“You’ve got to fish at 16m in there, mate”, are words that once struck fear into the hearts of match anglers. Floppy, unresponsive, and often arm-achingly heavy poles of yesteryear made the thought of fishing at maximum range almost unbearable, but in some of today’s models, that’s not the case.
There are poles out there that are simply sublime at full length, with crisp, responsive actions. But be warned, if there’s one area that separates a decent pole from an exceptional one, it’s when they’re fished at 16m. You see, many poles are very good up to around 13m, but it’s when they get to 14.5m and beyond that the extra cash you invest really pays off.
So, why should you pay that bit extra for a flagship pole, and one that’ll perform at the highest level when fished at the most extreme distances? Read on and you’ll learn that, if you take your fishing seriously, a 16m pole is a bit of kit you don’t want to be without.
STEVE RINGER REVEALS HIS TOPS TIPS FOR MAKING FISHING LONG ON THE POLE MUCH EASIER.
Modern methods
Not long ago, the only time people really fished at 16m was to reach a far bank or mud line, or perhaps to present a rig along an exceptionally long margin. But over the last few years, there’s one tactic that’s won countless matches where that extra bit of length can make all the difference – ‘mugging’. This deadly methodinvolves flicking a bait in the path of cruising carp and enticing it into taking. These are not only often some of the largest fish in the lake but are also ones that aren’t really feeding. These tricky fish can make a massive difference to your overall weight, as catching them keeps you ticking over whilst others wait for the them to have a proper munch.
Generally, when you arrive at a swim filled with ‘muggers’, you’ll catch a few early fish at short range before they back off and must be chased further out. Having that extra length in reserve allows you to do just that. It goes without saying that having a high-quality pole in these situations makes a massive difference, as its responsive action not only enables you to drop a bait exactly where you want it, but also gives you total control of how you present your rig - be that gently placing it in front of a fish, or aggressively slapping it to initiate a response.
In winter, too, the same advantages stand. When ‘dobbing’ – searching features or open water with a single bait often suspended off bottom - being able to follow fish out as they back away from disturbance can be a huge advantage.
Even if you’re feeding bait, fishing on the deck or slapping a rig shallow, you might, for example, start catching a few fish at 13m, before the bites dry up. Being able to add extra sections keeps you in touch with the fish, keeping bites coming and making the most of the swim you’re in.
In essence, owning a 16m pole is a bit like driving a fast car. You won’t use it to its full potential all the time, but you can live with the reassurance that, should you need it, you have that extra bit in reserve to not only get you out of trouble, but also blow away the competition.
What to look for in a 16m pole
There are many things to consider when buying a long pole, but before you get bogged down with the specifications, you firstly need a quality seatbox. There’s absolutely no point in splashing the cash on top-tier carbon fibre if you’re going to fish from a rickety old box. So, make sure you’ve got something stable, set correctly, and with a solid footplate that ensures you’re on a firm foundation every time you ship out.
Once you’ve got the right box, go to your local tackle shop and have a play with a prospective pole. Even better, visit one of the trial days that many companies are now running at fisheries around the country, where anglers can actually fish with a pole before buying it.
But what should you do when you get there? Well, don’t just pick the pole up and ship straight out to 16m before wiggling the life out of it! Work your way out, section by section, and see how it fares as you add distance. You’re looking for something that doesn’t degrade noticeably as you add sections, remaining balanced and stiff. There’s an aura to a really good pole that’s hard to describe, but some just scream quality. Generally, these have a solid, reassuring feel, with effortless balance and poise.
Crucially, look for something with minimal recoil when you strike. You know it’s a good pole when, at full length, you can give it a gentle lift as if you were hitting a bite, and the tip doesn’t touch the water. See if the tip flaps about when you fire bait in or slap a rig on the surface, and make sure to ship it in and out, as if you were playing a fish, to test the finish. The last thing you want is a pole sticking and squeaking as it goes through your hands – a well-finished pole should glide smoothly back, with the sections coming apart with minimum effort. A good tip is to wet your hands slightly, to replicate a fishing scenario.
If you’re due an upgrade on your current pole or are looking to take your fishing to the next level, we’d urge you to invest in a quality 16m model. In certain situations, they can be genuine match winners, and are certainly not the intimidating prospect they once were. If you don’t believe us, give one a go!
Best All-Round Fishing Pole (2024 National Angling Awards Winner)
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
When Daiwa started its social media tease that a new G90 was on the way, I had mixed feelings of excitement and concern. Daiwa must believe it can better the G90, but why would the company want to meddle with not just a winning formula, but a magic alignment of variables that makes the G90 so legendary?
The Super MSG Nanoplus carbon has been tweaked and V-Joint alpha refined, making the pole a little stiffer and slightly lighter. The ITS taping has been extended, and runs from the No4 to the No8 sections, which makes all the black sections as slick and easy toship as the Diamond Satin painted butt sections.
No need to panic, it’s still very much a G90! In fact, secretly slip one into a current G90 owner’s bag , and they are unlikely to notice straight away. It will still have the same balance and feel that they’d expect, yet as soon as they ship out to any kind of distance, a confused smile will appear along with a pleasurable muttering of “hmmmmm, this feels better than I remember!”.
