A complete guide to fishing rods for carp

These days there is a wide range of different fishing rods available to cover pretty much any situation that you could find yourself trying to catch carp in.

Whilst it is great to have so much choice available to you, certainly when compared to in the past where carp anglers had to make do with what was available and had fairly limited options – certainly in terms of types of rods, even if there were different manufacturers producing similar models – it can also be quite confusing narrowing it down and picking a set that is just right for your own fishing.

Here we take an in-depth look at all the different types of rods available for different styles of fishing and venues, to help you choose the model that is most suitable for you, and which will do everything you expect it to, as well as explaining the key differences between different types/models.

What length should a carp rod be

The length of a rod is very important, as generally it determines how far you can potentially cast with it, up to a certain point, as you need to balance that with the angler actually being able to utilise the extra length, and if they can’t, then it can become a hindrance.

You also have to consider the environment where the rod is going to used, and whilst it is true that some of the beachcasters aimed at real extreme range casting can be as long as 16ft, you have to remember that they are being used out in the open where there is almost unlimited space, not on a lake surrounded by trees!

So, carp rods tend to be a maximum of 13ft, to allow them to be used to make very long casts in the right hands – anglers such as Terry Edmonds can put a lead phenomenal distances with one – but at the same time being suitable for use on your average carp water, without having to worry too much about overhanging trees and the like.

The same applies when playing fish, and it is no good having a rod that is so long that you end up getting the line caught on a branch above you whilst trying to play a carp, or even when netting one, as a very long rod makes that more awkward.

But at the same time, you want the rod to be long enough that it gives you plenty of control over the fish and allows you to have enough reach out from your swim that you are able to keep it away from any snags protruding from the bank, such as brambles, trailing branches from overhanging trees, reedbeds, and the like.

This means that rods used for conventional carp fishing – as opposed to maybe stalking in very tight spots – tend to be at least 10ft long.

The length that you choose will depend entirely on the types of fishing situations that you are going to be mainly using them in, as well as personal preference.

A 12ft rod is by far the most popular, as it is versatile and most anglers find it very easy to cast and play fish with.

Whilst a 13ft rod can feel cumbersome to some people, even once they’ve had it for a while and start to get used to it, plus it may not suit their casting style – there is little point having the extra foot unless you can actually use it.

These days some rod ranges, such as the Korda Kaizen Green and Kaizen Platinum rods, also have 12ft 6in. models, which offer a bit of extra length and casting distance over a 12ft rod, yet don’t feel as cumbersome as a 13-footer, and these are definitely growing in popularity.

If you're fishing on smaller lakes, rivers or canals for carp, then you may not even need a rod as long as 12ft, and in fact sometimes a longer rod can be a real hindrance if you have low trees or are trying to flick rigs out at short range, and for this type of fishing 10ft rods have really grown in popularity in recent years - the quality has also improved dramatically, as it wasn't that long ago that your only options were telescopic carp rods or retractable rods, if you wanted something shorter, and they were generally terrible!

Three different models of 10ft rod are available in the Kaizen Green range now and these shorter rods are also good for young anglers who might struggle with a longer model. They can even make good travel rods - Carl Smith used them for mahseer fishing in India - as two 5ft sections are easier to fly with these days.

Another situation where a shorter rod is a massive advantage is where you are playing fish from a boat, or even just dropping rigs from one, as the shorter length makes the rod feel a lot less cumbersome, plus it fits in the boat easier and makes it easier to lower your lead over the side directly onto your spot.

Rods such as the 10ft Kaizen Green ones, have proven to be incredibly popular with anglers across Europe who are using boats – there is even a more robust version with ceramic lined guides to reflect how much of a battering rods can take when laid in the bottom of a boat (these rings aren’t as good for casting though, hence only being used on these models, and specifically ones for the European market).

They make it so much easier to play fish once you are over the top of them, and especially if they try to go underneath the boat, plus make it far easier to net a carp once you have it beaten and on the surface.

It also means you can use a shorter net handle, such as the two-piece Kaizen Green Net, where a shorter handle is much better and doesn’t get in the way as much when you’re going out in the boat and playing the fish.

So, to sum all that up, if you’re just looking for an all-round rod to do a bit of everything then a 12ft model is likely going to be your best option. But if you are planning on doing a lot of long range fishing, then definitely consider stepping up to a 13-footer and ideally having a go with one before you go out and buy them, just to see if you get on with the extra length – if you don’t then consider a set of 12ft 6in. rods.

