The best fishing seatboxes for 2019
Here are some of the best fishing seatboxes that are on the market right now for you to buy…. We’ve got a variety of seatboxes for you to look at from budget boxes to top of the range items, we’ve got you covered in every area.
Matrix S36 Superbox RRP: £499.99
One of the best-selling boxes on the UK market today, the S36 Superbox has been updated from its predecessor.
It benefits from improved styling and new features built around the reliable lightweight aluminium frame that packs large-diameter 36mm legs with 25mm telescopic inserts for total stability.
Available in three popular colours – lime, black and blue –
the S36 Superbox comes supplied with a deep drawer unit which includes drawer inserts to keep your tackle tidy.
There are also two single tray units and a transport lid that makes up the module which slides in underneath the main box, to which you can add more trays and drawers if needed.
Standard features include a removable padded carry strap, anti-warp footplate which slides under the frame, large-diameter swivel mudfeet for stability on uneven ground and a padded seat with built-in spirit level.
There are accessory threads in the top of all six legs, while all fittings are 100 per cent snag-free throughout the box.
Matrix F25 Seatbox MKII | RRP: £259.99
BUILDING on the success of the Matrix F25 box, the MKII version is perfect for feeder anglers or those requiring a super compact modular box system.
There’s one deep drawer and one 90mm tray unit for tackle bits and bobs. If you need more trays or storage space, all current Matrix units will fit the F25.
The 25mm round legs will take all 3D-R seatbox accessories and threaded leg caps allow you to screw in accessories. All legs are telescopic and finished with swivel mudfeet.
On the footplate front, the F25 has a rock-solid brand new non-scratch sliding version with a reliable locking mechanism.
There are snag-free fittings throughout the box and a padded seat with built-in spirit level and removable carry strap.
Matrix P25 Seatbox MKII | RRP: £259.99
This box is purpose-built for pole fishing in the UK.
Built to the same spec as its F25 sibling, the P25 differs only in the layout of trays and drawers to take pole winders and the like.
There’s a weather-sealed front drawer unit with dividers plus two shallow trays to which you can add winder trays to build up an array of rigs.
A strong frame, brand new footplate, plus non-slip 25mm telescopic legs with threaded end caps and large swivel mudfeet, make the P25 a winner for natural and commercial venues.
The box is comfortable too, with a luxurious padded seat and incorporated spirit level and padded carry strap. With snag-free fittings, there’s minimal chance of a rig becoming wrapped around a handhweel when you’re bagging!
Matrix S25 Superbox | RRP: £369.99
A more compact, lightweight offering than the S36 Superbox, the S25 is aimed at the angler who requires the mobility of a lighter box, but demands top quality build and performance.
The box is built around a lightweight, stylish aluminium frame on six 25mm telescopic legs finished with large mudfeet and a sliding non-slip footplate. There are snag-free fittings throughout.
Starting at the top, you get a padded pole seat with a built-in spirit level and detachable padded carry strap. Moving down, the upper module houses a deep cross-drawer unit that includes inserts. Any of the wide range of Matrix drawers and trays can be added to this to boost tackle storage when required.
Sliding on runners in the cavity beneath the main chassis is a second module that, as standard, is made up of a shallow tray which can take a Matrix winder tray and transport lid.
The S25 Superbox is finished with a strong anti-warp footplate that slides under the frame for easy transportation.
Choose between two colours – black and lime.
Preston Innovations Inception SL30 seatbox | Main package RRP: £339.99 | Box-only RRP: £249.99
Compact is very much the name of the game with the new Inception box from Preston Innovations.
This super light and stylish offering is packed with great features and offered at a very attractive price to those on the lookout for a top-drawer Continental-style box.
Weighing in at just 11.75kg with the footplate attached, the Inception is also small in profile, meaning less space is taken up in the back of your car or van – but it still packs plenty in the storage department while remaining extremely stable, even when the legs are fully extended.
It marks a return to the classic mid-frame design of box with just the one storage unit that can be easily raised or lowered according to the height of the angler.
The same applies to the removable cassette bar and footplate that again can be adjusted to your own spec. There’s also an option to buy the box without the footplate if your fishing doesn’t require one.
Storage consists of a large 100mm-deep unit for big tackle items and a deep partitioned side drawer to take smaller bits – and because the Inception is compatible with all existing Absolute boxes, you can invest in more from the range or even take them from an Absolute box that you may already own.
The supplied units come with the revolutionary Mag Lok clip system so there’s no danger of a anything coming adrift in transit.
Legs are 50cm long, four standard and two telescopic in the main package, but four standard legs are included if you buy just the box. All are finished with large mudfeet. On top you’ll find a padded seat with pole recess and a deluxe padded shoulder strap, plus a built-in spirit level.
Preston Innovations Absolute Carbon seatbox | RRP: £1499.99
The Absolute Carbon box has been one of the most-talked about bits of kit for years since its launch in 2017 with a raft of revolutionary features – and the good news for 2018 is that it’s now available at a reduced price. That’s right, one of the best if not the best box out there at a substantial cash saving!
It’s a stunning box, with elegant curves a far cry from the chunky, blocky appearance of most boxes but it’s not made 100% from carbon as many have assumed. Instead, strategic carbon fibre reinforcement has been added to all key areas of the box design to enhance the Absolute Carbon’s solid stature.
Aerospace grade carbon fibre not only features on the box frame but also importantly on the footplate frame, outer and inner legs and mud feet, thus further reducing the overall weight to result in an incredibly light and super strong seat box.
Built with 36mm diameter legs to add stability and solidity, re-designed leg blocks feature a TPE non-marking system which ensures that the carbon fibre legs can be locked safely and securely in any given position, even when at their full extension. This TPE non-marking system also features on the captive telescopic Carbon Fibre inner legs, ensuring that both sets of legs are fully protected from wear and tear at all times.
Storage package comprises one 18cm winder tray, one 40mm tray, one deluxe padded seat with integral side drawer and one seatbox unit lid, all with Mag Lok clips.
Sensas Nanoflex 3900 seatbox | RRP: £749
To its hugely successful Jumbo and Match seatboxes, French giant Sensas has added a touch of finesse to its new Nanoflex range. All are perfect for the match and serious pleasure angler alike.
Low on weight and high on strength, the 3900 is the star of the series.
It’s designed around a single pillar system with a sliding module beneath the two half cross drawers in the top section. This module packs an 80mm tray and 40mm base tray unit, plus carry handle and lid for big tackle items.
As with all good boxes, extra trays and drawers can be added to take more rigs when needed.
Packing stable 36mm round legs, four are telescopic and the remaining two are standard. All are finished with mudfeet and a sliding footplate with a built-in keepnet attachment.
There are also fixing points for rear wheels to turn the box into a barrow, plus attachment pegs for setting up on concrete banks.
Comfort is assured via the new 2-in-1 cushion system on the pole seat with detachable seat pole hook that can be adjusted at two settings, while three spirit levels ensure a level setting.
Sensas Nanoflex 3400 seatbox | RRP: £749
There’s a totally different look to the Nanoflex 3400.
It comes with a deeper single cross drawer rather than two half drawers and a more traditional frame with four support pillars – other than that it shares the same traits as its 3900 stablemate.
Six round 36mm legs provide a solid base. A removable second module is beneath the chassis, which is loaded with a lid and handle plus an 80 mm tray and 40mm base tray unit to which more Sensas extras can be added.
Sensas Nanoflex 900 seatbox | RRP: £649
Storage consists of two half cross drawers under the seat and a sliding 80mm tray and 40mm base tray beneath.
Choose between 25mm or 36mm round legs. Locating holes for wheels (sold separately) let you transform the box into a barrow, and there’s a keepnet attachment. It’s all finished off with a 2-in-1 cushion system with detachable seat pole hook at two settings.
Garbolino Competition D36-40 Black seatbox | RRP: £499
Here’s a box that’s sure to appeal to a wide range of anglers.
Its simplicity of use, acres of storage space and attractive price combine in an irrresistible package at a modest price.
Gabolino’s new Pinlock and Screwlock leg systems are included as standard for a rock solid fishing base alongside the clever ‘Spider’ frame and a sliding non-slip footplate with built-in keepnet attachment.
Packing 36mm telescopic legs, four of which feature Pinlock, there’s enough room for tackle through the 30mm side drawer in the top module and a three-tray stacker system with lid in the lower sliding module. Extra trays can be added to both.
Garbolino Competition D36-50 Blue and Competition D36-60 Anthracite seatboxes | RRP: £599.99
Effectively the same box, this model is available in two different colour finishes – Garbolino blue or smoky anthracite grey.
This is the flagship of the new range with smart, sleek looks through the single pillar construction, ‘Spider’ frame and six 36mm telescopic legs.
This all adds up to a stunning looking seatbox with functionality to match.
A built-in spirit level ensures a level box on any terrain, with a high-density foam seat with pole support sat on top of a 30mm side drawer to make up the upper module.
Running beneath is a three-tray module. Extra trays can be added to either module for added storage or to increase the height of the box for the taller angler.
Octbox MK18 Ultralight seatbox | RRP: £338
If your favourite venue doesn’t demand stack upon stack of trays or a levelling system to deal with peg akin to the north face of the Eiger, then the Octbox Ultralight could well be the system that you’ve been waiting for.
Designed for the mobile angler who needs a very light box to carry on their shoulder but with enough storage and extras to deal with any eventuality, the Ultralight is a strong, stable seat with plenty of added extras.
There’s a bait waiter and swivelling tray that acts as a height-adjusable storage shelf when docked on the underside of the seat frame. A pair of 3cm deep side drawers, the bait waiter and tray give the angler a deep storage area for reels and bait boxes. Access to this space is achieved by unclipping and lifting the top drawer module.
And as you’d expect from Octbox, the whole system is incredibly stable. The leg system has been tested with weights in excess of 1,000kg without any slippage, and is combined with solid alloy grip feet.
By having everything ready to go for the day’s fishing, the bait waiter and tray can be undocked and fitted to the side of the box in seconds, meaning that the angler can be set up and ready in just a couple of minutes.
Octbox MK18 Compact seatbox | RRP: £230
There are times when you don’t actually need to take lots of gear to the bank.
So if you travel light and the thought of an all-singing, all-dancing system might not be for you, Octbox has created its new Compact box, a little jewel packing all the quality of the bigger D25.
Weighing just 4.5kg, this is essentially a strong, stable seat with a bait waiter that acts as a height-adjusable storage shelf when docked on the underside of the seat frame.
This waiter is able to take a couple of bait tubs.
The leg system has been tested with weights in excess of 1,000kg without the adaptors slipping, and the bespoke solid alloy grip feet are designed to hold firm on slippery ground, including wet and greasy wooden boards.
This is the box to take with you if you fancy just a few hours on the bank armed with a few rigs and a box of bait!
The best fishing gifts for Christmas
The Christmas period is fast creeping upon us so what should you buy your fishing mad friends and family? Forget the socks, get them something they'll love from their favourite past time with our pick of carefully-selected fishing gifts...
FISH PILLOW from £16.99
For anglers who fall asleep thinking about fishing! We love the Gaby Giant Carp Pillow or the Gaby Giant Pike Pillow. There's also a perch version too!
ULTIMATE FLOAT GIFT SET £27.99
You can never have enough floats! This is our pick of five patterns you can't coarse fish without, including clear insert and straight wagglers, stumpy pellets wagglers, shouldered stickfloats for rivers and straight balsa wagglers. Learn more about this perfect Christmas gift HERE.
FISHING EXCUSES ACRYLIC MAGNET £1.99
For the angler who uses every excuse in the book for not catching, they've been collated on this fridge magnet!
FISHING MUGS from £5.99
Can you be considered a proper angler if you've not got your own mug for a brew on the bank? Try the Mayfly Art Common Carp Mug, the Just Fish I Love Fishing Mug or if you're feeling 'carpy', the Gardner Camo Mug. For the more daring, the I Love My Wife version is great!
FLASK £19.99
A warm flask of tea, coffee or soup is the perfect accompaniment to a cold winter's day on the bank. The Gentlemen's Hardware Stainless Steel Flask is pretty indestructible and for something slightly more novel, but still practical, try the Hook Line and Sinker Cream Flies Flask.
HOOK LINE AND SINKER FISHERMAN'S MULTI TOOL £14.99
A useful pocket tool featuring an 8cm ruler, hook disgorger/file, penknife blade, straight pin and storage compartment, get it HERE.
BASS SLIPPERS £9.90
Cool novelty slippers/sandals made from tough PVC, for beach, pool or home. Surely the gift of 2018? Get them HERE.
PERSONALISED ANGLER FIGURINE £12.49
Handpainted and personalised with the name or message of your choice! It's 9cm high and delivered in its own gift box. Get it HERE.
CARP CAR STICKER £3.99
Customise your car or van with this very carpy vinyl sticker, available in black or white. Please note, Range Rover not supplied!
FISHING TANKARD £13.95
A high quality heavy base tankard, with the option to personalise with a name or message too.
2018 CALENDARS from £10.99
Choose from a range of versions, including the Fishing Cartoon-A-Day, the Lure Of Fishing 2018 Calendar and for something slightly more edgy, the Carponizer erotischer Karpfenkalender 2018, a current best seller on Amazon.
The best pieces of fishing clothing
Whether you are fishing in the summer or the winter making sure that you have the right pieces of clothing for the job is essential. Which is why we are putting together this handy buyers guide for you to follow for when it comes to purchasing an item of fishing clothing.
