Pole Fishing Magazine

You voted and we counted, and now the results of the Pole Fishing Tackle Awards 2011 are in.

From the best poles in a number of price categories to the seat box, venue and tackle manufacturer you thought deserved recognition in 2011, they're all here.

Voted for by Pole Fishing readers and website visitors, here are the results you've been waiting for.


Best Flagship Pole

Daiwa Airity
Absolutely no surprises in this category because the cult Airity goes from strength to strength. Not only is it the tool of choice for top-flight anglers of the calibre of Steve Ringer and Will Raison but we are constantly surprised at just how many club-level anglers also own one. It shows that many anglers are more than prepared to spend that little bit extra to fish with the best.

Runner-Up: Preston Innovations GiS 14



Best Mid-Range Pole

Daiwa Connoisseur G20
Another top-hitter from the Daiwa stable. At just over the £1,000 mark, the G20 is at the top end of the mid-price bracket and oozes class. It has a great finish and spares package but it’s the overall performance that has undoubtedly won this award. You could argue that it is the next best thing to those who cannot afford an Airity!

Runner-Up: Preston Innovations GXR 3001



Best Carp/Power Pole   

Garbolino G-Max Power Carp
If you are after a beast tamer that can still be fished effortlessly at full length then the G-Max Power Carp is the weapon of choice. The pole’s strength is boosted with reinforced joints, while the hugely popular Power Lite kits have helped catapult this pole into the must-have category.

Runner-Up: Preston Innovations Carp-Atex



Best Budget Pole

MAP TKS 325
The TKS family has been a massive success for MAP and the 14.5m 325 is without doubt the pick of the bunch when it comes to great performance at the best price. It is rated to No20 elastic and will cope with anything from carp lakes to rivers and canals. At around £500 in the shops you can’t go wrong!

Runner-Up: Daiwa TDSR1 Plus



Best Margin Pole

Daiwa Yank 'N' Bank
When brute strength and rugged reliability at close range is required, the Yank ‘N’ Bank is the perfect solution. This whopper-stopper is rated to red Hydro and No20 elastics and we reckon it’s virtually impossible to break in normal use. At 10 metres it is also slightly longer than your average margin pole, which is another useful bonus.

Runner-Up: Shimano Technium Margin



Best Seatbox

Preston Innovations Space Station XSII
Six-legged, frame-style seatbox systems are traditionally expensive but the Space Station XSII, at just over £400 in the shops, is far more affordable than many other systems on the market. It offers an extremely stable platform with great build quality and a host of extra add-on trays and accessories are available.

Runner-Up: Rive RX D36



Best Luggage

Preston Innovations Hardcase Monster
There are no end of anglers on the bank transporting their tackle in Hardcase luggage. The name says it all because this stuff is tough, durable and designed to protect your cherished gear. Items like the clever foldaway Tackle & Accessory Bag also help to set it apart from the crowd. This luggage also looks bloody good on the bank!

Runner-Up: Maver Platinum System



Best Pole Float

Preston Innovations Dura Float Plus Series
When the eye gets ripped out the float is rendered unusable. Bulky spring eyes are a potential solution but they aren’t perfect and can unbalance a float. The Dura Float Plus range has a much neater side eye that has been built into the base of the hollow bristle in such a way that it should never get pulled out. The fact that each of the five body shapes is available in two tip diameters is another great touch.

Runner-Up: Maver Invincible Series



Most Innovative Product Of The Year

Marukyu JPz Hook Pellets
JPz have really captured everyone’s imagination and we cannot remember another hook bait ever making as much of a stir! These slippery, red, 6mm hookers are basically jellified krill and have been catching fish all over the country when traditional alternatives have failed. You’ll be pleased to know that bigger sizes and two new flavours are also now available.

Runner-Up: Preston Innovations Dacron Connectors



Best Bait Product/Range

Dynamite Baits Steve Ringer Swim Stim Groundbaits
Designed by Pole Fishing regular Steve Ringer, it’s no surprise that his two signature blends – Method-Mix and Swim Stim Match – have been so popular. The sweet fishmeal Swim Stim Match is without doubt our pick of the two, with its distinct aroma that has been designed to attract carp, F1s, bream and skimmers on all sorts of waters.

Runner-Up: Marukyu EFG Groundbaits



Best After-Sales Service

Daiwa
The after-sales department at Daiwa’s Scottish headquarters has won countless accolades over the years and we are pleased that you Pole Fishing fans still recognise its level of quality and attention to customer’s needs. It’s also great to support our British companies in this tough financial climate!

Runner-Up: Preston Innovations



Best Mail-Order Company

Fosters of Birmingham
This flagship store is massive and its online store echoes this perfectly. With a big team behind their Internet-based site, an easy-to-use interface and extremely fast turnaround of product, it’s no wonder why you voted for Fosters of Birmingham.

Runner-Up: Chapmans Angling



Best Fishing Website

polefishingmagazine.com
We were surprised to pip a few big-name companies and the various angling forums but the overwhelming votes for the Pole Fishing website shows how much it has grown in recent months. Not only are there regular news and product showcases, we are constantly updating it with videos and weekly blogs – not to mention our free-to-enter competitions!

Runner-Up: matchfishingmagazine.com



Tackle Company Of The Year

Preston Innovations
This company had the lion’s share of the votes for obvious reasons. There is not another company out there that releases such a wealth of new and exciting products year after year. Its unequalled portfolio of anglers is testament to the company’s strength too. With the likes of Des Shipp, Andy Findlay, Neil McKinnon, Lee Edwards, Lee Kerry and Tommy Pickering all on board, it is easy to see where the Innovations part of this company comes from.

Runner-Up: Daiwa



Best Pole Fishing Venue

Maver Larford Lakes, Worcestershire
There isn’t a venue in the country quite like Larford and that’s why it’s so popular with you pole anglers. The prolific Match Lake is brimming with carp and F1s and you can often see them swirling shallow or crawling up the margins for feed. The smaller Arena Pool is equally alive, especially if you can get them going down the edges. It is arguably the Speci Lake that is the jewel in the crown, however, and the bream and skimmer sport is just as good as the carp fishing – and where else can you witness carp to 20lb coming out on the pole on an almost weekly basis?

Runner-Up: Garbolino Lindholme Lakes, South Yorkshire