The Big Guide to Carp Fishing Terminal Tackle
So you’re interested in trying your hand at catching a carp. You head to the local tackle store or online shop to see what gear you need. This is where things can get a little tricky. Carp angling is quite different from most other forms of angling. The techniques and gear are quite foreign to anglers that target other popular sports fish such as bass, salmon, trout, pike, etc.
Is it Necessary to Use Terminal Tackle Specific to Carp Fishing?
As you begin your journey in carp angling, some of the most confusing pieces of gear will be carp fishing end tackle.
Is it all required? No. You can successfully catch carp with the most basic of hair rigs fashioned out of simple materials you most likely already have in your tackle box. Then why are there all these special swivels, screws, crimps, weights, shrink tubes, kickers, etc? It can all be boiled down to one word, “efficiency.”
Although all these little bits and bobs aren’t “necessary” to catch carp, they simplify the process and make life much more enjoyable on the bank.
Why Should You Buy and Use Special Carp Fishing Terminal Tackle?
From concealment, better hook holds, increased rig presentation, superior rig mechanics and above all else fish safety, there are many good reasons to purchase and use the carp fishing terminal tackle listed below.
Many different brands make these specific pieces of gear, all perform fairly similarly, and I will leave it up to you to choose which suits you best. This article is meant to be an extensive list defining the bits of terminal tackle for carp fishing and their uses. A guide I wish I had myself all those years ago when I began to learn the ins and outs of carp fishing.
The Big List of Carp Fishing Terminal Tackle
You’ve probably browsed around a bit and come across some of the premade rig material kits on Ali Express or Amazon. I would recommend starting with one of these kits to figure out what end tackle you really need before splurging on the better quality brand name stuff.
When I first discovered carp angling, I was quite confused by these kits and had no idea what the individual components were. That is why I have compiled this extensive guide of each piece to help save you time and money.
Carp Fishing Hooks
The most important piece of carp fishing terminal tackle is a good solid hook. Types of hooks and patterns are usually more of a personal preference among carp anglers. There are many good brands and manufacturers of carp fishing hooks to choose from. A few major points to consider when choosing a carp fishing hook are:
Carp Fishing Hook Type
There are many different variations of carp hooks out on the market. Some perform better depending on what rig they are paired with, while others are great in any situation.
Carp Fishing Hook Brand
The brand can make a big difference in carp fishing hook performance. You can’t go wrong with the major brand names such as Korda, Nash or Gardner.
Carp Fishing Hook Size
The size of hook you use for carp fishing is also a major factor. You need to consider the size of fish, bait and location you’re fishing to decide the optimal size.
If you’re brand new to carp angling, any hook in your tackle box will most likely catch carp. If you’re reading this article, you’re most likely getting serious about carp specifically and looking to upgrade. Be sure to check out this article on What to look for in a Quality Carp Fishing Hook for more information on narrowing down the perfect choice of carp fishing hook.
Bait Screws
Bait Screws are an integral piece of my carp fishing rig setups these days. Two of my favourite and easiest rigs to use are Spinner Rigs and German Rigs, both of which use a bait screw. There are a few different types and styles of bait screws out there.
Plastic Bait Screws
My least favourite is the plastic type of bait screw. In my experience, I’ve found hook baits will slide off of this type of bait screw much easier. They also split baits easier.
Small Metal Bait Screws
My preferred choice of bait screw. This size is ideal for a single bottom bait, pop up or wafter. If you’re thinking of trying bait screws, I would start with this type.
Long Metal Bait Screw
Some brands have made a longer version of the bait screw. This is to enable anglers to use a bait screw setup with multiple hook baits such as a snowman rig setup.
My favourite type of bait screw is the black metal version with a small round ring that attaches to your carp fishing hook of choice. Carefully inspect any bait screw before buying. If you look closely, you will notice some have no ring attachment, some have an oval-shaped ring, some with a mini rig swivel and others with a round rig ring attachment.
