All Reviews

There is something very empowering about gearing up for an afternoon margin session. Thick lines, big hooks, strong elastics… and then the bit that makes every angler feel a little more uneasy… the choice of carbon.

Fishing for big fish on heavy tackle puts strain on everything, which is why a margin pole is such a popular tool in the commercial angler’s armoury. They can fish with it with confidence, knowing it can handle the rigours of angry carp, and without risking the ‘crown jewel’ pole that they use for their general fishing.

But as I took the Middy M3 out of its bag, it didn’t feel like a margin pole at all. Remarkably light, very stiff, and with a lovely, smooth, ‘slik slide’ finish.

No, this pole felt more like you might expect a pole costing upwards of £1,000 to behave, especially at the 9m and 11m lengths.

Further reading on the Middy website revealed that it is the pole’s performance in the areas of balance and stiffness that has been improved compared to the MK1 model. According to Middy, the G-Pulse Fighter-Carbon fibres are made closer in proximity to each other, to create a parabolic super-tough action, without compromising weight and overall balance.

There were a couple of other nice features too. A prefitted Nose Dome in the No4 section, and section alignment arrows for optimum performance give the feeling of a very refined piece of kit indeed. Miles apart from the rough and ready hit-and-hold type margin poles of yesteryear.

Moving on to the top kits, and again, a very nice refined product. A pre-drilled groove to help create a puller type kit, and a pre-cut No2 ready to house the bush.

Supplied with the pole is a standard (black) top kit, and an aptly named ‘Shadow Zero’ kit in white, perfect if you happen to believe that black kits spook fish. According to Middy, the G-Pulse Fighter-Carbon fibres are made closer in proximity to each other, to create a parabolic super-tough action, without compromising weight and overall balance. Both these kits are rated to a 30+ elastic, while the match kit in the pole is rated to a 22+ elastic.

I put in some new No17 hollow elastic, and I was good to go. Tactics-wise, I had a simple plan. I wanted to try two lines, one in deeper water up to the pallet at the full 11 metres of pole to allow me to really give it a workout at short length, and another line in shallower water a little closer, to finish the session on. Feeding hard pellets next to the pallet, I was soon into good fish, including a common of 8 to 9lb that really gave the pole a workout. What can I say, it performed fantastically, super-strong and even though the walls feel a little softer than they do on some margin poles, it never really broke a sweat. A super-strong piece of kit.

A few F1s soon muscled in on this swim though, and while this was a good thing in that it allowed me to really test the poles responsiveness in hitting the super-fast bites, I was soon itching to get in the shallower water and try and catch some more carp!

They were very obliging, and soon I was in full bagging mode. The top kits in particular really impressed me. A great length of elastic – not too long that you have loads out and lots of puller kitting is needed, but not too short that you ever feel really in danger when a fish goes on a big run.

I finished the session really satisfied with the pole, and to be honest the more I read about the package and spares available the more this impression was reinforced. Reversible Half Butts are available for the No4/5 and No6/7 sections. There is also an extension available to take the pole to 13 metres, and a cupping kit.

For those who owned the original M3, perhaps the best news is that this pole was built on the same mandrel – so all kits and sections can be interchanged.

Any criticisms? There were two small things that caught my eye. Firstly the presentation. Bearing in mind the pole retails for £599.99, I would expect a little bit more than the flimsy pole sleeve it is supplied in. I would like the pole to be in a plastic tube, as it is susceptible to a knock or damage in transit as supplied, because the only thing protecting the carbon is a thin layer of cloth.

Secondly, again given the retail price I would like to see a cupping kit included, as potting bait in is essential when edge fishing, so this would certainly be of use to most anglers. This is a minor point though, as a cupping kit is available separately.

On balance, the pole and package are among the best that I have ever seen for a power pole, and I would urge anyone in the market to take a look – you will not be disappointed.

RRP: 11.5m package: £599.99, 13m package: £699.99

For more information go to: www.middytackle.com