Selecting the best pole elastic is the foundation of successful pole fishing. The correct choice significantly impacts your ability to land fish of various sizes and species. With a plethora of options available – solid, hollow, hybrid, hydro and a spectrum of colours – navigating the elastic market can be overwhelming.
Best pole elastics at a glance
• Best Solid Pole Elastic: Preston Slip Solid Latex - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle
• Best Hybrid Pole Elastic: Matrix Slik Hybrid Elastic - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle
• Best Hollow Pole Elastic: Preston Hollo Hollow Elastic - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle
• Best Hydro Pole Elastic: Daiwa Hyrdolastic Hydro Elastic - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle
Understanding the nuances of each elastic type, considering your target species, and assessing your fishing style are essential steps in making an informed decision. To assist you in this process, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to the best pole elastics on the market. Our expert analysis will help you select the perfect elastic to help elevate your pole fishing...
Best Solid Elastic
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
Since the release of the Preston Slip Solid Elastic many years ago, it has become a cornerstone product in the pole fishing world. Renowned for being the first color-coded elastic on the market, it has maintained its popularity due to its exceptional performance.
Engineered with anglers in mind, Slip Elastic is pre-treated with Preston's proprietary lubricant, enhancing its abrasion resistance and smoothness. This treatment ensures consistent performance, even in challenging fishing conditions, resulting in far less bumped fish.
Available in a range of strengths, from the ultra-fine size 2 to the powerful size 16, Preston Slip Elastic caters to a wide spectrum of fish species and fishing styles. Whether you're targeting delicate silverfish or battling with larger specimens, Preston Slip Elastic offers the durability and stretch required.
Pros
- Reliable, stood test of time
- Solid properties make it less prone to been effected by weather conditions
Cons
- The lower stretch of the product may make it inadequate for some situations
Best Hybrid Elastic
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
Designed as a hybrid between traditional solid and hollow elastics, Matrix Slik offers the best of both worlds without their drawbacks.
This innovative elastic boasts consistent stretch properties combined with lightning-fast retraction, ensuring powerful strike absorption and efficient fish landing. The super smooth coating minimises friction, helping optimise performance across various weather conditions. Unlike hollow elastics, SLIK is immune to flattening or air bubbles, maintaining consistent performance throughout its lifespan.
Available in 10 sizes, Matrix Slik caters to a wide range of fishing styles and target species. Its durability and longevity make it a reliable choice for serious anglers seeking exceptional performance.
Pros
- Consistent smooth stretch
- Solid nature means not prone to weather conditions
Cons
- Heavier sizes may not have enough stretch in some fishing situations
Best Match Hybrid Elastic
www.fishingtackleandbait.co.uk
Daiwa Hybridlastic is another addition to the new generation of solid elastics and it excels when paired with side pullers, creating a highly versatile setup.
Renowned for its endurance, Hybridlastic offers a comprehensive range of 8 strengths, from delicate Yellow to a powerful Red, with the colours corresponding to the popular "Hydrolastic" range which is also supplied in 3m lengths.
This wide spectrum of sizes ensures there is something in the range to suit any venue and target species. Whether you're pursuing small fish or battling larger specimens, this superb elastic provides the necessary power and control to land fish quickly, whilst keeping them on the hook.
Pros
- A solid alternative to the popular 'Hydrolastic' range
- Soft consistent stretch, with strong resilience when stretched
Cons
- 3m supplied length is wasteful when fitting 1.8m short kits
Best Short Kit Elastic
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
A firm favourite amongst many anglers since its release is the Preston Dura Slip Hybrid Elastic. For anglers targeting a wide range of species, from skimmers to carp, his high-performance elastic offers a perfect balance of power and stretch.
Designed to excel in high-catch rate environments, Preston Dura Slip Hybrid is pre-coated with a slip oil, enhancing its performance and longevity. With ten sizes available, anglers can select the ideal strength for their specific fishing conditions.
The durability of the elastic is what anglers rave about, with many top kits lasting a full season before needing to be replaced, if you are an angler that catches a lot of fish, this is well worth a look. Available in 10 sizes, 5 to 23.