Bait Screw Pros
- Easy to Use.
- Quickly Switch Hook Baits.
- Easily Adjustable on the Shaft of the Hook.
- No Need for Additional Baiting Tools.
Bait Screw Cons
- Sometimes Lose Baits After Each Catch.
- Harder to Use Multiple Hookbaits.
- Possibility of Bait Slipping Off.
- Not All Bait Screws are Effective.
Most carp fishing rigs use bait floss or bait stops to securely hold your chosen hook bait. While these methods are more reliable, I’ve switched to bait screws to easily swap out hook baits quickly and add a fresh pop-up or after every catch.
Hook Stops
Hook Stops are mainly used on carp fishing hooks to keep other specific pieces of terminal tackle in place. If you’re using bait screws as listed above, you will also require Hook Stops to keep the bait screw in place.
Hook Stops are tiny rubber stopper beads with a hole in the center. Although they can be finicky to use and slide over a hook point, hook stops are a must if you’re using rig rings, bait screws, bait swivels or any terminal tackle directly on your hook.
Hook Stop Colour
Hook Stops can vary in colour depending on brand and manufacturer. I’ve found them in light green, dark green, grey, black, silt, brown and clear. Most brands come in green, but I prefer black to blend in with my hooks.
Hook Stop Material
Hook stops are normally made from a soft silicone material. The suppleness can vary from brand to brand, but they all serve the same function in the end. In my experience, the softer hook stops are easier to apply and remove.
Hook Stops in a Bunch
You can buy hook stops individually or grouped on a plastic holder. I opt for the holder version as it is easier to get the hook stops onto the hook when they’re bunched together, then just snap them apart afterwards.
TIP: Although hook stops don’t cost all that much on their own, when buying other rig materials such as bait screws, rig rings or bait swivels, look for a brand that combines the two together in a package to save costs.
Shrink Tube
I always thought shrink tube for carp fishing rigs was kind of gimmicky and didn’t really provide much of a benefit when I first started exploring the world of specialty carp fishing terminal tackle. Now I use it on the majority of my rigs, it has a few major benefits. Shrink tubing is used to slide over the top of carp fishing swivels, hooks and knots to prevent tangles.
Prevents Tangles
Implementing shrink tubing on your carp fishing rigs covers swivels and small rig components, preventing them from snagging and tangling onto your rig or mainline while casting.
Better Rig Mechanics
When heating and shrinking down the shrink tube on your carp fishing rigs, you can bend and form it to gain the optimal angle for your hook (similar to using a kicker), increasing hook-up rates greatly.
Carpy Looks
I don’t know about you, but comparing my pictures of before and after implementing shrink tubing in my rig construction, I can easily say it looks way neater and carpier afterwards.
There are a few factors to consider when choosing what type of shrink tubing to use for your carp rigs.
Shrink Tubing Colour
Shrink Tubing comes in many different colours. I usually pick the best colour to camouflage into the bottom where I fish. Some choices are silty grey, weedy green or sandy beige. Other anglers opt for black as it often looks the best.
Shrink Tubing Size
The size of shrink tubing you choose will depend on the size of the rig components you are using. If you use heavier larger hooks and swivels, you will need to opt for a larger diameter shrink tube to accommodate them.
Shrink Tubing Brand
Yes, the brand makes a difference in shrink tubing, but all are not equal. I’ve found a big difference in performance between many of the big brands. Some are stiff and hard to use while other are soft and supple.
The first shrink tubing I experimented with was from the electrical department at my local hardware store. I can say for certain that brands of shrink tubing made specifically for carp fishing are 100% easier to work with and mould around your rigs.
TIP: If you plan on fishing in hot weather, be mindful of leaving shrink tubing in a hot tackle box. I had three packs that were ruined due to the high heat.
Kickers
Much like the name implies kickers are used to “kick” out your carp fishing hook to increase hook holds. The angle of the hook is changed so that the point is positioned at a more aggressive angle.