Jackets
Daiwa Team Waterproof jacket
Daiwa are well known for their rod making ability however they also make great pieces of cothing and this Team Daiwa jacket is no different. Made with multi ply fabric throughout making these jackets waterproof and windproof. They are not just for winter making them an all season garment and something that you will definitely get your moneys worth from.
Featuring multi ply fabric throughout
Fabric seam sealing these garments
Waterproof and windproof
Shell construction of the jacket
Suitable as an all season over garment or ideally worn alone
They feature two way front zips
A detachable hood and zippered side pockets
RRP: £150.00 - SALE PRICE: £60.00
Nash ZT Caribou Parker
If you are looking for something that you can wear all the time and not necessarily just for fishing then look no further than the Nash ZT Caribou Parker, it uses high performance hollow fibre filling for warmth and a shaggy fleece lining to create twin layered insulation. It also has a hardwearing waterproof outer shell
Soft shell outer 85% polyester, 15% cotton, 220gr/m2
Waterproof 10,000mm, breathable 3000gr/m2
Laminated with TPU membrane
RRP: £164.99 - SALE PRICE: £149.99
Navitas Green Hooded Soft Shell Jacket
This Navitas soft shell jacket has been built for all year round use, it's wind and water resistant as well as highly breathable. Built to withstand all elements this jacket will definitely keep you dry in the winter months.
RRP: £54.99
Navitas Scout Jacket Camo
Are you looking for a lightweight waterproof? Then the Navitas Scout Camo jacket will be perfect for you. It's waterproof, windproof and highly breathable it also comes with fully taped seams, waterproof zips and an elasticated fully removable zip out snowskirt. This is great for all year round use and has very discreet branding which allows you to use it for other activies other than fishing.
RRP: £74.99 - Sale Price: £40.00
Fox Chunk Puffa Sheild Jacket
Sculpted fit
Non-recycled polyester hollow fill
Elasticated hood and cuffs
Ribbed outer boady
Zipped pocket on chest and sides
Full length baffle on zip
Raised front collar for added protection from the elements
Incredibly warm and comfortable to wear
Sizes available: S/M/L/XL/XXL/XXXL
RRP: £95.99 - Sale Price: £74.99
Fox’s Black & Orange Softshell
Fox's black and orange softshell jacket looks stylish and is very practical when it comes to fishing, with plenty of pockets and a full length zip this has everything that you would want from a piece of fishing clothing.
Full length front zip
Phone pocket
Drawstring waist
Zip pockets
Elasticated and Velcro cuffs
Drawstring hood
96% Polyester, 4% Elastane
Lining 100% Polyester
Sizes available: S/M/L/XL/XXL/XXXL
RRP: £69.99
Trakker Base XP Jacket
If you want a stylish, lightweight, waterproof and warm jacket which can be worn for extended periods of time and in any conditions then look no further than the Tracker Base XP Jacket.
DuPont filling ensures superb warmth and thermal properties
Super-soft nylon outer
Stitch-through baffle construction
Zipped hand pockets
Robust main zip with branded zip puller
Embroidered logo badge
Elasticated cuffs
Adjustable hem drawcord
Will zip into the membrane jacket to produce unrivalled performance
RRP: £59.99
Preston Innovations Tracksuit Jacket
Featuring the same classy livery and zipped pockets as the matching tracksuit trousers the soft touch outer material has breathable and lightweight qualities, the Ideal jacket for all spring/summer conditions. Tracksuit jacket and trousers are perfect for the fashion conscious angler that wants to look good when fishing.
In the shops this week...
Browning Black Magic Front Drag Reel
If you like the look of Browning’s Black Magic Bomb rod, and you’re looking for a matching reel, try this latest Black Magic front-drag model.
Three sizes together suit all float and feeder tactics. Key features include ultra-smooth, strong gearing with a fast 5.1:1 retrieve, super strong thick bail-arm and an oversized anti-twist line roller that means it can be used with heavier mainlines. It comes with a spare spool.
Price: £49.95
SONUBAITS ELLIPTICAL PELLETS
Sonubaits Elliptical pellets have a high fishmeal and oil content to leak off fish-attracting aromas through your swim.
For year round usage, these pellets are finding favour with running water barbel and chub fans. Their unique elliptical shape allows them to sit low on the riverbed and stops them rolling away in the current. They can also be glued together back-to-back on a hair rig. In 8mm and 10mm sizes, in 1kg bags.
Price: £4.99
VMC MYSTIC MATCH X-STRONG HOOKS
Fast becoming the go-to hooks for all big-fish situations, the almost straight-edged technical locking gape works in a similar way to a circle hook (once in, it’s not coming out).
They have a slightly downturned eye, a beaked point and a discreet PTFE coating – ideal for use with hair rigs, Method feeders and a variety of baits. Sizes 6-16, packets of 10.
Price: £1.99
Mistral Red Aggressor boilies and dips
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Mistral Baits has launched Red Aggressor Boilies, Dips and Glugs.
All contain a proven fish-catching blend of whole shrimp, fishmeals and daphnia amid a host of balanced HNV (high nutritional value) ingredients.
Price: Red Aggressor Boilies £7.99
Matching Pop-Ups and Dips £5.99
Preston Innovations world Champion Team Feeder Cool Bag
Fed up with the heat damaging your precious and expensive, baits? This new Feeder Cool Bag from Preston is for you!
In a quality wipe-clean EVA material it is thermally lined for supreme bait protection in all temperatures. It’s large enough to take four three-pint bait tubs as well as a bag of worms and a couple of cold drinks.
Price: £29.99
Kick off the new season with these great baits!
One thing you’ll not be short of this season is a choice of suitable baits.
There are plenty of new releases to fire you up this year, including the latest fantastic plastics from E-S-P, very vivid Rapid Response Hooker pellets from Richworth, and Bait-Tech’s superb Stick Mix Liquids that have played their part in numerous hits of big fish on waters such as Suffolk Water Park.
Not that it’s all about carp and stillwaters… Sonubaits has just released new Elliptical pellets that are ideal for all river fish, along with a brilliant new Barbel Hookbait.
Stick mix liquids
Bait-Tech Stick Mix Liquids will heighten the attraction of any type of feed or bait. Scopex, Berry, Pineapple, and Krill flavours are all PVA-friendly, and ideal for use with solid bags and mesh sticks.
The water-soluble formulation leaches off rich, intense flavours around your hookbait to pull fish in. These liquids will also bind micro pellets together for Method feeder work, and enrich spod mixes.
Price: £7.99
E-S-P artificial corn and boilies
Super new fake boilies will critically balance Stiff Hinge Rigs made with size 5, 6, 7 and 8 E-S-P Cryogen Carp hooks without the need for putty.
They are also ideal for Ronnie, Chod and Multi-rig applications. Tough and super-buoyant, they come four sizes and a range of proven fish-catching fluoro colours, 16 to a pack.
Double Corn baits feature recesses for hair-rigging and come with rig stops – as do the boilies. Perfect for leaving in strong glugs, E-S-P artificial corn is the bait to be on at runs waters such as Linear this year.
In Fluoro Yellow & Orange, Pink & White and Sweetcorn Yellow, there are 16 pieces per pack.
Price: £3.45
sonubaits elliptical pellets
THESE oily feed pellets have a high fishmeal and oil content and will leak off enticing smells to draw fish into your swim and hold them.
In fact these pellets can be used all year round – for specimen tench in spring, big carp in summer and winter, or huge autumn barbel.
An elliptical shape means they will hug the riverbed and not roll around, remaining in your swim for longer – a great edge when targeting river barbel or chub.
They will be a new and different feed for carp, too, fish that are used to seeing conventional cylindrical pellets. Elliptical Pellets are available in 8mm and 10mm sizes and come in 1kg bags.
Price: £4.99
sonubaits barbel hookbaits
Sonubaits’ Barbel Hookbaits are fishmeal-packed, with a strong meaty flavour and aroma, and are loaded with top-quality oils.
On the riverbed they ooze off their flavours to attract barbel to your hookbait, even in murky or dark water. Tough enough to be hair-rigged, they will last a long time without washing out and losing their flavour. In small and large versions.
Price: £3.99
kodex munchies
These new Kodex buoyant oozing hookbaits can be fished on the surface or be cut to size and used as zigs popped up off the bottom.
They are sufficiently textured to be easily side-hooked, or mounted on a hair rig and cast long distances without any fear of them flying off.
Once in the water the baits leak off flavour and colour. They come in 125ml tubs and are available in Natural, Almond Pink, Pineapple Green, Corn Yellow and Krill Red.
Price: £4.99
dynamite frenzied pulses & Particles
Frenzied Pulses and Particles, in 2.5-litre jars or 700g cans, are ‘nailed on’ feeds for big carp.
These cooked-in-the-jar pulses and particles retain all their natural sugars, nutrients and attractants.
Ingredient particles include maples, tares, mung beans, lupins, red maize and hemp. The full range comes in Infused Krill, Sweet and Milky and Naked varieties.
Prices: Krill £10.99 (2.5 litres) £3.99 (700g); Naked £9.99 (2.5 litres) £3.75 (700g); Sweet & Milky £10.99 (2.5 litres) £3.99 (700g)
richworth rapid response pellets
For commercial anglers targeting carp, Richworth’s vibrant Rapid Response Hookable Pellets in vibrant colours and strong flavours are ideal for pole, waggler and Method feeder use.
These specially textured baits can be side-hooked or
hair-rigged without splitting or crumbling. They come in a choice of Red Krill, White Chocolate and Pineapple Hawaiian flavours.
Price: £3.49
ringers chocolate yellow range
Just bedded down in the Ringer stable are brightly-coloured 10mm fluoro Chocolate Yellow Bandems and Boilies. For use with a Method feeder or fished as single baits on a straight lead, they have a lip-smacking chocolate aroma, and look perfect for coloured water or big-fish venues such as Barston, Boddington and Clattercote. Price: TBA
impact boilie dips
Richworth has added Tutti-Frutti and Esterberry to its Impact Boilie Dip range. Carp-attracting oils and essential ingredients blend with flavours in the perfect ratio to attract carp by smell, but not so much that it discourages the fish from feeding.
Price: £5.99
Airo pop-ups
Esterberry and Tutti-Frutti join Richworth’s renowned range of Airo Pop-Ups.
These ultra-buoyant 15mm baits are said to be able to hold up a size 4 hook for 24 hours or more. Perfectly rolled, they hold just the right amount of flavour and are perfect for all Chod, Ronnie and Stiff Hinge rigs.
Price: £5.99
Buyers guide to the best match fishing catapults
Preston innovations match pult
RRP: £8.99
Purposely designed for a range of baits, the semi-rigid mesh pouch provides pin-point accuracy. PTFE Anti-Twist technology eliminates tangles.
BEST BAIT: Maggots, caster, meat, corn
Guru incredible pult
RRP: £10.99
This distance catapult has been designed to group your free offerings tightly, even at maximum range. The elastic is extra strong and the frame has a special, non-twist design to improve accuracy and super-smooth frame runners reduce wear on the elastic. Tension can be adjusted via four pegging points.
BEST FOR: Pellets, particles
Middy pro inter pellet caty
RRP: £5.49
This mid-size frame and pouch make this caty a great all-rounder for commercial carp lakes, especially when feeding pellets shallow in the summer. And if you do accidently drop it in the lake, it is buoyant so will float.
BEST BAIT: Pellets, maggots, casters, corn
Middy X-Flex Caty
RRP: £6.75
Designed specifically for feeding 4mm-8mm pellets on commercials, the light, robust frame is an ideal size for use with both poles and rods and it flexes to assist propulsion and accuracy. The unique pouch design enables you to accurately group your feed.
BEST BAIT: Pellets, particles
Preston innovations pellet pult
RRP: £9.99
Designed specifically for feeding pellets at commercial fisheries. The new pouch design has a moulded flat base that groups pellets with incredible accuracy and dual PTFE bushes provide twist-free performance.
BEST BAIT: 4mm-10mm pellets
Drennan match caty
RRP: £8.75
One of the most popular and reliable catapults of all time. It features a special, tangle-free latex attachment that enables you to fire from both sides. Supplied with spare elastic.
BEST FOR: Maggots, casters, corn
The best fishing landing nets for carp and coarse
A fishing net is a pretty essential piece of kit but with there being so many options for you to choose from in the match scene it can be quite hard to know what the difference between fishing nets will be. this is why we have put together this handy little buyers guide to the best fishing landing nets for carp and coarse.
Preston innovations match landing net
RRP: From £12.99
Suitable for everything from small silver fish to match-sized carp. The fine mesh at the bottom enables you to use bait bands and quick stops while the larger upper mesh helps the net glide through the water with ease when speed fishing for F1s.
SIZES: 16in, 18in & 20in
Shakespeare agility landing net
RRP: From £11.99
Built around an aluminium frame, these lightweight nets boast a fish-friendly rubberised mesh which dries incredibly quickly. The Medium net is perfect for silvers and F1s whereas the Large will easily handle carp to double figures.
SIZES: Medium & Large
Guru competition landing net
RRP: £12.99
The Competition landing nets have a fine 2mm mesh that prevents hair-rigged baits getting caught and ruining your rigs. The 400 is deeper than most small nets on the market which will allow for the netting of bonus bigger carp.
SIZES: 400 & 500
Middy 4gs carp match speed net
RRP: From £19.99
Lightweight and robust, the 4GS Carp Match Speed nets cut through the water with ease and have an anti-hook up fine grey mesh base that is less likely to spook fish as they are guided towards the net. The netting isn’t too deep which speeds up the process of transferring fish to a keepnet and the balance is perfect for when you hitch back the handle to increase speed.
