First, the rod-holders. All of the holders are made specifically for the type of rod and reel you use. There are made by Carpers who can design and weld their own ideas into shape or know someone who can. I have never seen a "factory" made rod stand or rod holders at a pay-lake. I am sure they would work just fine, but most pay-lakers have always done this and actually haven’t been exposed to many if any Carp magazines that sell them. Most of the holders have adjustments on them so they will tilt the rod up or down. They also have kickers on the legs so you can stomp them in the ground, this really helps in hard dry ground. Practically all stands now are built for bait-casting reels. Some are stainless steel, others are just steel. The stainless steel adjustables usually run a $100 a set of three. Many Carpers used to use bite alarm buzzers, these too are home-made from switches and buzzers usually gotten at local hardware stores, or electronic stores. But, since most of these guys sit right on their rods and reels, they really rarely ever use them anymore.
Bite indicators, there are numerous ways to make bite indicators. I like to put a pinch of play-dough on my line, about 3 feet out from the rip of the rod. After you put it on dip the dough in the water and let it slide down the line till it gets to where you want it. If it is wet weather I use a indicator I made myself. It is similar to a UK indicator but I put a small bell on the bottom, clips on with a bobby pin and pulls off when the fish runs. Some use small floats, just clip on the line somewhere between the eyes on rods and leave 6 inches of slack. Others use pieces of foam rubber or pipe cleaners twisted into a circle, anything light that will show a fish biting but not put much resistance on the line.
Rod and reels are also personal preference. 90% use bait-casting reels, usually Abu-Garcia’s, in the 5500 or 6500 series. There is no rule on what line you have to use at most lakes, most use 14-20 pound test. I prefer 17 lb Trilene XL clear low visibility line. Rods are usually MH or H, in 7 to 7.5 feet in length. Any quality rod and reel will work fine, you want a reel with a smooth drag system and a rod that has some feel to it. A real stiff rod won’t cast as well and it’s not as forgiving to a fish at the bank if it makes a final lunge while you are trying to net it.
The Net is most often a telescopic handled net. They sell these at all the pay-lakes you go to. If you don’t have one first time or two, don’t worry, one thing for sure, pay-lakers always help each other net fish. Even if it is a total stranger sitting beside them they always offer to help. If you have never netted before watch a few times before you start, always net head first and never spook a fish by trying to rush it. You can easily knock a fish off the hook by netting incorrectly.
The rigs we use in pay-lakes are fairly much all the same. The differences would be the sizes. We use 3-way swivels, slip sinkers, beads to protect the knot and hooks that are in the size you prefer. I like to use a 3/0 brass 3-way swivel (you can use 2/0 or 4/0), the slip sinkers I use are ¼ ounce egg sinkers (any style or size of slip sinker up to ¾ ounce is used). Almost all lakes require a sinker to be used. The bead I use is a 10mm clear glass bead to protect the knot. Hooks are again personal preference, size 4 to 2/0 are the most commonly used. Many use Eagle Claw 1/0 double leaders. My preference is sizes 1/0 or 2, Eagle Claw wide bend, offset, plain shank and ringed eye. I tie my own leaders with the Trilene 17lb test, length being 3 to 4 inches on the leader.
I hope this has given some insight to pay-lake carping and maybe get someone started in the sport. It is a lot of fun and one of the most competitive forms of recreation you will ever do. Good luck, and forget a comfortable chair, these derbies run in 8 hour shifts.
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