A couple of us got chatting at the weekend about the way in which pole packages are marketed within the UK – whilst it seems the majority of manufacturers market standard 16m packages with loads of top kits we wondered what the general consensus was and what you would prefer to buy?

Whilst packages appear to be targeted purely at commercial anglers does anyone think there is any mileage in manufacturers also selling ‘European’ style package options in the UK so anglers could have a choice? For example having the option of buying a 13 metre pole with a couple of top 5 kits and cupping kit to suit the natural venue/river anglers rather than buying a 16 metre package containing a couple of extensions that you will never use and then having to fork out for extra 4 & 5 sections. At least that way it gives you the option of buying extra extensions should you then want to go on commercials.

In addition a number of anglers remain ‘brand loyal’ and upgrade to their chosen manufacturers latest release and end up with a plethora of top kits – would it be more appealing to have the option of buying just the pole only without additional top kits/packages to keep costs down? What are your thoughts?