ESP Floater XP – Surface Carper’s Weapon The ESP Floater XP is a premium 12-foot surface rod rated at about 2.75 lb, built to give anglers the upper hand when stalking floater carp. It has a stepped-up blank design that still retains a soft tip so you can use lighter line and small hooks without fear, while packing plenty of power through the mid and butt to control fish in tricky conditions like weed or current.   Key Features Length & Power: 12 ft, ~2.75 lb test curve — long enough to pick up line quickly and give good leverage, yet responsive at the tip. Action: Through-action blank with a soft tip that absorbs shocks, meaning fewer pulled hooks. The butt section offers enough backbone to drive fish away from cover. Casting: Able to cast controllers, heavier floats or rigs up to around 80 g when needed, so you get distance as well as subtlety. Fittings & Finish: Matt olive blank for low glare, lightweight stainless (Minima-style) guides sized from ~40mm down to ~12mm, durable full-length duplon handle for grip, Fuji DPS reel seat, and a keeper ring to manage long hooklinks.   What It’s Good At Surface fishing: ideal for targeting carp that are feeding on flies, boilie “mixer” rigs or surface foods. Weedy margins: the extra power allows control if the fish dive into weed. Fine work: soft tip lets you fish with delicate hook baits or thin lines where presentation counts. Long sessions: balance, build quality and smooth action make it comfortable to use for hours.   Things to Think About Being 12 ft, it’s a long rod — not the best for super tight swims or river bends where space is limited. If you go for very light rigs regularly (tiny floats or tiny hooks), there’s always a trade-off between strength and finesse.     Verdict: If you want a rod that can handle surface carp fishing with flair, deal with weed, and perform well both for heavier rigs and delicate setups, the ESP Floater XP is a brilliant choice.

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