Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
Can a carp rod be used for general float or river fishing?
Not really Kev. A carp rod is usually "beefier" than a float or leger rod, as it is likely to handle bigger fish/baits/weights etc. They are quoted in what are called "test curves" and this will be in lbs.
The higher the test curve, the "stiffer" the rod, so a 3.5tc rod will be a bit firmer in use than a 2.75tc.
A bit like soft, regular, stiff and extra stiff shafts in clubs if you like.
The problem is, if you tried to cast a float out with a carp rod, you would have no "feel" at all. Also, if you caught smaller fish the strength of the rod would pull the fishes head off!! (Well not quite, but you get the general picture).
What you need for good all round fishing is a decent feeder rod. That will handle legering and float fishing with ease.