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Pole fishing · Ready-tied carp rigs · Our take
Drennan AS Carp Pole Rigs
AS1, AS3 and AS5
Ready-tied carp rigs with proper differences between the versions. Pick the right AS model for your swim and you've got a handy shortcut — not an excuse to skip plumbing up.
- AS1: 3m rig, with 0.2g, 0.4g and 0.6g float options.
- AS3: 3m rig, with 0.4g, 0.6g and 0.8g float options.
- AS5: 2.5m rig, with 0.3g, 0.4g and 0.5g float options.
- All three versions have interchangeable Hi-Viz tips, increasing from 1.5mm on AS1 to 2.0mm on AS5.
Make sure it’s the right one. This is a look at the AS Carp Pole Rig range, with confirmed details for AS1, AS3 and AS5. They're different setups, so don't treat the AS number as just a float-size choice.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A useful convenience-led range with sensible carp-focused choices; the main limits are fixed starting combinations and supplied rig lengths.
- Product Quality8.8/10
- Performance8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching7.9/10
- Ease of Use9.4/10
- Value for Money8.3/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Commercial carp anglers who want less prep. You can choose a ready-tied setup around your swim rather than build every rig from scratch.
- Pole newcomers and anglers keeping spares. The supplied combinations give you a useful starting point and a straightforward route to carrying replacement rigs.
Maybe skip if
- Anglers fishing deeper swims. A 3m or 2.5m rig must cover both the fishing depth and the line between float and pole tip.
- Fine-line silverfish specialists. These are carp-focused combinations, not delicate setups built around tiny hooks and light hooklengths.
The lowdown
Introducing the Drennan AS Carp Pole Rigs
Ready-tied carp rigs with proper differences between the versions. Pick the right AS model for your swim and you've got a handy shortcut — not an excuse to skip plumbing up.
- AS1: 3m rig, with 0.2g, 0.4g and 0.6g float options.
- AS3: 3m rig, with 0.4g, 0.6g and 0.8g float options.
- AS5: 2.5m rig, with 0.3g, 0.4g and 0.5g float options.
- All three versions have interchangeable Hi-Viz tips, increasing from 1.5mm on AS1 to 2.0mm on AS5.
Quick verdict
A cracking shortcut, provided you choose carefully
Drennan's AS Carp Pole Rigs make sense for commercial carp fishing when you'd rather get sorted than spend your evening tying rigs. The different line strengths, tips and float capacities give you useful choices rather than one catch-all setup.
AS1 is the lighter option here, AS3 steps things up, and AS5 brings the stoutest line combination. Just check the supplied length against your swim and remember that ready-tied still means plumbing, trimming and checking the shotting.
A useful convenience-led range with sensible carp-focused choices; the main limits are fixed starting combinations and supplied rig lengths.
- Product Quality
- 8.8/10
- Performance
- 8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 7.9/10
- Ease of Use
- 9.4/10
- Value for Money
- 8.3/10
The stated line, hook and interchangeable-tip choices make for well-considered carp setups.
Different float capacities and line strengths provide useful options when matched properly to the swim.
A suitable rig supports good presentation, but feeding, depth setting and swim choice still do the heavy lifting.
Ready-tied construction removes much of the preparation while leaving only the usual bank-side adjustments.
The convenience is most worthwhile if you use the supplied setup largely unchanged rather than replacing its components.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Drennan
Drennan AS Carp Pole Rigs (this one)
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 Drennan AS Carp Pole Rigs
Ready-tied pole rigs are one of those bits of tackle that can save a surprising amount of faff. Not because tying your own is some dark art, but because sometimes you just want your gear sorted and your float in the water. Drennan's AS Carp Pole Rigs fit that brief nicely: carp-focused setups with different float capacities, line strengths and tip diameters. The important bit is choosing the version that fits your fishing. Grab a packet purely because it says carp and you could end up making life harder rather than easier.
There's a useful spread across AS1, AS3 and AS5, but don't read those numbers as a straightforward small, medium and large. AS1 is the lighter line setup of these three. AS3 carries stronger line and includes heavier float options. AS5 goes stronger again on line, yet its float capacities sit below the largest AS3 option. That's a proper distinction on the bank. The strength needed to play a fish and the weight needed to present a bait are related decisions, not the same decision.
