Big bore & no3 (red label) rated 20
Same lengths as matchkit with no1 out if cut back to take a maver No.7 internal bush.

CTK5 is a carp kit rated to the same. Difference is length of no2 section is half as long again.

A generic Short 4 is a must if you want to go margin fishin. it also stiffens the action at the expense of length. but then you can use the phex 5 to go either on the 12.7 or 14m section to get back some length.

The pole as supplied is rated to a 20 and thats with the long 4, personally I would only use long 4 when there’s sufficient depth of water, as carp in 3ft or less are nearly always mad as hatters and will test your kit to breaking.

As for cheapest price, unless you know someone well enough in the trade or is Daiwa Sponsored you’re not going to get a new one for small beer.

Bin the BBK’s off mate,i did on the advice of others and got the dealer to swap them all for match kits, glad i did they are plenty strong enough and all my topkits are identical so no need to faff about with different bore sizes on bushes, kinder cups etc.

Long 4’s are up to carping but it depends on how you play fish, if your an animal your gonna bust them!!
If im not looking to reach a feature i use the short 4 just for that extra stiffness and strength.

Price wise i reckon your best option is find a few shops in close proximity and vist in person and say your in a position to buy you will probably get a better deal than doing it over the phone.

Join AT for £20 and get 10% off from Angling Direct.

Start point is dearer I think but ultimately works out cheaper and you get the AT benefits as well!

I’m in the same place debating, but want the BBK’s swapped as others have said and will use my TPro short 4’s as well.

Roll on that bonus and I’ll have one!

The BBKs are perfectly good for the purpose they were intended for and that was to be able to use thicker/hollow elastics without having to cut back short. Try putting the bigger hollows through a matchkit with the no1 removed and you’ll find out how well they stick.

The ctk5 and 10 are carpy tops and they work but they feel heavier and less well balanced.

I use the BBK’s and have to admit quite like them. I have cut mine back so they are the same length as my match top 3 with the number one removed and find them perfect for large diameter hollow elastics.

Personally i wouldnt change them all as i like to fish thick hollows short and down the margins and the BBK’s are spot on for that providing you dont mind chopping them right back. Yes they are heavier at longer lengths but for me its minimal. I guess it really depends on what sort of fishing you are doing.

I paid £2540 with a short 4 from leigh tackle.

2.3m from memory.

Just been to the garage and measured one 2.3m. Jesus don’t you own a tape measure. LOL.

@squatt wrote:

Just been to the garage and measured one 2.3m. Jesus don’t you own a tape measure. LOL.

Nor an Airity as gauged by all the questions. 😮

Spuds…the standard kit is more than you’ll need for 95% of your fishing and the other 5% is covered too.. stop stressing over the kit and get on and buy one 🙂

out of curiosity has anyone ever weighed a bbpk top and done the same with a match number 2 to compare the difference.i’ve had an airity nearly 2 years and use upto grey hydro in the matchkits and black/purple in bbpk’s with no major issues.
power kits from my 2 tdp412’s have red and brown in em for big stuff,but not coupled to the airity. 😮