Best Carp Fishing Rods 2023: 9 Excellent Rods

A rod is arguably the most important piece of tackle to an angler and since there are so many variations and iterations of carp rods for different scenarios, it can be quite overwhelming when trying to choose from the hundreds of rods available in the carp fishing industry.

This is why we always recommend that new or novice anglers always visit an angling store in person so they can get more personalized recommendations. However, this isn’t always a viable option and for those who’ve already got experience fishing, buying products online is ideal since you know what you’re looking for.

But regardless of how you decide to purchase your tackle, below we’ve compiled a list of excellent carp rods that we feel comprehensively cover carp fishing:

Fishing Rod
Daiwa Black Widow G50 Rod
Wychwood Riot Rod
Sonik Vader X
Fox Horizon X3
Wychwood Extremis
Fox Explorer
Daiwa Basia DF X45
Daiwa Longbow DF X45
Century Stealth Graphene

Black Widow G50 Carp Rod

Casting ability

Over the years the Black Widow name has become famous for top-value carp gear in the Daiwa range. They’re trying to provide the best possible tackle at the lowest price but don’t think that its a cheaply made rod because although the price is low, its still a very well-put-together piece of tackle.

The casting ability on the rod will vary depending on the length and model of the rod that you choose. If you feel you’ll be casting at distances a lot then go for a longer model and if you think you’ll be casting at a relatively short range or perhaps in tight swims, then a shorter rod is preferable.

The large butt guides fitted on the Daiwa Black Widow Carp Rod allow the line to fly effortlessly through the eyes of the rod, allowing you to obtain the extra yards when casting. Coupled with a good reel, ideally the Daiwa Black Widow G50 reel, this rod is well-prepared to deal with nearly every long-range fishing scenario you’ll encounter in the U.K.

Quality

Honestly, I don’t think we’ve ever owned a set of Daiwa rods where we thought the quality wasn’t up to scratch. Fortunately, the Black Widow is no exception, and its put together excellently. There is an obvious difference between it and some of the more premium rods in Daiwa’s lineup but it certainly doesn’t feel cheap by any means.

Sticking with the modern taste of dark colours in carp fishing gear, Daiwa has decided to finish the rod in two tones of black, with the Black Widow symbol embellished in white giving it a sleek, stealthy look, almost like a fighter jet!

Fighting/General Usage

Arguably the most important function of the rod is to actually bring the fish in and tire it out. When playing a fish you’ll really find out what your tackle is made of, especially if you’re fishing in difficult situations (for instance, lakes with lots of weeds) and if there is a big fish at the end of your line. The Black Widow handles these situations very comfortably allowing you to remain in control and apply pressure to wear out your catch.

It’s not quite as taut or well-balanced as the higher-end Daiwa rods but that is expected at this price range and for the vast majority of anglers, this won’t make a substantial difference to your fishing.

Check Current Price

Wychwood Riot Carp Rod

Casting

These entry-level carp rods by Wychwood offer excellent performance and value for money. They come in a wide range of lengths and test curves, the longer rods becoming more expensive at each increment. As usual, we recommend shorter rods for those who won’t be casting far or using the rod in tight swims while longer rods are more suitable for distance casting.

The rods range in size from 9-12 feet with all the 12-foot models incorporating 50 mm butt guides for improved casting. The rods cast well considering they are entry-level, for the vast majority of fishing situations, these rods will be able to cast very comfortably. If you do think you’ll be casting extreme distances, higher-end rods would be advisable to gain those extra yards.

Quality

The rod comes with the option of cork or EVA material in the handle, I personally prefer the way cork handles look and feel but EVA is a solid robust material for a handle and in every technical aspect its better, EVA retains its shape, its less abrasive, and its cheaper than cork. However, we’ve always found cork handles to be a little more comfortable and better looking which is why they feel more premium and we’d definitely recommend going with cork handle models.

Fighting/General usage

For the most part, the Wychwood riot rods feel similar to most other rods in their price bracket, the long 12-foot versions are sharp, concise, and controlled during fights but the real advantage you get with the riot rods is when you opt for the smaller versions in the line-up.

Sometimes a long, powerful rod is required in carp fishing to make reaching distances easier but we much prefer to use shorter rods when appropriate. The short 9-foot riot rods are perfect for stalking in the margins or fishing in tight or overgrown swims and they are blissful to play fish with. Personally, I find shorter rods so much more direct and taut which is why I’d recommend either a 9 or 10-foot rod unless you need the extra power of a longer rod.

Check Current Price

Sonik Vader X

Casting ability

The eyes on the Sonik Vader X are large and allow for the line is effortlessly fly through when casting with little resistance. Sonik may not be the most renowned brand in carp fishing but what they’ve achieved here is nothing short of brilliant, we’ve always been slightly skeptical about lower-range fishing products but over the last few years, Sonik has definitely established itself as a pillar of the carp fishing industry with top-level performance coming from their low-end rods.

