Since 18 September 2026
Reviewed
Century Stealth Graphex Carp Rod
Lowest in-stock price
£625.00
from Total Fishing Tackle
Compared across 3 shops
, with 3 currently in stock
5 Things To Know
- Graphene-reinforced resin keeps the high-modulus carbon blank lighter while retaining strength and toughness for its weight.
- Anti-twist blank construction reduces line friction through the guides for accurate, efficient casting.
- The range includes 12ft rods from 3lb to 3.75lb and a 13ft 3.5lb model.
- Black titanium-framed guides use thin, lightweight Torzite SiC liners.
- Full-shrink and abbreviated handles offer different reel seats and grip coverage.
Product Information
The Century Stealth Graphex Carp Rod is a graphene-reinforced carbon carp rod for anglers fishing lakes, rivers and canals. Its high-modulus carbon blank uses a graphene-reinforced resin system, allowing less material while retaining high strength and toughness for its weight.
The resulting lighter feel is paired with faster tip recovery and a fish-playing action.
Century uses autoclave curing to create a compact carbon wall with fewer air bubbles and voids, while CAD-controlled carbon placement changes material angles along the blank taper.
This construction gives the blank high torsional-load resistance and anti-twist properties, reducing line friction through the guides for more efficient, accurate casting. Black titanium-framed guides carry lightweight Torzite SiC liners.
Full Shrink models use an Alps Waveform matt-black reel seat, while the traditional build combines an abbreviated shrink-rubber handle with a Century carbon reel seat and matt-black metal hoods and lock rings.
Rods span 12ft 3lb, 3.25lb, 3.5lb and 3.75lb, plus a 13ft 3.5lb; the 12ft 3lb has a parabolic playing action for smaller waters, while the 12ft 3.75lb is built for long-distance casting. The separate Spod & Marker Duo is not one of the carp rods compared here.
Century Stealth Graphex Carp Rod Review
The Century Stealth Graphex is a serious investment, even by premium carp rod standards. Its light carbon blank, graphene reinforced resin and titanium guides give you plenty for the money, but that doesn't make it the right rod for everyone.
I'll look at where that extra spend makes sense, from casting and playing fish to the finish of the rod itself. Let's find out if it's worth its hefty investment.
Features 9.4/10
Appearance 9.4/10
Casting & Feel 9.6/10
Playing Fish 9.6/10
Value for money 9.0/10
Features
One of the main reasons I'd put the Graphex on a premium rod shortlist is the science behind its blank. The graphene reinforced resin adds strength without needing a thick, heavy wall of carbon.
That's an important distinction with a powerful carp rod. You want the strength there when you need it, without carrying unnecessary weight through every cast.
Century also uses autoclave curing to compress the carbon during manufacture. Alongside the second generation anti twist construction, it's a substantial amount of engineering beneath that understated finish.
The fittings are just as appealing, particularly the black titanium guides with their thin Torzite SiC liners. There's a proper choice of handles too, with an Alps Waveform reel seat on the full shrink version and a Century carbon seat on the abbreviated build.
The range covers 12ft and 13ft lengths in a conventional two piece format. Within that range, the choice of test curve matters more to me than the extra foot of length.
Appearance
The continuous carbon weave is the part of the Graphex's appearance I like most. It runs through the butt and tip sections, giving the whole rod a consistent finish rather than stopping halfway up the blank.
The black titanium guides suit it nicely, and the matt dark grey lettering keeps the branding restrained. There's a Union Jack underneath the blank, but the overall look is still very much in keeping with the Stealth name.
Your choice of handle makes quite a difference here. The full shrink version has the more substantial looking Alps Waveform reel seat, whereas the abbreviated build exposes more of the blank and uses a carbon seat.
I prefer the cleaner look of the abbreviated handle, although the Alps seat is an attractive part of the full shrink build. That is a matter of taste, not a reason to score one finish above the other.
Neither needs bright trim to look expensive. For me, the carbon weave and dark fittings do a better job of showing where the money has gone.
How well does it cast and feel?
The appeal here is having plenty of casting power without a heavy blank to swing through the cast. The Graphex combines low weight with quick tip recovery, which is exactly the combination I'd look for in a premium distance rod.
The anti twist construction reduces twisting and line frap, while the lightweight titanium guides keep weight down along the blank. These are useful features when you're trying to put a bait accurately on a distant spot.
For outright distance work, the 12ft 3.75lb is the obvious choice in this range. It gives you the most powerful carp option without moving to a longer rod.
I wouldn't choose it just because it has the highest test curve, though. The 12ft 3.5lb is easier to compress and makes more sense for anglers who want casting range without committing to a specialist distance setup.
