Best Fishing Poles: Our Top Picks 2023
In modern times fishing poles have become the staple of any coarse and match angler. While using a traditional rod and reel still very much has a place; pole fishing has become the go to choice for many anglers.
Key Features of a Pole
Materials
Fishing poles and whips can vary in length, some being as long as 16m. Understandably then, the materials used in the construction need to be extremely light-weight.
Poles and whips are typically made from Carbon, Carbon-fibre, fibre-glass, or a compound material made up of a mixture of some or all of these materials. Not only are these materials very light-weight, they are also very durable and rigid; all essential qualities in a good fishing pole.
While the weight of the pole is an important factor, so too is the balance. Imagine you’re fishing with a 16m pole and you’re holding the butt-end, you get a bite and have to apply downward pressure on the butt in order to raise the tip from the water. If the pole is not very well balanced then it can make lifting the tip of the pole very difficult and awkward.
Carbon, Carbon-fibre and fibre-glass are also very durable. This essential when fishing with a heavy rig, in strong winds or hooking large fish. The last thing you want is a crack, split or break in a section of your pole.
Length
Poles are made up of the slotting together of multiple sections. When shopping for a pole, the advertised length is total length when all the sections are connected together.
Different length poles are suited to different fishing types and are often sold with top kits which are also suited to that particular type of fishing, e.g. Carp fishing versus Match and Silverfish or Bream fishing. Although some poles are well-suited to a variety of fishing types and can be used with top kits to suit your preference any given day.
For example, if your pole comes supplied with a match kit then its best suited for Match or Silverfish fishing. Whereas a power kit will be best suited forfishing larger species of coarse fish, such as carp.
Margin Poles
Margin poles are, as the name suggests, intended for fishing the margins of your swim.
The margins are generally considered to be the area of water within 1m of the bank. For this reason, margin poles are usually between 4m and 10m in length and are generally a favourite of any angler who fishes on commercial lakes and ponds.
Margin poles tend to be in the cheaper price bracket too due to them being on the shorter side and requiring less materials to produce. This also makes them a firm favourite of beginner and junior anglers.
Daiwa Yank N Bank Pro Margin 10m Pole
The Diawa Yank N Bank Pro Margin 10m Pole would be my top recommendation for a margin pole. It has all the key characteristics you would want from margin pole with enough legth to some of the deepest margins but is also versatile enough to fish at the full 10m length using a match top kit; This pole is even provided with both a power and match top kit.
A versatile all-rounder, from a reputable brand without breaking the bank.
Check Price of Diawa Yank N Bank Pro
Carp Poles
Again, as the name suggests, primarily intended for Carp Fishing; Carp poles share some similarities with margin poles, with the exception of length and thus price.
Carp pole length can range from 10m to 16m but are typically found to be between 13m and 14.5m. Carp poles are intended for larger species of coarse fish and so are made to be stronger than a traditional pole in order to withstand the weight and fight of a larger fish at a greater distance.
As with margin poles, more pole equates to more price and so a carp pole is going to set you back more cash than that or a margin pole.
Daiwa Yank N Bank Pro Power 14.5 Metre Pole
Like the Diawa Yank N Bank Margin Pole, the 14.5m version offers exceptional versatility and is strong enough to handle big fish, making this version and excellent choice for not only carp fishing but also match fishing.
Check Price of Diawa Yank N Bank Pro
Match Poles
The key differences between a carp pole and a match pole is the strength, rigidity and weight.
A match pole is designed to be fished with more finesse and so is generally lighter and not as strong as a carp pole; meaning they’re not best suited to the larger species of fish.
Match poles are also more rigid than carp poles, this rigidity allows for more precision, finesse and “feel” when tackling smaller fish species.
The price of match poles can range from a few hundred £££ to thousands. My recommendation below is aimed at the budget conscious angler, looking for a quality “hobby” pole. I appreciate that a seasoned pro, enthusiast, may be looking for something slightly different and considerably more expensive.
MAP TKS 2G 501 16m Competition Pole
Although released in 2016, this is still a favourite of mine when it comes to match poles. The overall quality and price make it a contender against some of the higher-end poles.
Where to Buy
The obvious choice, and first stop for most people with any purchase, would be Amazon. Amazon often have some great deals, especially around holiday seasons, such as Christmas and New Year. Amazon is also a great place to read reviews from other buyers.
AnglingDirect is also a personal favourite of mine when shopping online, they stock a huge range of all types of fishing tackle, including hundreds of poles.
If you prefer to shop in store rather than online, then I’d certainly recommend your local tackle shop. You may pay a higher price in store, but you get to actually get a feel for the reel, attach it to a rod and see how the weight fares etc. While a tackle shop may not stock as many as an online store, in most cases they will be able to order in a product if requested. Plus you have the added benefit of supporting a local business.