MAP TKS 201 13m — Angling Times

PACKAGE

Pre-bushed match kit fitted
Two pre-bushed power kits
Rigid cupping kit and cups
Re-inforced mini extension

PAY AROUND

£479.99

A couple of months ago my Angling Times colleague and aspiring matchman Tony Grigorjevs live tested the latest MAP TKS Power Carp 1 13m pole and gave it a big Northern thumbs-up.

That model, and its slightly more expensive team-mate the TKS Power Carp 2, stepping up to the plate this time around, are not only super-strong carp poles, perfect for commercial match duty – they are also rather handily interchangeable with many of the more expensive TKS models.

The Power Carp, 2 for instance, has every section fitting the 701, 801, and flagship 901 models for occasions when, let’s say, discretion is the better part of valour – when you wouldn’t want to risk smashing a prized pole that has set you back several thousands of pounds in a snag-strewn swim full of units.

The very fact that this type of generically fitting pole is available at such reasonable prices (the Power Carp 1 can be bought for around £399.99, the Power Carp 2 will set you back as little as £549.99 if you shop around) makes them viable stand-ins for anglers who own expensive top-end poles. And of course, these new models are more than handy in their own right.

So what do you get for your money with the MAP TKS Power Carp 2?

First, it comes with a couple of Power kits rated to carp-crunching solid 20 elastic, as well as a Match kit, suited to lighter elastics up to around a size 12.

There’s no need to get the hacksaw out and cut your kits back to a suitable size, as they come pre-fitted with PTFE bushes that handily have a large enough bore to allow for anything up to Red Hydro elastic to be fitted.

The spares package continues with a mini-extension that fits into the end of the 13m butt section and provides you with that little bit of extra reach for when those fish-holding snags are just a few extra inches away. It also makes a rock-solid elbow saver section if you are prone to the occasionalt excitable striking moment.

During the live test the Carp 2 showed no sign of weakness or joint dysfunction, and handled some very big fish without a creak or a murmur. At no time did I find it wanting in any way. Each of its nine sections has enough wall strength to cope with heavy elastics, big fish and hefty rigs and, unlike many poles of this ilk, it remains nicely stiff and easy to use all the way up to its full 13m.

There’s none of that bouncy and unwieldy top-heavy action that so often accompanies power and carp poles.

Like all TKS poles, this one has superb, silky-smooth section for effortless shipping in all weathers. Perfect for all commercial fishery work, from fishing long and shallow to plundering the margins or targeting the bottom of the near shelf with big baits, the Maver TKS Power Carp 2 is the ideal pole for the club match or pleasure angler.