If you are new to coarse fishing in the UK, choosing your first rod can feel confusing. Walk into any tackle shop or browse online and you'll see float rods, feeder rods, bomb rods, poles, carp rods, specialist rods, and more.
The good news is that most beginners only need to understand a few key concepts before making a sensible choice.
Leeda has built its reputation on producing affordable tackle that covers a range of uses, designed specifically for UK rivers, canals, lakes, and commercial fisheries. From our cheapest starter kits through to Concept GT-branded rods, every product is design to help anglers develop their skills and get reliable tackle at a sensible price.
What is coarse fishing?
In the UK, coarse fishing refers to targeting freshwater fish other than trout and salmon. Common species include:
- Roach
- Bream
- Perch
- Chub
- Barbel
- Carp
There are loads of other species but these are the ones you'll encounter most commonly. Where many years ago roach were the predominant species for first-timers - usually only a few ounces but plentiful - carp are now more popular and they're fun to catch, weighing several pounds and offering exciting sport. It's easy to find a fishery that holds them.
These fisheries are commonly referred to as commercial fisheries and are the most popular venues in the UK; however, here are miles and miles of canals and rivers to tray, plus natural lakes and ponds, so there's a huge selection for any angler to try.
The best rod for you depends less on the fish species and more on the method you intend to use, and that's often dictated by the fishery you choose to visit.
What are the most common types of coarse fishing rods?
There are three common types of rod that are used for general coarse fishing. By 'general' we mean targeting a multitude of species of average size, between a few ounces and several pounds. Rods for bigger fish are often called 'specimen' or 'specialist' rods, and are more heavy-duty. Then you have carp rods, which are strong and powerful, designed to tame big carp that can grow in excess of 50lb.
For anyone starting out though, here are the three rods you'll most likely encounter;
1 - Float Fishing rods
A float rod is designed for fishing with a float suspended in the surface of the water.
This is often the easiest and most enjoyable way for beginners to learn because you can see bites happen in real time. It's also very simple to set up and is a versatile approach that can be used on a variety of venues.
Float rods are often referred to as 'match rods'; these are usually higher performance models, but effectively do the same job.
Advantages:
- Easy to learn
- Visual bite indication
- Excellent for all species
- Super-simple to use
A good float rod will have plenty of guides - or eyes as they're also referred to - that offer smooth flow of line from the reel, a comfortable handle that allows you to hold it for long periods, and has softness though the top half to deal with delicate tackle to avoid breakages when a bigger fish is hooked.
2. Feeder Rods
Feeder fishing uses a weighted feeder that carries bait to the lake or river bed. Feeders come in various shapes and sizes but are a lot heavier than floats, so require a rod that has more power so you can cast that weight a fair distance.
The other most notable difference between a feeder rod and a float rod is the quivertip; there is no float to watch, instead you watch the tip of the rod which ,under tension, will quiver and knock when a fish bites. The rod tip is your bite indicator.
Typical uses:
- Lakes and commercial fisheries
- Deep or powerful rivers
- Large waters
Advantages:
- Casts further than float fishing
- Excellent in windy conditions
- Very effective for bream, barbel, and carp
A good feeder rod will have guides that be progressively smaller as they get towards the tip, allowing great line flow off the reel to gain maximum distance. The quivertip guides in particular will be small to complement the fine, sensitive tip.
A rod that comes with several interchangeable quivertips means you can adapt to different conditions and styles of fishing.
Handles on feeder rods are often longer to give better leverage when casting.
3. Bomb Rods
Bomb fishing uses a simple lead weight rather than a feeder.
It's commonly used when fish are feeding over loose feed and you don't need to cast bait in a feeder. During Winter when fish are less hungry, or when fish are spooky and a large feeder may disturb them too much, a bomb is used because it's less obtrusive and disturbs the water less.
Although bombs do come in large sizes above 3oz, for general coarse fishing they are usually smaller so aren't used to reach the same distances that feeders reach. They are less prone to snagging though, so are useful on venues that have lot of roacks or weeds.
Typical uses:
- Winter commercial fishing
- Carp fishing
- River fishing
Advantages:
- Simple to set up
- Great for targeting spooky fish
- Easy to learn
A bomb rod is very similar to a feeder rod in that it will feature a fine, sensetive quivertip. However, these rods aren't usually design to fish at huge distances so are less powerful and are usually shorter in length, the longest being 10ft. Also, handles tend to be shorter because there is less leverage required to cast.