The rods come in a variety of lengths and test curves, the best casting out of the range will be the longer rods and the ones with a test curve higher than 3lbs. This is because all the rods with a 3lb test curve and above will come with 50mm butt guides which are the gold standard for long-range rods. There isn’t really a better “version” because they are all suited to different scenarios but I wouldn’t let the small difference in price be the determining factor when buying a rod.

Quality

Quite frankly we’re having quite a hard time determining where to rank this rod because the quality is really quite good taking into consideration the price tag and that Sonik is still quite new. Its also not particularly cheap but in the end, we decided that although the finish on the rod is good and it looks excellent it still is still regarded as a budget rod by most of the angling community and is considered an entry-level carp rod.

The quality overall though is really nice and feels good and sturdy in the hand, its well finished, and for the price, there are absolutely no complaints.

Performance

The real test of a rod comes under pressure, this is when you’re really counting on your tackle because you’re not completely in control anymore. When a fish is snagged up, a lot of pressure can be exerted on your rod which is why it needs to be able to withstand the pressure under these circumstances.

The Sonik Vader X is competent in this aspect. Some rods will literally break if they are pushed when a fish is snagged up. We’ve found that the rod can bear the brunt of brute force but also has the delicate finesse and accuracy that we look for in a rod. Playing the fish is the most exciting part about fishing which is why you want a sharp, responsive rod like this one.

Check Current Price

Fox Horizon X3

Casting ability

The Horizon X3 is the baby of Fox’s “Horizon X” range with the Horizon X4 and X5 being the more premium rods in the range. However, just because the price tags are much smaller, don’t think there’s such a drastic difference in performance as well.

The Horizon X3 comes in two sizes and a wide variety of test curves. The 10-foot version comes with 40 mm Butt guides whereas the 12-foot version comes with larger 50 mm Butt guides and both of them cast well. The shorter rod is better suited to tight angling situations whereas the power of the larger rod is perfect for long-range angling. The only thing that might put you off getting the Horizon X3s is one day sitting on the bank and someone with their more expensive X5s will just be sitting there smugly! In all seriousness though, we don’t think the price gap is justifiable for the majority of anglers.

Quality

The quality is just as we’ve come to expect from Fox, the Black fitting and whippings for the eyes of the rod look absolutely stunning as do the handles which come in either an abbreviated or slim cork option. Also to keep weight down, Fox has used a high modulus, lightweight, carbon-blank construction which allows for better control and therefore better casting. Overall the rod just looks and feels awesome regardless of which specifications you choose.

Performance

An excellent all-rounder is how this rod can be described, the 10-foot models are perfect for fighting in tight swims and much nicer to use when playing fish but that’s only a direct result of having a shorter rod while 12-foot rods get better range.

The Horizons X3s perform well under pressure and feel taut and refined which leaves you with good confidence when you’ve got a monster on the end of your line.

Check Current Price

Wychwood Extremis

Casting ability

Think of the Extremis as the middle child of Wychwood’s rod line-up, it is not quite as good as their top-of-the-range “Maximiser” but it is still a considerable step up from the “Riot” in terms of performance. Wychwood still brands the rod as being reasonably priced while offering exceptional performance but its not really all that cheap.

However it is still good value for money considering its capabilities, the Extremis is an incremental step up from the Riot. Its not a night and day difference but you can certainly tell which of the two is the more premium rod. The Extremis casts “extremely” well, with 50mm Butt guides and 16mm anti-tangle tips they allow the line to fly through the air effortlessly with hardly any resistance.

Quality

Solid but subtle is how we’d describe these rods. The big trend now for carp tackle is stealth black and the Extremis follows the pattern and looks really good in total black with subtle branding near the handle. We’re not a huge fan of bold branding and highlights in a rod, sleek designs look much nicer and high-end so the looks on the Extremis are a 10 out of 10 for us.

The actual build quality is good too, the reel seat is very solid and firmly clamps on the reel, it comes in a range of either cork or duplon, the FC (full cork) or the FD (Full Duplon). We personally prefer cork handles but they are both good options.

Performance

In terms of playing fish, the Extremis isn’t bad either with the lower test-curve rods being more forgiving and fun to play fish with generally while the stiffer, higher test-curve rods outperform their cheaper counterparts in casting.

Unless you need the higher test curve models because you think you’ll be casting large distances, we’d recommend a softer test curve. They make playing fish more enjoyable, especially carp in low doubles, etc. All the rods come with progressive action so carp from a wide range of sizes feel comfortable on the rod.

Check Current Price

Fox Explorer

Casting ability

Our favourite feature from the Fox Explorer is the retractable function. It allows the user to shrink down the rod from 10 to 8 foot which is more suitable for tight swims and stalking.

This means when you’re fishing further out, you can extend the explorer so that you can reach the furthest distances but if you’re fishing up-close and near the bank, you can also easily retract it to make it more maneuverable and easier to manage. This feature is handy, especially when you’re fishing at a new venue, and you’re not quite sure what to anticipate. The explorer means that you no longer have to bring multiple sets of rods to cover all casting and fishing scenarios. One rod covers it all.

