Carp fishing has carved out its own niche in the fishing world — it can be a lucrative market for fishing equipment manufacturers to tap into. Carp fishing fanatics will stop at nothing to catch their quarry and will spend money on high quality fishing tackle that does the job.
If you are thinking about starting carp fishing do not let the thought of having to buy all of this gear put you off though – you certainly don’t need it to catch a carp. If you decide that it is for you then you will find that there is naturally bits of kit that you do want to buy – whether it’s to make your fishing trips more comfortable or more efficient. As a bare minimum to start carp fishing you will need a carp rod & reel, some 6 lb fishing line (minimum), some size #12 to #4 hooks and something comfy to sit on.
A rod for catching carp on is really just a stiffer fishing rod i.e. it takes more force to bend it round. If you were to catch a big carp on a match fishing rod, when it came to landing it you would find that you have very little control over it. Carp reels are a different beast altogether though. In essence they have two clutches – a normal one for normal fishing activities and a second lighter clutch that you set once your bait is in position. This second clutch allows line to be removed from the reel as a set tension, so it will not be disturbed by wind – but if a carp bites your rod it won’t be pulled into the water.
The 6 lb line needs no explanation, carp are big powerful fish – make sure that you use a slightly lighter hook length so if the fish breaks the line it’s not dragging a massive weight with it. Carp have proportionally very big mouths so you will need to match the hook size to the size of fish you expect to catch. A size #12 would be suitable for even the smallest of carp. A good fishing chair is essential for you to enjoy your fishing trip; catching carp does involve a lot of sitting so this piece of kit shouldn’t be skimped on.