Every fisherman – or woman, as our sport is popular with both sexes – likes to have the right equipment to hand, and that means having a set of rods for every occasion. Among your kit you should have a carp stalking rod, an essential item if you are fishing a variety of different swims. Used for close range work and as versatile as they can be, these rods are available in a number of different sizes and from a variety of makers.

Stalking is a great way of fishing for carp, and one that is made all the more easy when using the best tackle. Let’s have a look at the best carp stalking rods available now, and all at prices that you can afford.

Our Selections

1: NGT Unisex Carp Stalker Rod

We begin our list with a rod from one of the leading brands I the world of angling gear and accessories, NGT, and they are highly regarded in terms of the quality of their products. This stalker rod is no exception, being an 8-foot rod that breaks down into two pieces for carriage, made from fibreglass for excellent response and strength, and coming with its own bag. It weighs less than 200g and is very effective when using stalking techniques, and is sensibly priced for a name brand.

Key Features – NGT brand, 8ft, fibreglass, two piece rod, light, bag supplied

2: NGT 6ft Carp Stalker

Another carp stalker rod from NGT, this one is a 6-foot rod that is ideal for fishing close range, and comes with all the usual quality attributes associated with the brand. It also comes with a neat cloth bag and is easy to handle – it’s very light yet can take fish up to around 14lbs according to satisfied users – and breaks into two pieces for ease of transport. It’s a handy rod to have in your kit in case you want a change of tactics, and at the price you’ll hardly notice the expense.

Key Features – NGT brand, 6ft, fibreglass, two piece, cloth bag

3: NGT 2 Rod and Reel Set Up

If you’re looking for a fishing tackle set to perhaps get a son or daughter interested, this could make a handy father and child purchase: it’s the NGT 8ft rod as we reviewed first, but with this package you get two of them, and you also get reels. Everything is to NGT quality and it makes a great deal of sense, you get the bags with the rods, and it is a very neat way to make sure your kid – or a spouse or friend – gets into fishing with you.

Key Features – 2 x NGT rod and reel set, 8ft rods, decent reels, bags

4: Madfish Instinct Carp Stalker

This rod from the Madfish brand comes in two available sizes: 9ft or 10ft, with each breaking down into 2 pieces for convenience. As such, it’s quite a length for a stalking rod, but still very usable. Made from carbon, so offering a great combination of strength and light weight, this rod comes with specially chosen lightweight guides for added weight saving, and designed to be flexible and easy to use. Designed with UK waters in mind, this is quality rod at a sensible price in this company.

Key Features – 2 sizes available, 2 piece rod, light, lightweight guides, 9 or 10ft

5: Oakwood 8ft Carp Stalking Rod x 2

Oakwood is a brand with a reputation for decent quality products at sensible prices – a sort of mid-range brand if you like – and this offer of two 8ft carp stalking rods for the price of one is certainly not to be sniffed at. These are by no means the top quality rods you would get if you paid top money, but look at the price! Where else are you going to be able to buy two decent rods, with carbon shafts, plus a bag for each, and with testimonies from many satisfied users for this little money? A bargain in every way.

Key Features – two Oakwood rods, 8ft, carbon, 2lb test curve, amazing price

6: NGT Stalker Set Up

Our final selection is from the NGT brand and it’s a very worthy contender for the best on the list. Here you get a nice 8ft stalker rod, perfect for margin fishing, plus a very decent reel, with all the line, tackle, floats and more that you need to get going. This would make a perfect set for someone who has been out of the game for a while, or for a beginner wanting to make a start and see it its for them. It’s all good quality, and comes at a price that really is very impressive for what is almost a complete starter kit.

Key Features – NGT, 8ft rod, reel, line and tackle, bag included, great starter set

That’s our list of the best carp stalker rods available – and some are a little more than that, too – so which is for you? Let’s see if we can come to a verdict.

Our Choice

If you want a carp stalker rod you are looking for one that is between 6 and 10ft, and all of these fit the bill. It comes down to personal choice, and also to what you are looking for. If you want a rod that you will keep with your tackle for occasional use, and want to spend the least, we recommend you check out the Oakwood, and you get two very decent rods for a simply amazing price.

If you want a decent rod that will last the test of time and that is great quality, the NGT that is first on the list might be your choice. However, you have two other options of buying that same rod – the twin pack at no. 3, or the full fishing set up kit that is the last of the six we have featured, and this is the one for us. Whatever you choose, happy stalking!

