Best Carp Fishing Leads and Weights
There are many different styles and types of Carp Fishing Leads, which makes it hard to choose which specific lead to buy. I recommend the Best Carp Fishing Leads and Weights in my rig box below. I selected multiple types of weights because I change them depending on my typical conditions.
If you’re still having trouble deciding which lead to use, check out our Guide to Carp Fishing Leads and Weights, which outlines the purpose of each lead and when they should be used.
I have used a lot of carp fishing leads over the years, from simple to complicated setups. I have found over the years that I use two different leads 99% of the time while carp angling. The other 1% of the time is usually when I’m testing out some new lead that turns out to be more attractive to the carp angler due to its flashy appearance and marketing than its actual use.
Stonze Fishing Weights
The Stonze Fishing Weights are my go-to fishing weight for most locations I fish. Most of the time, I fish areas within a few rod lengths of the shore. As an angler and outdoor enthusiast, I chose the Stonze Carp Fishing Weights for the ability to drop my weight in the event of a take without the worry of leaving toxic lead in the water.
Stonze Fishing Weights come in various sizes to suit your conditions. Smaller sizes for margin areas close to shore where stealth or concealment is important and larger sizes for areas at range or where better hooksets are required.
| Stonze Size | Stonze Weight |
|---|---|
| Small | Up To 1.5 oz |
| Medium | 1.5 oz – 2.5 oz |
| Large | 2.5 oz – 3.5 oz |
| XL | 3.5 – 5.5 oz |
| XXL | 5.5 – 7.5 oz |
Best Overall Carp Fishing Leads and Weights
I will use one of the Cygnet Clinga Carp Fishing Leads when faced with heavy currents or steep drop-offs. These leads will hold my bait and rig exactly where I place it without worrying about it drifting or sliding downstream or into snags.
Another great feature of the Cygnet Clinga Leads is their deep groove, where the Cygnet logo is stamped into the weight. This is perfect for those that enjoy using pack bait or paste from time to time. The Clinga Leads don’t only cling onto the bottom well, but they also excel at clinging to pack baits.
Best Distance Lead for Carp Fishing
My number one choice for fishing at long distances is the Cygnet Distance Swivel Lead. Unlike some similar brands of distance leads, the Cygnet Distance Leads have an added swivel attached to the top. This allows for greater movement and prevention of line twists. Any lead that helps prevent line twists at a distance when more line is in the water is a must-have feature.
The Cygnet Distance Swivel Leads also have a more pronounced “point” on the front of them. This helps them travel quicker through the water column and embed deeper in the bottom substrate. The further your lead can penetrate silty and sandy bottoms, the better it will be at setting the hook hold when there is a take.
Best In-Line Leads for Carp Fishing
When I started carp angling, I used inline lead setups 100% of the time. They were simple to set up and required the least amount of terminal tackle to use effectively. I used many different styles. Paste bombs, grippers, method feeders, etc. After using many different types and styles of inline leads over the years, I can say that the most versatile is the Inline Gripper Style Lead.
Many different carp fishing brands produce a Gripper Style Inline Lead. I prefer to use either Fox or Korda Gripper Leads, as they’re the most common and readily available at most tackle shops.
Best Back Leads for Carp Fishing
I’ve used many types and styles of back leads over the years, and while some are decent, others can be a downright nuisance to use. Some designs don’t slide down your mainline quickly enough, while others zip down too quickly and end up out by your rig. The two recommendations below hit an excellent middle ground and are easy to deploy precisely where you want them.
In situations where I need to dump the back lead, such as very weedy or snaggy swims, I will opt for the Stonze Back Leads. They are easy to use and quite effective at coming off your line when needed. Having the piece of mind that I haven’t dumped a hunk of lead into the water is a bonus to these leads that perform quite well.
My second option for a decent back lead is the Cygnet Back Leads. These nifty little back leads seem to be made out of plastic with some heavier material inside to give them the proper weight. The innovative clip design on the top makes them very secure, but they can also pop off if snagged.
I am very impressed with these little back leads and they slide down perfectly into place in almost every situation I fish. They are light enough not to weigh down your rig box too much but heavy enough to stay put when needed.
Best Tungsten Putty for Carp Fishing
Another great lead alternative is using Tungsten Putty to pin your rigs to the bottom for concealment. Split shot weights are a good option, but if pinched too hard can damage the rig material and cause crack-offs. Split shots are also made of lead and, when lost in the water, are bad for the environment.
There are different brands of Tungsten Putty on the market that are available from many top manufacturers of carp fishing gear; for the most part, they are the same. I use the Aptus Tungsten Putty as I order most of my end tackle from them, and it’s easy to tack on the Putty when I need a refill.
Aptus is known for its environment-first approach to fishing tackle packaging. An issue I’ve often looked to provide alternatives to myself. I am happy to support them as it is the road less travelled but something I strongly believe in.
Best Marker Leads and Weights for Carp Fishing
The final type of Carp Fishing Lead that is always in my rig box is the Cygnet Marker Fishing Lead. These are perfect for scouting new carp fishing spots to determine depth and bottom substrate.
It’s great to purchase the Cygnet Marker Leads in a multi-pack of three sizes. You can swap them out easily to choose the one that fits the distance and venue you’re currently fishing. These leads work great for casting alone or in tandem with marker lead setups.
As you can see, I have a mix of leads and weights for any session. I can easily swap them to provide the optimal setup for the conditions I’m faced with.
There are many other great options for Carp Fishing Lead Setups on the market, and the amount to choose from can sometimes be challenging. This is just one of many great educational resources found online. I hope it has helped narrow down your decision.
