Why fishing with a 16m pole is a massive edge…

THIS ARTICLE IS PRODUCED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SHIMANO UK.

“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.

CHECK OUT OUR FULL REVIEW OF SHIMANO'S LATEST RANGE OF POLES HERE.

MODERN METHODS

Not long ago, the only time people really fished at 16m was to reach a far bank, 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 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!

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