SIZES: 20in, 22in & 24in
www.middytackle.com
Garbolino challenger match rubber landing net
RRP: From £15.99
Featuring a sturdy oval anodized blue frame and an improved heavy-duty spreader block, the Challenger Match net is deep enough to handle everything from silvers to barbel and skimmers to carp. The hard-wearing rubberised mesh dries quickly and is perfect for use with hair rigs.
SIZES: 50cm x 40cm & 55cm x 45cm
Daiwa pellet net
RRP: £16.99
The Daiwa Pellet Net has been designed specifically for use with popular pellet fishing tactics. The super fine mesh will prevent pellet stops and hair rigs getting caught up when lifting fish out of the water.
SIZES: 50cm
Drennan acolyte landing net
RRP: From £17.95
Featuring a unique hook-resistant mesh that is kind to both the fish and your hooks and is designed to release hook-ups easily and quickly. The net is designed to hold its form and shape so you need never untangle the mesh when speed netting. It also boasts a lightweight D-section alloy frame and a metal spreader block.
SIZES: 14in, 16in & 18in
Matrix carp rubber landing net
RRP: £13.99
As the name suggests, this Matrix landing net has a rubber mesh which is not only fish-friendly but dries quicker than a standard mesh material. A strong and robust frame and spreader block complete this great all round net suitable for everything from silvers to carp.
SIZES: 50cm x 40cm & 55cm x 45cm
Browning carpa pro standard net
RRP: £14.95
The Carpa Pro Standard is a good all-round net suitable for most situations on commercial and natural stillwaters. The 6mm mesh will cut through the water with ease when you’re pushing the net out to greet an incoming fish. With a depth of 28cm it will easily cope with landing carp to double figures as well as other large species such as bream and tench.
SIZES: 50cm x 45cm
Maver hair rig landing net
RRP: From £14.99
A specialised net with an ultra fine polyester material which is ideal for use with hair rigs to prevent them getting tangled in the net. It is also fish-friendly as the dorsal fin on a carp will not be able to get caught up in this special mesh. A strong half round black frame construction makes this match net virtually impossible to bend.
SIZES: 50cm x 40cm & 55cm x 45cm
Stillwater matchstix rubber net
RRP: From £12.99
Available in three sizes to cater for a range of scenarios, the Matchstix Rubber nets have a wide rubberised mesh, a durable centre block and a lightweight sturdy frame. As well as commercial and pleasure anglers, these nets will appeal to lure anglers thanks to the wide hook-friendly mesh.
SIZES: 18in, 20in, 22in
Map shake dry landing net
RRP: From £10.99
These new nets from MAP feature a large 6mm quick dry mesh around the main body of the net so it can be moved through the water quickly. The base section is made from 2mm mesh that helps prevent hooks getting caught up when using hair rigs and bait bands, but at the same time offers total fish protection.
SIZES: 14in, 16in & 18in
Buyers guide to the best carp fishing catapults
If you don't like spodding out bait due to the amount of disturbance it can cause in your swim, then you may want to look at getting a catapult for your carp fishing. We've put a handy little buyers guide together to let you know what is out there for you to buy.
Avid multi catapult
RRP: £17.99
Featuring an XL elastic and large pouch, this catapult is perfect for quickly introducing large quantities of bait at various ranges. PTFE Anti-Twist technology makes it virtually impossible to tangle. The ergonomic camo handle boasts rubberised easy-grip sections.
BEST FOR: Boilies, large pellets
E-S-P Boilie Pult
RRP: £12.95
The generous wide gape pouch will hold around 10 x 18mm or 16 x 15mm boilies. With a bit of practice tight groupings of baits can be achieved at distances up to 40m. The cone shaped pouch results in maximum distance and minimum spillage.
BEST FOR: Boilies
E-S-P particle pult
RRP: £12.95
Particles are difficult to accurately catapult any distance but the E-S-P Particle Pult can consistently achieve distances of up to 20m. The large pouch enables you to fire large quantities of bait quickly and efficiently. The twin walled latex produces a soft action to keep the bait tightly grouped.
BEST FOR: Sweetcorn, pellets, tigernuts, hemp
korda katapult
RRP: £15.25
Perfect for baiting up with boilies and particles at short to medium range. Special rotating collars reduce annoying twist and increases the lifespan of the elastic. The robust frame features a large easy-grip handle and the pouch is well stitched for years of use.
BEST FOR: Boilies, particles, mixers
kodex karpult boilie catapult
RRP: £9.25
The camo-finished frame is made from a special glassfibre-filled resin polymer that actually makes the tensile strength stronger than alloy! The latex is joined to the frame with swiveling slugs that stop latex twist and prevent tangles. The pouch is made from reinforced nylon material with particular attention given to the sewing and eyelets to stop them breaking after extended use. A pouch for use with particle baits is available separately
BEST FOR: Boilies
Buyers guide to the best Groundbait catapults for fishing
Throwing out groundbait accurately and at distance can be quite difficult. Which is why you need to invest into a strong groundbait catapult. To help you make a decision on what is best for you, we have put together a list of some of the best groundbait catapults available for you right now!
The best groundbait catapults
Drennan softfeed groundbait caty
RRP: £10.50
The Softfeed Groundbait Caty features a special cup that gently cradles balls or soft, squeezed, hand-sized portions of bait and enables you to deliver it on target with impressive accuracy from 25m-60m
BEST FOR: Groundbait
Middy Groundbait caty
RRP: £7.99
A strong and robust catapult with a specially designed pouch that won’t crush balls of groundbait. It features super power thick natural latex, ergonomic handle and integral pins that rotate to prevent the latex twisting.
BEST FOR: Groundbait
Drennan groundbait caty
RRP: £10.95
Capable of firing a tangerine-sized ball of groundbait a whopping 80m thanks to the high quality elastic which provides a positive feel throughout the whole length of its stretch.
BEST FOR: Groundbait
Drennan feederpult
RRP: £8.45
As well being ideal for loosefeeding particle baits, the Drennan Feederpult is also great for small balls of groundbait. The lightweight, toughened frame features extra long life elastic and a non-twist system.
BEST FOR: Groundbait, maggots, casters, hemp
Gardner slinga groundbait
RRP: £10.99
The Slinga catapult now features upgraded pouch clips and natural colour latex elastic. It also boasts an extremely strong, lightweight, reinforced, composite moulded frame and a non-slip rubberised hand grip.
BEST FOR: Groundbait
Buyer's Guide to fishing chairs
Whether you’re a pleasure, carp, or specimen angler a decent chair will make you’re day on the bank much more comfortable. There are a number of considerations to take into account when choosing a fishing chair that will best suit your style of fishing. If you do a lot of roving on rivers you’ll need a small, lightweight chair that isn’t going to weigh you down and make moving swims difficult.
If you’re carping and aren’t going to be moving swims as much, mobility isn’t such an issue. The added comfort that armrests and thick mattresses provide may add a bit of overall weight, but the added comfort they provide is worth it while you’re waiting for a bite.
And if you fish a lot of commercials but want the support of a chair rather than a seatbox, a number of ‘accessory’ style chairs now enable you to add accessories just like on a seatbox.
Pro logic commander travel chair - RRP: £69.99
Super compact and lightweight, tipping the scales at less than 5kg, this chair is easy to transport. It features a generously padded seat and back support for complete comfort. One feature we really liked is the handy Velcro multi-pocket compartment that can be used to store essential items beneath the seat. Also includes armrests, large swivel mudfeet and adjustable legs.
Weight: 5kg
Legs: 35cm - 47cm
Size: W 50cm, H 54cm (back)
NASH KNX Armchair - RRP: £79.99
The short leg and low profile design of this chair makes it ideal for use under brollies and small day shelters.
The peachskin mattress is nice and comfortable and the legs feature one-touch adjustment so they can be quickly set for stability on uneven terrain.
Weight: 8kg Legs: 30cm - 42cm
Size: W 53cm, H 64cm (back)
JRC defender Chair - RRP: £54.99
At a penny less than £55, the JRC Defender Chair represents great value for money. Constructed from a hi-tensile steel offering both strength and lightness, it is perfect for roving and travelling light when you need to keep weight to a minimum. The durable polyester cover is filled with high density foam and the legs feature a unique locking system so there’s no risk of it collapsing!
Weight: 4.2kg Legs: NA Size: W 56cm, H 95cm
Avid benchmark Memory foam chair - RRP: £99.99
The Benchmark Memory Foam Chair has been designed purely with comfort in mind. As its name suggests, it boasts a fleece-lined memory foam mattress for incredible comfort. A built-in raised headrest supports your neck when sitting for long periods. Add to that a multi-point reclining system and padded armrests and there’s a good chance you won’t want to get out of this seat!
Weight: 7.3kg Legs: NA Size: W 60cm, H 105cm
Sonik Folding chair - RRP: £64.99
The folding design of this Sonik chairs means it can be set up and packed away in seconds and is compact when in transit.
It’s constructed from an HD 600D PVC-backed material in the new SK-TEK camo pattern with a powder-coated steel and aluminium frame. Adjustable legs and swivel mudfeet ensure it adapts to any terrain.
Weight: 5kg - Legs: 48cm - 58cm - Size: W 48cm, H 100cm
Kodex robo original chair - RRP: Chair only £95, with accessories £155
A popular compact and lightweight chair that is perfect for roving anglers. The StarGrip360 fittings enable you to easily fix and detach a range of accessories such as side arms, rod rests and bait trays. The chair can be purchased on its own for £95 but if you shop around you should be able to pick one up for about £80. A full package including the accessories can be found for about £120.
Weight: 5kg - Legs: 43cm fully extended - Size: NA
Korum x25 accessory chair - RRP: £109.99
Featuring a vertical four leg design like a seatbox, this accessory chair is great if you regularly fish from wooden platforms where there isn’t anywhere suitable to push banksticks but you want the comfort of a chair as opposed to a seatbox. A wide range of accessories can easily be attached to the 25mm round legs and the new Quick Fold design means you can be fishing within minutes.
Weight: 6.2kg
Legs: NA
Size: W 50cm, H 92cm
DAIWA mission deluxe specialist chair -RRP: £79.99
With a luxurious padded soft-touch seating area and neck support the Mission Deluxe will ensure you won’t be uncomfortable while waiting for your bite alarm to burst into life.
Based on a low-profile steel construction, the telescopic legs can be extended to 84cm for those who prefer a higher seating position or find getting out of a low seat difficult.
Weight: NA
Legs: Extend up to 84cm
Size: W 53cm H 54cm (back)
Wychwood comforter low chair - RRP: £54.99
The Comforter Low Chair is one of the lightest chairs on test and ideal for anglers roving on rivers or carp anglers who want a lightweight chair that won’t take up loads of room on their barrow.
Featuring Wychwood’s unique integral arm system giving maximum stability when getting on or off the chair, it also boasts adjustable legs with swivel feet and a spacious seating area with padded back and seat mattress. The rear legs can be folded down for use on sloping banks.
Weight: 4.75kg - Legs: 27cm - 31cm - Size: W 51cm, H 50cm (back)
Matrix accessory chair - RRP: £64.99
Designed for feeder or float fishing with a low back to aid casting and manoeuvrability. The 25mm aluminium legs take all 3D accessories and it folds flat for easy transportation. A Deluxe version (£104.99) is also available which features removable leg extensions on the rear.
Weight: 4.9kg
Legs: NA
Size: NA
Chub outkast Ez-back chair - RRP: £79.99
Chub’s new chair features a brilliantly simple system which extends the backrest of the chair for added comfort but packs away compactly. The front and back legs both lock in place with a sprung bolt to prevent it collapsing on the bank.
Weight: 4.1kg
Legs: NA
Size: W 56cm, H 70cm - 99cm
Middy mx-100 pole / Feeder chair - RRP: £199.99
The revolutionary MX-100 chair offers comfort and flexibility when pole or feeder fishing.
Its unique design allows for an extendable sidebar to be fitted and the front and rear pole rests will securely hold a pole in place.
A rippled foam rear rest can be used to keep pole sections neat and tidy once unshipped. An up-and-over mid-positioned rest can be flipped over to act as a butt rest for rods or poles. The front rest’s graded head enables quivertips to be accurately positioned and there’s a cut-away section for easy shipping.
Buyer's Guide: The best fishing rig boxes
With there being so many different types of fishing rig boxes available on the market right now, it can be difficult to know which one you should go out and buy. Which is why we have put together this handy buyer's guide to let you know what fishing rig boxes are actually worth your time.
Whether you like to tie your rigs in advance or prefer the convenience of ready-made hooklengths, keeping them organised and stored neatly will help you fish more efficiently.
There are few things more frustrating than being sat on a shoal of feeding fish only to have to waste time with your rod out of the water while you tie a new rig or scrabble around trying to find a fresh hooklength. But with the number of rig wallets and hooklength boxes available there really is no excuse to find yourself in such a situation.
Whether you need to store short Method feeder hooklinks or long zig rigs, there are now hooklength boxes available to suit. Some comprise lengths of foam which you can simply pin your rigs into, where others have pegs at set distances for tying rigs at precise lengths. The foam disc-style systems have become popular for storing zig and floater hooklengths.
AVID zig box | RRP: £14.99
This compact box comes with eight zig spools that can each hold at least two pre-tied zig rigs. The spools boast specifically designed sliders that enable you to easily store zigs of all lengths.
