Photos: Century · supplied retailer imagery
Carp rods · UK-built distance and all-rounders · Our take
Century Excalibur XT Carp Rod
Century Excalibur XT Carp Rod
A proper UK-built carp rod range with the poke for big water, but enough choice to suit short swims, general work and long-range chucking.
- Manufactured fully in the UK.
- Available in 10ft, 12ft and 13ft lengths.
- Test curves run from 10ft 3.5lb through to 12ft 3.25lb, 12ft 3.5lb and 13ft 3.5lb.
- Built with a 1k carbon surface weave, full shrink rubber handle, Graphite DPS size 18 reel seat and SiC-lined guides.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Excalibur XT range, including the 10ft, 12ft and 13ft models. Test curves and handle lengths vary by model, so check the exact version before buying.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A premium-leaning carp rod range with strong model choice and a properly useful spread of applications.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality9.7/10
- Performance9.4/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.9/10
- Ease of Use8.8/10
- Value for Money8.4/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Carp anglers fishing mixed venues and varied swims. The 12ft models offer the most natural all-round balance, with the 3.25lb better suited to general work and the 3.5lb giving extra authority.
- Anglers fishing big pits, weed or long-range spots. The 12ft 3.5lb and 13ft 3.5lb models give you the length and backbone for stronger casting, line control and steering fish away from trouble.
Maybe skip if
- New anglers after the cheapest possible starter rod. This is a more considered, premium-style purchase, so basic entry-level tackle may make more sense if budget is tight.
- Light line and delicate short-range specialists. The available models lean towards serious carp work, especially the 3.5lb versions, rather than ultra-soft close-range fishing.
The lowdown
Introducing the Century Excalibur XT Carp Rod
A proper UK-built carp rod range with the poke for big water, but enough choice to suit short swims, general work and long-range chucking.
- Manufactured fully in the UK.
- Available in 10ft, 12ft and 13ft lengths.
- Test curves run from 10ft 3.5lb through to 12ft 3.25lb, 12ft 3.5lb and 13ft 3.5lb.
- Built with a 1k carbon surface weave, full shrink rubber handle, Graphite DPS size 18 reel seat and SiC-lined guides.
Quick verdict
A serious bit of kit with plenty of choice
The Century Excalibur XT is aimed at anglers who want a crisp, powerful carp rod with proper build quality and a choice of lengths and test curves. The UK manufacture, 1k carbon weave and SiC-lined guides all point to a rod built for regular graft rather than a quick bargain-bin purchase.
The 10ft 3.5lb is the cheeky versatile option for tighter swims and boat work, while the 12ft and 13ft models bring more control for open banks, weed and distance. It won’t be the cheapest way onto the carp scene, but for a long-term rod setup, it looks bob on.
A premium-leaning carp rod range with strong model choice and a properly useful spread of applications.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality
- 9.7/10
- Performance
- 9.4/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.9/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.8/10
- Value for Money
- 8.4/10
UK manufacture, carbon surface weave, SiC liners and a practical finish give the range a high-quality feel on paper.
The different lengths and test curves cover controlled close-range work through to powerful open-water casting.
Good model matching can improve casting, line control and fish steering, although the rod still needs to suit your venue and tactics.
The familiar reel seat, shrink handle and choice of lengths make the range straightforward to build around.
It looks like a long-term investment rather than a cheap starter option, with value depending on whether you’ll use the quality and model choice.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Century
Century Excalibur XT Carp Rod (this one)
Top scorer
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the Century Excalibur XT Carp Rod
There’s something reassuring about a carp rod made properly in Britain. The Century Excalibur XT sits in that camp. It’s not trying to be a bargain-bin wand or a flashy bit of tackle that spends more time in the holdall than on the bank. This is a serious range for anglers who want a capable rod with a bit of pedigree behind it.
The handy part is the choice. You can go compact with the 10ft 3.5lb, stick with the classic 12ft format in either 3.25lb or 3.5lb, or step up to the 13ft 3.5lb for bigger water and extra reach. That makes the Excalibur XT far more useful than a one-size-fits-all carp rod.
