have potential problems. If a big carp was to take your bait and make a run for it then there will be a very good chance of one of two things occurring.

The first thing that will probably happen is that the run would be so fierce that it would break your line before you were able to get to the rod and release the clutch some more.  The other thing that would probably happen if the line didn’t break is that the rod would be pulled from it’s rest and the next you know is your rod and reel will be seen sailing across the lake after the carp. 

 
Really the only time that this kind of carp reel is really any good is if you happen to be sat right next to it and saw the initial indication of the bite and was prepared for when the carp made it’s big run.  You could leave the bail arm off instead of setting the clutch but try that during a windy day and you will end up with all your line over the floor in a terrible mess.

Baitrunner Reel

This two clutch carp reel is the most commonly used one when fishing for carp nowadays.   Your normal (first) clutch is set up to match the breaking strain of the fishing line. With this clutch engaged you cast you bait out and set your rod up on a rod rest or pod. Once you are happy with the position of the bait, you then engage the lighter (second) clutch called the baitrunner.

Similar to the first clutch you will also be able to adjust the tension of the second clutch so if you are fishing in windy conditions or moving water you would increase the tension of the clutch, in still conditions you will have the clutch tension on a lighter setting. With your clutch set up correctly a fish could take the bait, bolt and would take line from your spool without it getting tangled or dragging your rod and reel into the water.

To engage the second clutch is as easy as picking up your rod and turning the handle of your carp reel. The turn of the handle instantly engages the first clutch that is set up to match your fishing line weight.

Carp reels should really therefore be of the baitrunner type, and although a little dearer than the normal fixed spool carp reel, the added cost could mean the difference between landing that large specimen or losing your rod and reel altogether.

 

With all the carp fishing equipment out there it is a good idea to get some knowledge before parting with your money. If you would like to know more then visit www.carpfishingequipment.org

Carp Fishing Equipment the basics you need to get started

Preparation is key when you are looking to take up carp fishing.  The price of the equipment will vary depending on the carp fishing rodscarp reels  and accessories that you want to purchase.  You can pick up a basic set for around £50-£60 or you can go more upmarket and spend hundreds if not thousands.  For someone just starting out it is advisable to study as many reviews and fishing magazines to guage what carp fishing gear is out there.  Again you’ll want to think about the waters that you’re going to be fishing before making any purchases.

Where you decide that you are going to fish is one of the factors that you need to think about before you purchase any carp fishing equipment.  If you are looking to fish thickly weeded areas where you might have to bully a fish to land it  then you need to take a look at a heavier sort of tackle.  If however you are fishing a gravel pit or a large lake free of weed then you can get away with lighter tackle as you can give the fish a lot more slack.

Another great idea is to visit the waters and talk to the anglers that already fish there, by doing this you will probably get a good idea of the kind of tackle that is used.  These people will have no financial interest in the carp fishing equipment for sale in the tackle shops which means you ought to be able to get an unbiased review on what is required for each fishery.
When you have decided what type of tackle you are looking for then it is time to visit the tackle shops.  You should physically visit the tackle shops so you can get an actual feel of different rods and reels.  Once you have got a feel for the rod and reel hold off from making a purchase and begin to shop around.  You will almost certainly manage to get a better deal on the internet and as you will have physically handled the products you are not buying blind.

In addition to a rod and reel there are two other items that you will need to purchase. One of them is a landing net which needs to be at least 42″.  You also need to ensure that it has a fine mesh so that the carp’s fins cannot get caught.  You also must have an unhooking mat as this is a requirement on every fishery which you visit.

What you must not do when buying your carp fishing equipment is try to do things on the cheap. There may be a lot of temptation to buy a basic kit when you are first starting out, but could wind up cursing your luck when that 30 pounder gets away due to your inferior equipment.