As expected, the packages have been upgraded to include the new professional top kits. The choice is either More Power or More F1, theformer coming with a selection of full-length top kits while the latter boasts two types of short one-piece F1 kit and a short fourth section to complement them.Both come with the relevant length cupping kit to match the supplied top kits, a Match kit inside the pole, a reversible Super Light PHEX extension and a holdall. For current Daiwa pole owners, it can also be bought ‘Pole Only’, so you can take your top kits with you.
I always felt that the old-style Power kits spoilt the action of Daiwa poles, and naturally, I hesitated.A mistake – as the new Professional Power kits have changed all that. when I hooked a fish! It was like a different pole when playing a carp with a Professional Power kit, giving a feeling of almost limitless power. I felt sorry for the fish, as their extraction from among the roots was embarrassingly easy.
I think this just sums up what the G90 Pro is–a pole that can handle anything a commercial water has to offer. It has the rigidity to fish at 16m, the response to catch F1s against islands, the strength to handle slapping or edge fishing , and enough power to make your margin pole redundant. In fact, take it out for a pasting on a big demanding natural venue if you want. It will lap it up!
SEE OUR FULL REVIEW OF THE G90 PRO ON THE ANGLING TIMES YOUTUBE CHANNEL, CLICK HERE!
Pros
- 2 spares package to help tailor to your needs
- Compatible with all UK made Daiwa poles
Cons
- F1 Package is supplied with all one piece 1.8m top kits, would like to have seen an inclusion of more than just the match kit inside the pole at 2.4m.
| Length: | 13m |
| Top kits: | Three plus cupping kit |
| Compatibility: | Top kits compatible with the whole TKS range, past and present. Larger sections compatible with 201 and 301 |
The G60 is the new flagship pole from the MAP stable and it is impressive to say the least! Designed to be both tough and balanced, it's comfortable to use at its full 16m length, remaining stiff and responsive, making it a superb choice for any angler at any venue!
Built with Graphene Modified Resin, the G60 achieves incredible strength without added weight. The anti-friction finish ensures smooth shipping, and the section alignment system allows for a quick and precise setup. Visually, the pole sports sleek, understated graphics that just add an extra touch of class to round the pole off beautifully.
The kit package is equally impressive. All kits come pre-bushed with puller systems and feature depth markers for quick rig adjustments. Supplied with a match kit in the pole, three additional match kits, four power kits, four shallow short kits, a mini extension, and a cupping kit, the G60 is ready for any situation straight out of the bag.
On the bank, the G60 proved to be one of the most complete poles we’ve ever tested. At full length, it remained light and balanced, effortlessly handling small fish with the same ease as its predecessor, the 901. Yet, when the carp arrived, the pole showed its true versatility. Despite using a match kit, the G60 provided a reassuringly solid feel when playing big fish, even when pulling them away from snags.
To be perfectly honest, when it comes to rigidity, I believe MAP has reached a level of optimum stiffness, something never before achieved in any pole. I wouldn't want a pole any stiffer as I would be worried it would snap on the strike!
After four hours at full length, I'd normally have that characteristic aching arm and a sore elbow, not today, though – a true testament to how comfortable I found this pole to be. A subtle but valuable addition is the rippled finish on the butt sections, giving a tactile cue when reaching the end, improving handling instinctively.
The G60 isn’t just a match pole, power pole, or finesse tool, it’s all of them combined. If we had to list our top flagship poles for any style of fishing, the G60 would be on each one. While we won’t call it the best pole ever made, it is undoubtedly the most complete I've ever used. My prediction is that, in a few years’ time, every pole on the market will be incorporating this incredible carbon material.
CHECK OUT OUR IN DEPTH REVIEW OF THE FLAGSHIP MAP G60 HERE.
Pros
- Graphene makes pole stronger and stiffer without adding weight
- Incredibly stiff and responsive
- Rippled finish on butt section for grip and identification when shipping
Cons
- Top kits are on the long side (2.7m)
- Understated graphics make it difficult to identify the 13m, 14.5m & 16m sections at a glance
Utilising new and ultra-high-grade nano alloy carbons, Daiwa's Air Z Pro pole has built a strong reputation as one of the best there is. A flagship product that provides the ultimate in performance.
One of the most expensive poles on the market but also one of the best performers. The Daiwa Air Z Pro pole is incredibly light, even at 16m. With a match top two kit, this is the best pole in the world. Even with the heavier top kits, it's ridiculously rigid, incredibly responsive and super stiff.
I use this pole myself, and believe me when I tell you it is absolutely superb, and so it should be for the price, but it exceeded my expectations. I have the original au model and it has been going strong for the last 2 years now and excels at everything from fishing on canals, hooking double figure carp shallow, or running a float down the river.
It has yet to fail me and haven't found anything I can't do without it. One draw back is the pullers on the top kits, while they suffice, you would be better changing them to a roller style option to help your elastics last that bit longer.
The section wall strength of this pole is good, which means it can land some pretty big carp, certainly up to 20lb. If accidents do happen, Daiwa spares are readily available in the UK, so you won't be left with a situation where you can't go fishing, and you do get a few no4 sections provided with the pole. There is a pole only option which considerably reduces the cost if you already have Daiwa top kits, or other kits that fit the pole.
At this amount of money, resale value is also a key consideration, and Daiwa poles tend to hold their value far better than others on the market.
Pros
- Light, stiff, responsive - everything you want in a pole.
- Spares are readily available in the UK.
Cons
- More expensive than other flagship poles.