Ok folks, here's a few questions I've had for some time now. What is the main reasoning for carp fishers wanting to cast out as far as they do? With the 12 ft. rods and spinning gear and all? It seems to me that when I'm out on the lake there are plenty of carp feeding in extremely shallow water up in the weeds and flat shorelines. At what depth do these guys tend to hang out during the different seasons, and do they alternate that depth with another at night like many other species are known to do? Is the distance thing due to their spooky nature? I mean I've got some gear that will reach way out there, but why?

in hotter months carp move to deeper water, some lakes you have to cast 70 yards or more just to get deeper water.

Depth is most critical when targeting buffalo as they tend to stay deep during the warmer months.

i try to cast as far as i can just to have more time to fight the fish lol

That and some waterbodys have grass and snags in close that you need to cast way out to get past.

It really depends on the venue. In many ponds and lakes you will catch as many in the margins, but on others the carp stay further away.
I always have a couple of rods out there, and one in the margins, within 20 feet from shore (unless it is obvious that there aren't any carp close in).

I think the longer rods also give you an advantage when playing fish the rod acts as a shock absorber when the fish is in close right under the rod tip they also give you a little more leverage in controlling large fish and guiding them into the net.

The other thing to keep in mind is that all the carp gear we use originates from the UK were all there fishing is done from the bank they do not use boats at all or very little so the gear evolved to give the bank angler options if they need to get a bait way out there they can but they can also fish in close... allot of people cast over fish.

sort of like most cars will hit 120 mph but that dosn't mean we drive them that fast

All said, you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on carp specific rods and reels; most bass or catfish gear does fine for 80% of your carping. One exception I would make is hooks. Get the best/sharpest/strongest hooks you can!
But that is a topic that has been covered in other threads.
The other exception is if/when you get into tournament fishing. There are some venues in which you just won't get a bite any closer than 70 yrds out. No fun to sit out for 12 or 24 hrs and blank!

All good points...all well taken, thanks.