I am looking at getting 2 new Carp Rods and just wanted to see what everyone was using or prefered as far as Rods to get. I have 2 Wacker Havoc Rods right now but one of the rods has cracked out eyelets and tends to cut the line if it's used often.

Was looking at the Wychwood Solace 3.5lb TC Rods and also considering the BFS Black Phantom and Chub Outkast Rods since I was looking and talking to PondBass about them a little this past weekend.

Any input and info from all of you would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

Outkast are great as are most rods made by fox.

Thanks LoneStar that has been what most everyone has told me. They are high on my consideration list. Always nice to hear the more experienced peoples opinions

As I said, I started on Black Phantom's. Still have them and still use them. They flex a little too much for me at 2.75lb test curve so I'd get a 3lb test curve at least. My outkasts are perfect, they cast really well and are really great for the price. Mine are the ones with the 50 mil butt rings, so the guides on mine are a little bigger but I don't think it makes that much of a difference.

Yea being able to look at your OutKast and watch them in use was what made me really consider them Austin. Plus you caught a "Lightning Fish" on them and I was sold lol. No but really it's always nice to be able to see them in action and talk to the person who uses them. I appreciate the info as always.

You shoulda said something, I would have let you cast them. Next time I'll remember, they really cast well for the price.

Lol you were to busy slaying fish that day one after the other didn't want to interupt. It's all good though maybe next time I'm out.

lol that was a pretty great session. Next time for sure, hopefully by then all 3 reels will be fixed(2 are at Southwest parts in Dallas getting completely new gears on the inside)

I would go with Greys/CHub rod. The big thing that is nice is the warranty. I broke one of my higher end greys and had a new one within 5 days. Broke it on a saturday and had a new one on wednesday. If you get one with a warranty overseas then you have a lot more time and cost involved if they even have a warranty on them.

I've heard good things about the Outkasts as well, and they cast great! However I know someone who is using them that has had a couple guides fall out on them. There's a Daiwa rod sold by New World Carp that has ha some good reviews so far. Depending on how much fishing you think you'll be doing I'd really recommend investing more money in your rods than an other piece of kit you buy. Oddly enough I know someone who uses the Black Phantoms and is extremely hard on them and hasn't had any issues so who knows?

You can replace the line guide instead of buying a new rod.
Academy, BPS, Cabelas, all have guide you can buy and either wrap yourself or find a local rod builder to do it for you.

Much cheaper than a new rod!

Of course if you're just looking for an excuse to buy new rods,,,, ignore this post! lol

I plan on getting the Havoc Rod repaired and keeping them to use as well but I do love new toys as do most of us. Thanks for the advice/info Accord, Erick, and Sherwood I appreciate the input. The only thing I really have a problem with on the Havoc Rods is that they flex more than I like especially when using method and on some of the larger fish. Other than that they are fairly good rods really.

The Fox Warriors are nice for the price too. If you think you prefer a stiffer rod, keep an eye on the Test Curves to see what you like.

Chad

Thanks for all the input and advice everyone. Decided to go with the Chub OutKast Rods.

You will be very happy with them...I have a history of breaking rods...I tried to snap my Outkast while casting and couldn't do it....somewhere in internet land is a photo of me taken by tpwd for a article on carp fishing with me loading up the Outkast rods I had the 13' 3.5tc I used to spod with one with out issue.