Once again, kickers can vary greatly by brand. Some are made so small they’re difficult to slide over the eye of a hook. Others have some interesting features that make them superior which we will cover in the points below.
Kicker Colour
Colour can matter depending on the situation you’re in. Kickers come in a variety of colours including grey, beige, brown, green and black to blend in. Some are even yellow or in grub patterns to mimic foods that carp eat.
Kicker Weight
The weights of kickers can vary depending on brand and materials. The majority are made out of silicone or plastic and are quite light. There are some tungsten-based kickers that aid in balancing the weight of your rigs.
Kicker Size
As mentioned briefly above kicker size can vary by brand. Unfortunately, it’s a trial and error game. Buying and testing different products until you find one that works best for you and the situations that you’re fishing in.
If you’re looking for a place to start some simple green silicone kickers are often the best to begin with. I often rely on knots and other rig materials such as shrink tubing to enhance the presentation of my rigs and don’t rely on kickers, but other great anglers do use them often. As with many of these specialty rig components, it comes down to personal preference.
Hook Link Material
The most common hook link material is a simple supple coated braid. There are many different brands to choose from but if you’re just starting out any of them will do. The majority of carp fishing rigs can be tied with this material and perform well.
If you’ve tied and used a few rigs with this and are looking to upgrade or branch out to different materials to combat certain conditions or situations, some other great options are outlined below.
Braided Hook Link Material
Braided Hook Link Material is normally the go-to rig material for newcomers. It’s easy to use, and many rigs perform well with this type of hook link.
Stiff Hook Link Material
Like its name, Stiff Hook Link Material is made out of braided material but has a stiff plastic coating. The coating can be stripped to increase knot strength and rig mechanics.
Semi Stiff Hook Link Material
Semi Stiff Hook Link material is a hybrid between stiff and supple. It often comes down to an angler’s preference and ease of use when choosing which Hook Link material to use.
Fluoro Hook Link Material
Fluorocarbon Hook Link is used for creating rigs with a stiff boom section. It is clear and blends in well in most environments.
Supple Hook Link Material
Supple Hook Link Material is made out of Braided Hook link Material but has a softer outer coating, making it more pliable. The coating can also be stripped easily with a stripper tool.
Leadcore
Leadcore is mainly used for leaders that come before the carp fishing rig. Leadcore is in many anglers’ terminal tackle boxes due to its efficiency in preventing break-offs in snaggy waters.
This article just provides a brief overview of what options are out there. If you want to read a more in-depth article covering line and hook link material be sure to check out our Guide to Choosing the Perfect Carp Fishing Line.
Weights and Tungsten Putty
Carp Fishing Leads and Weights come in various types and sizes, almost needing an entire stand-alone guide which coincidentally you can find here at Guide to Carp Fishing Leads and Weights. The weights that we are covering in this article pertain to carp rigs and are found in every angler’s terminal tackle box.
Tungsten Putty
Moldable putty that comes in various colours to help pin down your hook link and critically balance finicky rigs.
Split Shot Weights
Small lead weights that can be added to your rigs instead of using Tungsten Putty. A more affordable solution.
Tungsten Sinkers
Slide on tungsten weights that have a pre-drilled hole to slide neatly onto carp rigs. Used to create a covert presentation.
When I was new to carp angling, I was astounded at the complexity and specialty items carp anglers have in their arsenal. I don’t think I’ve targeted any other fish species with so much dedicated end tackle. Utilizing these tiny weights to critically balance rigs and presentations can definitely aid in fooling weary and pressured fish.
Lead Clips
Lead Clips are small plastic clips that attach to your line above your rig, these allow the lead to come off if a fish gets snagged. They are great in environments with heavy weeds, boulders or logs. Not only do they help land more fish they also come off easily in the event a fish breaks off, making it easier for the fish to eject the hook on its own.
Lead Clip Colour
As with many other terminal tackle pieces. Lead Clips are made in various different colours to help blend in with the lake bed, such as brown, silt and green.
