Carp RodsThe carp fishing rods I have fished with thus far are Shakespeare, Chub, Prologic Harrison and Wychwood. If I had to choose it would be my old faithful Century carp rods but I love the new Chub rods even if they are a bit stiff. The John Wilson's aren't too bad either, but can get a bit pricey. If you're having trouble choosing, you're not alone with everyone claiming to use Carbon Fiber and Kevlar along with the lightest Blanks. If you need help then ask around and see what the dudes on the banks are fishing with, almost all carp Aficionados will talk about their rods!Carp Rod ActionCarp rods come in two categories of rod action. Tip action, or fast action rods bend mainly at the tip of the rod. Fast action are better for casting over long distances. The down side is that they are not so good for playing the fish. When it isn't going to be necessary to cast very far, through action rods are highly recommened. If playing the fish is going to be of primary concern, then the through action rods are the best because they bend over the entire body of the rod. The end result is that you will have a smaller chance of bumping the carp off the hook. If you are like most people and will be doing a variety of different types of carp fishing I would recommend getting the through action as it is indeed more versatile. What is the Correct Carp Rod Length?The everyday carp fisherman usually gets a 12ft carp rod. It will perform in most situations and as a do-it-all rod it is a good choice. A 13 foot rod is best if you need to cast your bait long distances. When you are margin and/or floater fishing, an 11 foot rod is going to be your best bet. Although, if you will be stalking, then I would advise you to use a 10 footer. These are the best for skulking through the brush. The correct rod length for you really depends on the type of carp fishing that you will be doing. The above are fairly good benchmarks to go by.What Material Should Your Carp Rod Be?Carp fishing rods are generally manufactured from carbon fiber. More often than not, the more money you spend on the rod the higher quality the carbon fiber will be. Kevlar is sometimes placed in the rods, which makes them stronger but usually more expensive. The potential negative to the Kevlar rods though is that they are stiffer and can make it more difficult to play the fish. I have used Kevlar rods before and can recall several times when I lost a hook set because of the rigidity. I don't recommend getting a Kevlar rod unless the average carp you are catching are over 20lbs.What Test Curve Should Your Carp Fishing Rod Have?The carp fishing rod's test curve is a crucial factor that you should pay attention to when choosing the right rod for you. A higher test curve allows you to cast more weight. If the test curve is too high though you are more likely to knock the fish off of the hook when you are luring them in. You really don't want a carp fishing rod that is too stiff, so finding the right balance for the type of fishing you will be doing is key. 2.25lb (2 1/4lb) test curve and 2.75lb (2 3/4lb) test curve is best for medium to close range fishing. Rods in this test curve range are more flexible when playing fish but don't forget that you won't be able to cast quite as far.How Do You Choose The Right Rod?Fladen, Drennan, Normark, Rod Hutchinson, Wychwood, Daiwa, Shimano, JRC, Shakespeare, TFG (Matt Hayes) , Prologic, Abu Garcia, Masterline, Fox, Chub, Ron Thompson, Greys, Harrison, John Wilson, Grauvell, E.S.P.Which one is the best for you? In my opinion all of the above carp fishing rod manufacturers are solid and produce a good product. First determine what type of fishing you are going to be doing, and then understand your budget. Once you've done this, any of the above choices that matches your needs will be a winner.