How to Choose a Rod

[spiderman6]

(08-20-2018 08:12 AM)zippyFX Wrote:  I would do the rounds and shop for a Medium Heavy rod if you are targeting fish of that size. I would go with 20-40 lb braid and use a mono leader (30lbs) for abrasion resistance. The longer the rod the more control you will have. I would look for a longer rod (about 7ft).

If you buy an MH combo the reel should be suitable for carp.

Getting a carp that size up a bridge will difficult depending on height. I would recommend you look for a landing spot.

Sounds like you had very little line. Your drag needs to be balanced so that it gives when the fish is fighting to protect the line and rod and to tire it out. If it to loose the carp looses no energy.

Thanks. We found a landing spot by the end of the bridge. So that should not have been an issue if I could keep the fish with the line. Can a 30lbs mono leader handle a 20 lbs carp, especially when it is fighting for life? I think these carps put force way higher than their weight. Also what length some1 should be loading on wheel when fishing carp from a bridge in trent river? Also any specific brand of braid, wheel and rod u suggest?

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(08-20-2018 09:24 AM)Fossil Fish Wrote:  I would also add that, for suckers, a #2 hook may be too large. I usually use a # 10. Also, is it your line breaking or your knot failing? I can't see a carp breaking 50lb braid unless it's really rubbing against something with a sharp edge. If you're tying the hook directly to the braid, I recommend a palomar knot which is very easy to tie. Other knots have a tendency to slip with braided line.

Thanks. For sucker i use a size 6 and the lines were not breaking. With carps it did. Mostly because of my inexperience. In 1 case, I could see carp eating the bait and started running, before I could hold my joy and release the wheel/drag, the fish just broke the line near hook in split seconds (may be abrasion damage played a role as it was 50lbs braided).