What Do I Need to Get Started Carp Fishing?

The best part about carp fishing is how simple it is to jump in. You don’t need to spend thousands on specialized tackle or fancy setups—if you already fish for catfish, you’re halfway there. With just a few extra pieces of carp-specific gear, you can be fully ready to start catching.

Use the Gear You Already Own

Your catfish rods, spinning or baitcasting reels, landing net, and basic tackle bag work perfectly for carp fishing. Carp fight hard, but most medium-heavy gear already in your arsenal is more than enough to handle them.

Definitely don't get worried about having to go get special equipment. Seriously, a simple sinker, hook, and baits like corn, bread, or worms still work!

Add Carp Rigs and Hooks

Carp have a unique way of feeding—they slurp up bait and test it before committing. That’s why specialized carp rigs and slurp-style hooks are so important. Pre-tied rigs make it easy: just tie one on and you’re fishing like a pro.

One thing that makes typical carp rigs unique is that you won't have bait on your actual hook. Instead, you'll put pack bait around your sinker that starts falling apart on the bottom. Carp come along and start sucking up those bits of corn and crumbs.  And while they're doing that, they'll suck in the artificial floating bait you have connected near your hook. Once they slurp that in, you've got em! 

Don’t Forget the Terminal Tackle

To set up properly, you’ll also want:

Feeder sinkers to get your bait on the bottom and release chum around it.

Swivels and rig stops for quick connections and adjustments.

A small tackle box to keep everything organized and ready to go.

Simple but Effective Baits

Corn, boilies, and other floating baits are carp favorites. The best part? They’re inexpensive, easy to rig, and catch fish in almost any body of water where carp live. We cover bait in more detail in this article: What Bait Do I Use To Catch Carp?

Bank-Friendly Setup

Most carp fishing happens from shore. A sturdy rod holder, a comfortable chair, and a few rigs are all you need for a relaxing day of steady action.

Ready to get started? Stock up on carp rigs, hooks, and bait today and be on the bank catching fish this weekend