 

With all the carp fishing equipment out there it is a good idea to get some knowledge before parting with your money. If you would like to know more then visit  www.carpfishingequipment.org

Carp fishing rods the three types you need to be aware of

The choice of rod is very important when you are going after that elusive specimen carp. There are so many different makes of carp fishing rods and carp reels on the market every one for a specific type of fishing.  There are three main types of rod to consider every one of them dependant on where you are going to fish.  

You will often see when looking to select a rod a mention of a rod’s test curve. A test curve is determine by how much weight it takes to bend the rod through 90 degrees. The most common test curve is 2.5 lb which is normal for close to medium range fishing. If you are looking to fish long distances then a 3lb test curve would probably be more suitable.

The three main styles are as follows.

All through action

These bend through the whole length of the rod. You will often feel the rod bending under the handle. This type of rod is for playing fish with the best safety margin rather than a casting tool. These rods usually feel nicer and are a pleasure to use.

Medium action

The bend on these rods starts about two thirds the way down the rod. This offers a pleasant bend on the rod whilst there’s still power left in the butt to control a good fish. These rods certainly give a greater safety margin when playing a fish but at the expense of some casting distance. This kind of action is the one that I recommend and frequently use myself

Fast tip action

These will usually feel extremely stiff as they bend only in the tip section with other joints remaining rigid. These rods are intended for fast pick-up and long casting. The disadvantage is that every movement of a fish tends to get transmitted right down to the hand. There is also no cushion if the fish makes a sudden run as it is being netted. This can result in the line breaking or the hook being pulled out.

Most rods are made from hollow tapering tubes from a mixture of carbon and glass fibres bonded by a resin. The more carbon present in the mixture, the more expensive the rod. It will also make the rod stiffer and allow manufacturers to reduce the diameter of the tube. Most cheaper rods are manufactured from a mix containing a larger proportion of glass fibres. These rods are often referred to as composites. These are cheaper, less stiff, more robust and of larger diameter and by being less stiff and more robustthey make good carp fishing rods for the beginner.

 

 

With all the carp fishing equipment out there it is a good idea to get some knowledge before parting with your money. If you would like to know more then visit  www.carpfishingequipment.org

Carp Fishing – Right Equipment For It

It is a misconception of the majority of fishermen that any kind of fishing gear will haul in the carp they wish to catch. However, though thought to be the rubbish of the lake, the carp are devious creatures and not easy to bait at all. In case you are planning on angling for carp, it is wise to spend that little extra amount and get the correct gear for fishing for carp. Though a few people feel that the gear will not make much of a difference, in reality it will and the amount that you will be able to catch with the right equipment is truly much larger than without.

The right gear for carp fishing
Different fishing rods are required for various sizes of carp fish. The carp weigh around 15 pounds in the smaller lakes and up to 30 pounds in the larger lakes. So for you to be able to grapple with a larger fish you would need a stringer and bigger rod. The 15 pound fish will need a one and a half pound to two pound test curve rod and a three pound test curve would be required to handle anything above 15 pounds. The size of the rod also depends on the distance of fishing, as the rod will have to handle both the weight of the carp and the fishing distance.

The reel would also have to be considered according to the kind of rod you are using and also depends on the type of rod and distance that you will be casting. The reel must be well-matched to the rod also. It is better to buy both things together so that you do not mix up the issues. All proficient fishermen advise a bait runner kind of reel. This will prevent you from getting dragged into the lake.

The fishing line is another part that has to be considered carefully. The reel and the rod would give you a hint as to the size of the fishing line you have to get. Once again the line should be able to bring in the carp that you are baiting and this depends on the weight of the fish. A rough guess is the most suitable way to determine this is by the size of your rod.

The hooks are also available in various shapes, sizes, colors etc. Most anglers will put together an assortment of carp fishing gear that has a range of weights, hooks, and tools. Another must do that is advised by expert an angler is that you purchase a carp hook. You may have to spend a little more, but will benefit in the long run. Here you will have to take care that you buy the kind of hook that is permitted by the fishery laws of that county. Barbed hooks are banned in some places and if you do not observe these regulations in the law you could land up in trouble.

