What gear do you need for carp fishing? (AFFORDABLE Models!)

What gear do you need for carp fishing? Getting started with carp fishing can be overwhelming. There are so many different gear options; which of them do you need?

If you’re new to carp fishing, it can be hard to know what equipment is right for you.

Essential 5 Best Carp Fishing Gear and Equipment in 2022

• Inline Method Lead Carp Fishing Set with 1 Quick Release Coarse
• Carp Fishing Tackle Pocket Flip Box with 296pcs Rigs Clips Hooks
• SEAOWL Carp Fishing Hair Rigs 24 Pcs –  2 Different Needles 4 Sizes
• JSHANMEI Carp Fishing Tackle Kit Including Anti-Tangle Sleeve Line
• Mimilure 10Pcs/Pk Carp Fishing Bait Trap Cage Feeder Basket Holder

What equipment must you have to start carp fishing?

Carp fishing is a sport that requires the right equipment. You can’t just go to your local fishing goods store and buy big carp tackle because they don’t carry it.

And you can’t find all of the pieces of equipment online either because there are so many different types of bait and tackle that you need for carp fishing. 

That’s why we created this guide on what carp fishing kits you will need to become successful at catching these fish using lures or live bait.

We’ll walk through each piece of equipment in detail so that by the end of this guide, you will have all you need to start catching more carp!

Carb Fishing Rods: 

If you’re going to fish for carp with a rod and reel, then we recommend that your rods be compatible and have the same build quality.

Some very cheap carp poles on the market will struggle with larger specimens. We recommend buying two good-quality matching rods from the same manufacturer, such as the MK3 model from KM.

For the money, you won’t find a better Mirror carp fishing rod anywhere online, and they come with a lifetime warranty too!

Carp fishing reels: 

The key here, especially when using the braided line, is to look for good quality. Your carp reel should be able to handle 80-100lb braid well. We’ve had countless problems with poor quality reels breaking when using this much line, so do yourself a priority and spend that little bit extra for something good.

The Abu Cardinal 7000SDX is the best low-cost option that can be found online. It can handle braided lines, and we’ve used this reel for several years without any issues!

Carp fishing rods and reel combos:

There are some excellent Carp fishing rods and reel combos available online when buying rods and carp reels together.

Rods such as the MK3 Catapult and reels such as the Abu Cardinal 7000sdx work well together, and we highly recommend purchasing these in a kit.

Carb Tackle Box: 

Good quality storage is a must, in our opinion.

We recommend purchasing a well-built tackle to keep your gear in good shape for years to come. There are lots of good quality affordable options online, such as the one pictured below.

Carp Fishing Bait 

There is a massive variety of carp fishing baits available on the market, making it very confusing for beginners.

The quickest route to get started is by purchasing pre-packed bait mixes.

These are often very high quality and contain all the different types of baits needed to catch carp. There are a lot of options accessible online, such as this one from InnoMax.

Carb Landing Nets: (fish landing nets telescoping handle)

Your choice of a landing net is essential; BIG specimens will want to get back in the water quickly, and having a decent net will pay dividends.

We’ve used the carp-specific MK3 nets for years; they’re built well and handle well. You’ll have no problem unhooking even the biggest carp with these carp nets!

Boilies (best carp bait flavors): 

When it comes to buying boilies, you generally get what you pay for. The excellent quality manufacturers have taken the time and effort to ensure their boilies are as effective as possible; they use the best ingredients, which will result in more bites and monster carp.

We use and highly recommend “Crazy Carp” boilies. They have a wide range of mixes currently available in pellets or paste form.

Fishing Bivvies: 

We recommend getting a good quality bivvy; they’re designed to keep you dry and well insulated from the elements.

Carp fishing can be tricky, with extended hours spent out on the bank, so a decent bivvy is a worthwhile investment. Again there are some outstanding deals available online, such as the one pictured.

10 Essentials Carp Fishing Gear (carp fishing equipment list)

Carp fishing is one of the most favored angling sports in Europe and Asia, but not so much here in the US.

It’s time for that to change! We’ve put together ten essential carp fishing kit lists (carp fishing important gear lists) that will help you start carp fishing with this fun sport.

These ten items can take your carp fishing game to a whole new level. We’ll show you where you can find these products at great prices!

1) Carp Rod – this should be the same build quality as your 2nd rod. e.g., MK3 Catapult

2) Reel – Abu Cardinal 7000sdx or equivalent, can handle braided line well

3) Landing Net – MK3 Catapult version is perfect!

4) Bivvy – Wildcat Discreet

5) Buoyancy Aid – Wildcat Discreet version

6) Carp Fishing Clothing – Keeps you warm & dry!

