If you're going to go carp fishing seriously you'll need two or three rods which are up to the job. Your choice of test curve really depends on the distance you'll need to cast, with around 2.5lb/2.75lb at the lower end of the scale, and up to 3.5lb if you need to really give it some welly. We've selected some of the best rod choices to go for on a £100 budget!
DAIWA MISSION DF CARP RODS
WE SAY
A range of 12ft rods with high performance blanks which carry the cult Danny Fairbrass name. We love the slim diameter and finish of the Mission DFs, a great sub-£100 choice.
TECH SPEC
•Slim high quality blanks
•Low profile shrink tube handle
•50mm butt guide
•Matt finish
•2.75lb, 3lb and 3.5lb test curves
FOX WARRIOR S CARP RODS
BUY NOW from £69.99 at Chapmans Angling
WE SAY
Original Fox Warriors were a huge hit and the S range ensures that this rod continues to evolve with the times. With a great progressive, through-action whatever the test curve, a true all rounder with a low-end price point but a high-end feel!
TECH SPEC
•Fox SLIK guides
•Gun-smoke butt cap and laser-etched Fox head
•18mm DPS reel seat
•Nine different versions, including spod and marker
FREE SPIRIT CTX 9FT CREEPER RODS
WE SAY
Free Spirit rods are iconic in 'carping' circles and you'll struggle to find a version for less than £100. There is one however, the baby of its carp range, the 9ft Creeper with EVA handle. As its name suggests its perfect for stalking at close range.
TECH SPEC
•Fuji DPS reel seats
•Stainless steel collars
•Full EVA handle
•Estimated test curve 2.75lb
•S-Lite rings
•Slim blanks
NASH 12FT KNX CARP RODS
WE SAY
Really good value rods in 2.75lb, 3lb and 3.5lb test curves, the KNX has a fantastic matt black blank and gloss black decals. Perfect for small to medium-sized carp waters where casts of up to 75 yards using solid PVA bag and mesh sticks are needed.
TECH SPEC
•Ergonomic soft touch rubber reel seats
•Full EVA Duplon handles on KNX Carp Rods
•Abbreviated Shrink grips on KNX Spod/Marker
•Exclusive Flexor guides for reduced blank distortion and greater power transmission
•50mm butts
•Isotope slot and laser etched decal in butt
•Spigot alignment markings
SHIMANO TRIBAL CARP TX 2 RODS
WE SAY
Slim and powerful rods, typically Shimano. They're great for casting yet you'll find plenty of action in the top and middle sections too, to avoid hook pulls. A range of lovely-looking blanks with a few nice touches such as black cosmetic wrapping with pink tipping.
TECH SPEC
•Lengths 10ft to 12ft
•XT60 blanks
•DPS-type reel seat
•Shimano stainless steel SIC guides
•Thin rubber grip
•Plastic line clip
WYCHWOOD C-201 12FT CARP RODS
WE SAY
A range of forgiving rods which are ideal for fishing at a variety of ranges, thanks to the test curve options, which run from 2.75lb up to a hefty 3.5lb for out and out distance work. With traditional high grade cork handles and an interesting combination of a 1k weave tip and a 3k weave for the rest of the blank.
TECH SPEC
•High grade cork handle
•Multi-Layer Technology
•Japanese sourced carbon construction
•3k/1k warbon weave finish
•Black screw lock reel seat
•Blacked Sea Guide Rings
•Laser engraved butt cap
•Line clip
•50mm butt ring
•Lifetime warranty from Wychwood
AVID CARP TRACTION CARP RODS
WE SAY
Avid has placed a lot of emphasis on the action of these rods and it shows as they boast a lovely progressive 'old school' style. Great value carp rods which get the thumbs up from us, with the softer test curve 2.5lb and 2.75lb available for considerably less than £100.
TECH SPEC
•3k weave with high quality matt finish
•Reactive parabolic carbon technology
•Matt black guides with 50mm butt ring
•Full length Japanese Shrink Wrap handle
•18mm Supa-lite reel seat
•Laser engraved butt cap
•Tapered line clip