Watching an angler pull up a 20 lb carp can stir up some excitement and make you want to dip your toes into the world of fishing. On the surface, fishing can seem like a complicated sport to get into with many anglers having their preferences on what makes a top rod, reel, tackle, bait, bivvy… the list goes on! When you’re getting started with a new hobby, it can be overwhelming to figure out what the essential pieces of equipment are.
The cost-of-living crisis is impacting us all but it’s important to find ways to enjoy the things we love doing. Spending time in the outdoors and being within nature can have a positive effect on our mental health. Fishing Republic’s resident product expert and keen angler, Ant, has helped us come up with a list of our best affordable ‘Fishing on a Budget’ products to help get you hooked on a new hobby.
Fishing Licences
Before buying any gear, fishing licences are a requirement to fish in lakes and rivers in the UK. If you’re planning a trip to a private fishery, then you’ll need permission from the owner. You may have to purchase a day ticket or a permit specifically for using their lake.
You can get a fine of up to £2,500 if you’re caught fishing without a licence. The best thing is, once you’ve paid for your licence, you don’t have to wait for it to physically arrive so you can start fishing right away. The Environment Agency keeps prices affordable and uses the income to fund projects, develop and improve fisheries and encourage as many people as possible to join the sport of fishing.
For more information, we've written a blog on licences with all the info you'll need!
Top Budget-Friendly Carp Fishing Products
Westlake Kougar Carp Rod (12ft, 3.25lb)
£35.00 £55.00
Rods can be pricey with many fancy features to decide between but the two most important things to consider when choosing a rod are test curve and length. Test curve is the amount of weight required to bring the tip of the rod to a 90-degree angle to the butt. The longer the rod, the harder it is to handle but longer rods are great for distance casting. A carp rod of 10-12ft makes an excellent starter. The Westlake Kougar Carp Rod is our recommendation as it's a high-quality rod made with premium-grade carbon blanks with crisp parabolic action*. It’s ideal for casting and playing fish and has a test curve of 3.25oz and a length of 12ft making it great for distance casting and launching solid bags and method feeders for miles.
Shop Westlake Kougar Carp Rod (12ft, 3.25lb)* Parabolic action refers to the bend of the fishing rod. The flex of a rod can exhaust the fish quickly and efficiently helping you to secure your catch.
Ant's Thoughts: Good quality sturdy blank, perfect for the beginner, also ideal for bait fishing for Pike.
Westlake Mamba Freespool Reel
£35.00 £50.00
Freespool reels or baitrunners tend to be smaller reels which are simpler to use. They are robust and well-suited to the demands of larger species making them incredibly popular with Carp, Pike and Specimen anglers. They are perfect for beginners when it comes to switching between drag settings, offering more control when reeling in a carp. Drag settings allow anglers to fine-tune their approach to battling fish. If the drag is loose, the line will easily spool off the reel making fighting fish inefficient whereas if it’s too tight, the line can’t go out fast enough which results in breaking off. It’s important to find the right amount of drag to exhaust the fish quickly and secure the catch. Made with a durable graphite body, the Mamba Freespool Reel from Westlake is a great choice to add to a beginner’s kit list. Supplied with a spare graphite spool, it also features 6+1 ball bearings, a metal line clip and boasts a rapid drag.
Shop Westlake Mamba Freespool ReelAnt's Thoughts: This front drag Freespool all-graphite reel is ideal for the beginner or as a spare to have in your bag.
FOX INTERNATIONAL A Pod Plus (3 Rod)
£58.00 £65.00
Rod pods securely hold onto an angler’s fishing rod while actively fishing. Carp anglers typically use multiple rods to target carp. Rod pods are excellent for carp fishing beginners as they stand independently and don’t require bank sticks to be pushed into the ground. They are especially good for when you’re fishing off a platform or any hard surfaces such as rock and concrete as bank sticks can only be set up on soft surfaces such as soil, sand or clay. Rod pods can usually hold three rods for carp fishing. The Fox International A Pod Plus (3 Rod) is a sturdy rod holder with an adjustable frame, going from a height of 26cm to 41cm and a length of 69cm to 106cm. It’s supplied with a carry case so can be transported to your destination easily. This rod pod allows anglers to have the ultimate set-up, adjusted to their preference.
Shop FOX INTERNATIONAL A Pod Plus (3 Rod)Ant's Thoughts: For the price, this pod offers a lot of functionality and features and is one of the lightest out there.
Westlake Monex XTL Camo Specimen Line (15lb)
£9.00 £12.50
Monofilament fishing line is highly abrasion-resistant and is an excellent choice for the novice angler. This line has a significant amount of give so it can absorb the shocks from aggressive takes or lunges. It also has a high memory meaning it will hold onto its shape after it has been removed from the reel. The Westlake Monex XTL Camo Specimen Line (15lb) is abrasion-resistant meaning it can withstand wear and tear from friction against a rough surface. This is our choice for juniors or beginner anglers as it casts well, has the ability to sink quickly and it comes in a green camo colour so it can camouflage amongst a variety of lakebeds.
Shop Westlake Monex XTL Camo Specimen Line (15lb)Ant's Thoughts: Our specimen lines are of high quality; the camouflage helps blend in on any lakebed.
KORUM KBI Bite Alarm and Indicator
£18.00 £20.00
Bite alarms alert anglers when a carp has been hooked without having to sit and watch a float all day. They can free up your time allowing you to carry out other tasks or simply relax by the bank. The KORUM KBI Bite Alarm and Indicator is designed to make your fishing experience relaxing and enjoyable. It will alert you when you get a bite, show you any movement of your line and easily attach to your rod support. The alarm allows you to set the volume so you can tailor it to your surroundings and preferred level of sound. Stay alert with minimal effort!
Shop KORUM KBI Bite Alarm and IndicatorAnt's Thoughts: A great budget alarm complete with its own indicator allowing you to never miss a catch!
It’s easy to fall in the trap of opting for the most expensive gear, but you don’t have to break the bank to fish on the bank! Whether you’re a novice angler eager to catch some carp or a seasoned pro looking to save some pennies, get yourself geared up and catch that enormous carp you’ve been dreaming of!
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