Best 10ft Carp Rods: A Total Fishing Tackle Review

Size doesn't always matter and with many anglers now turning to shorter carp rods, we asked our resident angling experts to take a look at some of the best 10ft Carp Rods on the market. Lets be fair, we are a bit of a sucker for a shorter rod, as it feels more exciting with a shorter blank!

We know that 12ft and 13ft carp rods are the norm but with a growing number fish smaller waters, publics, or generally shorter sessions, shorter rods have rocketed in popularity, and we will take a look at the best ones on the market at present, starting with the ones, that triggered this revival.

Nash Scope 10ft Rods 

Available in full shrink, abbriviated or full cork handles. Recognising the trend for heavier leads, the demands of PVA tactics, extensive use of Scopes for placing baits from boats, and for our Continental friends tackling extreme natural venues the Scope range is available in 9ft and 10ft, in a wide array of test curves right up to a 3.5lb S (Stepped Up Special).

From rods perfect for stalking hit and hold tactics, to getting on the floaters, right up to offering the higher test curves with increased backbone for greater control with monster carp in fast flowing rivers or in snaggy and weedy environments and handling leads up to 6oz the Scope range brings versatility and performance, perfectly balanced with a short pack down  size to all. A great opener to our list of the best 10ft carp rods!     

 

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10ft Nash Scope Black Ops

 

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10ft Wychwood Extricator Plus Rods

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Nash Dwarf Shrink 10ft Rod

Back to Nash now and at the opposite end of the price range to the Black Ops sits the Dwarf range. Don't be fooled into thinking cheap means inferior though, these rods are a great value for money, and feature; Ultra low profile Japanese shrink grips on the slim high performance Dwarf blanks with 1K finish for understated style.

The Dwarf Shrink range includes 6ft 2lb and 3lb models for the tightest situations, with 3.25lb and 3.5lb blanks for mainstream big fish applications capable of dealing with the biggest carp and heaviest leads. Exclusive Nash reel seat with slimline EVA trim Reverse mounted Minima ringing with anti frap tip guides Matt black tapered butt cap and black whippings Tip and butt section alignment markers.

Great for kids, great for adults, the Dwarf range of rods just got a whole lot better and they are a perfect addition to our list of the best 10 ft carp carp rods. Also available in cork.  

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Sonik Vader X RS 10ft Rods

Next on our list of the best 10ft carp fishing rods, Sonik have been making in roads into the shorter rod market for some time now, and the latest addition to their range, the Vader X RS, is a seriously good bit of kit.

Hugely popular since their launch of the original VADERX rods, the lastest models offer incredible performance and looks for the price. The slim and lightweight carbon fibre blanks have a progressive casting action and fast tip recovery for long, accurate casts. Slim, lightweight armoured black carbon fibre blank with progressive casting action. Super-light M-SERIES DL black guides and hard wearing anti-frap tip and 40mm butt guide make for a beautiful playing rod, as well as performance when casting. 17mm black DPS reel seat to house all big pit reels. Line friendly custom contoured Sonik clip and a black anodised butt cap laser etched with ‘S’ logo mean these rods look far more than they retail for!

Available in shrink and cork handle options, and for those not sold on 10ft rods, (in which case why are you still reading?) there are 12ft models available on which all 3lb and above test curves will come with a 50mm butt. Coming in at under £50 you just can't go wrong!

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Century C2 Mk2 Command and Control 10ft rods

The Rolls Royce of the 10ft rod market. When Century first released the C2, it was very quickly respected amongst carp anglers both home, and abroad, winning wide spread aclaim. Setting the benchmark in lighweight balance, fish playing charactertistics, beautifully blended with the latest in carbon technology, the C2 stood up and built upon the previous NG and Armalites that had such a strong following.

This new update to the C2 range still works from the original C2 design concept but now bringing cosmetics and additional blank test curves upto date with current carp angler needs. We have introduced a new Century custom carbon reelseat which has incredible looks thanks to the matt black metal hoods and lock rings. The handle has been changed to a full shrink handle which is both durable and brilliant looking while sat on the bank. The discreetly printed new Century C2 black logos on the blank and black butt cap will have your friends admiring the rods and quizzing you about how they perform in advance of their own purchase.

Century have introduced 2x completely new 10’ models which are available on a slim low diameter mandrel in 10’ 3.00lb and 10’ 3.50lb test curves. These rods make travel and mobility easy, fit into tight swims with low overhanging trees, stalking use, ideal for use with boats and a whole range of other capabilities. Identical matching build cosmetics to the other main bigger 12’ models these new 10’ models can be used on their own or can be a 2nd smaller set of rods to give extra angling options than just owning a 12’ and 13’ rod sets. Fitted with size 40-12 guides as standard.
Truely the standard bearer in 10ft rods!

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ESP 10ft 3lb Stalker Rod

Available in 8’ 2.75lb, 9’ 2.75lb and 10’ 3lb. A range of three lightweight blanks designed specifically for stalking at close quarters and short range fishing, especially suited to the travel light, mobile angler. Powerful enough for hit and hold situations and to bully fish away from snags.

At the same time, they have enough balanced flexibility to act as the perfect shock absorber and help avoid hook pulls on a short line. The olive green blanks blend in nicely and other features include full SiC guides throughout, a full length EVA handle, DPS reel seat and an E-S-P line clip. ESP have long been synonymous with good quality rods, the legendary Terry Hearn range for one and the ESP Stalker is no different.

What I like most is the versatility this rod offers, you can use it for fishing up to 100 yards, you can use it for fishing in the edge or you can use it for some floater fishing, a true all rounder that certainly deserves its place on our list of the best 10ft carp fishing rods.

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Avid Traction Pro 10ft Carp Rods

Last but by no means least we come to a cracking rod from the Avid stable. The Traction Pro rod range features the same reactive carbon fiber technology as the original Traction rods, but thanks to advancements in materials, this new range now carries a 1k weave that enables us to offer a unique take on a traditional ‘parabolic’ action. This enables anglers to deliver a slower power build up for casting, offering increased distance with minimal effort.

Reactive carbon also helps absorb the lunges of fighting fish better than other rods, giving the angler more control under the rod tip where most hooks pulls happen.This careful blend of technologies provides the perfect action for modern carp fishing. The blank is finished with an anti-glare matt 1k weave, understated graphics, laser etched line clip & butt cap and Japanese shrink wrapped handle.

A fitting end to our list of the best 10ft carp fishing rods!

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So there we have it, the list of some of the best shorter rods that money can buy! Hopefully we have encompassed all budgets and requirements but we do have many more 10ft and retractable style rods in stock. Give us a shout if you need any help and we will be only too happy to help out. Alternatively take a look at our full selection of fishing rods.