There is a 12in ruler on the outside of the box for measuring rigs. It is also supplied with 32 spare spool stickers so you can accurately label your rigs with breaking strain and hook size etc.
Preston Innovations Mag Store System | RRP: From £14.99
The unique Mag Store System uses small magnets to locate each individual Rig Stick in the box.
This versatile design enables you to swap and change their location and add new Rig Sticks that you have tied different hooklengths to.
Available in three sizes to accomodate hooklengths of 4in-15in. All the boxes boast a weatherproof rubber gasket, dual identification points and ribbed Rig Sticks for increased hooklength stability.
www.prestoninnovations.com
maver super seal eva rig case | RRP: £16.99
A recent addition to Maver’s extensive Super Seal EVA range, this rig case is made from tough, durable EVA material. Featuring heat-welded seams, the case is 100% waterproof.
It has a transparent two-way zip top lid with a carry handle. It comes with 15 foam rig winders but no pins.
www.mavermatch.co.uk
SONIK SK-TEK Rig & Bits Wallet | RRP: £22.99
The Rig & Bits Wallet is part of Sonik’s new extensive SK-TEK luggage range. As well as the double rig boards with stiffened side plates to help keep rigs taught, it also boasts two internal pockets with mesh pouches for storing essential items of terminal tackle and making them easy to locate. The tough outer skin is constructed from an HD 600D PVC- backed SK-TEK camo material.
www.soniksports.com
MATRIX hlr rig case | RRP: £10.99
Don’t be fooled by the compact design – it can hold more than 200 hooklengths. The loop prongs, which feel nice and sturdy, are between 4in and 6in making it ideal for housing Method feeder hooklinks. Magnetic locking is secure and a rubber seal prevents moisture ingress. Supplied with 30 rig ID labels. A Large version (£14.99) for storing 4in-12in rigs is also available.
www.fishmatrix.co.uk
SONIK SK-TEK rig & bits Wallet | RRP: £22.99
The Rig & Bits Wallet is part of Sonik’s new extensive SK-TEK luggage range. As well as the double rig boards with stiffened side plates to help keep rigs taught, it also boasts two internal pockets with mesh pouches for storing essential items of terminal tackle and making them easy to locate. The tough outer skin is constructed from an HD 600D PVC- backed SK-TEK camo material.
www.soniksports.com
Guru rig case | RRP: £13.99
The double-sided design of this slimline box can house in excess of 150 pre-tied hooklengths.
The Standard Case (£9.99) is suitable for 3in, 4in, 5in and 6in hooklengths while the Large Case (£13.99) caters for longer rigs of 6in, 8in, 10in and 12in. Both feature a magnetic fastening system, which although a little fiddly, is super secure and there’s no chance of it opening in transit.
www.tackleguru.com
Frenzee hook-up | RRP: £9.99
The Frenzee Hook-Up storage unit is capable of housing hundreds of 4in, 6in and 12in hooklengths, perfect for Method, pole and running line rigs. Using twin shot injection moulding technology, it incorporates a water tight seal to protect your rigs. There are also dedicated sticky pad areas so you can label your rigs.
www.frenzee.co.uk
Korda zig box | RRP: £10.99
Successful zig fishing requires having lots of hooklinks of varying lengths and hookbait colour combinations tied up and ready to go. The compact Zig Box can store up to 20 rigs on the four supplied EVA spools.
As well as storing zigs it can be used to house pre-tied leaders. The tough box is made from impact-proof plastic and will fit into the side pocket of a rucksack with ease.
www.korda.co.uk
Fox multi zig & chod bin | RRP: £10.99
Designed specifically for storing chod and zig rigs. Supplied with six discs, two of each size, which can be removed from the main shaft, and 18 pins. The large discs are perfect for storing zigs and help to measure the length of rigs when tying as two wraps of the disc measure 1ft.
The discs can also be used to steam the perfect curve in your chod rigs. Additional discs can be purchased separately to customise the bin with the disc sizes you prefer.
www.foxint.com
Chub vantage compact rig wallet | RRP: £16.99
The Chub Compact Rig Wallet has a hard protective outer case, and although compact in size, the double-sided wallet has the capacity for more than 40 rigs.
The integral moulded bar protects the hookpoints and a handy rigid divider also prevents tangles when the wallet is closed. The zip features an easy pull rubberised puller.
www.chubfishing.co.uk
Browning hooklength wallet | RRP: £11.95
A folding wallet that opens up into four sections and holds more than 50 hooklengths. The foam pads will store hooklengths varying in length from the length of the wallet down to half of its length.
www.browning-fishing.com
Guru rig box | RRP: £11.99
This compact storage system is capable of holding more than 200 rigs and comes with 10 EVA spools and 20 pins. These soft spools protect the hookpoints and the rounded edges prevent the line from becoming kinked or damaged. The flanged lid protects against water ingress but enables moisture to escape.
This universal system can be used for feeder, bomb, pellet waggler, pole and float hooklengths.
www.tackleguru.com
wychwood rig box | RRP: £24.99
This-all encompassing rig board and tackle box combo enables you to keep all your rigs and terminal tackle well organised. With space for around 50 rigs, the box features a clam shell lay-flat design and comes with three internal bits boxes. There’s a handy 12in ruler on the lid and the locking mechanism feels sturdy and secure.
www.wychwoodcarp.co.uk
map hooklength box | RRP: £26.99
Capable of storing any length of hooklink from 2in to 2ft, the pins are positioned 1in apart and the double-side design enables you to store a whopping 1000-plus rigs. The unique built-in measuring tool ensures all your hooklengths are tied the same length and the white inner plate is marker pen-friendly so you can label hook sizes, line diameters and lengths with ease.
www.mapfishing.co.uk
JRC defender rig wallet | RRP: £17.99
Made from a hard-wearing and water-resistant 500D green polyester, this rig wallet features eight zip lock plastic sleeves which can be used to house pre-tied rigs or rig items. There’s also two mesh pockets with zip access and an external zipped pocket with mesh inner.
www.jrc-fishing.co.uk
Daiwa black widow rig wallet | RRP: £11.99
A simple, no-nonsense rig wallet that can hold around 20 hooklengths. It has two stiff foam boards with hook locater bars and is supplied with 20 pins. Made from a durable material, it’s rigid design will prevent your rigs getting damaged in transmit.
www.daiwasports.co.uk
korda rig safe | RRP: £19.99
This double-sided case can store almost 100 rigs. The curved recesses enable hooklinks incorporating shrink tube kickers to be stored while keeping the tubing’s shape. Suitable for hook sizes 2-12, it is supplied with 30 pins and 20 double pins enabling rigs to be stored with a length that is yet to be determined.
www.korda.co.uk
Buyer's Guide to the best Floater fishing rods for carp
During the warm summer months there isn’t a better way to fish for carp than on the surface. Watching your floating hookbait disappear into the mouth of a carp followed shortly by the tightening of your line and the tip of your carp rod bending round can’t fail to get your heart beating that little bit faster. The other great thing about the tactic is that you have a realistic chance of catching a few fish in a short period of time. A few hours after work are all you need to put a fish on the bank.
When it comes to surface fishing, there is no place for beefy 3lb-plus test curve rods. Using too strong a rod with the small hooks and light lines required will leave you pulling your hair out with hook-pulls.
A rod with a test curve between 1.75lb and 2.5lb is much more suitable and will enable you to be much more accurate when flicking out light controller floats. A progressive action will help to absorb any last minute lunges at the net and reduce hook-pulls.
A hook-keeper ring is also a useful feature to look out for when purchasing a floater rod. When moving swims it is much easier to have your long 6ft hooklength fixed in place as opposed to it flapping around and catching on every bush you walk past! Numerous manufacturers now produce dedicated floater fishing rods which have been designed specifically for the tactic. Here’s our pick of some of the best...
kodex specimen sf
RRP: £84.99
This quality all-round specimen fishing rod lends itself perfectly towards a spot of floater fishing. It is beautifully balanced and the soft tip is ideal for teasing light controllers into the path of a surface feeding carp. The slim cork handle is lovely to hold and the minimal graphics and laser-etched butt cap, gives the rod a classy look and feel.
- Length: 11ft 8in
- Test curve: 1.75lb-2.25lb
- Guides: Satin black SC
- Reel seat: Gunsmoke
- Handle: Cork
- Keeper ring: Yes
E-S-P MK2 Floater rod
RRP: £99.95
Lightweight and beautifully balanced, this rod’s soft tip and through-action acts as an excellent shock absorber enabling the use of light hooklinks and small hooks. The extra reserves of power in the butt section can be relied on to control bigger fish and prevent them reaching snags. The rod will handle everything from the smallest controllers up to 50g distance-casting floats.
- Length: 12ft
- Test curve: 2.5lb
- Guides: Full SiC
- Reel seat: Fuji dps 18
- Handle: Full duplon
- Keeper ring: Yes
Greys Surface Stalking
RRP: £109.99
Built on a lightweight high modulus carbon blank, the Surface Stalking rod has been designed with a medium fast action and a soft tip to help you flick out light controllers with long hooklinks. You’ll find a careful progression of power through the blank when you need to put on the pressure. It balances perfectly with a small carp reel.
- Length: 12ft
- Test curve: 2.5lb
- Guides: Double leg SiC
- Reel seat: DNPS
- Handle: Full cork
- Keeper ring: Yes
Wychwood Extricator MLT Floater
RRP: £79.99
This dedicated floater fishing rod has been designed to offer unrivalled balance, power and performance. It is built using Wychwood’s exclusive Multi-Layer Technology to create a stronger, more resilient rod. The result is a sensitive tip while enabling the rod to be super strong with reserve power in the butt.
- Length: 12ft
- Test curve: 2.25lb
- Guides: LS braid friendly TS rings
- Reel seat: Uplocking screw lock
- Handle: Full cork
- Keeper ring: Yes
Avid Carp Traction 2.5lb
RRP: £79.99
The lightest rod in the popular Traction range is perfect for floater fishing work and can accurately flick out the lightest of controllers. It utilises a new Reactive carbon fibre technology, wrapped in matt 3K weave which offers a unique take on a traditional parabolic action.
- Length: 12ft
- Test curve: 2.5lb
- Guides: Matt black
- Reel seat: 18mm Supa-lite
- Handle: Full Japanese shrink wrap
- Keeper ring: No
JRC cocoon float rod
RRP: £59.99
The Cocoon Float rod is the longest and lightest of all the rods in this guide. But don’t be fooled by it’s light test curve, it still has more than enough backbone to handle carp to well over 20lb and the semi-parabolic action provides the ideal buffer for close- range angling situations. The rod is well balanced and is comfortable to hold for longer periods.
- Length: 13ft
- Test curve: 1.5lb
- Guides: Double leg SiC
- Reel seat: DPS
- Handle: Full cork
- Keeper ring: Yes
Nash Scope 10ft 2.25lb
RRP: £175.99
Featuring a unique retractable butt section, this 10ft rod packs down to a mere 50in and will fit in the boot of any car. The shorter length also makes it easier to use in confined ‘parrot cage’ swims. The 2.25lb model is a brilliant tool for floater work and its classic progressive action makes it an absolute joy on which to play fish.
- Length: 12ft
- Test curve: 2.25lb
- Guides: LS braid friendly TS rings
- Reel seat: Uplocking screw lock
- Handle: Full cork
- Keeper ring: Yes
Buyer's Guide to the best fishing boots
There’s nothing worse than cold, wet feet. Thankfully we’ve lined up some of the best fishing boots and wellies available for you to look at. So whether you’re planning on braving it in the freezing cold or want a lightweight pair of fishing shoes for roving, we’ve got you covered with some of the best fishing boots around right now.
Total fishing Gear Thermo Boots
RRP: £29.99
These lightweight wellies feature a removable insulated thermal lining and heat retaining soles to keep your feet warm in temperatures down to minus 10. The high cut design provides extra protection from rain, snow and winds, while the flexible outer provides gentle ankle support. Chunky grips offer good traction on slippy banks.
Sizes available: 6 - 12
chub vantage field boots
RRP: £99.99
The Chub Vantage Field Boots are definitely one of the most stylish boots on the market.But not only do they look great they also perform well. A thermal lining keeps your feet warm and the extra tough waterproof sole with non-slip tread will cope with wet and muddy banks. The quick lace system feels sturdy and tightens easily.
Sizes available: 7 - 12
wychwood water’s edge boots
RRP: £53.99
These lightweight boots are perfect for roving sessions and a waterproof membrane ensures your feet stay warm and dry. Designed to offer superb comfort, durability and protection so that your feet are prepared for anything a fishing situation can throw at you, the custom lacing system is designed to offer maximum ankle support.
Sizes available: 7 - 12
preston innovations df lite
RRP: £54.99
The robust DF Lite Black Edition boots are the footwear equivalent of an ATV. You get light, comfy uppers with a waterproof membrane, quick and easily tightened high lacing points, and non-slip waterproof soles with very thick treads and high grip points. Wear them and your feet will stay dry while you tackle wet, slippery terrain with confidence.
Sizes available: 7 - 12
preston innovations df boots
RRP: £79.99
The DF Boot features a durable non-slip rubber compound sole and a fully waterproof neoprene upper and liner. The neoprene lining provides exceptional insulation and the lightweight fitted design enables the angler to move freely. In fact, you’ll probably forget you’re wearing them!