The 10ft model is the cheeky one of the family. At 294g built, with a 470mm handle and a 150cm transport length, it’s the easiest to live with when swims are tight or you’re moving around the lake. It’s still a 3.5lb rod, though, so this isn’t a soft little stalking noodle. Think compact carp tool with some proper backbone.
The 12ft 3.25lb is likely to be the broadest appeal model. It’s long enough for normal open-bank work, but not so long that it becomes a faff in cramped swims. The 365g built weight and 520mm handle give it a sensible all-round profile for PVA bags, solid bags, bottom baits and the usual carp-bank graft.
If you regularly fish weed, snags or heavier leads, the 12ft 3.5lb brings extra authority. It weighs 384g built and has a 525mm handle, so there’s a little more rod to get hold of when you’re leaning into a lump. That extra power can be dead handy when a fish tries to bury itself in the salad.
The 13ft 3.5lb is the big-water option. At 464g built and with a 550mm handle, it’s the longest and heaviest rod here. That won’t suit every angler or every swim, but on a wide pit it can help with line control, keeping line up over weed and reaching distant spots. It’s a specialist tool rather than the obvious choice for everyone.
Century has used a 1k carbon surface weave through the butt and base of the tip. Apart from giving the rods a distinctive look, that area is where you want a confident, durable build. The finish is kept practical too, with a full shrink rubber handle that gives a secure grip and won’t have you worrying about cork getting grubby after a few muddy sessions.
The reel seat is a lightweight Graphite DPS size 18 with black hoods. It’s a familiar carp-friendly layout, and the black steel-frame guides use SiC liners. The 10ft model runs from size 40 down to 12, while the 12ft and 13ft versions use the larger 50-16 pattern. That keeps the range geared towards proper carp reels and sensible line flow.
So, who should buy one? If you’re after a long-term rod range with useful model choices, UK manufacture and a no-nonsense build, the Excalibur XT looks a cracking proposition. Just pick the length around your venue. Don’t buy the 13ft because it sounds impressive if most of your fishing is tucked into tight margins. And don’t overlook the 10ft if you value manoeuvrability over maximum casting range.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Lengths
- 10ft, 12ft and 13ft
- Test curves
- 10ft 3.50lb; 12ft 3.25lb; 12ft 3.50lb; 13ft 3.50lb
- Construction
- 1k carbon surface weave through the butt and base of the tip
- Handle and reel seat
- Full shrink rubber handle; lightweight Graphite DPS size 18 reel seat with black hoods
- Guides
- Black steel-frame guides with SiC liners; 10ft uses 40-12 sizing, 12ft and 13ft use 50-16 sizing
- Transport and weights
- 10ft is two-piece with a 150cm transport length; built weights range from 294g to 464g depending on model
Specs checked with Century, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
One range, three useful jobs
The clever bit here is the spread of models. The 10ft 3.5lb keeps things compact and handy when you’re fishing close quarters, stalking the margins or working from a cramped swim. The 12ft rods sit in the familiar do-most territory, with a 3.25lb option for a slightly more balanced feel and a 3.5lb option for more demanding work.
Then there’s the 13ft 3.5lb, which is the one for anglers who need extra reach, line control and casting leverage. That gives the range a proper purpose rather than simply offering different lengths for the sake of it.
Build and layout
What you’re buying
The Excalibur XT range is built around practical carp fishing rather than gimmicks. You get a 1k carbon surface weave through the butt and base of the tip, a full shrink rubber handle and a lightweight Graphite DPS size 18 reel seat with black hoods. The finish is purposeful and should sit nicely in a regular carp setup.
Guide layouts vary with the rod length. The 10ft model uses 40, 30, 25, 20, 16 and 12 sizing, while the 12ft and 13ft rods use the larger 50-16 format. All use black steel-frame guides with SiC liners, which is a sensible choice for repeated casting and everyday line handling.
