carp rods

[pingu]

have managesd to pick up a freebie carp rod
its got a 3lb test curve and 12ft long
being stupid what does that mean and more importantly what is its best casting weight. as want to use more for estuary fishing for flatties and lures if right rod for thet job

[Fishing Forum Admin]

I use a carp rod for sea fishing with 3lb I would not go over 3oz lead as it could put the rod under to much pressure

I use a grip lead on it

Mind you I not the biggest or hardest caster in the world

[fishypaul]

carp rods of that test curve are often used by the carp guys when blasting leads up to 4 oz out 150 yards .they use long shock-leaders of course . Personally,i wouldn't feel very confident with 4oz,i use 2's and 3's all the time.
the age of the rod may have a bearing,i think a carbon rod would probably handle bigger weights than an older fibre-glass version.
these rods are great fun on estuaries and for lure fishing,i also enjoy feathering with a single feather and a 2oz lead,now that is fun!

[pingu]

its pretty much a new rod "lineaffe" just mate dont want it
cheers for advise will try soon up eastuary

Pingu.

The test curve on the rod is an indication of the amount of pull that would be required to put a curve into the rod to the point where the tip is at rightangles to the butt.

As a guideline a 3lb testcurve rod should not be used with lines less than 6lb as you will crack off on the strike.

The action of the rod is more important when determining what it can and cant cast. But in my opinion a 3lb test curve rod should easily be capable of taking a six ounce lead...The carp boys use 3 oz method feeders, load em with a ball of ground bait the size of a tennis ball, add god nows how many hook bait samples on a stringer and lob the whole lot onto the horizon. If that lot dont weigh 6 ounce I'll eat my hat!

I use my 3lb tc rod to pike fish with and can lob a whole herring 70 or 80 yards with it.

Dave