I am no pole expert, but have used a pole for many years now. Both on rivers and still waters. As has already been said "its just another club in the bag" and a method to be learnt. It can be devastating on the day, but it's not the first thing I reach for. The main advantages are: you can put your hook bait exactly where you want it, everytime. Likewise your feed. I find that majority of my pole fishing is done between 7m and 13m and whilst I do have a 16m Maver pole, which is handy on very rare occassions, I tend to mainly use an old 14.5m Diawa pole I bought for £750, 22 years ago. It's straight as a die, ideal for both slivers and poxy carp, I can fish all day with it and spares are still availible. Poles of this ilk and age must be going for a pittance on ebay nowadays. When fishing at 13m I use the pole made up to it's full 14.5m, as I like a section sticking out behind me as a counter balance. Pete.