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Carp Fishing, What Do I Need?

There are so many bits of equipment available that will make the carp fishermans dream come true. But make sure that you have the basics for your carp fishing expeditions to begin with. Before going out on a fishing gear spending spree, make sure that you are familiar with the types of places that you are fishing in, and what size of carp are being caught in the area.

Important Tackle
A good landing net that is fairly large in size is needed when carp fishing. Reliable forceps are needed to detangle hooks. To take the hook out of a carps mouth, you will need an unhooking mat. Fish like carp should never be placed on hard surfaces while the hooks are being removed.

Carp Rods
Depending on where you are fishing, Carp rods for small lakes and carp around the size of 15lbs need 1 ½ to 2 lb test curve. For distance, casting 3lb is ideal. There are other types of carp rods such as fast taper tip action, medium tip action and all through action. The conditions you are fishing in will have a lot to do with your choice.
For close work, the all through action rod is perfect, while distance will require a medium action rod as this will bend easily at the tip. For really long distance work when heavy weights need to be cast long distances, the fast tip action rod is the best.

Carp Reels
Reels need to be matched to your carp rod, so depending on the type of fishing that you are doing, you will want to choose something that feels comfortable and balanced on your rod as well as does the job that you need it to do. If you are not sure of the sizes needed, speak to someone in your local tackle shop, they will provide you with advice and choices in carp reels.

Line for your reel
Again, the line has a lot to do with your rod and reel. Keep in mind, though, not to use line that is too light, this will result in more lost fish and tackle. There are lines available called braids that seem to be popular, or using a standard monofilament line is just as good.

Hooks
Carp hooks should never be cheap. A cheap hook means a lost fish in most cases. Buy the better quality hooks. Compared to the cost of other equipment discussed here carp hooks are relatively inexpensive anyway. Make sure that the hooks that you buy are barb-less if that is the requirement in your area by the fishery department. A selection of hooks from a number 4 to 12 hook sizes will give you a good variety.

Weights
Look for in-line and bomb weights. These are the two best weights for carp fishing. In line and bomb weights are easy to thread and are a pale gray color so they will blend in with the bottom of the lake. There are many different sizes of weights. You will need a selection of these. Around 1-3-lbs will provide you with plenty to choose from. But keep in mind that what you buy, you will need to carry along with you, so dont go overboard with your weights.

Carry Alls
Carp carry alls are great for carrying around a heap of gear, although a carry all must be carried in your hands. A plain rucksack is also another way to effectively carry around your gear. Make sure that any bags or rucksacks that you do choose are made from a good waterproof anti-rip material. Rod carriers are ideal for protecting your rods and with the pouch included in some carriers, you can leave the reels on your rods. If you have the room in your carrier, put an umbrella in there to provide protection from adverse weather conditions.

Tackle Box
Your choice in a tackle box is really a personal thing. There is a style available for almost any taste, size, or budget. What you choose really doesnt matter, an old lunch box is good enough. Ideally, you may want to choose something that has partitions that will keep all of your gear neatly in the right places for easy reference. Make sure that if you invest in a fancy tackle box, it is made of quality robust materials so it will stand the test of time.

More goodies
Pods can be useful while fishing for carp and a weigh sling and scales are a must if you want to weigh those massive carp you catch. The Rolls Royce of all extra bits you can get is a bite alarm. It is costly, but what a convenience.
A few other bits that will complete any carp fishermans list of tackle is a baiting needle, bollies stops, swivels and some floats and stops. There are new things coming on the market every day that will add to your fun while carp fishing. So keep looking, you never know what you may find.

James Johnson, carp fisherman that has caught the big one, the little one and sometimes none at all. Just like most fisherman, the one that got away is always the biggest. Carp Fishing from Trevs Tackle