Carpin' reel

[poke flyfisher]

I think a more important question to ask is what rod should you use? I like a longer rod (8.5 - 9 ft.) since many times I'm dapping towards a mud-puff and that seems to give me better control in placing to fly near the head without spooking the fish. My main criteria for a reel is that it is a left hand crank since I'm right handed and have a more coordinated effort in presenting the fly, feeling the take and setting the hook. But just for the record I probably use a very old Martin Classic #56 the most because it's already rigged with my favorite rod for carp and ready to go.

[Chuck S]

Good suggesstions and it brought to mind how I came about choocing the Bauer. For years my go to Carp reel was a 1494.5 Medalist, until I started chasing Carp around some of the lakes in Eastern Washington state. It was there I started getting into big Carp and these will often max out a click pawl reel. I tried several reels before choosing the Bauer. For smaller Carp under ten lbs most any good click pawl or other reel will do just fine but once the fish start consistantly going near 20 and over a good drag sure helps a lot. As for rods, my go to rod is a 9 ft Dorber, and E2 beauty that took the place of a Sage that my buddy talked me out of.

[Martin McFly]

I use a 9' TFO signature series rod.