Mick Wilkinson Steady pole floats review
Mick Wilkinson Steady pole floats
Simplicity is important to me when it comes to pole rigs for commercial waters and I try to keep my float choices to a minimum.
That means you’ll find only five or six patterns among my pole rigs and of these, the Mick Wilkinson Steady is my first choice for the majority of open-water situations in anything but a gale.
With a highly-visible but thin hollow antenna of 1.25mm diameter, super-strong polystyrene body and 0.5mm wire stem, these floats sit up quickly, are unbelievably stable and can be used with confidence with baits from sweetcorn to maggots.
My Steadies have taken a right battering over the years but even stems that have bent after fish ploughed into reeds have been easily straightened. They’re consistent in shotting from float to float, and I find the 4x10, 4x12 and 4x14 sizes perfect for most of my fishing. Mind you, I’m pleased hear that larger sizes than 4x16 are soon to become available for when the wind really blows across the Fens…
Kevin Wilmot
Deputy Editor, Angling Times
BROWNING XITAN MICROBORE POLE ELASTIC
A smaller centre bore means that this elastic is 30 per cent thinner and lighter than most standard hollow elastics, while retaining the same X7 stretch factor.
Price: £11.95
MAP TKS TWIN CORE HOLLOW ELASTIC 3-6
This is three-times Fish O’Mania winner Jamie Hughes’ favourite winter elastic for use with any light rig. It has an impressive stretch ratio, retracts faster and smoother than normal solid elastics, and is superbly hard-wearing.
Price: £10.49
LONG TERM TEST: Preston Innovations Competition Pro Super XL Pole Fishing Roller
This isn't a single session test of Preston's Competition Pro Super XL Roller as I've been throwing my poles over a pair of them for at least eighteen months, as you may be able to tell from the one in the picture! Here's my verdict...
First, the 'XL' gives away the fact this is a big pole roller. Straight out of the bag it's 88.5cm wide and 67cm high, in my book a large roller gives a bigger target to aim for and speeds up your fishing.
As standard it's the perfect height to ship a pole back on to. Too low and you'll be bending down and putting unnecessary strain on your sides and back. Adjust the telescopic legs however and you've got a roller which extends to a height of 114.5cm, which is great for high banks or going over obstacles. The base clips to lock the height in place are excellent and don't slip at all.
The rollers themselves are extremely free moving, allowing for quick shipping. Infact the first time I put a 14.5m pole on two of them it actually rolled off and into the lake within a couple of seconds! So always secure your pole at your end with a pole grip or sock with these.
A small design point, but one which means a lot to me, is the inclusion of a secure ring with a caribiner-type clip fitted in the middle of the frame, underneath the roller. Don't get me wrong, this is about as stable as rollers come, but for a bit of extra security in windy conditions I'll clip a bucket of water into the caribiner to weigh it right down.
On the bank a few anglers have commented on the upright rollers which keep the pole in place on the main roller itself, more specifically the short length. Surely the pole could blow over them and off the roller? Well I've not had a pole come off one yet and the upright rollers are slightly tapered inwards in the middle for the section to rest in, so there is no risk of it lifting up and over.
THE VERDICT
This is an extremely well-built and well-thought out roller for the serious match angler. If it's a little too big for you, there are two smaller versions in the range too. The Super XL doesn't come cheap but you get what you pay for and these are made to last. One of the best out there? Definitely.
Ben Fisk
PAY AROUND
£94.99
Daiwa Double Rock 'N' Roller Pole Fishing Roller
DAIWA’S Double Rock ‘n’ Roller pole roller tilts back and forth to give the perfect angle of travel as you ship the pole in or out.
A unique horizontal double flat layout is said to provide extra section protection, as it spreads the weight of the pole over a wider area.
Rotating uprights, extending legs and a fold-flat lightweight construction all add up to make this one of the best and safest pole rollers on the market.
Preston Innovations Pro Flat Rollers
This winter’s relentless high winds have been responsible for an abnormally high number of broken pole sections, many of which came as result of collapsing pole rollers.
If you’re unsure about the sturdiness of your roller, take a look at these three latest patterns from Preston Innovations. In single and double-shipping designs, The Pro Flat Rollers feature super stable telescopic legs, indented fixed uprights, double spirit levels, and a robust carabiner hook to add stabilising weights. The rollers also have a special lay-flat design that enables them to be placed ‘rock steady’ on the ground with their legs folded away – ideal when shipping up high banks.
Price: From £64.99
Matrix Quad Pole Rollers
With their four legs splayed out, these Matrix Quad Rollers are all but impossible to topple. Add to that roller ends which can be turned inwards, to stop the pole being blown off the ends, and you have two of the best hassle-free pole rollers on the market.
MAP Pole Cups
THE attachment for these MAP cups is universal, fitting all other pole brands.
Each set comprises two different cup sizes for different baiting scenarios.
In tough ABS plastic, the wall thickness has been increased for added strength and a reinforced brass thread ensures no corrosion or annoying cup twist.
Price: £3.99
Drennan Ghost top kits
Drennan has just released a selection of Ghost top kits to complement its ever-growing range of poles.
The special light grey-coloured paint finish was first seen on its Acolyte Margin Carp pole, and proved such a success that the company has now added the same ‘Ghost’ finish as an option to its standard Carp Plus tops. These are designed for the standard 2.89m Carp Kits and Double 2 Carp Kits that come with the Acolyte, Acolyte Carp and Series 7 poles.
Usefully, a Drennan Ghost Kit doesn’t cost any extra than the equivalent top kit without the special paint finish, so you can buy them separately. There are five different Ghost Kit top-2s currently available.
Prices: Ghost Margin Kit (2.33m) £49; Drennan Ghost Carp Kit (2.89m) £49; Drennan Ghost Double 2 Carp Kit (2.89m) £49; Acolyte Ghost Carp Kit (2.89m) £79; Acolyte Ghost Double 2 Carp Kit (2.89m) £79
Drennan Aqua F1 & Silverfish Bungee Elastic
Drennan’s super new Aqua F1 & Silverfish Bungee elastic carries a 4-6 rating, making it the ideal shock absorber for silverfish and small F1s.
The highly visible, super-soft 1.5mm hollow core rubber has far more stretch than solid latex, and works well with all puller bungs and side pull systems.
A Dacron connector is included, with instructions on how to attach it.
Price: £8.95 for 3m
Frenzee Stretch Elastic
New from match brand Frenzee is this superb hollow Stretch elastic which, in keeping with its name, has more than a 700 per cent stretch factor.
It comes in 3m lengths and six sizes, starting with the 1.2mm diameter version rated 4-7, ideal for all silverfish and F1s, and going up to a powerful 2.8mm diameter rated 14-18 and just the job for big carp.
Stretch elastic is manufactured in small batches to fine tolerances, to give a smooth, slick performance at all times.
