Carp Fishing

Reel Fittings, Grips and Rod Rings

Once you have chosen your blank, you can start adding the reel fittings, grips and rings. The type and the positioning of these are just as important as the type and length of the blank itself. Always look to purchase a rod equipped with what is termed a screw-lock reel fitting (the part that holds the reel). Most modern carp rods have this type of fitting, but pay close attention to the standard of this area when purchasing a rod. The last thing you want to happen is for your reel to come loose when the all-important 'take' occurs. Our favorite reel fittings are those that have aluminum or stainless sleeves over the top, but to be honest, there are plenty of good makes available on the market. Those with metal sleeves not only perform well, but also enhance the attractiveness of the rod.

Moving onto handles and grips, these usually consist of cork or sponge (Duplon) attachments, and should be chosen to suit your personal preference. There is no real difference from an angling perspective between the two varieties other than that Duplon is soft, doesn't become brittle with time and, unlike cork, won't be nibbled by mice! It doesn't really matter which type you choose, but do make sure that it provides you with enough grip when you decide to put the rod through its paces. Although it may sound obvious, it is worth stressing here that you should always pick up a rod and ensure that the positioning and distance between each grip feels comfortable. If the distance is too short or too long, your casting ability will be severely restricted. The same can be said for incorrect positioning, as this will make the rod feel unbalanced.

As far as the rings are concerned, carp rods usually have anything between six and ten rings. These come in a range of different sizes, with the largest at the butt section, tapering down to the smallest at the tip end. Rods designed for long-range casting have larger and fewer rings to help reduce friction, while soft through-action rods have more and smaller eyes to help with control when playing fish under the tip. The type, quality, and position of the rod rings is important for a number of reasons. Single-leg eyes are more suited to long-range casting as they can be positioned to allow a fluent pathway for the line, whilst the quality and make of the rings can also have an impact on the distance you cast and the risk of line damage occurring. For obvious reasons, incorrect positioning of the eyes can affect the performance of a rod in a big way, so always check the whipping and whether or not the location of the eyes provides a flowing pathway. Their distribution along the blank also needs careful consideration as the rod will not perform well when put through the test curve if the rings are incorrectly spaced. The rings should be spaced more widely towards the butt end of the rod, tapering down to the tip. There is no use in giving precise spacing distances for the rings, as not only is rod technology a complicated science, but the suggested distancing will differ depending on the type and make of the blank. If you wish to get that knowledge in-depth, may we suggest you consult a rod manufacturer like Alistair Bond.

Modern rods tend to have SIC (silicon carbide) rings because they reduce friction on the line and thus enhance casting. However, such rings add greatly to the price of the rod, so always consider the type of fishing you are going to be doing before you buy. We must point out, though, that SIC rings are a must if you tend to use braided lines, as the friction applied to the rings when playing a fish on this material is so great that it frequently cuts into and damages standard/ cheap rings.