Quality

The Fox Explorer isn’t exactly cheap so its difficult for the quality to exceed expectations when the bar is already set high. Regardless of the price, the quality is good, its expected because of how much you’re paying (generally around £100) but nonetheless, the rod is really solid.

The Explorer isn’t a completely new concept though, there have been other carp rods before it that have created a similar mechanism that allows the user to retract the rod for different fishing scenarios. However, it is one of the most refined concepts of this system so its not like taking a chance with a brand new system.

Performance

I think the element where this rod really comes into its own is stalking. Stalking carp is one of the most exciting ways to fish but it can be really difficult to do with regular carp gear, you can’t carry a 12 or 13-foot rod through tight spaces but a short 8-foot rod like the explorer is perfect. In these tight scenarios, the Explorer is really in its own element because of its versatility.

Check Current Price

Daiwa Basia DF X45

Casting ability

Usually, when you hear Basia, you’ll think of the ultra-lightweight, performance carp reels however the Basia range has diversified into producing rods as well now. Designed by Danny Fairbrass himself, the Basia is absolutely uncompromised, it uses the epitome of technology and materials that are far too complex for us to even comprehend. The ultra-high modulus, low resin fiber armored in X45 with outer layers of BIOS carbon allows for incredible power conversion and pinpoint accuracy.

As a result of shaving off so much weight, the Basia DF X45s are extremely lightweight which dramatically helps casting. The rods come in a variety of test curves and lengths of either 12 or 13 foot with all the rods featuring 50 mm Butt guides.

Quality

To tell a long story short, the quality is excellent. Daiwa has such a good reputation for quality and we’ve been happy with every product we’ve bought from them, they’ve all been long-lasting, hard-wearing, and robust. However, the perk of buying an ultra-premium rod is that everything is handmade and superbly crafted.

Not to discredit the technology or the quality, but the price is very difficult to justify. You’re looking at around £500 per rod, so whichever way you cut it, its absurdly expensive.

Performance

Again, you’ll find nothing but refinement and precision in the department of performance. With such immaculate construction and relentless attention to detail, the rod is as good as playing fish as it is at casting. As we mentioned earlier this rod was Designed by Danny Fairbrass and is used by professionals targeting the biggest carp so Basia DF X45 should be able to handle anything at the end of your line.

Check Current Price

Daiwa Longbow DF X45

Casting ability

The Longbow DF X45 is another Daiwa rod designed by Danny Fairbrass but at a much more reasonable price point. For serious anglers who want the top of range performance, we think the Longbow DF X45 is an excellent option. Many professionals use the Longbow in their fishing so don’t think that there’s such a drastic difference between the Longbow and its older brother, the Infinity and Basia DF X45. Yes, there are incremental upgrades at each stage but they aren’t exactly justifiable because of the enormous jumps in price.

The latest versions of the Longbow DF feature the new X45 blank system and various other features such as the 4 minima guides which help reduce friction and therefore increase casting distance. The new X45 blanks are where the rod is under the most stress and pressure when casting which not only increases the life of the rod but it also means that the rod has a faster recovery and resumes its original shape almost immediately after casting.

Quality

As we’ve mentioned before, we always expect the highest quality from Daiwa and they never fail to come through. With a lot of the technology coming from the much more expensive Basia, you can imagine the quality of the rod. The Longbow follows the recent trend of matt-black which combined with the ultra-sleek NS shrink tube handle results in a really mean and serious-looking rod.

Performance

The Longbow is an absolute joy to play fish with, it feels very solid with the stiff backbone giving you the power to control the action while the softer tip of the rod absorbs any sudden lunges and jerks from the fish. The rod handles incredibly well under pressure and is very well equipped to suit nearly every angling situation you could encounter.

Check Current Price

Century Stealth Graphene

Casting ability

The Century Stealth Graphene is another ultra-high-end rod with the most sophisticated and extreme materials to push the absolute limits of what is possible with a carp rod.

As the name suggests, the rod uses Graphene in its resin matrix which is an incredibly light but tough material designed to withstand the toughest fishing situations. The Century Stealth Graphene is built for distance casting and when you combine extreme lightness and strength, its pretty much the best casting rod money can buy.

It’s actually quite absurd how light a rod can get which is why the Stealth Graphene cuts through the air effortlessly in a dead straight line. All you have to do is aim and fire.

Quality

Being a luxury item the Stealth Graphene is really expensive. A set of rods will set you back probably around £1500 and it would only make sense to couple the rods with reels of equal measure which would likely double your costs. The point is, buying a set of these rods is in no way cheap but they are the pinnacle of quality. The rod comes in a stealthy black finish with titanium eyes fitted on the rod going from 50 to 16mm which contributes to making it one of the best-casting carp rods in the world.

Performance

The Century Stealth Graphene is an excellent carp rod in every way and its more than capable of handling carp of any size with ease. But that’s not the impressive thing about this rod, there are plenty of rods that can handle carp of tremendous sizes, albeit that depends on the angler using it mostly. However, as we mentioned before the Stealth Graphene’s main focus is its range and accuracy, courtesy of taking every extreme measure to shave off as much excess weight as possible while keeping the rod as strong as possible.

Check Current Price