Pole gimmicks or real advantage?

[TF_pr@ngler]

Just bought a new pole, which came with a half size number 4 section and an additional short butt section.

Having managed without these things for the last 25 years, is it really worth lugging an extra rod tube around to carry them in now?

How many times have these half-length sections offered a real advantage to anybody?

[TF_AnthonywatersParticipant]

I use both, a short no 4 will stiffen the action of your pole up good for fishing long and shallow and a dolly butt is stronger for when your elbow striking

[TF_Smed]

allways carry mine!
i fish a lot of canal/snake lakes and the dolly butt section come in real handy when i want to fish tight across and sit on my pole…
and the short no4 is great in the wind (stiffens pole up a bit)

[TF_Gary]

Peter, I very rarerly use either of these things, but always carry them. The half butt is useful if you are fishing (say 15m) to an island and you don’t have the space to have 1m of the 16m extension behind you. I don’t fish with the short number 4, but it is occasionally useful if you have a fish on and a top kit is not quite long enough with the elastic stretching to land it, but the full number 4 section is too long.

I carry my short 4s inside the dolly butt down the side pocket of my holdall, so I do not have to carry an extra tube.

[TF_Gary]

Incidentally, what is your new pole? Should I be running scared with the first FRAC match of 2010 now just a few months away…

[TF_pr@ngler]

Gary, got the Maver 381 (last year’s model) with 11 top kits at a very good price. It feels well balanced, stiff and strong.

None of this is a substitute for talent though so I think you will be safe.

[TF_Gary]

Thanks for the compliment Peter, but after your catch at Messingham last year and Moorfields the year before, I think you are well and truly a contender!

It must be all of the coaching (Cox, Ringer, Scotthorne…)

[TF_scottyp]

I use a Maver 401 and only use the short 4 unless i’m fishing a really deep venue!
The shorter 4 is stronger than the long 4, which feel a bit spongey. wit thhe short 4 in i’m totally confident in my set-up.

You’ll also probably find the you need the dolly but in to make the pole up to the stated length on the butt sections!

[TF_Gavin]

Ever since I’ve had a pole with a short 4 I’ve used it! Just makes the pole feel nicer, especially with power kits and hollow elastic.

I’ve got a half butt too, but only use it for extra length!

[TF_baitchefParticipant]

This is something that puzzles me. I dont understand why manufacurers dont just plough money into the best carbon and the best mandrels. You can get a lot of carbon for your money nowadays, but what is the point if the poles are hardly fishable at full length?

[TF_Hillbilly]

I use the short 4 on my TP quite often either for bigger carp, to counteract the wind or just to reach a feature. I find it is easily stored inside the long 4 when putting the pole away. I use the half butt for reaching features and sometimes just have it on behind me just to help balance the pole.

[TF_RMNDIL]

Half Extensions or Half Butts are very useful on canals when you are fishing tight over. Saves you having a large amount of a full butt section sticking out behind you on narrow towpaths where it can be a nuisance to cyclists, joggers, dog walkers etc etc.

[TF_squatt]

I use my short 4’s and 5’s regularly. The half butts are good too for the reasons mentioned already but also handy when throwing your pole through hedges etc. as this section takes all the abuse and scuffing.

[TF_pr@ngler]

Thanks for this gents

Peter

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