Pros
- Durable thanks to solid nature and pre lubricant with a slip oil
- Comprehensive range covering all angling situations
Cons
- Would like to see a little extra length supplied in order to elasticate 2 short kits
Best Value Hybrid Elastic
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
A relatively new elastic to the market is the Drennan Power Pull Elastic which is engineered with a solid core. Its smooth surface finish contributes to its longevity, making it ideal for demanding fishing conditions.
Designed to handle a wide range of fish species, from small to large, Drennan Power Pull offers anglers a reliable and high-performance option.
Despite its strength, Power Pull maintains a low diameter and lightweight profile. With its extended length of 6 meters and availability in eight precise sizes, anglers have the flexibility to customise their setup. The recent addition of 2.6mm and 2.8mm sizes further enhances its versatility.
Pros
- 6m supplied gives less waste when elasticating multiple top kits
- Low diameter compared to relative strength, which makes it lighter in your top kits
Cons
- Can become sticky if not properly lubricated
Most Durable Hybrid Elastic
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
The MAP TKS Hybrid Elastic offers an innovative blend of solid and hollow elastic properties. Its solid core ensures durability and reliability, while its exceptional stretch accommodates a wide range of fish species, from delicate silverfish to hard-fighting carp.
This versatility, coupled with its 6-meter length, allows anglers to create multiple top kits or shallow kits from a single pack. Available in eight sizes, the MAP TKS Hybrid caters to diverse fishing conditions and preferences.
Pros
- Supplied in 6 metres meaning multiple short kits can be elasticated to one pack
- Hardwearing
Cons
- Requires regular lubrication for it to perform at its best
Best Hollow Elastic
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
One of the original and best commercial pole elastics is Preston Hollo. It delivers exceptional performance for pole anglers, especially those who fish often and catch lots of fish. Crafted from premium materials it offers consistent and reliable results, having stood the test of time, with the 13h being a particular favourite amongst many of the UK's best pole anglers..
A key advantage of Preston Hollo Elastic is its innovative manufacturing process, eliminating the need for internal lubrication. This ensures smooth and frictionless operation, even in challenging conditions. The hollow structure ensures a stretch of upto 8 times its length.
Available in seven strengths (7H to 19H), supplied in 3m lengths. Preston Hollo Elastic caters to a wide range of fishing scenarios.
Pros
- Soft consistent stretch assists with the use of lighter lines and smaller hooks
- 13h is a proven commercial elastic for all species
Cons
- Prone to having air bubbles, effecting operation
Best Value Hollow Elastic
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
The MAP TKS Twin Core has been a staple for UK anglers for years, and the 2024 enhancements make it even more appealing.
This elastic covers a wide range of fishing scenarios, from delicate F1 fishing to battling large carp. Its super-smooth, durable construction combined with exceptional stretch and fast retraction sets it apart. With eight strength options and a generous 6-meter length, anglers can tailor their setup to suit any situation.
Pros
- Only hollow elastic supplied in 6m lengths
- Multiple kits can be elasticated from one packet
Cons
- Can flatten under extremely high load
Best Durable Hollow Elastic
www.fishingtackleandbait.co.uk
Featuring enhancements to its popular predecessor, Preston Dura Hollow is manufactured using an upgraded core material, to further improve its wear resistance without compromising performance.
Its smooth action ensures effortless stretch, making it suitable for a wide range of fishing scenarios. Available in six different strengths, anglers can select the perfect elastic to match their target species and fishing style.
Pros
- Strong elastic that powers up quickly when stretched
- Durable as its name suggests
Cons
- Better suited to warmer conditions as cold conditions effect performance
Best Hydro Elastic
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
Daiwa Hydrolastic offers a unique multi-phase system, providing a versatile range of strengths within a single setup. Ideal for mixed fisheries and high-catch venues, Hydrolastic adapts to different fish sizes.
When battling larger specimens, Daiwa Hydrolastic's progressive power kicks in, increasing its strength to subdue big fish with ease. This patented technology features a hollow core filled with a specialised fluid. As the elastic stretches, the internal walls close in, creating a powerful and controlled response.
Daiwa Hydrolastic's ability to adapt to varying conditions makes it a game-changer for anglers seeking versatility and efficiency. Available in 9 sizes.
