Pole help needed

[peakoverload]

I've recently come back to fishing after a 10 year break and would like to buy myself a new pole but there are so many different types compared to what was available 10 years ago and with prices varying dramatically I don't know what I should be looking for.

I don't greatly enjoy pole fishing, partly because I just like using a rod and reel (call me old fashioned) and partly because I don't really know what I'm doing so I don't want to spend a fortune but equally don't want to spend too little and end up with something that is too heavy to carry.

I'm after a pole for general roach, bream, perch i.e. match fishing and not really interested in trying to catch carp with it and would be pretty much only be used on lakes at depths on average of 5-7ft.

I do have a very old (must be around 13 years old) Browning Parade 78 which is 7.8m long and 6 sections. I can comfortably hold the first 4 sections with the 5th being possible but not comfortable for all day but holding all 6 sections is nigh impossible. I think I probably paid something like £50 for it all those years ago.

What kind of length should I be looking at and what kind of price am I looking at? Bearing in mind that my only experience is of Pole's that are over a decade old I'm wondering if cheapish Pole's today are as good/light/strong/long as Pole's costing several hundred pounds 10 years ago.

I certainly can't afford or justify a Pole costing hundreds of pounds and as it's not something I would use a lot I'd like to keep it as cheap as possible but don't want a modern equivalent of my Browning Parade 78 i.e. too heavy to carry at it full length.

Any suggestions on length, type and budget or even specific models would be greatly appreciated.

[Banana Steve]

The leeda assassin is worth looking at 11mtrs at around £120.00
But i would go for the longest you can afford, with most moden materials they extremly strong and very light. You can even get the Carptek pole made by MAP for 299 and thats a 16mtr pole. Prices have come right down and all moden poles are designed for both silver fishing and carp match fishing taking elatics up and beyond 22.

[fishypaul]

i'm in the same boat as you mate,i appreciate the benefits of the pole and i can see that the pole in the hands of somebody who knows how to use it can be a deadly tool,
i learnt to fish with a rod and reel and have tried pole fishing with some hilarious results,i bought a good 9mtr pole on e-bay for about a tenner that never gets used and i have a 5mtr whip i use for catching livebaits,
you can't beat the scream of the clutch as a fish takes line and the total control you have when you are reeling in,
it don't seem natural without a reel !

[peakoverload]

Thanks for your reply Steve much appreciated! The Leeda does sound like just what I'm after both in terms of features and price. The only thing I'm not sure of is which of the Leeda Assassin's I should be looking at?

Leeda Assassin II 11m Supplied with: 2 extra power top 2 kits 970g £90
Leeda Assassin Advanced Pole 11m Supplied with 1x Match Top 3 Kit,
1x Power Top 2 Kit unknown weight £100

Paul, I know exactly what you mean! There's just something about a rod and reel that can't be beat. I certainly couldnt get into Pole fishing in a big way, I like casting too much

[Banana Steve]

I would go for the Advance.
Look at the following link prices are quite good.
http://www.climaxtackle.com/leeda_ma...ance_poles.htm

Regards, Steve

[craftycarper]

Bananasteve is bang on the money leeda assassin is the pole for you!

I got a diawa vertice anf payed £300 for it and my friend got a leeda assassin... I broke my 8th section and had to pay £80 for a replacment -.- leeda assassin was just as good as my vertice only lacking my extra 2m

ASSASSIN ALL THE WAY!

Hope this sways you

[peakoverload]

Cheers for that. It certainly has convinced me!

If off on holiday at the end of the week but when I return, assuming I havent spent too much money on holiday , I hope to be ordering one.

[craftycarper]

Good man