What test curve do I need

[essexboy]

I fish small stillwaters for carp up to 20-30 lb. I am thinking of buying a specific carp rod to replace the general coarse rod I currently use, not sure what weight rod to buy ,I want to fish as light as possible but need anough beef to land a larger fish (ever hopeful) any advice would be welcome.

[jeremyburnside]

A Barbel rod with a test curve about 1 1/2 to 2 lb

[viney]

All three of my carp rods are 2.5lb and work perfectly for chucking out feeders or pva bags and more than capable of handling large carp

[lutra]

Decide what hook length you need first and then pick a rod to suit that.

[Vagabond]

The test curve needed is governed by the weight you want to cast. For each ounce of weight, roughly one pound of test curve. So a 2.5 lb testcurve works best at casting around 2.5 ounces.

 

The size of the carp is not an issue. Dick Walker landed a 44 pounder on a 1.5 lb TC cane rod. Chris Yates landed a 51 pounder on a 1.0 TC cane rod. Both of course were casting small leads and light baits, which is why they only needed light rods.

 

I have landed carp of 20 lb plus hooked on roach gear whilst roach fishing - so have lots of other people.

[Tigger]

If the waters are snaggy/ have weed beds etc these are also factors you must take into consideration. I would say a 2lb test would cover most situations unless your using light hooklengths or casting at the sun with heavy weights.

[Rob Ward]

If the waters are snaggy/ have weed beds etc these are also factors you must take into consideration. I would say a 2lb test would cover most situations unless your using light hooklengths or casting at the sun with heavy weights.

 

Not to mention you'll have more fun with a lighter test curve rod, tackle shops will probably try and sell you something in the region of 2.5lb or upwards but something around 2lb will give you a lot more pleasure when playing fish.

[Dick Dastardly]

Unless your planning on chucking PVA bags or method feeders any distance a 1 3/4lb rod will land any carp that swims. If there is heavy weed I would then step up to a slightly higher test curve but try and avoid faster taper models.

 

The irony is that you will probably land more carp on a lighter TC rod than on a heavier one! certainly less hook pulls at the net.