AS1 comes as a 3m rig with a choice of 0.2g, 0.4g or 0.6g floats. You get 6lb, 0.18mm mainline, a 5lb, 0.16mm hooklength and a size 16 barbless wide gape pellet hook. Its interchangeable Hi-Viz tip is 1.5mm in diameter. Of this trio, that's the combination to look at first when you want a less bulky starting point for carp fishing. Think sensible presentation rather than brute force, with your final choice still guided by depth, tow and the bait you're putting on.
AS3 shifts things towards a beefier everyday carp setup. The rig is still 3m long, but float choices are 0.4g, 0.6g and 0.8g. Mainline is 7lb at 0.20mm, paired with a 6lb, 0.18mm hooklength and a size 14 barbless wide gape carp hook. The interchangeable Hi-Viz tip measures 1.8mm. Those heavier float options give you more scope when a very light rig is being pushed about or taking too long to settle. Don't automatically reach for the heaviest, though; control matters more than simply adding weight.
AS5 is the stoutest line combination covered here, with 8lb, 0.22mm mainline and a 7lb, 0.20mm hooklength. Its carbon-stem float has a 2.0mm interchangeable Hi-Viz tip, with capacities of 0.3g, 0.4g and 0.5g. The supplied rig is shorter at 2.5m. That makes checking your swim depth especially important before buying. A shorter rig with stronger line can make sense for less delicate carp work, but it isn't automatically your answer to every margin swim. Snags and the strength of your pole still have a say.
Whichever one you choose, the first job isn't feeding a mountain of pellets and hoping the carp are on the munch. Plumb up properly. Find out whether your chosen spot is flat, shelving or littered with little changes in depth. Then set the float and sort the line between it and your pole tip. Too much line there can make striking and controlling the rig awkward; too little can restrict how you work it. Only trim once you're happy you've allowed enough for the swim you're actually fishing.
The interchangeable tips are dead handy when your background changes from dark reflected trees to bright open water. Pick a colour you can actually track, rather than squinting through a session. Also check the float with your intended hookbait, because bait weight and whether it's supported by the bottom affect what you see. A thicker tip generally gives you more buoyancy to work with, but burying the whole thing under unnecessary shot won't help. You want a readable float that suits the presentation, not a tiny dot you keep losing.
The appeal, then, is convenience with useful choices. A newcomer gets a sensible starting point, while an experienced pole angler can keep a spare ready for a damaged rig or a change of approach. You still need to match the elastic, respect fishery rules and check knots and line for wear. No packet can do those jobs for you, mate. But if your swim fits the supplied length and the setup suits your bait and fish, these rigs remove a chunk of preparation without making pole fishing needlessly complicated.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- AS1 float and length
- 0.2g, 0.4g or 0.6g; 3m rig; 1.5mm interchangeable Hi-Viz tip.
- AS1 line and hook
- 6lb (0.18mm) mainline; 5lb (0.16mm) hooklength; size 16 barbless wide gape pellet hook.
- AS3 float and length
- 0.4g, 0.6g or 0.8g; 3m rig; 1.8mm interchangeable Hi-Viz tip.
- AS3 line and hook
- 7lb (0.20mm) mainline; 6lb (0.18mm) hooklength; size 14 barbless wide gape carp hook.
- AS5 float and length
- 0.3g, 0.4g or 0.5g; 2.5m rig; carbon stem; 2.0mm interchangeable Hi-Viz tip.
- AS5 line
- 8lb (0.22mm) mainline; 7lb (0.20mm) hooklength.
Specs checked with Drennan, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Buy for the swim, not just the number
Float capacity, tip diameter and line strength all change across these versions. AS5 has stronger line than AS3, but its available float capacities are lower — the range isn't a simple ladder from small to big.
Start with depth and conditions, then think about bait, fish size and your elastic. That's a much better route to the right rig than grabbing whichever packet looks toughest.
The setup
Closer look: three genuinely different choices
What you're buying is a ready-tied carp pole setup, not just a float. That's the convenience: the mainline and hooklength combination is already chosen. AS1's size 16 pellet hook and AS3's size 14 carp hook also give you a clear distinction when planning hookbaits. Neither hook size is a universal answer, so keep the point exposed and avoid cramming on bait that overwhelms the hook.
