Size matters – and never more so than when it comes to the length of a carp rod! It’s quite important to match the length of your potential rod to the type of fishing you intend to be doing in order to ensure the rod will be able to cope with the task at hand.
Whilst test curve and action are important factors to consider in relation to the stiffness of the rod and the way in which it bends, the length of the rod can also have a dramatic effect in the distances attained on the cast – not to mention its usability in the confines of the workable space around you.
6ft – 10ft Rods
Most rods in this bracket are suited to stalking or margin fishing. Common sense would dictate that if you intend to be crawling through bushes to dangle a lobworm in the edge, then a 13ft weapon might be a little bit of handful to manoeuvre at close quarters! Most rods of a compact length will enable you to work effectively at short distance but still have lots of power in reserve to help stop a fish hooked close in – many of which have a tendency to go a little bit wild! Rods of this length are designed for accurate positioning of relatively light leads with little flicks or lobs to reach the intended spot. Ideally you’re looking at a 1.75lb – 2lb test curve.
10ft -12ft Rods
Most general carp rods would fall into this category, and 12ft is deemed the industry standard. A fast action 12ft rod will be able to cast a good distance and twinned with a heavy test curve will be more than capable of casting method feeders, pva bags and stringers at distance. Likewise, an all through 12ft rod will be excellent for short and medium distance work. For those wanting to increase distance from a 12ft rod, you could go for a larger ringing pattern which reduces line friction on the cast, as many manufacturers supply 12ft rods with a 50mm butt eye. Test curves vary depending on intended use but usually range from 2lb – 3.5lb
12ft – 13ft Rods
Fishing an inland sea? Then rods in this range are for you! Rods of this length will have a better line pick up and increased tip-inertia to aid casting at extreme distance. They can be a bit of a handful at close quarters but offer the angler much easier work if continual distance casting is required. Test curves would not usually be less than 3.5lb.