Pros
- Strong, reliable and increases in stiffness as it stretches
- Very hard wearing
Cons
- Internal fluid performs better when warm, the cold can effect its performance
What to look for in a pole elastic
Selecting the best pole elastic depends on several factors. Solid elastic, known for its durability, is ideal for smaller fish, while hollow elastic offers superior stretch, making it suitable for larger specimens. Hybrid elastic provides a balance between the two. When making your choice, consider the size and power of your target fish, your fishing style, the venue's characteristics, and your pole's strength.
Finding the perfect elastic often involves trial and error. Experiment with different types of elastic in various top kits to determine the best setup for your specific fishing conditions and target species. It's also important to consider how far out you fish, as the weight of the elastic can significantly affect your pole's performance, with larger hollow elastics being the heaviest.
By carefully considering these factors and experimenting with different elastic options, you can greatly enhance your pole fishing experience and increase your chances of landing larger and more challenging fish.
Gloassary
Solid Elastic: A traditional type made from latex, known for its durability and power.
Hollow Elastic: Features a hollow core, providing increased stretch and shock absorption.
Hybrid Elastic: Combines the properties of solid and hollow elastics, offering a balance of power and stretch.
Strength: The power of the elastic, typically measured in ratings (e.g., 8, 10, 12).
Stretch: The elastic's ability to extend under pressure.
Stretch Factor: The ratio of the elastic's increase in length compared to its original length when fully stretched (e.g., solid elastic with a stretch factor of 4 means 2m of elastic will stretch to approximately 8m).
Durability: The elastic's resistance to wear and tear over time.
Shock Absorption: The elastic's capacity to absorb the force exerted by a fish's pull.
Side Puller: A device built into the pole's top kit, allowing the angler to access the elastic for better control when playing a fish.
Puller Bung: A bung anchored within the top kit, used when a side puller is absent, offering similar control benefits.
Bush: A component used to secure the elastic within the pole.
Lubricant: A substance applied to the elastic to reduce friction and improve performance.
Pre-stretched Elastic: Elastic that has been stretched before use to enhance its performance.
Color-Coded Elastic: Elastic with different colors to indicate varying strengths.
Progressive Elastic: Elastic that increases in strength as it stretches, offering a more gradual response under pressure.
Frequently asked questions about pole elastics
What is the best elastic for pole fishing?
The best pole elastic depends on the type of fishing you enjoy, if you fish a lot of commercials for big carp, a hollow elastic is generally best. If you fish for a range of species all year round then a hybrid elastic offers versatility and will out-perform other types. This is especially true if you fish during the colder months, as hollows tend to lose a bit of their performance in freezing conditions.
What is the difference between solid and hollow elastic?
Solid elastic is typically more durable and offers greater power, while hollow elastic is generally more stretchy and responsive. However, advancements in technology have blurred the lines between the two types.
How do I choose the right strength of elastic?
The strength of elastic you need depends on the size of fish you expect to catch. A lighter elastic is suitable for smaller fish like roach and bream, while a heavier elastic is required for larger carp.
How often should I change my elastic?
The lifespan of your elastic depends on various factors, including the frequency of use, the size of fish caught, and the care taken of it. Generally, it's advisable to inspect your elastic regularly and replace it when it shows signs of wear and tear.
How do I elasticate my pole?
Fitting elastic can be a delicate process. It's generally recommended to seek professional help, especially for high-end poles. However, many anglers successfully fit their own elastic. You'll need specialized tools and a good understanding of the process.
What is a side puller and how does it work?
A side puller is a device that allows you to attach the elastic to the side of the pole rather than the end. This can improve hook hold and reduce the risk of the elastic breaking.
How do I stop my elastic from sticking?
Elastic can stick to the inside of the pole, especially when using high-strength options. Regularly cleaning the inside of the pole and using a lubricant can help prevent this. Additionally, ensuring the pole tip is cut to the correct length is crucial.
Can I use different strengths of elastic in different sections of my pole?
Yes, it's possible to use different strengths of elastic in different sections of your pole. This can be beneficial for targeting a variety of fish species. However, it requires careful consideration and may affect the overall performance of the pole.
Author Jonathan Longden, is an experienced angler. With over 20 years experience in the tackle trade specialising in match and coarse fishing he has an extensive practical knowledge of the latest equipment and the specific needs of anglers. He currently occupies the role of digital content writer at Angling Times.