Worth knowing. The 10ft 3.5lb is a two-piece rod with a 150cm transport length. The longer versions have their own handle lengths and built weights, so compare the exact model rather than judging the whole range as one rod.
Choosing your model
Match it to the swim
Pick the 10ft 3.5lb for tight swims, mobile fishing and situations where a long butt becomes a nuisance. It’s compact, relatively light and easier to swing around bushes, platforms and margin spots. It still has the muscle for proper carp work, so don’t expect a delicate little flick-stick.
The 12ft 3.25lb is the safe all-round bet. It makes sense for club lakes, gravel pits and anglers who want one set of rods to cover most normal situations. Move to the 12ft 3.5lb when the venue is weedier, snaggy or demands more lead and line control.
The 13ft 3.5lb is for open water and distance-minded anglers. It gives you more reach and leverage, but that extra length and 464g built weight can feel like overkill in a small, tree-lined swim. Match the rod to the venue, mate, not the ego.
Quick answers
The bits anglers usually ask
The range covers four confirmed models: 10ft 3.5lb, 12ft 3.25lb, 12ft 3.5lb and 13ft 3.5lb. That’s enough spread to build a focused setup around short-range control, general carp fishing or bigger-water work.
Built weights are 294g for the 10ft 3.5lb, 365g for the 12ft 3.25lb, 384g for the 12ft 3.5lb and 464g for the 13ft 3.5lb. Those figures make the 10ft the most nimble option, while the 13ft is clearly the heavyweight reach model.
Worth knowing. A higher test curve doesn’t automatically mean more fish caught. It gives you more resistance and casting potential, but the best rod is the one that matches your lead size, swim, casting style and how you like to play fish.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Proper UK manufacture and a smart, workmanlike finish.
- Useful choice of lengths and test curves across the range.
- 1k carbon weave through the butt and base of the tip adds a distinctive technical touch.
- Full shrink rubber handles are practical, grippy and easy to live with.
- SiC liners and black steel-frame guides suit regular carp fishing duties.
Worth knowing
- The 3.5lb models may feel more rod than you need for light close-range fishing.
- Longer models naturally carry more weight, with the 13ft version listed at 464g built.
- Premium construction usually means a bigger spend than basic carp rods.
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Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01Which Century Excalibur XT should I choose?
Which Century Excalibur XT should I choose?
For a general carp setup, start with the 12ft 3.25lb. Pick the 12ft 3.5lb when you fish weed, snaggy margins or need more casting muscle. The 10ft 3.5lb suits tight swims, stalking-style work and anglers who like a compact rod. Go 13ft 3.5lb when extra reach and line control are the priority.
02Are the Century Excalibur XT rods suitable for distance fishing?
Are the Century Excalibur XT rods suitable for distance fishing?
The 12ft and 13ft 3.5lb models are the obvious choices for distance work. Their longer blanks and stronger test curves are better matched to punching heavier leads and controlling line at range. Your reel, lead setup, casting technique and clipped-up accuracy still matter massively, mind.
03What guides and reel seat does the Excalibur XT use?
What guides and reel seat does the Excalibur XT use?
The rods use black steel-frame guides with SiC liners and a lightweight Graphite DPS size 18 reel seat with black hoods. The 10ft model uses 40-12 guide sizing, while the 12ft and 13ft models use 50-16 sizing.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a serious bit of kit with plenty of choice. The strongest reasons to choose it are proper uk manufacture and a smart, workmanlike finish. and useful choice of lengths and test curves across the range.; the main trade-off is the 3.5lb models may feel more rod than you need for light close-range fishing..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Proper UK manufacture and a smart, workmanlike finish.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Carp anglers fishing mixed venues and varied swims: The 12ft models offer the most natural all-round balance, with the 3.25lb better suited to general work and the 3.5lb giving extra authority.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “The 3.5lb models may feel more rod than you need for light close-range fishing.”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
What our readers rate Century Excalibur XT Carp Rod
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