Among your regular fishing kit you will surely have a few bits and pieces that you don’t use all the time. Among these will be landing nets, which are not permitted in some fisheries except in match conditions. A good net will be strong enough to handle a decent-sized fish, plus will be designed not to harm the fish, and will also be easy to handle by the user.

There are many different types and sizes of carp landing nets, so we took the trouble out of searching for the best one for you, and have produced the review of the best ones on the market for you to read through below. So, let’s get down to business!

Our Selections

1: NGT 42” Landing Net

Among the many brands to have a hold on the fishing tackle market is NGT, the makers of this very nice landing net. It’s a 42” model so is big enough for good sized fish, and has the brands useful ‘dual net system’, which makes things a lot easier to handle when you have larger fish – or indeed any fish – to land. It has a very effective float system, and a 2-metre telescopic pole handle with easy fixings, and has many satisfied users who testify to its value for money. At the price it’s a quality item from a great brand.

Key Features – NGT brand, 42”, 2metre handle, telescopic, dual net system

2: 42” Carp Landing Net

This one also comes from NGT, is also 42” and also features the very clever double net system, which makes it easier to land fish without causing any damage. It has a very effective float system, and a 2-metre telescopic pole handle with easy fixings, and has many satisfied users who testify to its value for money. At the price it’s a quality item from a great brand. It’s very possible, in fact, that this one is the same as the above but under a different listing, but we’ll leave it here.

Key Features – NGT brand, 42”, 2metre handle, telescopic, dual net system

3: NGT 50” Dual Net

This one is the bigger version of that featured above, and as such is a brand new item that has only recently been added to the renowned NGT range of nets and fishing tackle. It’s a 50” net, so that’s easily big enough for even the biggest specimen fish, is made from strong netting and features the dual net float system that has been proven to be very effective, and comes with a telescopic handle that reaches up to two metres. It also comes with a very handy stink bag for carriage and is a sensible price.

Key Features – NGT brand, 50”, 2metre handle, telescopic, stink bag, dual net float system

4: TF Gear Compact 42” Landing Net

Another of the major brands in the fishing tackle and accessories market is TF Gear, the makers of this simple yet very usable and top quality landing net. It’s a 42” model, so is around the standard for one of these, and it comes with the requisite 42” handle that is extendable. The net itself is made from soft mesh so as not to harm the fish, and the pole is a 2-piece one that slots together very firmly. This is a nice net from a good maker at a sensible price, so is one that is well worth having a close look at before you make a decision.

Key Features – 42”, TF Gear brand, 2m pole, 2 piece construction, soft mesh, lightweight

5: Saber 42” Carp Landing Net

As we have established, 42” nets are about the standard for carp landing nets, and this one – from the Saber brand – is another of those of that dimension. It is very similar to those already featured, being supplied with a 2metre pole handle – this one is carbon fibre for added lightness and ample strength – plus a soft mesh net, and a handy bag for transportation. The pole splits down into 2 pieces for both use and storage, and it’s a very nice piece of kit at a sensible price.

Key Features – 42” net, 2metre pole in 2 pieces, soft mesh, carbon shaft, very light and strong

6: Fox Specialist Landing Net

Coming from another brand with a strong reputation in the world of fishing tackle, this net from Fox is a smaller one than all those above with just a 30inch diameter. However, it is perfect for carp under 20lbs, say, and also for smaller fish such as chub, and is s simple design that is neat and handy for river fishing. If a net of this size is acceptable for your needs, then this one is well put together and a quality item, and is also a very sensible price.

Key Features – 30” net, great for up to 20lb fish, quality, brand, simple

7: Oakwood 42” Net plus Scales

Our final selection is another standard 42” model, this one from the Oakwood range, and it has all the usual features including the soft mesh net, two-piece 2metre handle, lightweight and easy to put together. It also comes with bag and – this could be the clincher – you also get a set of 50lb scales. Now, we know you’ve probably already got scales, but given the price of this one – you should get change from £20 – you could have another set, and a new net!

Key Features – 42” net, bag, 2metre handle, set of scales included in price

That’s our selection of landing nets, but which one is for you? Let’s see if we can come to a conclusion.