If you're only fishing small waters, where the swims are tight; using them for stalking carp; or you're mainly boat fishing, then ten footers are the way to go.

Fishing rod test curve and why a fast action is popular

Once you have decided what length of carp fishing rod you need, then the next thing you’ll need to choose is the test curve, and once again the type of fishing that you’re going to be using it for plays a big part in this.

The test curve of a rod is defined by the amount of weight required in order to bend the tip round to a 90 degree angle to the butt. The way in which the rod bends in order to reach that 90 degree angle will vary depending on the type of action that it has, but the actual test curve won't and will still form a 90 degree angle, whether it is just the top part of the rod that doing most of the bending (in the case of a tip action rod), or it is bending all the way through to the butt (as you get with a through action rod).

The test curve – alongside the action – determines how much power you are able to generate and the weight of lead that the rod is capable of casting, as well as the amount of force that can be applied when playing a fish, and of course how much the rod bends when you have a carp on the other end.

There is always a balancing act between having something that is capable of casting a very long way, in the case of higher test curve rods, and generally the higher the test curve, the further it is capable of casting. If the rod takes more force to bend it, then it also means that it is able to store more energy, which is then released at the end of the cast and transmitted into your weight, although you also need a fast tip speed as well in order to transfer as much of that energy as possible.

But at the same time, the rod needs to bend enough, even if more so in just the tip section, so that you can actually play a fish on it without potentially pulling the hook or even breaking your line, if the rod is too stiff.

The Korda Kaizen Green and Kaizen Platinum ranges have very similar actions – the main difference is the grade of carbon used for each range – and are both built using a fast taper profile mandrel, which gives a consistent taper from butt to tip.

This means that they have a tippy action, with more flex at that end of the rod, but once they come under more extreme loading – such as when casting or putting pressure on a fish during the fight – they bend all the way through.

In our view this is the perfect action for a carp rod, and is why we purpose-designed our own mandrels, as this action gives very good power transfer for casting, but at the same time has enough bend in the tip to absorb the lunges of a large carp under the rod tip and avoids hook pulls. Plus it makes them a pleasure to play fish on – unlike some rods which can either be like a broomstick, or an elastic band, depending on which end of the rod action spectrum they're at, the Kaizen rods have a nice fish playing action.

So, all you need to do is pick a test curve of a rod in either of the Kaizen ranges – which range you go for will largely come down to your budget – which reflects the type of fishing that you are going to be doing.

At the lower end, in the 12ft, 12ft 6in., and 13ft rods, you have 3lb test curve models, which is great for smaller waters, but is capable for anything up to around 100 yards without it becoming a real struggle.

In the middle, at 3.5lb test curve, you have a rod which is a real all-rounder and is just as comfortable flicking out smaller leads at shorter ranges, as it is for casting 4oz leads well in excess of 100 yards.

Or if you want a real out-and-out casting tool, capable of putting a rig incredible distances in the right hands, or for punching out solid PVA bags, there are 4lb test curve rods.

When it comes to the 10ft rods, it is more about the amount of power that you need, rather than casting distance, with the 3lb one being great on smaller lakes, canals and rivers; whilst the 3.5lb is good for all general boat work; or if you need something really powerful, such as for extracting big carp from snags and keeping them out of tree stumps and the like, then the 4lb rod is ideal.

Quality of the carbon and casting long distances

The price of carp rods can vary massively, and the biggest factor in that is the type of high modulus carbon that is used to construct them.

The highest grades of carbon, such as the super tensile, high-grade Japanese ZERO90 that we use to make our Kaizen Platinum rods, isn’t cheap but offers unbeatable performance, although that is reflected in the price of the finished rod.

This type of carbon can be used with just two layers, and with a minimal amount of resin content, which results in lighter and stiffer blanks.

Not only does this allow more power to be transferred during the cast, but it also reduces the ability of the blank to twist laterally, thus increasing casting accuracy and making it easier to cast exactly where you are aiming, as well as giving you extra yards on your cast.

It also means the rod recovers far more quickly after casting – by that we mean how quickly the rod returns to its ‘relaxed/normal’ position after casting, which also aids both distance and accuracy. A rod that keeps wobbling for ages after the cast is classed as having a slow recovery, which isn’t a good thing.

That comes at a fairly high price though and we understand that not everyone can afford to, or may not want to, spend that sort of money on a set of rods, so we also have the Kaizen Green range, which has been designed to suit any budget, whilst at the same time offering a very high level of performance still, and since their releases these rods have proved to be extremely popular with out customers and can now be seen on the banks of lakes up and down the country.

