I am thinking of purcahsing a new pole with a budget of around £500.00

I'd like at least 13m, for it to be rigid, light, etc.

I want something that allows me to fish on canals for roach or for carp with an elastic upto 20.

Therefore it is important that it comes with at least 3 top kits for the different elastic strenghts.

Any ideas on which poles are worth a flutter at the moment and whether any shops are selling poles worth more than £500 at cheaper prices as many do?

Not a pole man myself, so I will not pretend to be a whizz. But, have a look at

www.nwac.co.uk

They seem to have a fair few bargains going

www.bowlersangling.co.uk
www.tcfishing.co.uk
and some to the right and left of this.

oh sod, most tackle shops don't have websites. Buy an "Improve Your Coarse Fishing" and look through the ads. TAKE YOUR TIME!

At £500 you're going to get a good pole so long as you're not too adventurous like going over 14 metres. They get too heavy at that length, even the light ones. It's better to have a quality pole 12.5 - 13 metres rather than a cheaply made longer one.

Why 20s elastic? I've never wanted for more than a 12, but suit yourself. Most poles will deal with heavy lackies now, just think about it before putting on massive bushes. Or spend £400 on a decent general purpose pole and £100 on a margin basher that will take the 20s like the FOX one.

Go for the grimreaper 13mtr 20 elastic short of £200

£500 gives you a decent amount of choice, especially if you look around for "last year's model" at a discount price. Pick up a copy of Match Fishing or one of the similar magazines and check the ad's. Cheeky is right about the elastic rating. I landed a 17 lb. mirror with no problems on 16 elastic last year. 20 is ludicrously powerful stuff. I think most poles would struggle to cope with it, whatever the manufacturers claim.

I like the look of the Shimano Exage at around £400 for 14.5 metres.

Map m-Sixteen 16m lot of pole for your money at £350.00

This was my first pole and it has been a good investment but dont take my word for it take a look at it have a feel if its right for you then go for it , if not keep looking I did.

Yeah, but you're "Mr Muscles" Mel, you can handle 16metres perhaps. It's a hell of a lot of pole to have out there.

In honesty I fish poles most of the time around 11 metres max for comfort.

As a second thought Lee, there are poles, from Preston I think and a few others, where you buy a standard pole for your roach etc. and a separate margin pole for carp. BUT HERE'S THE ICING ON THE CAKE - the margin pole fits onto the longer pole as well!

CM , Although my pole is 16m I can break it down to 6m for margins or 11m or what ever I need for the location have yet to go the full 16m.but then again I like it , not saying everone has to.

I like the look of the Shimano poles, although everyone tries to flog the Maver ones I just don't think they will last as long.

MAP have just brought out pole called Matchtek M-SIXTEEN it's a 16m pole for £350 it was realeased early June it comes with 4 top kits a standard and 3 power top 2's designed for elastics up to 18 and is been touted as well worth money abd a genuine all rounder

Just been reading an article on the new maver inspiration.It's a 16m pole with three spare kits and a super taper section to use when your fishing long.The article was very positive and at £400 you'd have plenty of spare money for elastic kits.

I know this is a late connection to this thread but as maver are cancelling the deliverance 2 does anyone know how good the shakespeare polestar at 16m at around £300 is or hasn't it been reviewed yet

maver may cancel deliverance 2 ,this will be due to people opting to pay more for the next models up ,
if your gonna buy a maver pole mate just waight a little longer cos they will have some cracking models in store for next year you can count on that, plus they will be a good price range when they are introduced to the public.
i have bought 2 maver poles and loved them top notch quality and value,with performance to boot,need i say more(exept the super power light is gonna have a place in my bag next year!)

HI Danny my dealer has the replacements in already but the next 16m pole is well over the £1000 mark and this is from maver's catalogue I have been given this to read myself thnks anyway mate and tightlines and all the best for the seasons festivities

damb carbon prices!
have a good one your self mate!

maver just seem to upgrade on the graphics.i've played with every version of the medusa at hallcroft.they're all the same.

if you live near rotherham its worth checking bennets out, i think they have a website n'all

f*** bennets you pay full whack from them.