Sizes available: 7 - 12
Sundridge hot foot floating boots
RRP: £59.99
Created using expanded cell foam technology, these boots retain a large volume of insulating air in the outer shell to protect against the cold. Floating boots are also 60% lighter than conventional boots and will not sink, even when full of water. And this lightweight design means they are less tiring if you have walk long distances to your swim.
Sizes available: 6 - 12
Navitas hiker mid top boots
RRP: £74.99
The Navitas Hiker looks like a traditional walking boot but aren’t as stiff and chunky thanks to the retro-style runner sole unit. The sturdy D rings and metal eyelets allow for multiple fastening options and a heel loop makes getting the boots on and off easy.
Sizes available: 7 - 13
Sundridge hot foot airlock boots
RRP: £44.99
These lightweight and supple ankle boots boast a waterproof base with a soft grip upper and padded ankle and tongue. Other features include a deep cut moulded sole and quick-tie laces.
Sizes available: 6 - 12
total fishing gear Extreme boots
RRP: £69.99
Combining unbeatable grip, incredible stability and the latest in endurance fabrics, these boots offer excellent protection and performance. The precise fit system ensures comfort over any terrain and they feature inbuilt shock absorbers.
Sizes available: 6 - 12
korum wellington boots
RRP: £59.99
Constructed from a soft rubber compound for durability, these boots are stylish and comfortable. An adjustable strap enables you to change the size at the top ensuring
a perfect fit.
Sizes available: 7 - 12
Navitas lite insulated boots
RRP: £29.99
Made from superlight EVA and weighing just 350g each, you’ll hardly be aware you’re wearing these boots. They protect against the coldest conditions and provide full isolation from cold surfaces. A useful rear kick-off plate makes removal easy. Plus, you’ll get change from £30!
Sizes available: 6 - 13
Skee-tex Thermal boots
RRP: £67.95
Skee-Tex Thermal Boots have been around for years but they still remain one of the warmest boots ever and are favoured by anglers all over the world. They have been tested in temperatures down to minus 50 degrees so will handle everything thrown at them barring the onset of another ice age.
Sizes available: 5 -13
vass fleece lined boots
RRP: £59.95
The Velcro fastening makes undoing laces with frozen fingers a thing of the past. The moulded lower part of the boot is made from a hybrid material that is 30% lighter than PVC, meaning they remain comfortable when worn for long periods. They are waterproof to halfway and the textile upper is shower resistant.
Sizes available: 6 - 12
Vass R-Boots
RRP: £43.98
The new winter fur-lined Vass R-Boot features a tough, comfortable three-quarter height waterproof boot with a fixed inner lining. The ankle, lower shin and toe area have been reinforced and the ultra chunky sole will cope with wet and muddy banks. The deep heel kick means you don’t have to bend over to remove the wellies.
Sizes available: 6 - 12
The best drop shot rods for fishing
In the last couple of years, the drop shotting craze has swept across the UK. Anglers with short rods can now be seen on canals and rivers all over the country flicking out brightly coloured bits of rubber in the hope of catching a few perch.
The tactic has quickly found favour with anglers of all disciplines, with carp, match and pleasure anglers all willing to give it a go. A large part of the tactic’s popularity is that it is so quick and easy to enjoy. You don’t need mountains of gear – a rod, a reel, a selection of lures and a few items of terminal tackle in a small bumbag or rucksack are all that you need to take along.
You can leave this gear in the boot of your car and if you suddenly find yourself having an hour or so to spare you can be set-up and ready to go in seconds. And because the rods are so light, even small perch can provide some fantastic sport.
With the tactic growing in popularity, an increasing number of manufacturers have started to produce rods designed specifically for use with light lures. So here are our top 10 Drop shot rods available for you right now.
korum speed
RRP: £39.99 - Length: 6ft - Casting weight: 3g-12g
Featuring a medium action, this 3g-12g rod, the lightest in Korum’s new Speed Spin Rod range, is ideal for drop shotting and casting ultra-light jigheads.
It features a sensitive tip but has enough power in reserve to set the hook. With Japanese inspired cosmetics, including the ergonomic reel seat, the rod certainly looks like one you’d expect to see in a much higher price bracket.
Positive: Japanese inspired cosmetics
Negative: The top guides are a little too far apart
Fox Rage prism drop shot rod
RRP: £79.99 - Length: 210cm - Casting weight: 5g-21g
This rod is part of the new 33-rod Fox Rage Prism range.
Designed specifically for finesse lure tactics, light drop shotting or micro jigging, it is nicely balanced with a fast action. It is has enough backbone to help set the hook but is light enough that you won’t bump off small perch when playing them.
The Fuji reel seat and abbreviated EVA handles are nice to hold for long periods.
Positive: Excellent value for money
Negative: Slight flat spot in the tip section
berkley air drop shot rod
RRP: £84.99 - Length: 7ft - Casting weight: 5g-20g
Air is a new range of rods from Berkley which includes two drop shot models.
Designed with the use of braided mainlines, this one has 8 low-diameter guides. The ergonomic handle fits in your hand nicely and feels comfortable when held for long periods of time. The rod has enough stiffness to set the hook when small perch are the target.
Positive: Well suited to deeper water and jigs
Negative: Hook keeper ring on top of the blank
Wychwood Agitator
RRP: £59.99 - Length: 7ft 3in - Casting weight: 3g-18g
Wychwood’s first foray into the ever-growing drop shot market will certainly be a hit with light lure anglers. It feels nicely balanced in the hand and the tip is incredibly responsive, which enables you to impart movement into the lure without moving the weight.
There’s enough reserve power in the butt section to easily cope with perch, small pike and zander.
Positive: A lovely slim blank and responsive tip
Negative: The handle could be more ergonomic
E-sox drop shot rod
RRP: £69.95 - Length: 7ft 6in - Casting weight: 4g-14g
This rod really comes into its own on canals, small rivers and marinas. The lightweight, slim, high modulus blank delivers the necessary finesse for drop shotting while holding plenty of power in reserve.
The sensitive tip action provides a tactile feel and the fast blank offers excellent control of the lure, enabling you to strike at the slightest tap.
Positive: Weighs just 95g so can be held for long periods
Negative: More suited to deeper water with heavier weights
Shimano sustain AX
RRP: £159.99 - Length: 1.90m - Casting weight: 3g-14g
The Ci4 reel seat is not only aesthetically stunning it feels lovely in your hand. The action of the rod is extra fast, which means the stiff blank recovers quickly. This enables you to sensitively twitch small rubber lures without moving the weight.
Positive: Great action for light lures
Negative: Doesn't pack down a comactly as a traditional two-piece rod would
quantum acCurist spin
RRP: £129.95 - Length: 2.3m - Casting weight: 3g-12g
The one-piece blank helps to make the rod more responsive when fishing lighter jig heads and drop shot lures because there’s no joining spigot to reduce the ‘telegraphing’ of the lure through the blank.
It weighs just 95g so it perfect for holding for long periods.
Positive: Ergonomic grips on reel and butt section of handle
Negative: A little heavy for ‘finesse’ drop shotting
Savage gear black savage
RRP: £79.99 - Length: 7ft 4in - Casting weight: 2g-12g
Sitting firmly in the mid-price category for light lure rods, the Black Savage offers lightness and crispness in the hand. It weighs in at a featherweight 95g making it comfortable to hold for long periods when paired with a small lightweight reel. It is crisp on the cast and the blank retains plenty of tactile feel making the smallest of plucks on the line noticeable.
Positive: Unique and stylish marble effect handle
Negative: Orange tip doesnt't serve any real purpose
Garbolino garbospin sprint
RRP: £39.99 - Length: 7ft - Casting weight: 0.5g-10g
The Garbospin Sprint has been specifically developed for the UK market, which has a much greater emphasis on drop shotting and other light lure tactics.
The two-piece rod consists of a beautifully light slimline carbon blank and has an extremely sensitive spliced solid carbon tip which transmits takes incredibly well.
Positive: Sensitive tip provides good transmission
Negative: The handle is slightly longer than most
daiwa specialist Drop shot
RRP: £59.99 - Length: 6ft 6in - Casting weight: 1g-9g
Part of Daiwa’s Light Lure rod range, this is the shortest of two models designed specifically for drop shotting. It boasts a spliced-in solid carbon tip for added sensitivity and is built on an ultra thin premium grade blank with lightweight single leg ceramic braid-friendly guides. The rod’s transmission is superb and enables you to feel every knock and tremble on the lure.
Positive: Incredibly sensitive tip
Negative: May struggle to cop with bigger predators
Sonik Magna Dropshot rods
RRP: £49.99
The Magna Dropshot Spinning Rods are part of a new three-rod range from Sonik designed specifically for the popular light lure fishing tactic.
The blanks have extremely sensitive tips which aids casting accuracy and enables direct action to be imparted to the lure.
There is a fair amount of power in the butt section so if you latch into a personal best perch you can rest assured that the rod is up to the job of landing it. The lightweight K- style guides are ideal for use with fine braid mainlines and the legs are long enough to keep the line away from the blank and reduce friction to a minimum.
The custom click-safe down-locking reel seat will house your reel securely during the repeated casting that comes with this style of lure fishing. There are three different lengths available – 6ft, 6ft 6in and 7ft. All three have a casting weight rating of 2g-8g.
The 10 best items of new fishing tackle for 2018
For the last few months fishing tackle manufacturers have been eagerly unveiling their latest gear for the new year.
Some seriously good rods, reels, poles and luggage has just been launched - here's our guide to the best tackle hitting the market in 2018.
DAIWA TOURNAMENT SLR RODS
SLR stands for Super Long Range and these four blanks are the next step up from the original Daiwa Tournament distance models, with a fantastic casting and playing action. With the latest X45 carbon technology and distinctive red butt section artwork, even the shortest 11ft version will cast a long way.
PAY AROUND: From £399.99
PRESTON ABSOLUTE CARBON SEATBOX
So how much seatbox does £2,200 buy you? Preston's carbon fibre model has really set tongues wagging as its 25% lighter than all previous Absolute boxes and has an attractive carbon weave finish. With a host of special units and clips, each box has its own unique ID number and there's even an owners club!
PAY AROUND: £2,199
DRENNAN ACOLYTE 9FT FEEDER ROD
You can choose from the Ultra or the slightly stepped up Plus, two additions to the highly acclaimed Acolyte range. At 9ft these are designed for short range fishing for all fish, we've tested both and the Ultra in particular is super soft and perfect for F1s and skimmers.
PAY AROUND: £169.99
MAP PARABOLIX BLACK EDITION RODS
Just check out those dual material handles! MAP say they provide excellent grip and make casting easier. You're looking at the latest Parabolix blanks, the Black Edition feeder rods, which are beautifully finished and boast the trademark 'parabolic' action.
PAY AROUND: From £159.99
GURU X-CHANGE FEEDER RANGE
With a new X-Change system at the feeder base, you can swap the weight of the feeder in seconds without removing it. This is useful if the wind gets up and you need more weight to get the distance. And because they're weight forward on the cast, you can cast further and more accurately!
PAY AROUND: £3.99
Daiwa Air Z pole
The most talked about pole of 2018, this is the third generation of Air poles after the original Ai and the Air XLS. Daiwa has reverted back to its short section technology for the Air Z and the result is groundbreaking new stiffness and lightweight in the hands.
PAY AROUND: £3,999.
Preston Centris NT reels
We say this is Preston's best reel yet. The Centris NT is smart, has a compact body and Powerdrive (a super slow oscillation shaft which delivers superb winding power for the size of the reel). The gear ratio has been set at 5.0:1 and there are 320, 420 and 520 sizes available. Spools even have two line clips!
PAY AROUND: From £154.99
Matrix Horizon X Class Landing Net Handle
A super long, super stiff net pole from Matrix with a lovely weaved finish. Two lengths are available, 4m and a whopping 5.5m, which are perfect for rod fishing or for rivers. The handles have dual threaded ends so by removing a piece you can also use them at a 2.8m length too.
PAY AROUND: £119.99
Korum ITM Ruckbag
If you like to travel light then this is perfect for long walks or roving sessions. It's an all-new compact version of Korum's hugely popular ruckbag, which allows you to carry a lightweight chair on your back too.
PAY AROUND: £44.99
Greys Luggage
We love this smart new range! Very well made from a super-tough, rip-stop material, in a classy grey and black-livery for both coarse and sea angling. There's a clever chest/backpack style Ruckbag plus the Boat, Bank, Duffle and Net/Wader bags span a multitude of uses.PAY AROUND: £29.99 - £139.99
The best winter fishing suits for 2018
As winter takes a firm grip on the landscape, anglers need to think very hard about the clothing they need if they want their trips to the bank to be a pleasure rather than an ordeal.
To help you choose the right gear for you, here are some of the best two-piece suits available.
TERMS EXPLAINED
Hydrostatic HEAD is the measure of how water-resistant the clothing is. A hydrostatic head of 5,000mm means that the clothing fabric could hold a column of water that is 5,000mm tall.
Breathability is the ability of the fabric to allow moisture vapour to be transmitted through it, expressed in terms of how many grams of water vapour can pass through a square metre of fabric in 24 hours.
DRENNAN QUILTED JACKET AND TROUSERS
Incredibly water-resistant clothing which is highly breathable and comfortable to wear.
A quilted lining provides extra warmth without hindering movement, so you can fish comfortably in the coldest weather. Made from a Rip-Stop fabric.