Our Choice

If you want a bigger than 42” net, the only one on the list for you is number 3, and it’s a great 50” net from a quality brand – NGT – that does the job. If 42” is for you, have a look at any of the others – the NGT one comes highly recommended – and don’t overlook the final Oakwood model with which you get a free set of scales!

They say a workman is only as good as his tools, and the same can be said of a fisherman! You need decent gear if you are going to be at all successful, and that means finding the best in even the smaller items, as well as your main items of kit. If, for example, you are one of the many who use boilies for carp fishing, you will understand the importance of a decent catapult.

It’s the best way of getting the bait where you want it to be, and with so many different boilie catapults on the market, we thought we’d do you a favour and have a look at some of the best, s here’s our list of those we reckon are worth putting on your shortlist.

Our Selections

1: QDOS Long Range Catapult

This simple yet very effective boilie catapult is typical of the design you would expect, and is a durable and hard-wearing model that will give you many years of service. It is made from strong materials designed to put up with the weather – including a strong latex section for the actual pouch itself – and has a handy and tough puller cord that will make it much easier for you to get accurate delivery. All in all, a neat little addition to your fishing kit at the price of a couple of beers!

Key Features – Latex, pull cord, good design, long distance, light, great price

2: NGT Multi Use Catapult

The fact this one hails from the renowned NGT brand makes it appealing to us for this list. It’s made from materials that give the right combination of strength, light weight and power – including a very strong and powerful pouch and catapult line – and it has a number of satisfied users who testify to its impressive long range performance. With the catapult you also get some boilie pellets, and at a very competitive price.

Key Features – NGT, powerful, strong, lightweight, boilie pellets, price

3: Q-DOS Specimen Catapult

The Q-Dos brand has a good range of fishing tackle and accessories, including this catapult and the one that is first on our list, and they also have many satisfied users who will testify to the quality of the items. This one has the usual strong pouch and powerful elastic, a nicely made pull cord to get maximum launch, and is easy to use and light in weight. A good addition to your fishing tackle at a decent price, it’s one to have another look at.

Key Features – Q-Dos brand, strong, powerful, long distance

4: Hunter Pro Twin Pack

This pair of catapults – it’s a two for the price of one deal – comes from Hunter Pro who offer a wide variety of items of this type. These are well-made with fully replaceable elastic for added longevity, come with strong mesh and fabric pouches, and are optimised for close grouping. They are also of a non-twist design so are more effective and efficient than some others, and as you get two at this price, we think this might be a bargain that is hard to match.

Key Features – twin pack, non-twist, replaceable elastic, mesh pouch, optimised

5: Fox Rangemaster Powergrip

This cleverly designed and well-made catapult from Fox, another well-known brand, offers an ergonomically designed, slightly angled grip for added comfort and accuracy, a strong pouch and powerful elastic for a longer shot. It’s nicely put together and is suitable for boilies and many other forms of bait, and with many users expressing satisfaction with this model, it’s worth checking out. Not the cheapest but hardly expensive, you may find it’s the one for you.

Key Features – special grip, angled handle, strong elastic, powerful

6: NGT Tackle and Accessory set

Why not go a step further and get a very nice NGT catapult plus a load of other stuff as part of a one-off package? You get a pack of 200g boilies, some bags for carrying them, plus a 10litre bucket with an air tight lid, and three bottles of boilie liquid to make your own. The bags are quick dissolving PVA, the catapult is a good one with strong surgical elastic, and it’s all from one of the top brands in the business, so what’s not to like?

Key Features – catapult plus boilies, liquid, bags and bucket all in one

7: Marauder Catapult

If you like simple and traditional, this is the item you should look for as it is as close to a basic, straightforward catapult as you are ever likely to come across. Made from very strong injection moulded plastic – that’s as durable as anything else – and with strong elastic and a 40mm pouch, for the traditionalists among you this is a load, point and shoot model that costs very little and yet will give you many years of loyal service.

Key Features – simple, moulded plastic, 40mm pouch, strong elastic, price

That’s our selection of the best boilie catapults, so which is for you? Let’s have a look.

Our Choice

Given the similarity between these designs in most ways, including price, we can only say that each is worthy of consideration. On balance, if you want a catapult only, we like the double pack for its value for money – that’s number 4 from Hunter Pro – but we also suggest that you take a second look at no. 6, the accessory pack from NGT.