No.1. I've never owned a roach pole (there too expensive)

No.2 I've never handled a roach pole (until the n.e.c. this year).

I have however read the occasional reviews in various publications, usually when a new one is on the market and generally they all like to boast "incredibly light" and "suberb control" and other supearlitives.
An so it was with these coments in mind that I picked up one of the many poles on display at the A.T. show. Or at least I tried, I took hold gave a gentle lift, then a bit more lift, then eventually heeeaaavvved the great thing off its stand. light my backside. I'd have more control using a drain pipe. maybe It was a bad choice, maybe i'm a weakling or maybe I just dont get it.
anyhow it certainly put me off shelling out four figure sums for one.
Now on to whips, I dont know a darn thing about them but i guess there just a small roachpole, pressumably a lot lighter and hopefully cheaper so I might be persuaded. Are you for or against? or is there room for both in your fishing tackle?
Any insight appreciatted. fanks.

[ 29. March 2004, 04:27 PM: Message edited by: frodo_uk ]

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Try www.catfishconnection.com and check for rods that are designed for Crappie. Not sure what prices you can get them for in the UK but how about (and more listed on the site).

I must firstly confess to being a bit of a dogmatist on this subject, for if there is not a reel it is not fishing for me. (I appreciate where angling started off but ....) Plus allowing fish to wear them selves out against elastic, just does not hit my G spot. However a whip does have a place in my tackle bag, it is a great tool for catching perch bait, namely gudgeon. Plus when I worked in Harlow a few years back i used it to fish in my lunch hour on the Stort, yes in a suit

The poe is indeed an aquired taste and isnt suitable for a lot of angling situations.
I use the a lot for comercial lakes but i wouldnt dream of using them on a river.
As for the weight problem,all poles are heavey,no matter what you say.They are all just under or over a kilo,and with the length of some of them this feel s like 10 times that due to the law of leverage.Any force(ie gravity,wind etc) put on the oposing end of the pole will feel roughly double over every 2 meters of pole.
Some people have handling a pole down to a fine art.i however prefer using a stiff 8m pole with big elastic,i have found this to be all i need.
Now whips are a different subject.They are a great little invention.A 5 m whip with an elasticated tip section is a must in any hold all.They are so versatile.U can use them in hit and hold tactics on ponds oryou can even wobble a small deadbait at some jack pike(which was great!)If you are new to poles then i suggest get a whip and then see if u want to progress any further.

Frodo, answer to one fo your questions
yes there is room and a need for a whip
and pole,you must have picked one of the
heaviest on the day. i have three poles
one whip, the whip is good for speed
fishing [matches] fish to lb,the pole i
have 13m but never use full length, as for
presantion the pole is the tool, you place
you bait and feed the same spot with accuracy,
you can get a good pole for £300.

Im normally a rod man ,but on the odd occasion i borrow a pole and find it a good tool, and if i could afford it would buy one .As for the weight you dont have to hold it in your hands all the time put the butt between your legs and use a rod rest.

The Pole/Whipp is not only a great tool but can be great fun to.The way a pole is held can very much affect wether it "feels" heavy or not.Supported across your thighs with one hand suporting the pole in front and the other pushing down on it from behind can make even the long pole feel managable.

When starting out I would reccomend getting a good quality(take apart as opposed to fully telescopic) whipp of around 6m.Preferably one which extensions are available for.Sadly no longer available (but you see second hand and on Ebay etc) but one I would reccomend is the LEEDA Blue Diamond Arborella system.This sort of tool will always be handy and certainly introduce you to pole fishing before you take the plunge with a 12m+ pole.

[ 29. March 2004, 10:00 PM: Message edited by: BUDGIE ]

thats the one Budgie LEEDA 6m thing amgig
got mine for £45 closing down sale should
be £70,had some good fish on it, and won
a match, three hr 127 fish for 33lb, fish to
1lb, roach,rudd,carp,scimmers, good tool.

Sniffle, sob, moan. Nobody likes my list of cheap whips then?

I enjoy you folks (else I wouldn't have been on here so long) but lordy you can be snobby about things sometimes.

Whips are THE best entry to angling, no complications, justabout you and the fish alone.

Whips are also easily mobile. I agree a jack pike on a whip is a mustdo experience.

A pole is a more sedantry life. Especialy good if you find it hard to cast to the same spot.