Sizes: S-XXXXL
Hydrostatic head: 25,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g m2
RRP: £149 and £99
PRESTON INNOVATIONS DF15 SUIT
The DF15 Suit in Rip-Stop material is the perfect lightweight alternative to the DF25.
The jacket’s high neck provides maximum weather protection, and zip pullers make operation easy in the cold. The bib ’n’ brace has reinforced knees and seat, storm-flapped front zip and wide opening, Velcro-adjustable legs.
Sizes: M-XXXL
Hydrostatic head: 15,000mm
Breathability: 3,000g m2
RRP £163.99
MATRIX WINTER SUIT
Matrix wanted to design an affordable winter suit that would keep you warm and dry while looking stylish and remaining comfortable when worn for long spells on the bank or in a boat.
And that’s exactly what the company has achieved with this new Winter Suit. It’s jam-packed with features, including micro fleece-lined hand pockets and removable hood, full-length zip baffles, two-way main zip on the jacket and trousers and neoprene inner cuffs with thumb holes.
Sizes: S-XXXL
Hydrostatic head: 5,000mm
Breathability: 3,000g m2
RRP: £149.99
GREYS OVERTROUSERS AND ALL-WEATHER PARKA JACKET
Overtrousers are perfect for milder winter days when thick thermal salopettes aren’t required.
Utilising Climatex material, they're comfortable, durable and ideal for wearing over a warm base layer. Fully taped seams and the quick-drying material ensure the feel-good factor.
The All-Weather Parka Jacket is the perfect partner for the Overtrousers and is well insulated to keep you both warm and dry. Features include an adjustable peaked hood and waterproof zipped pockets.
Sizes: M-XXL
Hydrostatic head: N/A
Breathability: N/A
RRP: £149.99 (Overtrousers) and £189.99 (Jacket)
MIDDY MX-800 CLOTHING SET
A waterproof jacket, bib and brace and quality fleece which incorporate exclusive Body-Fit cloth cut technology.
This creates a snug, tailored fit while enabling you to fish at maximum speed by allowing easy movement when casting, baiting up or unhooking fish. The jacket also features a hood that has been specially shaped to give 180-degree vision.
Sizes: M-XXL
Hydrostatic head: 5,000mm
Breathability: 3,000mg m2
RRP: £219.99 for the set, but also available separately
AVID BLIZZARD RIP STOP BIB AND BRACE AND JACKET
The Blizzard Bib & Brace and jacket are lightweight all-season clothing in a 10,000mm waterproof Dura-Stop fabric.
With a soft-touch lining, they are easy to put on and remove, even when wearing chunky winter clothing underneath. With reinforced knee and seat panels and extra wide openings on the legs, with Velcro adjustment.
The jacket boasts an extra-tall collar and roll-away peaked hood to keep you protected from the elements.
Sizes: M-XXL
Hydrostatic head: 10,000mm
Breathability: N/A
RRP: £69.99 and £79.99
MAVER MV-R 20 JACKET AND BIB AND BRACE
Provides protection from the worst winter weather and ensure you look the part too.
The trousers benefit from reinforced knee and seat panels, wide adjustable shoulder straps and a generous cut for ease of movement. The jacket boasts storm flaps over the two large main pockets, a fold-away storm hood with stiffened peak and storm cuffs with Velcro closure.
Sizes: M-XXXL
Hydrostatic head: 20,000mm
Breathability: 3,000g m2
RRP: £109.99 (jacket) and £99.99 (bib and brace)
NASH ZT MAC JACKET AND BRACED TROUSERS
ZT Mac clothing acts as an armoured outer layer to be worn over separate base and mid-layers, so anglers can respond to changeable conditions and levels of exertion.
The jacket has reverse taped pocket zips and storm flaps, elasticated adjustable double cuffs and TPU membrane inner cuffs with thumb sleeve seals to prevent draughts and water ingress. The trousers have detachable braces, waist fit adjustment and reverse taped and zipped handwarmer micro fleece pockets.
Sizes: S-XXXL
Hydrostatic head: 10,000mm
Breathability: 3,000g m2
RRP: £164.99 and £142.99
E-S-P STASH QUILTED SALOPETTES AND JACKETS
Salopettes have snap-lock buckles and a YKK zip with Velcro baffles. |
The knees are double-layered and the boot zips are gummed, water and mud resistant. The jacket has a fleece-lined hand warmer pocket and a roomy zipped chest pocket.
Sizes: M-XXXL
Hydrostatic head: 25,000mm
Breathability: 10,000 m2
RRP: £69.99 and £79.99
10 items of coarse tackle you can't fish without this autumn
Despite colder nights and shorter days, autumn is a time of plenty where coarse fishing is concerned.
Just about all fish species feed well in one last bid to pack on weight before the colder weather sets in and you can enjoy some super sport. We've put together a list of essential tackle to kit yourself out with to take advantage of this key part of the fishing year!
Small feeders
Fish such as carp and F1s wont be attacking a feeder as aggressively as in summer and with the water cooling down you'll need less bait to hold fish in the peg. A big feeder might risk overfeeding them too, so it's time to step down to much smaller frames. Good choices are the new Mini range of Hybrid Feeders and Mini Inline Method feeders from Guru, or the Preston Inline Dura Banjo.
Bombs
As water in autumn becomes colder it also becomes clearer and a bait presented on its own away from any kind of frame can often be best. Fish with corn or 8mm pellets and loosefeed over the top too. In-line versions such as the Guru In-line leads and Preston Match Cube are virtually tangle free, you can even remove the Match Cube from the line and replace it with another without breaking the rig down.
Visible floats
Bright days are a feature of autumn and with the sun low in the sky it can be difficult to see a float tip properly. For pole fishing for anything apart from small silverfish, try going for a hollow plastic bristle which catches the light and shows up really well, even when dotted right down. We recommend the Preston Inter Carbon or Maver MV-R float patterns.
Good rests
It's important to start being a bit more patient and to be prepared to wait longer for bites. Invest in a good set of front and back rod rests, with a back rest meaning you won't have to hold the rod or be tempted to strike at line bites. Is there a better rest combination than the Guru Reaper front and Reaper rear rest heads? We don't think so!
Go back to pellets
On commercial fisheries you'll often notice that groundbait tends to lose its effectiveness for carp the clearer and colder the water becomes. Therefore it's time to make the switch back to feeding 2mm micro pellets around the feeder or in shallow water such as islands and margins. In the long run it works out cheaper to buy pellets in bulk, like HERE.
Smaller hook
For situations where you used a size 16 hook in summer, it's now time to scale down to a size 18. Fish feed much less aggressively in the cold so a smaller hook weighs less and is likely to achieve more bites. It doesn't necessarily have to be a finer wire hook, as long as it's small and strong. The Kamasan B911 is a good all year round choice, especially in its X-Strong version, as is the Guru LWG.
Go down a grade of elastic
It's time to reconsider your pole elastics as the thick, bagging grades of summer are now likely to be too brutal as you may bump fish, especially if you've scaled down the hook size. So think about going for a light to medium grade hollow on commercial fisheries, blue Daiwa Hydrolastic is a good all-around choice , as is Preston Hollo in 9h or 11h grades.
A great tip is to set your elastics soft when you fit them, as hollows can be harsh on the strike if they're too tight. You can always tighten a slack elastic up a bit but if you've got a puller bung or puller kit in you can't slacken an elastic which is too tight!
Pole pots rather than catapults
Cut down your feed as we move through autumn and winter. Catapulting baits such as pellets around the float is a great way of catching on the pole in the warmer months but now it's a better idea to keep your feed much tighter, as fish are less likely to chase baits around. So get a pole pot on the end, those with sprinkle-type lids are ideal for regulating a few pellets into the swim at time. Try the Map Flexi Pots or Frenzee Soft Clear Pots.
Centrepin reel
Autumn is a great time for trotting, with rivers generally still at low or normal levels. On fast to medium-paced rivers, a centrepin reel is a great bit of kit for putting a float through, but you'll need enough flow to be able to pull line from the drum at the speed of the current.
The good news is that centrepin reels are relatively simple bits of kit, relying on the rotation of the drum, so you don't need to spend loads of money to get the benefits of one. We've fished with The Wensum at just £39.99, a great bit of kit for the money, but if you can't get on with 'pins', then a small fixed spool such as a Daiwa Ninja 2500 is ideal.
Stickfloats
To go with your centrepin you'll need a good selection of floats. The faster the water the thicker the top you should choose, and likewise the deeper the swim the heavier the float you should use. An alloy stemmed shouldered stick is a good all-around choice for most species, or there's also a special offer set of 14 varied river patterns HERE.
Best fishing seatboxes of £350 or less
What should you look for when buying a seatbox?
Seat - Look for a comfortable seat with plenty of padding as you're likely to be sat on it for five hours or more. Lots of seats will also incorporate a pole support at the front too, to wedge the end of the butt section into to take the strain of it.
Draws, units and trays - Front and cross draws area great for storing all your terminal gear such as line, hooks, shot and disgorgers. It's imperative that the draws are easy to access and close to hand. You might find it easier to pull out a cross drawer from the side than a front draw from between your legs. Draws are often built into box units which you can add or take off the box. Other units include pole rig trays, which can often be stacked up on top of each other in the space below the main frame module.
Footplate - Most seatboxes have a footplate attached, which either slides out from under the main module or folds up against it. Two legs similar to those on the box should keep the plate sturdy at the front.
Legs - Good boxes will feature adjustable telescopic legs so you can get the box level on all kinds of slopes and surfaces. Large surface area mudfeet help keep things stable or prevent sinking into mud. Most box legs are 20-36mm in diameter so attachments for them reflect this.
Backplate - Some boxes have a solid back plate but this isn't essential. It can smarten a box up but obviously it may add a little bit of extra weight too.
Our top 8 picks
(In no particular order)
1.MAP H30 Lite Seatbox
"Lite by name, light by nature"
Draws: Shallow drawer unit, deep drawer unit | Trays: None | Legs: 30mm | Footplate: Sliding | Pole Support: Yes
PAY AROUND: £325
•Lightweight and very easy to carry
•Side draws are easy to pull out and access
•Quality durable pole seat
•Legs have screw inserts for attachments
•No base unit or trays supplied
WE SAY
The baby of the MAP box range, it's exactly as it's 'lite' name tag suggests. It doesn't weigh very much as it's a stool designed to take up minimal space and is ideal for short sessions or long walks on canals and rivers.
We love the H frame design which means you can alter the height of the footplate to get comfortable, without having to add or subtract draw units from above to do so.
Another great little design point is the screws on the side of the legs, which can move through 180 degrees to face the front or the back of the box, again saving a bit of space.
2. Daiwa 160 Seatbox
"Built to last... typically Daiwa"
Draws: Two front drawers, two shallow side drawers | Trays: Deep tray plus 14cm base | Legs: 25mm | Footplate: Sliding | Pole Support: Yes
PAY AROUND: £300
•Long telescopic legs and stable mud feet
•Rubber hand wheels make it easy to tighten the grip on legs
•Thick padded seat
•Nice deep 14cm base gives space for reels and hooklength boxes etc.
•We'd have liked slightly stronger clips to secure the strap to the box
WE SAY
There's a choice of red or blue graphics with the Daiwa 160 seatbox but either way it's smart and sturdy.
The long telescopic leg system is excellent and allows the box to be securely extended to some height, which is useful on uneven banks or if you want to get into the water in shallow margins. We've also noticed that it uses a non-marking mechanism in the tightening process to prevent unsightly damage to the legs.
Once sat on the box, the draws are easy enough to pull out and access. We also like the quality of the no-nonsense clips used to get into the base and under the seat. Well made and comfortable.
3. Matrix P25 System Seatbox
"Small but very practical"
Draws: Double front drawer unit, Deep drawer unit, single tray unit | Trays: Winder tray under base, single tray unit | Legs: 25mm | Footplate: Sliding | Pole Support: Yes
PAY AROUND: £300
•Fully height adjustable
•Very comfortable pole seat
•Very organised drawer units
•Weighs 14.5kg
•This is a compact design so it's not the easiest to use for larger sized anglers
WE SAY
A compact design-type of box but despite this it's surprisingly solid and has some great features. We particularly like the excellent drawer unit system, especially the dividers in the deepest unit.
It's fully height adjustable so you can tailor it exactly to get your feet level on the footplate without having to add or remove units. This is especially useful when long pole fishing.
There's something very comfortable about the slightly-squeezy material used in Matrix seatboxes and this is no exception, it even has a built-in spirit level. The anti-warp footplate is also very stable. All in all a very good, versatile choice.
4. Inception SL30 seatbox
Draws: None | Trays: Single tray under seat | Legs: 23mm | Footplate: Sliding, available as an extra | Pole Support: No
PAY AROUND: £230
Padded Seat
Deep Side Drawer Unit
100mm Deep Container Base Unit
WE SAY
Being one of the lightest seatboxes around, keeps it as an ideal solution for anyone who doesn’t want to lug a heavy seatbox onto the bank. With a padded seat making it a comfortable option all year round. The package includes an integrated 100mm deep storage unit and a deep side drawer unit, giving you plenty of space for larger items like reels and smaller accessories. Each unit contains the revolutionary MAG LOK clip system making each tray compatible with those from the Absolute range. For the price this is a top seatbox worth looking at.