7) Tackle Box – reasonably sized with good storage options, e.g., InnoMax or Chub Lure version, which is pictured

8) Bait Mixes (Pre-packed) – Crazy Carp, Nashy Baits, etc.

9) Boilies (Pellets or Paste form) – Crazy Carp popular choice!

10) Float and Rig Accessories – We use and recommend “Rikki Tikki” products available online!

A complete list of the tools you require to fish successfully can be found here.

Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to check out our free carp fishing resource, Fishy Biscuits! This is a fantastic resource packed with exclusive articles, videos, and tips!

Choosing the right Carp Fishing Gear

If you’re looking for the proper carp fishing kit, it can be hard to know where to start.

You don’t need to pay all your money on your first set of gear for carp fishing, but you also need something that will last and help you catch more fish.

The below tips will help you choose the best carp fishing tackle for beginners so that you’ll enjoy catching fish with less frustration and more fun.

1) Carp pole – you’ll want to find a rod that’s considered medium/heavy; this will allow you to fish with the weight and control necessary for success. If this is your first time fishing for carp, you don’t need anything too expensive! It would be superb if it had a decent warranty, though, which brings me to my next tip.

2) Reel – it’s a good idea to buy your reel from the same brand as your carp rod because they’re “matched.” If you purchase them from different brands, there is no guarantee that the components will work together. A quality reel with a warranty is a must. Offerings from Shimano and Daiwa are my personal favorite!

3) Landing Net – choose a landing net that has big enough teeth to quickly scoop your fish out of the water and still be able to handle long sessions at the same time. A word on these are. Never buy online; it’s far better to go into a store and feel how sturdy they are in your hands.

4) Bivvy – choose a waterproof bivvy, has plenty of room inside and comes with features like pockets to store your fishing gear. Some fantastic deals are available online for good quality carp fishing bivvies; I personally recommend “Wildcat.”

5) Buoyancy Aid – this is an absolute must because if you happen to drop your carp rod into the water and it gets swept away by a current or submerged in deep water. Well, that’s the end of that! Buoyancy aids are inexpensive but can save you a lot of heartaches. I’ve been using mine all summer with no issues, so I recommend going with a trusted brand.

6) Carp Fishing Clothing – you’ll need a warm, waterproof and breathable jacket so that you can stay out on the bank to your heart’s content! My preferred choice is “Wildcat,” but there are plenty of other brands available.

7) Tackle Box – this will hold all your spare carp fishing hooks, weights, zip ties, and other essentials, so it’s a good idea to find something that’s not too big. You don’t want one of those vast wooden boxes; they’re heavy to carry around. You can buy tackle boxes online or visit your local fishing store to get the right size for what you need.

What is the best budget gear for carp fishing?

If you’re looking for the best budget carp fishing kit, you’ve come to the right place!

Most anglers like to buy their big carp tackle from the same brand because anglers often rely on equipment working to a high standard when they’re focused on catching fish.

This means that if the carp rod, reel, and bivvy you choose all come from different manufacturers, there’s no guarantee that they’ll work together!

I’d recommend buying everything from the same brand so that you can ensure they’ll work together.

You don’t need to pay a fortune on your first set of carp tackle, but you’ll want to buy quality and a brand that offers a good warranty on their products.

I recommend Shimano for carp poles; they have a great range of products at every price point. You’ll want one that has medium or heavy action, is 7-14lb test, and is between 6’6″ and 7′ long. For reels, I’d recommend Shimano’s Daiwa counterparts.

As I mentioned previously, it’s essential to have the correct big carp tackle if you’re going to enjoy your time at the bank.

Spending money on expensive equipment is not what I’m suggesting, but if you want to buy a good value carp fishing kit that’s well made, then the list below should help:

What are the best rod pods for carp fishing? (Fishing pod and alarms)

“Rod pod” is one of those terms that gets thrown around a lot, so let’s have a look at what they are.

A rod pod is a telescopic tube that you place over the tip of your carp rod; this allows you to secure it in the ground, and it will hold the rod in place so that you can fish hands-free.

The most common use for a rod pod would be sitting on the bank during a match or fishing commercially.

One of the challenges with carp fishing is that you need to watch your line at all times, so you can’t just take a seat and relax while you wait for a bite.

Using a rod pod doesn’t need to focus 100% of your attention on your line because the rod is being held in place by the erected pod.

There are a couple of different types of rod pod that I recommend for various reasons; I’ll go through them both below:

The Telescopic Pod

This is the type of rod pod that I use. It has a telescopic tube that extends to create a sturdy base, and it can be adjusted in height so you can use it sitting down.