Float capacity is about controlling the presentation, not measuring how big a carp you can land. A heavier option can help get the bait down and keep things steadier in awkward conditions. A lighter one can suit a gentler presentation. Depth, wind, tow and where you want bites to develop should steer that choice.
Worth knowing. Rig length isn't the same as usable fishing depth. You need some line between the float and pole tip as well, so a 3m rig doesn't automatically cover a swim that's 3m deep.
Your fishing
Who it suits: commercial carp anglers keeping things simple
These are a handy fit for pleasure anglers who want a straightforward commercial carp setup and newcomers who aren't yet confident choosing every component. They're also useful as spares. Having a suitable replacement ready is much nicer than trying to rebuild a damaged rig while the fish are finally feeding.
They're less appealing if you already tie very specific rigs for every peg, or if your fishing revolves around delicate winter roach and skimmers. The supplied line combinations lean towards carp. You can alter a rig, of course, but replace enough of it and the whole ready-tied convenience starts to disappear.
For stronger carp work, match the whole outfit rather than judging everything by breaking strain. Your pole section, elastic and connector need to suit the job, and open-water fishing is a different proposition from trying to stop a fish reaching roots. None of these line figures is a promise about the size of fish you can safely bully.
Bank-side questions
FAQs in full: choosing and setting up
Which AS model should you buy? Start by checking length, then choose the line and hook arrangement that fits your fishing. AS1 offers the lightest combination here, AS3 combines stronger line with float options up to 0.8g, and AS5 pairs the strongest line with a shorter rig. Don't assume the highest AS number means the heaviest float.
Are they ready to fish immediately? They're ready-tied, which removes a job, but they're not pre-set for your peg. Attach the rig, plumb carefully and check the float's trim with the bait you intend to use. Recheck depth when moving along a shelf or into the margins; shifting the rig a short distance can change the presentation completely.
Is AS5 the obvious big-carp choice? It has the strongest confirmed line pairing in this comparison, so it's the first one to consider when that matters. But its 2.5m length might rule it out for your swim, and strong line doesn't overcome an unsuitable pole or dangerous snags. Choose a balanced setup and check the venue's tackle rules before you get settled.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Ready-tied convenience cuts down the prep and gets spare rigs sorted quickly.
- Useful choice of line strengths rather than one compromise setup.
- Interchangeable visible tips help you adapt to awkward backgrounds.
- AS1 and AS3 have clearly matched barbless hook and line combinations.
Worth knowing
- Supplied lengths limit where you can use them without rebuilding or extending.
- The stronger setups aren't the obvious choice for delicate winter silverfish work.
- You'll still need to adjust depth, line above the float and presentation.
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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.
01What's the difference between AS1, AS3 and AS5?
What's the difference between AS1, AS3 and AS5?
AS1 has the lightest line combination and a size 16 hook; AS3 steps up to stronger line and a size 14 hook. AS5 has the strongest line combination here, a shorter 2.5m rig and a carbon-stem float. Float capacities differ too, so choose by conditions rather than model number alone.
02Can I fish them straight from the packet?
Can I fish them straight from the packet?
They're ready-tied, but you still need to attach the rig correctly, plumb the swim, set the depth and check how the float sits with your bait. Shorten excess line only after checking the depth you need.
03Which version should I choose for bigger carp?
Which version should I choose for bigger carp?
AS5 offers the strongest listed line pairing: 8lb mainline and a 7lb hooklength. That's only part of the choice, though. Depth, snags, pole strength, elastic and fishery rules all matter; stronger line alone doesn't make a rig suitable for every lump.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a cracking shortcut, provided you choose carefully. The strongest reasons to choose it are ready-tied convenience cuts down the prep and gets spare rigs sorted quickly. and useful choice of line strengths rather than one compromise setup.; the main trade-off is supplied lengths limit where you can use them without rebuilding or extending..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Ready-tied convenience cuts down the prep and gets spare rigs sorted quickly.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Commercial carp anglers who want less prep: You can choose a ready-tied setup around your swim rather than build every rig from scratch.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “Supplied lengths limit where you can use them without rebuilding or extending.”
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 Drennan AS Carp Pole Rigs
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