Fishing Poles > Shimano Fishing Poles

Advantages: The pole comes with a good spares package.
Disadvantages: Heavy and slightly floppy at full length.

The 12.5 metre Shimano Aero Match Pole. This pole has been out for quite a while now, and it was rolled on the famed 12.5 metre ex mandrel. This pole is a good all rounder, that has a good spares package. Mine came with three spare top three's, and a match top three with the pole. Giving you four top three's in total. of which two were power tops and two were match tops. The two match tops have a elastic rating of 1-8 The power tops have a elastic ...
...through all three sections. As with all midd price range poles, they are heavy at full length, and slightly floppy. This pole is no different, but I have found that I can still use it with ease at full length. If you take one section off and use it at eleven metres, I find it a dream pole which is light, stiff and extremely responsive. I have had Carp to 14lb using the power top sections, and using 12's elastic through the top three sections. ... Read review

Advantages: Compact, lightweight and robust.
Disadvantages: None that I have found.

The Phoenix Fishing System. What is a Phoenix fishing system, I hear you ask. Well basically it's a seat box on legs, with a few well apointed extras. I purchased the Phoenix fishing system, around two years ago, and it's one of the best buys I ever made. At that time the price I paid was £209 this was for the complete system, which incluled a footrest, pole rest and side bait tray. Now For My Opinion... well lets see it holds my 18 stone frame ...
...products fit the round legs that come with the box, and I think this is a plus point. The Whole system is made from ABS plastics and fibre glass resin, so there is no need to worry about the rotting factor, as this will never happen. The box that I have is the cannal plus version with which you get two cross drawers, three front drawers and a large under seat pole winder compartment. Also included with the system is a detachable under seat reel ... Read review

Advantages: Strength, quality, price.
Disadvantages: Only one extra top two sections supplied with it.

...that I buy the Team Daiwa Matchlite. This pole is 11 metres long, and weighs 755grms. It has 9 sections and the top 2 are telescopic, it is supplied with a spare top 2 sections. At the time this was a Very light pole, it is suited to a variety of situations, but excels where you are liable to catch lots of small fish, places like canals and flowing water. It is sharp on the strike but because it has a supple action it will help you to stop bumping ...
...any. This pole handles well at full length, but I find it a lot better with the last section removed, which makes the length drop to about 9.5 metres. The joints are good and are not wearing out, and they come apart easily when unshipping. I have caught chub to 3lb and carp to 8lb on this pole, but I would not recommend you use it for fish above the 3lb to 4lb mark, as it’s a case of hang on and hope you land them. When I purchased this pole ... Read review

Advantages: Cheap and strong
Disadvantages: None now that the improvements have been made

...though the RRP. For the Maver was around £800, I paid the bargain price of only £525. What do you get for that sort of money?? Well, its by no-means a top of the range price (some push in to the stupid money boundaries of £15,000 plus but they are rare), but the pole isn’t bad. You can get it (well, the updated better versions anyway) in lengths of either 13 or 14.5 metres (at which lengths it weighs 860 and 1150 grams respectively). The but ...
...buy whatever you want Maver actually make a selection of spares for the pole. Even an Economy Top 3, which is less than half the price of the ‘real’ ones. There’s nothing wrong with them at all. Designed especially for the Fightback, they fit perfectly, its just that the materials used to make them are slightly cheaper and it is overall heavier. If you’re up for buying the real thing, Match Top 3’s will cost you £75, ... Read review