Lead Clip Material
Once again, the materials lead clips are made out of, and the design varies slightly depending on the brand. I’ve found some are superior to others in performance and cost.
Lead Clip Size
The majority of lead clips will fit your average-size swivel for use with any rig. I like ordering terminal tackle kits with Lead Clips, Tail Rubbers and Swivels packaged together.
Lead Clips are for use with swivel-style carp fishing weights. With tail rubbers, you can make it so lead clips hold onto the weight and only drop the lead once snagged. I used to only use inline lead setups in my angling but recently have switched to lead clips.
Tail Rubbers
Tail Rubbers are an integral piece of terminal tackle kit if you plan to use swivel style leads with a Lead Clip as explained above. The tail rubber is a small piece of soft rubber plastic that slides onto your mainline in front of the lead clip. Once you put your lead onto the clip, the tail rubber then slides over the front of the lead clip to secure your weight in place.
Tail Rubber Size
Tail Rubbers can vary in size depending on the brand that makes them. All are not the same size. The majority are compatible, but a few are designed differently
Tail Rubber Colour
Tail Rubbers can come in a variety of colours much like other pieces of terminal tackle, to help blend in with the bottom substrate. Some examples are brown, grey, green and black.
Tail Rubber Material
Tail rubbers are made from a softer silicone-based plastic that allows them to stretch and fit over the lead clips that they are paired with. Some are softer than others.
Tail Rubbers are usually sold in packs with the corresponding lead clips. Not all tail rubbers will fit snugly on other brands of lead clips. If they are sold separately, and you’re planning to use either lead clips or tail rubbers, be sure to purchase the right size and brand for each.
Carp Fishing Swivels
There are many different types and characteristics that come into play when choosing the proper swivels for your angling. We will outline the different forms of carp fishing swivels below and recommend purchasing some of each to have on hand in your carp fishing rig box.
Quick Change Swivels
There are various styles of quick-change swivels, and each has different uses. The main type of quick-change swivel is the type that connects your rig to your mainline. This is the quickest and easiest way to swap out rigs when used in conjunction with silicone sleeves.
Quick Change Swivels
A swivel with an open but semi-crimped end to secure rigs to your main line.
Quick Rig Swivels
Similar to a quick change swivel but with an open connection instead of semi-crimped.
Quick Round Swivels
Similar to a quick change swivel but with a circular semi-crimped section.
Barrel Swivels
Although I don’t use barrel swivels as much in my carp angling, they are one of the most common swivels in general. They are made out of two closed loops on either end that are connected and rotate in the middle to prevent line twists while fishing with lures and other such setups.
Swivel Sizing
The sizing of swivels is another important factor to consider. While small swivels are more discreet and won’t be detected by carp as easily, be sure to choose a big and strong swivel to handle the carp you’re targeting.
Size #8 or Size #10 are the most common size for carp fishing swivels specifically. They will hold up to big powerful fish and are also compatible with the common sizes of silicone sleeves, anti-tangle sleeves, hooks and lead clips.
Rig Beads and Buffer Beads
These two types of beads are quite different. Both are made out of durable soft rubber silicone. Although I don’t use them often in my fishing, I always have some in my rig box should I be faced with a situation where I need them.
These types of beads can vary by manufacturer. I find some work better than others due to the softness of the silicone and sizing of the holes. They slide on and hold where they’re supposed to much easier. The beads can be purchased in a variety of colours to help with blending into the bottom substrate.
Carp Fishing Rig Beads
These tiny round beads have a small hole in the middle. This allows them to be slipped onto your mainline or leader. They serve as a buffer to stop your rig from sliding past them. This will allow you to adjust your rig presentation to fish the conditions you face.
Carp Fishing Buffer Beads
These beads do exactly what their name states. They act as a buffer between heavy leads and light terminal tackle such as swivels. They also protect knots near your end tackle during casting, when the most strain is put on it to prevent crack-offs.
