Telescopic Poles

[Mel P]

Poles - are the telescopic ones any use - I know why tele rods are frowned-on - too many joints affecting curve of the rod etc., but surely this doesn't apply with poles which are take-apart anyway...

As you can tell I've never used a pole so all explanantions however noddy welcome....!

[Jamie]

the main problem i had when i used one years ago is that even if you are only using 12 feet of pole you still have the weigh of the unused lengths

[bigdave]

i used a telescopic pole today matey

but it was only 5 metres long and i was fishing to hand ( ie it was a whip)

this is the only way id use a telescopic pole( bar the top 2 on a match kit)

for proper pole fishing use a take apart,they are just too much of a problem otherwise

[Mel P]

Cheers Lads
What would you recommended for local venues - 4-5m whips or an 11m plus pole - I've seen some guys using full Poles shorthened to 4 or 5m - suppose it gives you the flexibility ??? if you need to fish further out

[Ken the PACMAN]

Most people on normal stillwaters could use a 9 or 10 meter pole to start with,longer lengths are only really used to reach an island or similar feature or to get on the far shelf of a canal where 14.5 metres may be necessary.
Most of the time you can use 7 or 8 meters.

[feederman]

what Pacman said is very true.

I own a 8M margin pole and that's the only pole I have. 90% I don't even use the last section, just fish 6M out even in winter. During summer the fish come close and you can catch plenty mate.

If you don't wanna spend much can get this
http://www.cheshirefishing.co.uk/shop/middypoles.htm

60quid for 9.5M of carbon with 2 top kits and elastication packs, and it's VERY STRONG!

if you want better, MAP CFS 13M and Shimano Technium XTA are good poles for the money.

[Mel P]

Cheers Kev,
Weird - was thinking of going down there for a look round at the fishery (and shop). Will deffo do that now..........

[John Petersen]

I have a few 'whips' in my freshwater gear.

I have a 5m expensive carbon jobby which is used for fishing for bits in our BLAS ponds, not elasticated, relies on whippy-ness.

I have 2 cheap glass ones, both elasticated, one with Number 1 and one with Number 3 elastic, one is 4m, the other is 3m, both cost me less than £ 5 each. I use these when I am fishing the BLAS ponds and I might get a bigger fish that I need the elastic for.

I also have a 5m Middy Pole, which cost under £ 10 which is elasticated with Number 20 elastic and is really thick walled, I use this at 3m usually. I use this when fishing pegs on the BLAS ponds that I know I am going to get bigger fish on, or commercial fisheries when I can see big tails close in on a feeding frenzy.

I have a few rigs with 10 Pound line and size 6 hooks made up on, I put a large piece of Luncheon meat on this rig attached to the 5m Middy pole and give it 5 mins, you either get a take or you go back to other methods.

If you get a take, you should see the look on 5lb carps faces as you haul them straight into landing net with no chance of them fighting !!

I also have a 13m take-apart pole that I use when I need more range, this is elasticated with about 5 different end sections with 1, 2, 5, 12, 14 elastics.

I did consider a 10m pole capable of Number 20 elastic, but have never got around to it.

There have been a few occasions when I have considered a 16m pole as well, but cost of these puts me off.

Anyway. Tele-poles are ok if you know how long you need and your rigs are long enough to get you in without having to ship back at all. Set to length and swing to hand or to landing net without moving your hand from pole.

[Mel P]

Cheers John !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dave Kam]

There is a world of difference between poles nowadays, even more so in the rediculous prices

Telescopic poles are ok for bit bashing and the occasional better fish, but you would probably be better off in the long run getting a take apart pole, that way you can use it at any length you want up to its maximum, you don't have to use it at full length, just use what you want