

In a carp combo the rod and reel are matched to each other, so the outfit is balanced straight out of the box. A combo is an easy way into carp fishing or a simple way to add a rod to your set-up. Two-piece, three-piece and telescopic combos are available.






















Start with rod length and test curve. A 10 ft combo suits small waters and close range, while 12 ft is the usual choice for medium-sized lakes. A test curve of around 3 lb covers most situations.
The reel type tells you how the combo is meant to be fished. FS stands for freespool, ideal for fishing off a pod with bite alarms. FD means front drag, a simple and robust reel.
If you fish two or three rods, buy matching combos so they all cast and behave the same. Add rigs, leads, bite alarms, a rod pod and a landing net and you are ready for your first session.