Was the Maver MV-RXX 16m pole as good as I was being told? The only option I had was to test it out myself. First stop with Maver's new flagship pole was Decoy’s Elm strip lake, famed for being the windiest place on earth, and packed with punchy carp and barbel. It’s a decent test track for any high-performance long pole being fished at its full length, as the wind plays havoc with presentation, especially when pinging out pellets. And I have to say that, even with the Power Carp kit rigged with heavy elastic, the MV-RXX was very impressive indeed.
Next stop, where the pole would star in one of my Oscar-nominated videos, was Rolfs Lake in Oxfordshire – angling’s version of the Nürburgring test track where only the very best survive.
After its initial outing at Decoy, such was my confidence in the RXX’s capabilities that I kitted up one of its standard-rated 16 elastic top kits with a really heavy size 20 hollow, intending to test the pole’s resilience at the full 16m. It meant that whatever I hooked, I’d leave out in the lake rather than ship back hastily to get the side puller back in my hand.
This is pretty much standard procedure when using an expensive pole on a big-fish venue such as Rolfs, because top kits are a lot cheaper to replace than sixth sections, which might just go bang when placed under severe strain.
‘Impressive’ doesn’t do it justice. Beyond a shadow of doubt, this is Maver’s best pole to date, indeed a hyper-pole without any of the hype.
Yes, its cost will be prohibitive for many reading this, but if you have the money and are looking for a top-end flagship pole, then the MV-RXX should be right at the top of your list.
THE VERDICT
Is the Maver MV-RXX the first hyper pole? It is certainly Maver's best pole to date without question, it not only looks fantastic with its understated graphics, it also performs incredibly well.
The only word to describe the pole is rigid, it is incredibly stiff at its full length and superbly well balanced, it is a joy to use at 16m and everything under that too. The powerlite kits are rated to a 16's elastic and are a perfect kit for using to catch big fish at longer lengths without being detrimental to the poles performance. They also come with a clever rolling puller system, there is a flat plastic area to allow you to trap the elastic under your thumb when playing big fish, it's a great little edition.
The MV-RXX is a great competition pole, it's as at home on a commercial catching big carp as it is to catching roach on a river or a canal. It never feels out of its depth, never leaves you wincing with a big carp on the end and you know you can hit even the smallest of indications at its full length. Spares are something Maver have been critiqued for in the past but all their spares are now kept in the UK, so should need a replacement, they will be able to assist you quickly.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS PRODUCT AND OTHERS FROM MAVER HERE.
- Manufactured with high grade
- M9 Carbon fibre
- Suncore anti-friction surface
- STER Epoxy resins
- Nanolith technology
- 2 Years manufacturers warranty
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The package:
1 x 16m Pole
1 x 16m Mini Section
1 x 13m Mini Section
1 x 6-7 Mini Section
6 x X-Series Power Carp topkits
6 x X-series Powerlite topkits
1 x Cupping Kit
2 x Long No. 4 Sections
2 x Short No.4 Sections
1 x No. 8 Pole Protector
1 x No.9 Pole Protector
1 x 10-11 Pole Protector
1 x Pole Protection Case
Pros
- Remarkably stiff and responsive.
- Fantastic kit package.
Cons
- High performance like this comes with a hefty price tag.
Our pick of the alternatives
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Ideal commercial pole that can hold its own in any silvers race. Comes with the best pre-fitted side puller kits out there.
Package:
16m pole including mini extension
Match kit supplied in pole
2 x match top 3 kits (3.95m)
2 x match top 2 kits (2.4m)
2 x F1 kits (2.4m)
4 x carp kits (2.4m)
1 x kup kit
1 x Superium holdall
Pros
- Great all-round 16m pole.
- Very balanced and responsive at longer lengths.
Cons
- Not the most responsive at the full 16m.
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One of the best-handling flagship poles in the business at the moment, Guru’s offering is also super-strong and incredibly stiff.
Package:
Power package
1x Aventus Cupping Kit & Rapid Release Pole Cups
1x Fusion X-Case
2x Aventus Z900 Match 3.5mm - 3.9m Match Kits (Top 3)
2x Aventus Match Power 4.7mm - 2.4m Match Kits (Top 2)
6x Aventus Carp Power 5.8mm - 2.4m Match Kits (Top 2)
5x Aventus Top Kits of the anglers choice*
The 5 additional kits of the anglers choice can be mixed and matched from Match Power, Carp Power & both F1 kit options
There are F1 and match packages available.
Pros
- Supremely stiff and responsive.
- Incredibly strong.
Cons
- Sections are a bit wider than some may be used to.
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Thought by many to be the best in the world in terms of tactical application, strength, rigidity and handling.
Pros
- Unrivalled rigidity.
- Superbly balanced, performs incredibly at all lengths for all species.
Cons
- Super expensive for a pleasure angler.
Author Mark Sawyer holds the position of Tackle Editor at Angling Times, boasting more than thirty years of experience working within different fields of the angling industry.