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On the current market there's many different poles you can choose from. Varying from shorter to longer poles, different weights and prices. This guide will explain more in depth the different features of a pole and hopefully encourage you to buy a pole that fits your needs. We also have A Guide to Pole Elastics and what situation they should be used in.
BUDGET
The first thing to consider when buying a pole is your budget. Fishing poles can vary anywhere from £30 and into the thousands. If you have never done pole fishing then buying a cheaper one to see whether you like the style of fishing could be the best option. If you enjoy the style of fishing then increasing the length and quality pole would be the next step.
LENGTH
When buying a new Fishing pole, an important consideration is the length. The longer the pole the better, so if you have a higher budget, then it will create a more versatile way of fishing. You'll be able to reach the far bank and other far features which you probably couldn't reach with a shorter one.Â
The average lengths range anywhere from around 8m to over 17m. Also due to the design of a pole it will have take apart sections allowing you to fish at lower distances if needed. Anything less than 8m could be a whip which can be either telescopic or come in sections like a pole. Whips can be fished without the use of elastic, check out our Short Guide to Whip Fishing for more information.
WEIGHT AND BALANCE
The weight of a pole isn't as important as the length but can still play a part in solidifying your decision. The weight stated for a pole is just the weight once it's all packed up.Â
A more important feature to look for is the downforce, which is how heavy the pole will feel once fully set up and holding the butt end of the pole. The higher the downforce means the heavier it will feel to hold, so looking for a pole with a lower downforce can be beneficial. Usually when a pole is the same length as another but is lighter, then it's probably been crafted with a higher quality carbon fiber and with balance in consideration.Â
EXTRA SECTIONS AND ACCESSORIES
When buying a fishing pole sometimes extra top kits are included. Having spare top kits for a pole can be highly beneficial and saves buying them separately. Extra top kits means extra fish as you're able to have different top sections set up with different elastics and rigs, resulting in saved time and effort.Â
Some poles will also include small accessories like spare elastics or a cupping kit. The cupping kit is a small cup designed to attach to the end of the pole, which allows loose feed to be transported straight above your swim.