The Telescopic pod is ideal for fishing on the bank during a competition or when you’re focused on making as many bites as possible.

The bases of these vary in size, and the ones that I own have a sturdy rubber base that’s weighted, so it doesn’t move around when you’re adjusting the height or sitting on it.

The Carp Fishing Pod

These are a bit different; they have a solid base, so they can’t be adjusted for height. The good thing about these is that the solid base also means that you don’t have to worry about the base shifting around when you’re not sat on it.

Carp Fishing Pods are also very popular with commercial carp anglers because they’re more practical to carry around and they’re easier to use.

Basic carp fishing setup: Carp fishing setup for beginners

The basic carp fishing setup is probably what you think of when someone mentions carp rods and reels.

It’s a simple setup that is doing well, and it’s easy to use.

I’d recommend this setup when you’re starting, as it will allow you to catch carp before upgrading.

The basic carp angling setup is a good way of learning how to fish for the species, and there’s very little that can go wrong with it.

It’s also good for your wallet because you won’t spend much money on bait when you’re starting out because you won’t be fishing for many hours.

Although I’m going to suggest a few pieces of carp tackle that I believe are the best starter set up, it’s worth mentioning that this will vary depending on where you’re fishing.

If you’re fishing in a small, clear lake, you won’t need to invest in a heavy carp rod and line. When the fishing is more challenging in these places, you’ll be happy that you have a smaller rod.

If you’re going to be fishing in darker or muddier waters, then you’ll need to invest in some heavy-duty carp tackle.

If you’re angling in these kinds of conditions more often, it’s worth spending a little bit extra on some good quality gear.

What is the best rig for catching carp? (Carp angling rigs for beginners)

There are many different rigs that you can use for carp fishing, but if you’re starting out, I’d recommend using the simple hair rig.

This is a very simple hair rig to tie, and it’s relatively cheap; the other advantage is that there are very few things that can go wrong with it.

If you want some added attraction, buy a few different colored hair rig and try your luck with those.

There’s also the commonly used “carp tip” rig. This is an almost identical setup, but you tie a braided line to the hook instead of buying hair for the hook length.

Both rigging methods work well, and it’s really just a matter of preference when you’re just starting out. If you’re fishing in clear, shallow water, I’d recommend going for a hair rig.

Ronnie rig: A very popular rig for most carp anglers is called the “Ronnie” rig. This is a great rig to use when you’re fishing for carp in darker or muddier waters.

Basically, you tie a heavy line to the bottom of your mainline and then attach another one about 30cm above it. Attach a swivel to each of these lines, and at the bottom attach a lead weight about 5-10g in size.

This rig is basically designed to be dragged along the bottom; it’s effective in dark or murky waters because you can pull some great weight without the risk of snagging.

Using this rig is also very simple; you attach a fishing bait to the top line and cast it out. Let it sink to the ground, then slowly pull the fishing line until you feel a bite. When you’re starting out, though, I’d recommend leaving your lead weight at home and using this rig in clear, shallow water.

Carp fishing tactics for beginners: 

I’d recommend learning how to fish for the species before you worry about hook bait and tactics for those who are new to carp angling.

Once you’ve caught a few carp, you’ll need to spend time learning about the species and what they like to eat.

This knowledge will help you when it comes to choosing hook bait for your next carp fishing session.

• Carp love to eat all kinds of different foods, but one that they love is bread. It’s also one of the cheapest baits you can buy, and it’s worth spending time trying.
• I’ve found that the best type of bread to use is the squidgy type; this has a lovely smell, and it’s not as dense as other types.
• You also don’t need to feed the carp too much bread. I’ve found that half a slice is usually enough.
• Another good bait to use when you’re starting is corn. This is another inexpensive bait, and it’s also straightforward to buy in bulk and store for the next time you go carp angling.
• Carp love corn, so I’d recommend buying a few bags next time you’re out shopping.
• Another perfect bait is peanut paste; this works in different situations, and I’ve caught many carp on it in my time.
• Using this paste is pretty simple; you break off a small section and then place it on the hook. You can use your hand to roll the bait onto the hook bait. This helps to ensure that it stays on the hook until you’re ready to cast.
• When using this paste, you mustn’t overload your line or hook bait with it. You should also ensure that your bait is in the proper position, making it easier for the carp to take.

Best carp fishing gear for beginners (Carp Fishing Checklist)

The Carp fishing kit is very simple; you only need a rod and some line. I know that it can be seductive to go out and buy yourself some of the best carp angling equipment on the market.

But I’d recommend trying your luck with what you have for at least a few trips. You will learn much more and catch far more fish.

