All Reviews

I’m going straight in with the big claim from the off. I reckon this is THE best pole I have ever fished with to date! Now that’s a serious statement to make, so let’s back things up a bit here. Ever since the release of the very first MAP 901 pole I have been a huge fan of MAP’s poles – in fact the original 901 was my go-to pole for absolutely everything. MAP then continued to develop the 901 through both second and third generations, which improved further on the already market-topping flagship pole. This G60, however, is a different kettle of fish again and once more MAP has somehow made a brilliant product even better. How do they do it?

Well in this case the secret lies in the use of graphene within the pole’s construction. This is the first time (to my knowledge) that graphene has ever been used in the production of poles. To be precise it’s graphene impregnated into the carbon to create not only the stiffest, but also the strongest poles MAP has ever produced. Let’s be frank, the 901 3G was already incredible but this G60 is 20 per cent stronger and significantly stiffer without adding a single gram to the overall weight! In fact, as a measure of stiffness when placed directly side by side against the 901 3G, the G60 has eight to 10 inches LESS droop at 16 metres than the 901.

Needless to say, that is a significant difference over a pole that is already an exceptional piece of kit. If you’ve ever picked up a 901 pole for yourself you’ll know exactly how good that makes this G60, and that’s why I think it’s the stiffest, most responsive pole I’ve ever had the pleasure of testing.

It’s made using the same mandrel as the 901, too. So if you’re an existing MAP 901 pole owner you have the added benefit of top kit interchangeability. But the most incredible thing is to realise the leap forwards that MAP has made here using that same mandrel.

Today we have come to the brilliant Glebe Fishery to test the pole and I’ve chosen to sit on Pool 6. To test the pole properly I want to fish long at both 13 and 16 metres with a view to trying to make a short line work later in the session. We are still having hard overnight frosts and the water is still freezing cold, so we still need to fish and feed carefully to make the most of the day.

As soon as I start to piece the sections together I know it’s something special. With every section I add the pole gets more and more impressive – to the point where you cannot really comprehend the rigidity this pole is offering at 16 metres! It’s quite incredible. Starting at 13 metres I look to build a swim for bream and skimmers and it’s not long until my expander pellet hook bait has taken the fancy of a few bream. Tapping in some micro pellets is enough to keep the fish coming until the carp inevitably turn up and I’m into a nice common. This gives a real chance to lean into a good fish that’s ripping off across the lake. The pole feels absolutely solid and you can feel that added strength in each of the sections once you have it in your hand. The performance is genuinely next level.

The package is great, with a match kit supplied in the pole, three spare match kits, four carp kits, four short shallow kits, a cupping kit with cups, reinforced mini extension and a deluxe holdall. All of the kits come fitted with extra long PTFE bushes and roller side pullers already fitted. The kits are also marked up with depth markers at 1ft intervals to help you find the exact depth of water you’re looking for.

With a few more carp coming to the long line it’s time to have a look on the short line just to see if I can add a few extra fish to the net. It doesn’t take long to start getting bites with a frugal feeding approach, but fishing this short line is more to test the strength of the pole than anything else. As you would expect, it passes with flying colours, helping to tame a few more carp and a rogue bream.

I’ve fished most of the day at 13 metres with a bit of time spent fishing at 16 metres and I have to say the performance, balance, rigidity and overall feel of the pole are exceptional. As you might expect, it’s loaded full of features including a lovely anti-friction finish that works as well as it claims. This makes shipping at longer lengths a doddle and the raised graphic at the end of each section helps you to know when you’ve reached the end of the joint without physically having to turn and look at the pole – another great touch. Incidentally, this raised graphic also replicates the shape of graphene. The graphics are sleek and understated and the joint aligners help to ensure you get the very best performance out of the pole. We’ve had a super session in the glorious winter sun here at the Glebe – it has proven to be the perfect test ground to put this new marvel through its paces.

Alongside this G60 there are five other poles in the G-Series collection, ranging from a G10 at £599 right the way through to this G60 range-topper at £3,750. If you want to know more, or want to see the pole live in action, then head over and check the video out on the Match Fishing YouTube channel. 

I can’t say enough good things about the G60 – I’m absolutely sold. It’s a pole that will do it all regardless of what you’re asking of it, from big weights of carp on commercials, to slapping for F1s, to strenuous river fishing or for tackling any natural venue you care to mention. If I was in the market for a new flagship pole this would absolutely be getting my attention. Just when you think poles couldn’t get any better… MAP paves a new path for others to follow!

Features:
Graphene technology
Anti-friction finish throughout for easy shipping 
Depth markers on all kits
Sleek understated graphics 
Fitted side roller pullers fitted on all top kits
Section alignment system 

Standard package includes:
1 x Pre-Bushed DM Match Kit fitted 
3 x Extra Pre-Bushed DM Match Kit
4 x Pre-Bushed DM Power Kits
4 x Short Shallow Kit
1 x Rigid Cupping Kit with Cups
1 x Reinforced Mini Extension
1 x Deluxe Holdall

RRP: £3,750