Understanding Rod Length
Coarse fishing rods come in all sorts of lengths;
- Float rods - 10ft to 20ft
- Feeder rods - 10ft to 15ft
- Bomb Rods - 7ft to 10ft
Although there isn't a 'perfect' rod length there are lengths that are more versatile than others.
In general, longer rods cast further. A longer rod can also be useful to control fish better. But they can be heavier and not as responsive if they don't feature higher grade materials like carbon.
Shorter rods are less cumbersome and easier to handle, especially for younger anglers. But they have a limit to how far they can cast, and often don't have the power to control bigger fish.
For newcomers, an 11ft float is a great place to start, a it'll be easy to handle and cast, and manoeuvres well to avoid tangles.
For feeder fishing then a 12ft rod is the most versatile if you intend to fish a selection of venues.
Bomb rods come into their own as a more specialist tool - such as during Winter or for fishing small rivers and brooks - so in 8ft, 9ft or 10ft, buying one may be an additional purchase once your skills and confidence grow.
Rod Features
We've talked about guides briefly, but the thing to consider is too few guides on a rod can work against you; the action of the rod - the way it bends - should see enough guides that the line follows the curve of the rod. Too few and the line is under stress as it passes through the guide. It also has a tendency to stick to the rod when it's wet.
Handles come in several finishes;
- Cork is very popular as it looks great, feel good and is durable. But it does need care - cleaning and drying - to prolong its life, as it's a natural material.
- EVA - or Duplon as it's often referred to as - is a synthetic material that's super-soft and wears well. It can get dirty quickly but is easily washed.
The type of handle you choose often comes down to aesthetics. Some rods have a mix of both materials.
The reel seat where the reel attaches is generally a composite design with. screw fitting the locks the reel securely to the rod. These are almost exclusively found in modern rods and ensure a solid, secure fitment.
Shorter rods or many 12ft feeder rods comes in a 2-piece design; fewer sections mean less joints so creating a stringer rod, perfect for targeting bigger fish or when casting heavy feeders.But they can be more awkward to pack away and transport.
Three-piece rods are usually reserved for 13ft or longer float rods; this design allows the rod to be packed down to a manageable length and because float rods aren't subjected to heavy casting, having more joints is less of an issue.
Should you buy a pole instead?
Although we love pole fishing and this style of fishing has huge positives, it's not for everyone and demands some specific skills such as how to handle a long pole, how to ship it and break down, and the limitations surrounding how far our you can fish.
For those who are pole-curious, we'll have a guide on the website to help you buy make the right choice.
Beginner Buys.
So, what rod should you buy? We've narrowed it down to help you choose a rod that matches key styles of fishing you'll encounter here in the UK;
1 - All-round Float Fishing
For fishing lakes, slow-moving rivers and canals, our popular 11ft float rod is a great place to start. A full carbon blank means it's crisp and responsive, yet it is sensitive enough to use light hooklengths and small hooks during Winter or when fishing for roach.
2 - Commercial Carp Fishing
For catching carp in the 2-6lb size bracket, you need a tool that will handle the powerful runs and heavier tackle. The 11ft Concept GT Carp Feeder rod will allow you to hone your feeder fishing skills and your casting, yet never leave you undergunned if you hook a big fish. The progressive action is super-fun.
3 - River Fishing
We're a big fan of twin tip rods so the Concept GT 12ft Twin Tip is our choice; not only will it handle feeder and heavy bomb fishing on medium-paced rivers because of its sensitive quivertip, the non-quivertip top section can be employed for float fishing, or simply when you need a heavier top for targeting barbel.
Common Beginner Mistakes
With so much choice online and in tackle shops, it's easy to get carried away and go for what looks like a great deal without doing your homework - here are some common mistakes to avoid;
Buying a Carp Rod First
Carp rods are designed for larger fish and heavier leads. They can feel cumbersome when targeting general coarse species and just aren't suited to general fishing, especially if you intend on catching smaller fish like roach.
Buying the Longest Rod Available
Longer rods are not automatically better. An 11ft rod is often easier to use than a 13ft rod for anyone who's not used to casting. Plus, if you're in enclosed areas, a long rod can leads to tangles and hook-ups on vegetation, which can lead to breakages.
Ignoring Transport Length
Think about how your rod will fit in your car or storage space before buying. If it's too long then you could unintentionally damage it by storing it incorrectly.
Choosing the Cheapest Option Only
Value matters, but durability and versatility matter more. A slightly better rod often lasts years longer and its performance will match your improving skills.