We built the Kaizen Green rods to have the same action as the Platinum range, but using a more affordable grade of carbon, and for most anglers you won’t even notice the difference.

The main differences are that power transfer isn’t quite as efficient, meaning they won’t cast quite as far as a Platinum in the same length and test curve; there will be slightly more twist in the blank during the cast, so they won’t have quite such pinpoint accuracy, especially at extreme range; and the recovery is slightly slower.

But other than that there isn’t much between them, and the Kaizen Green represents incredible value for money.

Rod rings/guides

The type of fittings that are used on a fishing rod will definitely affect the way that it performs, so it is important to have ones that are suitable for the purpose that it is intended for.

Rod rings/guides probably play the biggest part, as the number and spacing of them will impact on the way that the rod bends, to some extent; the diameter of them, especially the butt and tip – but also ensuring a smooth transition from tip to butt – plays a big part in how your line passes through them as it comes off of the spool of your reel and the way that it cones through them.

Having the correct size of rings, with the correct spacing especially the distance between your butt ring and reel seat, helps to increase casting distance, as your line comes off of the spool and avoid it slapping against the blank, which takes energy out of the cast. It also reduces the chances of a crack-off due to the line catching around the butt ring during the cast.

The size of butt ring and distance from the reel in theory is determined by the size of reel you are using (and particularly the diameter of the spool), but these days most anglers tend to use big pit style reels anyway, so rods are normally rung for that.

The tip ring size can also be important, and especially so when using any sort of longer leader where the knot needs to pass through it. You not only need it to be able to travel smoothly through the tip ring on the cast, but also the other way, when winding it through the tip ring when playing a fish, and especially if it has any weed caught around it.

You also have the choice between single and double legged guides, which both have their own advantages and disadvantages – butt rings are always double leg.

The Kaizen Platinum range features special Sea-Guide TDG rings, which are lightweight and that helps with the speed of the blank when casting, plus they have less impact on the action as each guide is only whipped to the blank in one place (apart from the butt ring), and this can help to gain those extra few yards. The downside being that it also makes the guides more fragile and prone to being bent.

The Kaizen Green rods also have Sea-Guide TDG rings, but the double leg version, and whilst that may negatively impact on casting performance and action a tiny amount – most anglers won’t even notice unless pushing the rods to the extreme – it also means that they are more durable and less prone to getting bent or damaged if you do accidentally mis-use them.

On both rods, the guides are very low profile as rather than an insert like you would find on older rods, these have an ADAMAN coating, which is ten times stronger than stainless steel, and not only ensures smoother passage as the line passes across it, but is also highly abrasion resistant.

The 10ft Kaizen Green rods, that are sold in the European market, have double leg Sea-Guide BXTLSG guides, which have a ceramic insert to make them more durable when being bashed around in a boat or constantly being used under extreme pressure with heavy braided lines, as they aren’t designed for casting – that type of rings, although very durable, would actually be a hindrance to casting distance.

Other fittings

Aside from the rings, you will of course need a reel seat that is capable of taking the size of reel that you are planning on using with it, and more specifically the foot.

That reel foot needs to fit securely within the reel seat, so that when you screw it up tight, it can’t move or come loose, such as when casting or playing a fish.

The Kaizen Platinum range all feature a Fuji DPS reel seat, with a Sea-Guide DPS-style one being used on all of the Green models, and which are compatible with any big pit reels or baitrunner type ones.

The rod handle itself is also far more important than many realise and plays a big factor in casting distance and also how the rod feels when playing a fish. You need enough separation between your two hands – one of which will be holding around the reel seat/stem and the other at the end of the rod – that you can really punch forward with one hand whilst pulling in towards you with the other, as this is what generates power and tip speed, which ultimately determines how far you cast.

At the same time though you don’t want that distance to the reel seat to be too long, otherwise when you are playing a fish it will feel very cumbersome, with too much of the butt below your hands and potentially getting caught up in your clothing.

So, you need a balance between the two which makes the rod good for both casting and playing fish, and the Korda Kaizen rods have been built so they will be comfortable for anyone to use – or if you want one that really is just perfect for you personally, then there is the option to have rods custom built.

To enable you to cast well you need to have a good grip on the rod handle and know that it isn't going to slip out of your hands, even long distance casting when they are wet, and the Japanese full shrink wrap handle that we use enables very good purchase on it, whilst also being of a diameter that ensures your hand can wrap around it comfortably.