5. Maver Signature Series 8 Seatbox
"An impressive fishing station"
Draws: Double front drawer unit, shallow cross draw unit | Trays: Stacker system unit | Legs: 30mm | Footplate: Sliding | Pole Support: Yes
PAY AROUND: £349.99
•Two different sets of tightening hand wheels on the legs attached to the main unit prevent the legs bending
•Great divider system in the draws
•Stacking module supplied
•Wheel kit supplied
•The large tightening hand wheels face outwards which means the box takes up a lot of space
WE SAY
Squeezing into this price range by the skin of its teeth, the Signature Series 800 is a big box with plenty in its package. It's smart and flash but it's also very well thought out.
Each of the four legs on the main box frame has two tightening hand wheels. Not only does this help stop the leg bending, it means the height of the box can easily be altered in relation to the footplate, without having to add or subtract units.
The legs are long and telescopic so you can use this on all banks or in the water itself. The anti-slip cassette footplate is solid and inspires confidence in being able to stand up on it. You even get a wheel kit and barrow arms to fit on for transportation. All in all a very comprehensive box for serious anglers.
6. Browning CC Competition Seatbox
"Short legs and light frame"
Draws: Deep cross draw unit | Trays: Under seat space, two shallow trays, one deep tray, unit lid | Legs: 25mm | Footplate: Sliding | Pole Support: Yes
PAY AROUND: £350
•Quite compact and lightweight
•Reliable clip system
•Good tray and stacker units
•Screw attachments on legs
•Solid footplate
•Short legs although more conventional longer versions are available
WE SAY
We like the cassette-style footplate to reduce weight, yet it still remains reassuringly sturdy.
And with the Z shape-type design, you don't get a big bulky frame, again saving space and weight.
The short legs have been purposely designed for anglers fishing from level platforms, in the water or on fishery pegs, to reduce weight and also to keep the box low to the ground. If you do need longer legs then sets are available.
Slightly unusual in terms of design but a practical box with plenty of optional add-ons in terms of tray units.
7. Garbolino Match GBM-05 Seatbox
"Nice design and good value"
Draws: One combined double front/cross
drawer unit | Trays: Under seat space, base tray | Legs: 25mm | Footplate: Sliding | Pole Support: Yes
PAY AROUND: £275
•Very smart box, finished in Garbolino blue
•Thick padded seat
•Long telescopic legs with good mudfeet
•Double
•We're being picky here but even with the legs set at their lowest, the box is a bit high off the ground
WE SAY
A continental-style box which we think is especially good for pole fishing.
If you want to carry plenty of shallow unit rig trays, there's loads of space underneath the main seat unit to stack them high. And you can easily pull out the drawers to get to get quick access to terminal tackle.
The legs are long and telescopic, for use on all banks, and the height means that you'll be able to get any side trays or attachments close to hand. Also the slide out footplate is nicely solid.
8. Sensas Power 760 Seatbox
"A big box with a few nice add-ons"
Draws: One combined double front/cross
drawer unit | Trays: Under cross drawer space, double tray unit, unit lid | Legs: 25mm | Footplate: Sliding | Pole Support: Yes
PAY AROUND: £300
•Wide mud feet
•Comfortable padded seat
•Secure tightening knobs
•Long telescopic front legs for trays
•Built in bars at the back of the box for attachments
•Quality wooden draws
•Not the lightest box to carry
WE SAY
A big box and a comprehensive set up for pole and international style fishing. It features some quality components, including the wooden draws, and a Sensas World Champion back plate.
Design wise, a few small points have been carefully thought about. The front two legs on the box module itself are deliberately much longer than the other four, which means you can have your bait waiter or side tray at a height you can reach easily. Also there is an adjustable bar built into the back of the box on each side which extends vertically to allow you to fit other attachments such as brollies onto.
This isn't the lightest box to carry and transport but this is reflective in its build quality and size. It's also quite a high box as standard so you may need to lose a unit from the top module.
The best method feeder fishing rods under £100
What should you look for when buying a feeder rod?
Action - The stiffer a rod, the higher its loading point becomes, and the better it casts. But a Method rod still needs to have a sweet tip-to-middle progressive action so it can be used with smaller hooks and lighter lines. When you’re looking to buy a rod, take a reel, thread it up and get someone to pull the line at an angle away from you. You’re looking for a seamless curve without flat-spots, plus plenty of feeling.
Line guides - The butt guide should be positioned around 18 inches away from the leading edge of the handle. Lined guides are usually standard on all modern feeder rods with SICs being the most popular. Some Method rods have double-legged guides throughout, while others only have a double leg on the butt. Single-legged guides obviously weigh less but can be prone to twisting, so just be careful when putting the rod away. Most 11ft models carry nine guides, discounting the quivertip.
Spigot - The spigot is an area of added stiffness which interrupts the smooth line of any rod. For a Method feeder model the male spigot needs to have at least 2mm of thickness to withstand the inertia of the cast. Spigots should always have a snug fit, but should never meet or the rod will twist, slip and may even fall apart.
Handle - Handles on a Method feeder rod depend how far you need to cast. So the longer the rod the longer the handle. On 11ft to 13ft models it should be long enough to enable the angler to create a pivotal arm action when casting. Shorter rods tend to have shorter handles so they're easier to manage when you're only casting up to 30m or so.
Quivertips - All Method rods come with a selection of (normally three) push-in quivertips, made of either carbon or fibreglass. Fibreglass tips are softer and definitely offer better registration, so they're more suited to shorter rods and smaller fish. Stiffer carbon tips come in when you're going for bigger fish or casting a long way.
Reel seat - The seat should produce a smooth line along the top and bottom of the handle while locking the reel securely into position. Fixed reel positioning at the top of the handle is also crucial as this aids casting performance. Screw-down style EVA thumb grips add extra grip. The original Japanese Fuji reel seats are often considered the best available. Most feeder rods are fitted with a standard 20mm DPS seat which can be used with reels up to 5000 body size.
Our top 8 picks
(In no particular order)
1.Preston Innovations 12ft Monster Method Feeder
"Great action and well thought out"
Length: 12ft | Pieces: Two | Tips supplied: 1oz, 1.5oz & 2oz | Reel seat: Screw down | Handle: Part cork / EVA | Keeper ring: Yes
PAY AROUND: £99.99
•Three quivertips with good choices of test curves
•Lovely progressive action with enough backbone for casting
•Large line guides on the lower part of the blank help achieve distance
•We're being extremely picky here but a larger butt guide and one less line guide in total would improve casting distance
WE SAY
Preston's new Monster Method rods are slightly different to its Dutchmaster range, especially in the action stakes. Where the Dutchmasters are mostly casting rods for long range and silverfish, the Monster Method blanks boast a much softer, through action, which comes into play for smaller hooks and slightly shorter ranges with Method, Pellet Feeder and Banjo tactics.
Make no qualms about it however, this 12ft version still has enough backbone to cast beyond 60m and will handle big fish while still retaining a nice soft action to ensure that every hooked fish ends up in the net.
We reckon it could also double up as a bream rod or a useful model for chub and bream in running water. The Monster Method just scrapes under the £100 mark by the skin of its teeth but in our book it's worth every penny!
2. Maver Genesis Pro 10ft Feeder rod
"Slim with casting power... typically Maver"
Length: 10ft | Pieces: Two | Tips supplied: Three | Reel seat: Screw down | Handle: Part cork / EVA | Keeper ring: Yes
PAY AROUND: £64.99
•Rod blank is slim in diameter
•Good through action at this price point
•Soft action makes the rod ideal for short range and smaller fish
•Excellent reel seat
•Keeper eye can be flicked to a flat position when fishing with the rod
•A little bit of wobble on the cast
•Distance between the handle and butt guide is long for a short rod
•The lightest no1 tip is extremely thin and could be prone to damage
WE SAY
This high modulus carbon 10ft two-piece rod is the perfect short range tool for modern commercial fishing with a variety of tactics. It has a soft action and highly sensitive tips so we suggest this is best used for small method and pellet feeders or bombs, even though it has a maximum claimed casting weigh of 80g.
It features a good matt carbon finish and top quality fittings throughout. The handle is mostly cork with EVA at the top and bottom for grip. It isn't too long either, which is ideal on a 10ft rod for short chucks.
Full of nice touches and slimline throughout, we say this rod represents excellent value for money at £64.99.
3. Daiwa Yank N Bank Carp Feeder 10ft
"Quality build and finish"
Length: 10ft | Pieces: Two | Tips supplied: 1oz, 1.5oz & 2oz | Reel seat: Down locking EVA fore grip | Handle: Part cork / EVA | Keeper ring: Yes
PAY AROUND: £76.99
•Great-looking low-glare finish, especially around the base and guides
•Lots of power to play larger fish and punch out casts, even at a 10ft length
•The cork handle has a flattened area near the base for extra security when holding the rod
•Excellent line guides
•The action is fairly stiff through the middle so this is more suited to bigger fish
WE SAY
The Yank N Bank Feeder is built for bagging up sessions, exactly as its slightly cringeworthy name suggests. That's thanks to its powerful blank, which boasts a good progressive action.
Ideal for bomb and feeder tactics on commercial fisheries, this rod will easily cope with casts of 40 yards or so to island or far-bank features.
It's supplied with three super slim push-in tips from 1oz-2oz which are handily colour coded so you can instantly identify each. Supplied with a rod sleeve and reel pouch, which is handy if you want to leave it already rigged up and broken down.
4. Frenzee FXT Match+ 9ft Feeder rod
"Short with a soft action"
Length: 9ft | Pieces: Two | Tips supplied: 1oz, 1.5oz | Reel seat: Screw down | Handle: Part cork / EVA | Keeper ring: Yes
PAY AROUND: £79.99
•Very soft action minimises hook pulls
•Slimline blank
•The handle is a sensible length although we'd have liked a little bit more cork at the top end
•Only two quivertips supplied
•Lacks a bit of backbone through the middle for casting and larger fish
WE SAY
This medium-price range of rods sits in between Frenzee's FXT range and its Match Pro. Featuring a metallic blue whipping on the butt section and black whipping throughout, we like the stylish, slim diameter blank.
This isn't a rod to chuck to the horizon or use for big carp, as by Frenzee's own admission it's casting distance is up to 35m. What it is ideal for however, is short range work for fish up to about 5lb, especially F1s, with small feeders and small hooks.
It's a lightweight rod with a decent through action, which is great fun to use.
5. Free Spirit CTX 9ft Feeder
"The new kid on the block"
THE PACKAGE: Length: 9ft | Pieces: Two | Tips supplied: Three | Reel seat: Screw down | Handle: Cork / EVA thumb grip | Keeper ring: Yes
PAY AROUND: £
•Fantastic progressive action with loads of power
•Anti-scratch finish
•Supplied with both glass and carbon tips
•Slim diameter blanks
•We'd have preferred completely orange quivertips to the white or white/orange supplied
WE SAY
Free Spirit has an enviable reputation for producing high performance rods in the carp and specimen market. In 2016 it turned its attention to the coarse market too and the first result was the CTX float and feeder models.
A Bi-Axis weave gives the blank a classy 'carpy' appearance and it's tough and long lasting too. Scratch the blank and you can simply wipe it off.
What is similarly impressive is the rod's performance. It's slim and extremely light, yet packs a great progressive curve with plenty of power. It oozes class and by our reckoning performs considerably beyond its sub-£100 price tag.
6. Matrix Method Master 11ft
"Progressive action and a reliable performer"
THE PACKAGE:
Length: 11ft | Pieces: Two | Tips supplied: 1oz, 1.5oz | Reel seat: Screw down | Handle: Cork / EVA thumb grip | Keeper ring: No
PAY AROUND: £69.99
•No bounce on the cast
•Great for accurate and slightly longer casts
•Controlled progressive bend
•Not the slimmest rod blank on test
•Only two quivertips supplied
•No hook keeper ring
WE SAY
As the name suggests, this is a rod with a commercial fishery emphasis. It's also one offering tremendous value for money in our book.
What's immediately noticeable about the 11ft blank is the fast taper diameter from butt to tip. This gives it a high weight loading area towards the tip end of the carrier section and enables the rod to hold rock-steady before, during and after casting.
This lack of movement also improves the rod’s distance overall casting and accuracy, and during testing it handIed 30g flatbed feeders with ease. We'd have liked a keeper ring to store the hook in but the rod's performance makes up for this.
READ OUR FULL LIVE TEST HERE
7. Middy Baggin Machine 10ft Carp Feeder
"Nice design and good value"
THE PACKAGE:
Length: 10ft | Pieces: Two | Tips supplied: Two | Reel seat: Screw down | Handle: Part cork / EVA | Keeper ring: Yes
PAY AROUND: £59.99
•Excellent deep secure reel seat
•Wide line guides throughout improve casting distance
•Decent through action
•The blank is soft and doesn't have loads of backbone for casting
WE SAY
For the technical bit, this rod is built using a Synaptic carbon cloth. When combined with resins it allows the blank to be strong and flexible, while retaining a good degree of lightness and stiffness.
The handle section is particularly worth a mention, a decent mix of EVA and cork, although we'd have preferred slightly more cork. It's a well thought out length with a thicker end rim to prevent slipping and the reel seat is deep with a skeletal design to reduce weight.
It has a soft, progressive tip action that starts to tighten up quickly just past the middle of the blank for casting. Middy make some very good rods for the money these days and this is definitely one of them - at £59.99 its difficult to criticise.
8. Shimano Force Master Commercial 10ft Mini Feeder
"A 13m version of a top end power pole"
Length: 11ft | Pieces: Two | Tips supplied: 2oz, 3oz | Reel seat: Screw down | Handle: Part cork / EVA | Keeper ring: No
PAY AROUND: £34.99
•Extremely low price
•Double-legged guides giving added strength and stability on the butt
•Plenty of power for casting
•The carbon tips supplied are a bit on the pokey side and not very bright
WE SAY
This is by far the cheapest rod on test but it's here for a reason - because of it's performance at this lower price point.
