Carp Fishing Tools

Carp are a very popular and common type of for recreational fishing in the United States because they are so prevalent in many types of water in many parts of the country. Carp are commonly found in rivers, streams and lakes and are, therefore, relatively easy to catch.

Because carp commonly reside in relatively peaceful bodies of water unlike larger species of fish like tarpon and swordfish, the list of tools necessary to fish for carp is simple. However, having the right equipment is still important for an enjoyable and fruitful carp fishing excursion.

Rod

An ideal fishing rod for carp fishing will be a bit on the longer side, about ten or eleven feet, with considerable durability while maintaining some flexibility. A medium action rod should be good for most situations. However, if the area you are fishing in is known to have carp that are on the larger spectrium, you may prefer a rod with a heavy action to withstand the resistance. Though carp are not necessarily excessively large fish, they are deceivingly powerful and a too-light rod can break under their strength.

Line

For the very same reason, choose a fishing line with at least a 20-pound test level. This will help ensure that the line does not break when reeling in a particularly strong carp.

Nets

Because of their strength, many recreational fishermen may find some difficulty bringing their catch on board or shore after reeling it in and a net will help in this procedure. Many regions will require carp anglers to have a micro-mesh net as a standard nylon net will often cause the carp's scales and fins to get caught. The ease that a micromesh net offers aids in better and safer catch-and-release fishing as it is less harmful to the fish.

Bait

Carp are bottom feeding fish, meaning that they have a variety of favored foods. This means that the range of bait that can be used for carp fishing can be diverse, varied and sometimes quite unique. In addition to the standard worm, bits of corn, hot dogs, bread and cheese have proven to be effective carp bait. A fisherman can try a wide variety of foods to see what entices the carp to bite, as long as the bait does not pollute or harm the natural surroundings.