Tip: If you’re struggling to slide the tight-fitting rig beads on. Moisten the line and use a thin baiting needle to thread them on.
Silicone Sleeves
Silicone sleeves are a must if you’re planning on using quick-change swivels. Silicone sleeves are made of soft plastic material to enable them to stretch and slide over the connection of a quick change swivel, thus securing your rig to your mainline. There are various aspects of silicone sleeves to watch when deciding which brand to use.
Silicone Sleeve Colour
Silicone sleeves come in a variety of different colours, including brown, grey, green and black. These characteristics help with concealment.
Silicone Sleeve Size
Silicone Sleeves come in a variety of different sizes. The majority are made to fit with the more common size quick change swivels.
Silicone Sleeve Design
There are various different designs of silicone sleeves. A couple of the common designs are straight or tapered. I’ve grown accustomed to using tapered Silicone Sleeves as they are more streamed lined and less prone to tangles.
Specialty Silicone Sleeves
The majority of silicone sleeves are made of soft plastic, but there are also specialty sleeves out on the market. These sleeves are mixed with tungsten and used to help critically balance rigs and pin them to the bottom.
To find a type of silicone sleeve that suits your angling best, it will most likely be a trial and error situation. I had to try many different types of sleeves, all of which performed differently until I found one that suited my angling the best.
Anti-Tangle Sleeves
Anti-Tangle Sleeves are self-explanatory. They are small narrow sleeves made out of a soft silicone material that are slipped over your rig to increase the stiffness. They aid in pushing your rig, hook and bait away from your lead and mainline during flight and while dropping through the water column.
While most anti-tangle sleeves are the same across the board, there are a few characteristics to consider when choosing the right brand.
Anti-Tangle Sleeve Colour
Anti-Tangle Sleeves come in many different colours for added concealment. Green, grey and brown are most common, while others even have a mottled brown/green pattern.
Anti-Tangle Sleeve Size
Anti-Tangle Sleeves come in a variety of diameters. I choose to purchase anti-tangle sleeves that are larger. This just aids in threading them onto your rigs and saving time.
Anti-Tangle Sleeve Brand
Of course, much like other carp fishing terminal tackle pieces, anti-tangle sleeves vary slightly by brand. Some are softer plastic and also vary slightly in size.
Anti-Tangle Sleeves can also be a great substitute for closing a quick change swivel if you run out of silicone sleeves. The anti-tangle sleeves are narrower and more difficult to thread onto your rig but perform better at preventing tangled rigs.
Tip: If you’re struggling at threading anti-tangle sleeves onto hook link material, I suggest buying a narrow hooked baiting or splicing needle to thread them on. It can greatly simplify things on the bank, especially if your eyesight is poor as mine is.
Hair Stops
Hair Stops are tiny pieces of plastic that are inserted onto the end of a hair rig to secure your hook bait in place. They aren’t necessary. When I made my first hair rig, I simply used a piece of a stick to hold my corn on the hair.
There are a few different types of hair stops and aspects to consider before buying.
Hair Stop Colour
Clear, black, green, yellow or pink. Hair stops come in a variety of different colours. You can choose a colour based on your personal preference, concealment or added visual attraction. I prefer to use the clear multi-size hair stops in my angling.
Hair Stop Size
For years I used a basic plastic one-size hair stop. Once I bought a pack of different-length hair stops, I will never go back. If you accidentally make your hair too short or too long, the longer or shorter hair stop will still allow the use of bigger or smaller baits.
Hair Stop Material
Every hair stop that I’ve purchased has been manufactured from a durable plastic material. It is better to purchase them in packs and break them off one at a time when needed. This makes them easier to handle and thread into a hair.
We do recommend you purchase a pack of hook stops for your rig box anyways. They’re cheap, they do the job well, and a pack will most likely last you many years for only a few cents.
