I'm with Dicky on this one. I used to use a Barbel rod for fishing on top but was forced to use an old 2.5 carp rod once due to the barbel rod being round my brothers place. I actually much preferred the carp rod, has a bit more backbone and the stiffer blank seems to offer more control for me. Think it's an original Fox Warrior, must be minimum 15 years old, only £50 when new, boy has that had some use over the years. Still good as new, bargain.
A lot of it is personal preference IMO.