At the butt end we have incorporated a flared handle, which also helps to get a really good grip and allows you to put everything you have into a long cast, without any concerns.

Cosmetics

Whilst performance is the main factor in choosing a rod, we also spend an awful lot of time looking at them sat on our rod rests inbetween being used for casting or playing fish, and so for many anglers, how they look is also important.

The cosmetics of fishing rods is very much down to personal taste, but for carp anglers in general they tend to like a fairly understated look, with than garish colours and lots of shiny bits – although of course if you go down the custom built route you can have pretty much whatever you like on a rod.

Both the Korda Kaizen ranges were designed to resemble the typical type of custom build look that tends to be popular and very understated, with a low glare matt paint finish to the blank; black whippings; minimal writing and graphics; and the only Korda logo is on the butt cap – a stainless steel etched one made by JAG in the UK in the case of the Platinum, and an injection moulded one for the Greens.

So not only do the Kaizens perform at a very high level, they also look great whilst doing it!

Floater fishing and stalking rods

Whilst the rods already described will cover virtually all of your normal carp fishing, there are a few situations where you might need a specialist tool for a certain job, namely floater fishing or stalking.

For most stalking situation a 10ft rod is fine and will allow you to get into spots that are tight, and to play any fish you hook there. Unless you are really ‘jungle’ fishing and having to fight your way through undergrowth to poke a rod through the bushes, where a 6ft rod might be more appropriate, but these also have lots of disadvantages when playing a fish and trying to net it, and for most carp anglers this isn’t a type of rod that they’ll ever find themselves using.

Floater fishing though is far more common, and when using lighter lines and small hooks to enable you to fool wary carp into taking a surface bait, something with a bit more give in it and finesse will further reduce the chances of hook pulls or even line breakages with low diameter hook links.

The Kaizen Green range now features a rod specifically designed for floater fishing, which is 12ft 2.75lb test curve, and is very light – which is important given that most of the time when surface fishing you are going to be holding the rod – and also has a very responsive tip, which helps when flicking out smaller controller floats accurately, as well as giving great line pick up when you do get a take and need to strike (or even for mending your line to keep it as straight as possible between you and your controller).

Spod rods and marker rods

As well as getting your rig out to your chosen spot, you are also going to need to bait up around it and by far the easiest and most popular way of doing that is by spodding, and for that you are going to need a spod rod.

These rods are designed to be capable of casting even the largest of spods and spombs that anglers use, and of doing so accurately time after time – with practice! – as the last thing you want to be doing is spraying bait all over your swim, with some casts landing short of the spot, or either side of it.

Typically, angers choose a spod rod of the same length as their actual fishing rods, as that tends to be the length that suits their casting style best, but that isn’t always the case and it may be that you find something slightly longer or shorter more comfortable when chucking out a fully loaded large spomb.

It then really comes down to how much you want to spend on a spod rod, and if money isn’t an issue then the ultimate is the Kaizen Platinum 12ft spod, which features a ceramic tip ring (ideal for constant use with braided lines) and during testing was used to cast a medium size spomb over 200 yards!

A lot of anglers though won’t want to spend that sort of money on a spod rod – including many of those who own a set of Platinums for their actual fishing – and the Kaizen Green models have proven to be incredibly popular at a fraction of the price.

There are now three Kaizen Green spod rods in the range, with 12ft, 12ft 6in., and 13ft models to choose from.

These rods also make very good marker or plumbing rods, as they will cast further than you’re able to put a baited rig, and have a stiff enough tip that every little bump of gravel, or other types of lakebed, is transmitted back through the rod and the rod – a softer blank will actually absorb some of that and dulls what you are feeling.

Custom built carp fishing rods

Whilst an off the peg rod like those in both the Kaizen ranges will do the job perfectly well, some anglers still like to customise their rods exactly to their own tastes, as well as their build and casting style.

This can be done by buying a rod blank and going to a rod builder – Hennessy Rods, who some of the Korda Team have used, do a very good job – and then having it built exactly the way you want it.

This means that not only can you choose the rings, reel seat, and other fittings such as line clips, plus the colour of whipping you'd like, any extra graphics or art work, and the like, but it also means that you can have the length of the handle between the butt end and reel seat at exactly the right length for your arms and to suit your casting style.

This does of course cost a fair bit extra, but if you do want to go down this route, then the Kaizen Platinum rods (all except the spod rod) are also available as a blank kit, where you get the tip and butt sections, including the spigot, and supplied with a rod bag.