There's also a 13ft 3.5lb for those who prefer the extra length. I'd choose between those lengths on casting style and the space available on the bank, rather than assuming longer is automatically better.
How does it perform when playing fish?
A strong blank doesn't have to mean a stiff, cumbersome rod when there's a fish on. The Graphex's low weight and choice of actions are a large part of its appeal, not just the amount of casting power available.
The titanium guide frames flex with the blank under load. That makes them a good fit for a rod where the playing action deserves as much attention as the cast.
If most of your fishing is on smaller lakes, rivers or canals, I'd look at the 12ft 3lb first. Its parabolic action puts playing fish ahead of reaching distant spots, and there's no reason to buy more power than your fishing needs.
The 3.25lb keeps that playing bias while offering more scope across small and medium waters. For anglers moving between venues, the 3.5lb has the more useful balance of casting ability and fish playing action.
That's where I'd concentrate my attention for general carp fishing. A rod that suits the fight as well as the cast is a better purchase than one chosen solely for distance.
Is it good value for money?
Okay, let's not beat around the bush: the Graphex is an expensive carp rod. Buying a set is a substantial commitment, and I wouldn't recommend spending this much simply to get a premium name on the blank.
There is substance behind the price, though. UK manufacture, an autoclaved carbon blank and titanium guides are meaningful parts of the build, with much of the expense going into keeping the rod light without sacrificing strength.
For an experienced carp angler who needs casting distance and accuracy, that is money worth considering. If you can afford it, I think it's good value, but only if your angling expertise can benefit from the advanced features you're paying for.
For a beginner or someone fishing short distances on small waters, I'd put the saving towards the rest of the tackle. You don't need a rod at this level to fish those venues well.
For my own all round choice, the 12ft 3.5lb is the one I'd go for. It offers the most useful compromise between casting range and playing fish, without making distance the whole reason for buying it.
Pros
- Plenty of blank strength without unnecessary weight through the cast.
- Anti twist construction helps reduce those frustrating tip tangles.
- Lightweight titanium guides flex with the blank under load.
- The 3.5lb offers a useful balance of casting and playing ability.
- Continuous carbon weave and dark fittings give a restrained finish.
Cons
- Buying a full set is a substantial financial commitment.
Features and Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Rod lengths | 12ft and 13ft |
| Test curves | 3lb, 3.25lb, 3.5lb and 3.75lb |
| Blank material | High-modulus carbon with graphene-reinforced resin |
| Blank curing | Autoclave-cured carbon construction |
| Carbon layout | CAD-designed, machine-cut carbon patterns with varied lay angles |
| Anti-twist construction | Gen 2 anti-twist technology |
| Surface weave | 1k-1k carbon weave through butt and tip |
| Guides | Black titanium frames with Torzite SiC liners |
| Full Shrink build | Full shrink-rubber handle and Alps Waveform matt-black reel seat |
| Traditional build | Abbreviated shrink-rubber handle, carbon seat, matt-black hoods and lock rings |
How It Compares
See how the Century Stealth Graphex Carp Rod compares with other carp rods on overall score and current price.
| Name | Price | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Century Stealth Graphex Carp Rod | £625.00 | |
| Daiwa Infinity MT X45 Carp Rod | £376.00 | |
| Century Stealth Graphex Spod/Marker Rod | £595.00 | |
| Daiwa Longbow X45 | £258.74 | |
| Shimano TX-1B Carp Rod | £49.99 | |
| Daiwa Black Widow Plus Carp Rod | £44.99 | |
| Daiwa Crosscast EXT | £71.49 | |
| Avid Revolve Carp Rod | £44.99 | |
| Sonik Xtractor+ Carp Rod | £39.99 |
Price History
Tracked shop prices over time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What test curves does the Century Stealth Graphex Carp Rod cover?
The carp range includes 3lb, 3.25lb, 3.5lb and 3.75lb test curves.
Which Stealth Graphex rod is made for distance casting?
The 12ft 3.75lb model is built for long-distance casting.
Does the Century Stealth Graphex have a spod marker model?
Yes, Century makes a separate 12ft Spod & Marker Duo for spods and marker floats. It is a different product from the carp rods compared on this page.
What guides are fitted to the Stealth Graphex Carp Rod?
Both finish builds use black titanium-framed guides with thin, lightweight Torzite SiC liners.
How do the Stealth Graphex handle builds differ?
The full-shrink build has an Alps Waveform matt-black reel seat. The traditional build has an abbreviated shrink-rubber handle and a Century carbon reel seat.
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