Cheap Carp Start Up Kits

[trigger2 3,287]

i am thinking about taking up a spot of carp fishing and was wondering if anyone on here could tell me if its worth buying one of those cheap starter kits of ebay for carp fishing. 2 rods and reals, bite alarms, net, unhooking mat, some bait and a few other odds and sods for around the £100 mark. or are they just a complete wast of time?

 

ive done plenty of trout fishing when i was a kid but i just fancy a bit of a change, i might not even bloody like it.

[spud gun 16]

Personally i would go down the second hand route, stick to the main names like shimano and daiwa they all do budget ranges that you can pick up really cheap. if you dont like the sport would also be alot easier to sell them again than it would the full kit off ebay.

[toby63 1,236]

it all depends on how serious your going to take it . cause its a dear sport when you get hooked and more so time you spend on the bank . but if only doing day sessions then why not

[TeDuke 276]

Personally i would go down the second hand route, stick to the main names like shimano and daiwa they all do budget ranges that you can pick up really cheap. if you dont like the sport would also be alot easier to sell them again than it would the full kit off ebay.

My thoughts exactly, buy shite buy twice

[lifelong cumbrian 1,829]

Ebay a good place to price gear, buy off forums or ebay and pay a lot less, my opinion is to buy second hand quality gear over new cheap made stuff. If it don't suit you you can get your money back or sometimes even make a profit.

[Waz 4,292]

consider just buying 1 rod and 1 reel along with a landing net. & get out and about stalking with a pair of poloroids, youll have more fun and get more experience and probably bank more fish than plotted up behind a couple of beeping beepers. whatever you do I wish you tight lines

[ryaldinhio 5,139]

I would say buy new but dont buy cheap kits. If you are after a couple of rods and reels if you spend 50quid a pop on these (so 200 for a 2 rod set up) and they will last years. You can get fox rods and shimano reels for 50quid and they will last. Ive had my 50quid shimanos fo 7 years and they have spent loads of time on trent and been to france a few times takin on big uns, I dont go over the top lookin after my kit and they still work perfectly.

 

Buy cheap reels they will soon fall to bits. Buy cheap rods the action will be crap. After that is when it becomes tackle tarts ground, best bivvy, chair, bite alarm...doesnt mean anything to the fish or the fight.

 

Where u from fella? I have some fox bite alarms that could do you a steal on. I have bought a new set this year because I wanted wireless to suit my fishing.

[ryaldinhio 5,139]

consider just buying 1 rod and 1 reel along with a landing net. & get out and about stalking with a pair of poloroids, youll have more fun and get more experience and probably bank more fish than plotted up behind a couple of beeping beepers. whatever you do I wish you tight lines

I agree with this fella. Get a single rod set up and do some floater fishing/stalking this summer. Miles better than sitting behind bite alarms.

[trigger2 3,287]

I would say buy new but dont buy cheap kits. If you are after a couple of rods and reels if you spend 50quid a pop on these (so 200 for a 2 rod set up) and they will last years. You can get fox rods and shimano reels for 50quid and they will last. Ive had my 50quid shimanos fo 7 years and they have spent loads of time on trent and been to france a few times takin on big uns, I dont go over the top lookin after my kit and they still work perfectly.

 

Buy cheap reels they will soon fall to bits. Buy cheap rods the action will be crap. After that is when it becomes tackle tarts ground, best bivvy, chair, bite alarm...doesnt mean anything to the fish or the fight.

 

Where u from fella? I have some fox bite alarms that could do you a steal on. I have bought a new set this year because I wanted wireless to suit my fishing.

i am in shropshire mate.

[trigger2 3,287]

i know the carp fishing game can get expensive my brother in laws mate paid a shit load of money for a bait boat with a fish finder on it and he still struggles to catch fish at times.

[Flipper_Al 1,012]

Carp fishing can be as cheap or expensive as you want to make it. There is a shed load of very good gear out there for not a lot of money, when i started carp fishing 35years ago there was very little choice. There are some things its not worth buying cheap.. or you will be buying again

So i would go for second hand gear rods Fox Warriors in 12ft 2.75TC will be soft under the tip and put a 3oz lead a 100yards, can be picked up for £35 a rod.

Reels Shimano baitrunners 6 series and 8 series again £35 a reel, line bulk spools of Daiwa Sensor or Gardner Pro in 12 or 15lb is £10.

Banksticks and buzzer bars buy stainless they will last you a lifetime, can be picked up off ebay for £20 - £30

Landing net and unhooking mat £10 each

If your going to fish nights and sleep then you will need bite alarms....Gardner TLB's are bullet proof and can be picked up for £35 a piece.

End tackle, learn to make your own rigs loads a youtube vids on how to do it, to start with a simple knotless knot hair rig will catch you fish. Bait wise look at the supermarkets, tons of stuff you can use and cheap also look in the pet stores for hemp,maize, pellet

The above may be more than your budget... but will hold its price should you decide its not for you

[trigger2 3,287]

Carp fishing can be as cheap or expensive as you want to make it. There is a shed load of very good gear out there for not a lot of money, when i started carp fishing 35years ago there was very little choice. There are some things its not worth buying cheap.. or you will be buying again

So i would go for second hand gear rods Fox Warriors in 12ft 2.75TC will be soft under the tip and put a 3oz lead a 100yards, can be picked up for £35 a rod.

Reels Shimano baitrunners 6 series and 8 series again £35 a reel, line bulk spools of Daiwa Sensor or Gardner Pro in 12 or 15lb is £10.

Banksticks and buzzer bars buy stainless they will last you a lifetime, can be picked up off ebay for £20 - £30

Landing net and unhooking mat £10 each

If your going to fish nights and sleep then you will need bite alarms....Gardner TLB's are bullet proof and can be picked up for £35 a piece.

End tackle, learn to make your own rigs loads a youtube vids on how to do it, to start with a simple knotless knot hair rig will catch you fish. Bait wise look at the supermarkets, tons of stuff you can use and cheap also look in the pet stores for hemp,maize, pellet

The above may be more than your budget... but will hold its price should you decide its not for you

thanks mate. ive just got back from the local tackle shop and for around the £200 mark they can get me on the water with a pair of diawa rods and shakspere reals, a couple of bite alarms, some tackle, landing net, and unhooking mat, rod rests. ive come away with 4 dvds thay have give me to have a watch of before making any desicions.

 

the rods are bottom end but they tell me the rest of the tackle is a little bit better. the lad was talking to me about rigs and stuff it was totally alien to me lol. i might be able to get a better deal on the tackle once i can speak to the shop owner.