O-Rings & Rig Rings
O-Ring and Rig Rings are tiny little metal rings that are used to tie some specialty carp fishing rigs. These small pieces can serve multiple functions.
Attaching Bait to Your Rig
If you do not have any rig swivels or bait screws, you can also use rig rings straight on your hook to attach hook baits. You will also need bait floss to securely attach your bait to the rig ring.
Added Rig Mechanics
Simply slide the rig ring onto your hook, then thread the hair on your hair rig through the ring. Once fastened into place via a tiny knot, anglers can easily adjust the angle of the hook.
Although I do have rig rings in my terminal tackle box, I rarely use them. I prefer the use of bait screws or bait swivels as they provide greater natural movement in my hook baits of choice.
Bait Floss
Bait floss is used to attach your hook bait of choice to certain carp fishing rigs. If you’ve ever noted rigs with bait swivels or rig rings and wondered how to attach a bait, this is where bait floss comes into play.
Simply cut a small piece of bait floss, thread it through your chosen bait swivel or rig ring, then feed the floss through your hook bait of choice with a baiting needle and melt/blob the bait floss with a lighter and it will stay put without the need for additional hair stops.
Isn’t bait floss the same as dental floss? Yes, basically the same. If you don’t want to spend the extra money on bait floss, a spool of dental floss from your washroom will perform very much the same.
Baiting and Splicing Needles
There are many different options when it comes to Carp Fishing Baiting and Splicing Needles. There are normally about 4 or 5 different needles and anglers will need them throughout their angling journey if they plan on tieing their own rigs.
Baiting needles are a must for getting your bait onto the hair of your carp rig for optimal presentation. Not only are they required for baiting some rigs, but I also find them quite useful for tieing small knots. They help to pull the line through small loops, especially for those like me with large fingers.
Simple Baiting Needle
Baiting Needles are used for piercing single hook baits such as corn, tiger nuts or boilies and threading them onto bait floss or hair rigs.
Splicing Needle
These needles come with a gate latch system to hook onto loops and pull them through tight spaces. Best for Splicing Leadcore Leaders.
Stringer Needle
Stringer Needles are a longer version of a splicing needle. They can be used for splicing Leadcore Leaders or stringing multiple baits and PVA Bags.
Carp Fishing Needles can be purchased separately or in packs. If you’re just getting into carp angling, I would suggest picking up a cheap multi-pack of baiting needles and testing them out before purchasing any of the more expensive big brand names.
Rig Tubing
Although not 100% necessary, rig tubing can offer some important advantages to your end tackle setup. It comes in a variety of different colours and lengths depending on what brand you go with. The main advantages of rig tubing are fish protection and preventing line tangles.
Rig Tubing for Fish Protection
When using a low-diameter heavy line such as braid, there is a slight chance that it can damage or remove scales along the flanks of a hooked fish. Adding Rig Tubing to the last few feet of your line can provide a barrier to protect the fish.
Rig Tubing to Prevent Line Tangles
The last few feet of your line are always the most prone to tangles during casting. Adding rig tubing to your setup can help mitigate the chances of a tangle by making the line a bit stiffer, thus keeping things straight during casting.
Rig Tubing for Pinning Your Line to the Bottom
Another often overlooked aspect of rig tubing is that it can aid in pinning down those last few feet of line just before your hook link. This will prevent false indications from line bumps and spook fewer fish. If you’re looking to use rig tubing for this purpose, keep an eye out for a tungsten-based version.
It can be difficult to thread rig tubing onto your line at first, but once you’ve done it a few times, you normally figure out little tricks to make it go more smoothly.
Crimps and Crimping Tools
Crimps and Crimping Tools are specialty pieces of carp fishing tackle. If you’re going to be using rigs with stiff boom sections, I highly recommend crimping equipment. Putting the boom sections together with a crimp is much easier than trying to tie tiny knots in the stiff material.
Crimp Size
There are different sizes of crimps for carp fishing rigs to match the different diameters of hook link material. Be sure to match the crimps to the material you decide to use.