Picking up the two-piece XT40 graphite carbon blank, it's nicely constructed, with two quality double-legged guides giving added strength and stability on the butt. The seven lightweight but flexible single-legged guides are well spaced along the carrier section.
It's very much at home casting flatbed Method, open end or pellet feeders weighing up to 40g. As mentioned the tips are slightly pokey, but they have the effect of stiffening up the end section, which in turn improves the casting performance of what is quite a soft blank.
Reel lines of anything between 5lb and 10lb would be fine with this rod, as would hooklengths as low in diameter as 0.12mm. The softness of the second section helps to give the blank a parabolic (constant rate of curvature) type of action.
The best fishing poles under £1,000
Fishing the pole is a great way of presenting a rig very accurately for all kinds of coarse fish, including carp, bream, tench and roach.
It means you can fish tight up to features such as islands up to 16m away and use light tackle to get more bites, because no casting is involved.
You get what you pay for when purchasing a long pole, which ranges from as little as £50 to nearly £4,000! We're going to focus on the best poles you can buy for less than £1,000.
What should you look for when buying a pole?
Rigidity & balance - How straight is a pole and how quickly does the tip recover after applying a strike? Stiff poles tend to have much less 'bounce' at the tip end. Balance is all about correct 'feel' as you don't want it to feel top heavy i.e pulling away from you.
Wall strength - The thicker a section diameter the stronger it's likely to be, but also the heavier too. Look for signs of reinforced points at vital areas such as the end of the joints too.
Weight - The weight of a pole isn't a massive issue, especially if you need a power pole. Of far more importance is how stiff it is and it's overall balance.
Finish - This will determine how easy a pole is to ship in and out through your hands. Some finishes have taping, others have a slick/painted finish, e.g the butt sections.
Spares package - How many spare top kits or extras such as half extensions and cupping kits you get with the pole. Some poles offer packages tailored to power or general match fishing.
Our top 10 picks
(In no particular order)
1.Preston Innovations Pro Type 510 pole
"Good all-rounder with the package to boot"
THE PACKAGE: 16m Pole | 4 x Roller Pulla Power Kits | Match Kit | Kup Kit | Kups and Adaptor | Half Extension
PAY AROUND: £849.99
•Good wall strength, including reinforced butt sections
•Section alignment arrows to line the pole up for maximum performance
•Good package, including Roller Pulla Kits and half butt
•Excellent finish, even in the wet
•Loses stiffness a little at 14.5m and 16m lengths
WE SAY
A great improvement on Preston’s original Pro Type poles, this new top-of-the-range 510 boasts plenty of small but key add-ons, including the Roller Pullas and section alignment.
It’s usable at its longest lengths and would be every bit as good at bagging carp as it would at snatching silvers. What’s more, the spares package doesn’t need further investment to make the pole compatible with a host of venue types.
If you're a keen match angler this is absolutely bang on for the money, although to get the best out of it performance wise we'd recommend hollow elastics of a 12 or below, not thick heavy versions.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW HERE
Daiwa Matchwinner C3 Pole
"Smart and reliable... typically Daiwa"
THE PACKAGE: 14.5m pole | 3 x Power top three kits (4mm tip) | Phex | Cupping kit with cups | Short No4 section | Mini extension | Holdall and tubes
PAY AROUND: £725
•All spare match and power kits are pre-fitted with with 3mm/4mm pure PTFE bushes
•Mini extension protects the more expensive end sections when used
•Eye-catching silver butt sections, usually more associated with Daiwa's top end Tournament, Air and Airity models
•Nicely rigid at its full 14.5m length
•No optional 16m section available. You'll have to upgrade to another pole to go longer, although the Match Winner range is all fully compatible.
WE SAY
You'll love the sheer range of features incorporated into this mid-range pole. Daiwa has strategically placed reinforced areas on the pole only where they're needed most, so you don't get any unnecessary extra weight.
Steely rigidity is a feature of most of Daiwa's poles, even here at a £700 price point. And it's a pole which definitely looks the part too.
Great performance and well-balanced at 13m and 14.5m lengths, this is a good all around choice and there's plenty of change left from £1,000 too!
READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF THE MATCH WINNER C5, THE TOP END MODEL IN THE RANGE
3. MAP TKS 401 2G
"2G takes the TKS range even further - stiff and superb finish"
THE PACKAGE: 14.5m pole | Pre-bushed puller match kit | 3 x pre-bushed puller power kits | 2 x pre bushed match puller kits | Rigid cupping kit with cups | Reinforced mini extension | Deluxe pole holdall
PAY AROUND: £849.99
•Very stiff pole for the money
•Excellent anti-friction finish
•Comprehensive package includes six top kits and a cupping kit
•TKS top kits are very long and may need cutting back further to make them more manageable
•Pole sections are quite thick in overall diameter.
WE SAY
How could MAP improve its highly-acclaimed TKS range further? Well its introduction of the 2g versions for 2017 have done that and more.
The 401 2g is 48g lighter than its predecessor, despite maintaining the same mandrel and remaining deceptively strong. At 14.5m it's very good for it's sub-£1,000 price tag and you'll be able to react quickly to fast bites from fish such as F1s.
We love the finish on MAP poles like this as it makes them very easy to ship and generally use. A bit more re-inforcement around the joint ends might have been useful to prevent wear, although this would undoubtedly have been at the sacrifice of adding a bit more weight.
4. Shimano Beastmaster AX Commercial pole
"As strong as a margin pole but usable at long lengths"
THE PACKAGE: 16m pole | 6 x Top 2 Gen-X Power EV kit | 1 x Top 2 Gen-X EV cupping kit | Holdall
PAY AROUND: £899.99
•Extremely strong with impressive wall strength
•Great Super Slik finish
•Reinforced Joint System protects the pole ends against wear and cracks.
•Slim diameter sections.
•Pole supplied at a 16m length as standard.
•This isn't a light pole because it's a commercial fishery pole
WE SAY
This isn't a new pole, in fact it's six years old, but it's testament to the Beastmaster's popularity that it hasn't been superseded by Shimano and is still going strong. And strong is definitely the operative word here.
Make no mistake about it this is an out and out pole for commercial fisheries. Granted it's by no means the lightest but it does mean you can do absolutely anything with it, from heavy margin work to fishing up-in-the-water long.
Remember you can use a carp pole such as this for roach fishing, but you can't use a roach pole for carp fishing! Surprisingly well-balanced at full length with an emphasis on power.
5. Middy Nano-Core XP35-2 pole
"A consistently good performer with loads of extras thrown in"
THE PACKAGE: 14.5m and 16m pole options | 3 x additional Karp 2 kits | Cupp kit | 4 x elastication kits | Rigid Extra-Short 4th | Safe-Zone mini reversible butts | Carry case
PAY AROUND: £899.99 to £975
•Options to buy at two different lengths depending how far you need to fish
•Great extras including the short no4 to stiffen the pole
•Weighs only 870g at 13m
•Not the best at full 16m length but this is to be expected at a sub-£1,000 price point
WE SAY
Middy has really stepped up its game in the pole market in recent years at all price points and the XP35-2 is no exception.
What is impressive is the bonus extras supplied with this pole. We love all the little touches such as the EVA domed ends on the reversible half butt, extra short number four and even the elastication packs so you can rig the pole up or use immediately.
All top kits are reinforced for a 'pull it' area to fit a puller-type bush. We definitely recommend using a puller system rather than the standard bungs supplied in the elastication pack, especially if you intend to fish hollow elastics or elastics heavier than a grade 6.
READ OUR FULL LIVE TEST HERE
6. Maver Oculus 799 pole
"Lightweight and very well balanced at this price point"
THE PACKAGE: 16m pole | Match kit inside the pole | 3 x Powerlite power kits, slotted & bushed | Mini extension | Cupping kit & cups | 3 x EVA clean caps | Deluxe pole holdall & protective tubes
PAY AROUND: £899.99
•Very lightweight pole weighing just 810g at 13m, including the mini extension
•Excellent Suncore anti-friction finish
•Topkits already fitted with bushes and puller slots
•Teflon joints on sections 3 - 6 to add longevity
•We'd have welcomed a few more top kits or a cupping kit included in the package to match that of its competitors
WE SAY
Maver has long been a key player in poles around this price mark and the Oculus 799 is no exception.
A serious contender in the sub-£1,000 stakes, the finish and minimal weight of this Reglass pole makes it a real pleasure to fish with. It's typically 'Maver stiff' even at long lengths, certainly as good as you'd expect for under £900.
There's little not to like about this pole, even down to the Teflon joints to reduce wear on the heavily use lower sections. It's performance, plus that of its bigger brother the Oculus 999, certainly surprised our Tackle Editor when tested last year.
7. Browning 2 EX-S 50#1 pole
"Comprehensive package although we're not sure about the graphics"
THE PACKAGE: 16m pole | Five spare pre-bushed top-2 kits | Extra third section | Cupping kit | Square Pole Protector half butt
PAY AROUND: £899
•Pre-bushed top kits nicely cut back
•A 14.5m package is also available if you have no use fort a 16m section
•The square pole protector is a nice touch, making it more comfortable on the elbow when fishing at long lengths
•At 16m it's nowhere near as easy to fish with as at its 13m and 14.5m lengths
WE SAY
Putting the slightly weird and wacky name aside for a minute, you'll find an all-around pole with an emphasis on all kinds of fishing, not just out and out carp crunching. This is reflected in its elastic rating of a size 16.
Browning has put an emphasis on keeping this pole light and stiff, without sacrificing strength and it shows. We love how well reinforced the potentially vulnerable sections ends are, particularly on the larger butt sections which can be prone to cracks when held near the end and applying a hard strike.
Overall this is a really well thought out pole, it even includes special 'grip' areas near the tops of the fourth, fifth and sixth sections to help when shipping and breaking down.
8. Matrix Nemesis 1000 pole
"A 13m version of a top end power pole"
THE PACKAGE: 13m pole | 3 x Top 5 Kits | Ethos holdall
PAY AROUND: £899.99
•Great finish for shipping
•Sections fully interchangeable with the top of the range original Nemesis
•A 16m package is also available if you can stretch to £1199
•Top five kits means plenty of spare sections
•Not the lightest pole here, especially at the longer lengths
WE SAY
The Nemesis 1000 is the younger brother of Matrix's flagship original Nemesis pole, but it's less expensive and has more emphasis on power and strength.
You'll find this pole isn't the lightest but where commercial fishing is concerned lightest isn't always best. It means you can use the Nemesis 1000 with complete confidence, especially in windy conditions when you can really hang on to it.
On the downside for less than £1,000 you'll only get the 13m version. But this is reflective in the fact that, performance wise, this is getting towards a top-end commercial pole. And if you don't go out to 14.5m and 16m lengths then the 13m length is fine, as it will also double up for margin work.
9. Garbolino UK5 Procarp Match pole
"A versatile 13m model with some nice touches"
THE PACKAGE: 13m Pole | 3 x Power Lite Puller kits fitted with PTFE Pullers | Power Lite top 2 kit | Half reversible multi extensions to fit 11.5/13m sections | Two-piece Potting kit and pots | 10 x PTFE bushes | Deluxe holdall
PAY AROUND: £799.99
•Good package, especially with the custom fitted puller slots, which work brilliantly
•Very light and stiff at full 13m length
•Reversible half extensions protect the butt sections
•A 14.5m section would have been nice, although there are various length models and packages in the Procarp range to suit
WE SAY
Garbolino says that the UK5 Procarp Match is the lightest and most rigid pole in the Procarp range and they're not wrong.
To achieve weight reduction it has used higher grades of carbon-fibre cloth, but with special attention paid to all the key section stress areas and joints. This means super-strong ‘anti-ovalling’ female joints with reinforced areas picked out in blue – they are tough as old boots.
This is a very responsive pole but then again at 13m it should be. It's when the 14.5m and 16m sections are added that the real test comes for any pole. Unfortunately if you want that from this range then you'll have to spend considerably more.
In summary, given its performance at its maximum stated length, this pole represents very good value for money with the strength to match.
READ OUR FULL LIVE TEST HERE
10. Tri-Cast Venom Pro Competition
"Rigid pole with some serious 'bite'
THE PACKAGE: 14m pole | Big Bore top kit inside the pole | 3 x Big Bore Power top 2 kits | 1 x Xtra Stiff Cupping top 2 with 2 cups | Pole holdall with tubes | Baseball cap and towel
PAY AROUND: £829.99
•Exceptional section wall strength and joint reinforcement
•Stiff and well-balanced, no top heavy feel
•Dated graphics
•We'd have welcome further touches such as section alignment arrows
WE SAY
Tr-Cast has long been associated with super strong poles but in years gone by some felt that this was at a compromise of weight and overall performance. Not any more.
The Venom Pro's high modulus carbon fibre cloths, with newly developed resins, make for a lightweight, poker-stiff pole. At its full length its stiffness makes hitting fast bites or fishing up in the water an easy task.
What this pole does best of all is land fish quickly. It’s a power house rather than an all-rounder, yet we're pleasantly surprised to report that it’s not overly heavy or difficult to manage.
It does exactly what Tri-Cast says it will – handle anything that swims in a commercial fishery.
READ OUR FULL LIVE TEST HERE