Once you’ve caught a few Carp, you’ll start to get an understanding of the species and what they like to eat. It’s also then that you’ll need to buy some gear, so I’d recommend putting it off for as long as you can.

• Carp fishing reel
• Rod and line
• Tackle box 
• Fishing net 
• Bait 
• Bait runner reel
• Worms or maggots for bait

What are the best budget carp rods?

You should check out these recommendations for the top 5 best budget carp rod options on Amazon. Our team of experts has carefully selected these rods because they offer high performance and durability without breaking the bank.

They’re also perfect for beginners looking for their first set up or experienced fellow anglers who want to expand their collection with some new gear.

Frequently Asked Questions & Carp Fishing tutorials (FAQ)

What do I need for carp fishing?

What bait do you need to catch carp? Dough balls or canned corn are two of the best carp baits, but always check your state fishing regulations. Once all that’s necessary is found (a rod and reel), just find spots where these fish like hanging around for them to be caught!

What is the best size carp rod?

A carp rod is a fishing tool that can be used for catching carp. Most of the time, they’re 12 feet to 13 feet in length and come with either an ash or graphite butt depending on your preference but bear this in mind – you’ll need to have reached puberty since being tall will benefit most from using longer rods.

A shorter person might feel uncomfortable at first if they wield one much longer than themselves, so it’s better not to put too much weight onto them while simultaneously fighting back against gravity which would cause some strain! It doesn’t matter whether there are overhanging trees around- no amount should stop us having fun outdoors!!

Are 10ft rods good for carp fishing?

This great rod is equally as good for those who like to cast and fish from the shore, making it by far the best 10-foot carp rod we’ve ever fished with. This 10 foot GTC rod is the best we’ve ever fished. It can handle both casting rigs and placing them, as well as playing big fish from a boat – making it an all-around excellent choice for any angler!

What attracts carp the most?

Corn is a classic choice for popular big carp bait, be it whole kernel or canned with peaches and cream. Almost every fish can be caught using corn as their primary meal source in either a boiled state or raw form, such as on ice-cold lakes during wintertime when there are no swimmer bugs around to spoil things up too much!

Can I use a spinning rod to catch carp?

Carp angling is a trendy sport, but if you’re wondering whether you can use a spinning rod for this purpose, then the answer is yes, you can. But this type of rod does have its limitations, so it is better suited to carp than other types of fish.

One significant advantage of using a spinning rod for carp is that so many different types are available, making it easier to find the right one. They’re also lighter and more sensitive than most other rods, which is a big plus point.

I’d recommend going for a medium-weight rod to handle the larger fish, but it is also sensitive enough to detect bites. This would be great for beginners who are just getting into carp angling.

Why do carp rods have big eyes?

Casting with the rod and line in hand, you’ll find that it’s easy to get lost among all of those eyes. There are rods made for everything! Some people prefer smaller or larger sizes depending on what they’re trying to catch- so no matter your predilections, there is an option available just right for you.

What is the best gear ratio for carp fishing?

 A gear ratio is the figure of times something happens each time you turn a handle. For example, in 5:1 or 4:1 ratios – like on most reels today–the bail will spin around five turns when only one crank has been made with our imaginary reel above; At the same time, it takes four rotations at lower retrieval rates (such as 3:2) to cast and real your line into the water this fast!

Who are the best carp anglers?

Kristof Cuderman, the Slovenian carp angler who has achieved nine different nations where he banked 70lbs or more. His incredible skills are being dubbed as “the World’s best big carper.” The man regarded by many as one of the top Big Carp Anglers of all time is none other than Kristof Cudemans!

What do you use for carp for fly fishing?

The most productive way to fish for carp is by dragging your fly and letting it sink or mimicking a fleeing crawfish. You can use this fly fishing method with slow-cruising c Pollywogs and feeding carp that want nothing more than an easy meal!

Conclusion:

If you’re looking to go carp fishing, your gear must be up-to-date and well maintained. Fishing rods need to be matched with the right line weight for optimal performance so they can cast long distances without tangling or becoming heavy.

The best budget fishing rod should have a strong backbone for casting light lines while still being sensitive enough to detect strikes from fish in murky water. Carp angler will also want an alarm system on their pod, which signals when fish are biting at the end of the line.

Once you’ve got all these pieces figured out, then you’ll be ready to take on any size pond! Now that we’ve covered what equipment you need as a beginner carp angler, let’s move on to where you should catch carp!

You might also like:

• Can You Carp Fishing After Heavy Rain? (Winter Carp Fishing Advice)
• Do You Need A Bite Alarm For Carp Fishing? (Bite Alarms For Beginners Guide)
• 10 Winter Fishing Tips: What Every Angler SHOULD KNOW (Fishing In Winter Guide)