Crimp Brand
I prefer to use the Korda Krimps. Korda makes it very easy by keeping it simple and selling the crimping tool, crimps and fluorocarbon hook link material all in matching sizes.
Crimp Material
Crimps are usually made of softer metal such as copper to enable them to pinch down tightly on the line without slipping yet not so much that they damage it.
For a more detailed guide on using crimps for your carp fishing rigs, check out our full article on Should You Krimp or Knot?
Braid Scissors & Cutters
Braid Scissors and Cutters are a must for any carp fishing terminal tackle box. Carp angling differs from other fishing since carp rigs require stronger, abrasion-resistant materials.
Carp fishing scissors normally come with a serrated edge to help grip the line and prevent them from slipping, which can sometimes nick the line without you noticing.
I used to only use a monofilament line to target other fish species. When I got into carp fishing, my teeth and a pair of nail clippers just wouldn’t cut the different materials required for carp fishing.
Stripper Tool
Stripper tools are specific to carp fishing and enable anglers to strip the outer coating off of coated hook link materials. The design varies greatly by the manufacturers that make them.
Some are cheaply made and can break easily, while the more expensive tools will last longer. Buying a terminal tackle multi-tool with many uses other than stripping hook link coating can be beneficial.
Knot Puller
Knot pullers are an integral tool for your rig box if you plan on tieing your own carp fishing rigs. They are simple tools, normally comprised of two parts, a hook and a handle. Knot pullers allow anglers to tighten down small knots on finicky carp fishing rigs without the worry of hooking their fingers or hands.
Knot puller tools can be purchased separately or in a carp fishing rig multi-tool, much the same as the stripper tool.
PVA String, PVA Swivels & PVA Bag Stems
Although PVA String isn’t classified as terminal tackle, some other terminal tackle accessories pair well with PVA Products.
My rig kit always has a spool of PVA String as I always seem to be faced with conditions where I use it often.
PVA Swivels
PVA Swivels are a neat product that are quite useful when using PVA Mesh. They can be used quite effectively on the opposite side of an inline lead to creating a nice helicopter rig setup.
PVA Bag Stems
PVA Bag Stems greatly prevent tangles when fishing with bulky PVA Bags. The stems also provide a nice stiff point to moisten and seal PVA Bags before casting.
Where to Buy Carp Fishing Terminal Tackle?
Now that you’ve read about all the bits and bobs carp anglers have access to, where is the best place to buy it?
If you’re just starting out and want to get your hands on most carp fishing end tackle, I suggest picking up a cheaper premade kit from Amazon or Ali Express. The quality won’t be quite the same as the higher-end brands, but with these kits, you can quickly decide which pieces of the expensive stuff you should order.
For more information and our recommendations on which exact end tackle is best. Head on over to our Recommended Gear Page and Check out the Terminal Tackle Section.
What are the Best Brands for Carp Fishing Terminal Tackle?
If you know exactly what you want and have decided to order some more expensive quality pieces of end tackle, you won’t go wrong with any of the brands listed below.
Nash Tackle
Some of the best quality terminal tackle I’ve used is designed and made by Nash. Pricey, but you pay for top-quality that won’t fail in important situations.
Korda
The most innovative designer of carp fishing tackle, you can’t go wrong with Korda. Everything bit of end tackle you need can be found in their lineup.
Gardner
Although not as big as other brands, Gardner Tackle has some of the best quality tackle items on the market. Each item in their lineup has stood up to the test of time.
Fox
Fox International will have every bit of terminal tackle you can think of. Quality, performance and looks are good and a little easier on the pocketbook to boot.
Aptus Tackle
Aptus Tackle is my go-to terminal tackle. Top quality, environmentally friendly packaging and top-notch customer service. The biggest brands aren’t always the best.
I’ve spent a lot of money over the years ordering and trying bits here and there, I can honestly say there is a difference between price, quality and performance when it comes to carp fishing end tackle.