Normal coarse angling tackle can be used, but more powerful carp fishing equipment is better suited for carp. Twelve foot rods and normally used with test curves of anywhere between 2.5lb and 3.5lb for extreme distance work. Test curves aren't everything when choosing a rod, the action of the rod must also be taken into consideration. The next paragraphs will contain information about all other necessary carp fishing equipment.

There are two types of reels used by carp anglers, baitrunners and big pits. Most of the time big pits are an overkill and totally unnecessary unless you are casting extreme ranges. Baitrunners are smaller and have a small switch on the back that allows the carp to take line when you have a run and disengages when you begin to reel. Big pits do have a similar facility, but it must be manually turned off when you pick up the rod. Shimano, Okuma and Daiwa make very good reels and carp tackle that is used by a lot of anglers around the worlds.

Bite alarms are necessary for carping, especially if you plan on night fishing. There are two types of alarms, vibration sensing ones and alarms that use roller wheels. To my knowledge Delkim alarms are the only ones that use vibration sensing and are a part of many anglers' carp fishing equipment. Steve Nevilles, Gardners ATTs and Fox alarms are also popular ones that use roller wheels. One disadvantage of roller wheels are that they can freeze in cold weather and they will not move when you get a run and so you will not hear them. This is not a problem for Delkim alarms. Some alarms come with receivers which are very useful when night fishing. Instead of having to turn the alarms up you can put the receiver by your head so you wake up easily in the event of a run. Indicators such as bobbins or swingers are also needed in order to show drop back bites and to keep the line on the roller. Theses come in many different shapes and sizes but they all do a similar job.

Other items of carp fishing tackle that are necessary are landing nets, an unhooking mat, carp bivvies (if you are night fishing) and tools such as scissors and forceps. Also things like banksticks, luggage and weighing scales are a possible part of you carp fishing equipment.