Carp Rods

[scorpio]

I am after a pair of light carp rods but have no clue what to get. I want something for close in fishing and off the top. 1.5TC and with an all through soft action to take that close in lunge without pulling my arm off. Money is limited so I don't want nowt fasionable or flash. I will also want to use these rods for fishing for Barbel as well. Any ideas of make etc.??

Tony

[Smarts]

Scorpio,

Have a look at the Free Spirit range.They are ideal for barbel and for light carping and are £99 each.I had a good look at them at the Carp Show and they are superb quality.
As they are built more for the barbel side of things they are not casting machines and have a beautiful action.
The only downside that I can see,(I've not tested it on them!),is that the reel seat suits a centrepin or smaller reel than,say a baitrunner,,just like my Bob James specialist!
It's not ideal but it can handle such reels.

I think that there were some Bob James 2lb test rods in the for sale section that are more than worth looking at.Don't worry about what appears to be a stronger test curve as the through action softens this.My 2lb'er bends right round on tench and carp up to 7lbs......it looks like I'm playing a twenty!

My best advice is see who wants to part with their Shimano 1.75lb Power Loops.......you can't have my one!

Smarts

[CarponlineEditor]

I also use light rods for a lot of my fishing and my favourite rods would suit you fine. They are not new rods though they are the Shimano Twin powers at eleven foot, one and three quarter test curve. They are great for tench and bream but I have had carp to over thirty on them too.

So if you can get some of them then they would do.

[NODDY]

HI SCORPIO.
I ALSO WOULD HAVE A GOOD LOOK AT THE FREE SPIRIT RANGE,I USE THEM AND CAN NOT FIND ANY FAULT WITH THEM.