Hi Wendy,
I like both but I prefer to use a rod and reel, simply because it's what I grew up using. I use the pole mostly on the canal but always take a match rod as well because the pole can't reach to the far bank at some sections. I also prefer the rod and reel for bigger fish. I feel more in control of the fight, I've heard and read a lot of people say it's easier to control carp on the pole but I would rather get them on the rod, I've had a few carp on the pole and it scares me to death. Even on a size 14 elastic through three sections and doubled up in the last one, they just power away as though they don't know they're hooked and on the canal they come right at you and into the reeds in the margins. The elastic is meant to tire them out but they can pull so much out so quickly that they can get into the reeds before the full power of the elastic can kick in. I like to use the pole for small fish like roach, skimmers, bream, gudgeon and enjoy catching lots of them so the pole in my opinion is great for small to medium sized fish when conditions are right but my favourite type of fishing is the stickfloat for roach, dace and grayling on the river.