General Carp Fishing Gear Overview

Carp fishing is a sport that has been very popular in Europe for decades, yet remains all but ignored in the United States. While this pursuit, sometimes referred to as "carping," continues to gain ground in the States, many new anglers in the U.S. might have a harder time learning about what makes up great carp fishing gear because the sport isn't as widely accepted on this side of "the pond."

That said, this article will help beginning anglers who are interested in pursuing these great fresh water fish to figure out what exactly makes for good carp fishing gear. One of the first things that must be considered is the fishing rod, or rods. While many professional carpers have several custom made rods or specialty rods, the beginner can get by with a good medium action fishing rod.

You'll want this medium rod to be at least six feet long, and eight feet is even better. Also make sure that it can hold 150 or more yards of 12 pound test line. Once you hook some of the really big trophy carp, you'll need every inch of that line to help you hold on during one heck of a fight!

Obviously with carp gear you want an open faced reel. This is true with pretty much any true angler, especially when trophy fish are involved since they can run off a lot of line. As for other gear, the most common "lure" for carp is actual bait. Not a plastic lure, but usually a smelly bait that is said to attract carp.

While bass fishing is a very active process, carping is not – and maybe this is part of the reason that it has taken longer for carp fishing to catch on with anglers as opposed to bass fishing. Many professional carp anglers in Europe will fish with a rod rack of three rods, baited and set, then kick back and read a book. For some anglers, this is relaxing perfection. Others haven't been so keen on the idea.

There is no question that carp fishing has a very long way to go in North America before it comes anywhere close to enjoying the respectability of trout, walleye, pike, bass, or even catfish. It has even further to go before hitting the same fanaticism as European anglers have for this great sport. Still, with some decent fishing gear and an open mind, many American anglers are beginning to see what an amazing opportunity carp fishing has to offer.