Rod Pods

The Advanced Carp Fishing Tackle Team takes a look at the best rod pods on the market.

Rod Pods
THERE are trends in angling and pods and bank sticks often feature among them. Many people prefer single bank sticks or even a goalpost-style set-up, but when you are faced with angling from hard banks or even platforms, the only answer is to use a pod.
These days, pods come in all shapes and sizes and the materials from which they are made also vary from pod to pod. The traditional pod, which has been around for some years now, has a body with splayed legs at the front and back. Then comes an upright front and rear boss, onto which fit the buzz bars. This is the most common style of pod and the majority on the market fall into this category
There are a few variations now that combine the pod with a goalpost set-up. These work on spreading the centre of balance and can make pods more stable, particularly in rough conditions.
Some pods even cover all eventualities and allow the separation of the body and bank sticks so the pod can be used complete on firm banks and on soft banks they can be used goalpost style.
Some of the pods in this month’s Tackle Team have buzz bars included, whereas others need buzz bars to be added separately. One or two of the pods even include hangers.
The Tackle Team has collected some of the best pods on the market from some top tackle companies and the team has assessed the pods on a range of features and benefits such as style, what the pods are made of and how much they cost. The team has looked at what extras are included such as buzz bars and banksticks and also whether the pod can be adjusted, particularly the length, for use with 13-foot rods. The pods have also been weighed when fully set up with buzz bars.
If you are in the market for a new pod, or if you simply want to know how your current pod measures up against the rest, The Tackle Team is here to help…

FOX X-POD
Style: Goalpost
Material: Coated aluminium
Colour: Black
Buzz bars included: Yes
Weight including buzz bars: 2lb 14oz
Adjustable: Yes, length
Price: £59.99
Contact: Fox International on 0208 501 0921

SOLAR SOD POD
Style: Traditional
Material: Full stainless steel
Colour: Stainless
Buzz bars included: No
Weight including buzz bars: 4lb 7oz
Adjustable: Yes, length, height and width
Price: £109.99
Contact: Solar Tackle on 01689 826632

NASH POWER POD
Style: Traditional
Material: Aluminium
Colour: Stainless or green
Buzz bars included: No
Weight including buzz bars: 5lb
Adjustable: Yes, length, height and width
Price: £59.95
Contact: Nash 01702 233232

JRC ECO POD SET
Style: Traditional
Material: Aluminium
Colour: Black
Buzz bars included: Yes
Weight including buzz bars: 2lb 8oz
Adjustable: Yes, length and width
Price: £29.99
Contact: JRC on 01379 890930

ROD HUTCHINSON KEY-LOK
Style: Twin
Material: Stainless
Colour: Stainless
Buzz bars included: Yes
Weight including buzz bars: 8lb 14oz
Adjustable: Yes, length, height and width
Price: £125
Contact: Keenets/Rod Hutchinson on 01985 214551

NASH 4-PLAY FIXED 3-ROD
Style: Goalpost
Material: Stainless steel
Colour: Stainless
Buzz bars included: Yes
Weight including buzz bars: 6lb 6oz
Adjustable: Yes, length and height
Price: £99
Contact: Nash Tackle on 01702 233232

GARDNER PANTHER POD
Style: Traditional
Material: Coated aluminium
Colour: Dark green
Buzz bars included: Yes
Weight including buzz bars: 5lb 6oz
Adjustable: Yes, length, width and height
Price: £94.99
Contact: Gardner Tackle on 01483 303262

MAVER STAINLESS SWIFT-LOCK
Style: Twin
Material: Stainless steel
Colour: Stainless
Buzz bars included: Yes
Weight including buzz bars: 6lb 2oz
Adjustable: Yes, length, height and width
Price: £110
Contact: Maver on 01527 406300

THE MATRIX POD
Style: Traditional
Material: T400 carbon and stainless steel
Colour: Black
Buzz bars included: No
Weight including buzz bars: 4lb 2oz
Adjustable: No
Price: £109.99
Contact: Matrix Innovations on 01992 448003

FOX QUATTRO POD
Style: Goalpost
Material: Coated aluminium
Colour: Dark green
Buzz bars included: No
Weight including buzz bars: 4lb 2oz
Adjustable: Yes, length, height and width
Price: £99
Contact: Fox International on 0208 501 0921

SHAKESPEARE DELUXE CARP POD
Style: Traditional
Material: Stainless steel
Colour: Black
Buzz bars included: Yes
Weight including buzz bars: 6lb 2oz
Adjustable: Yes, height and width
Price: £79
Contact: Shakespeare on 01527 510570

JRC LOCK UP COMPLETE
Style: Twin
Material: Coated aluminium
Colour: Black
Buzz bars included: Yes
Weight including buzz bars: 7lb
Adjustable: Yes, length, height and width
Price: £59.99
Contact: JRC on 01379 890930

GARDNER BLACK SHADOW
Style: Traditional
Material: Coated aluminium
Colour: Black
Buzz bars included: No
Weight including buzz bars: 4lb 14oz
Adjustable: Yes, length, height and width
Price: £84.99
Contact: Gardner on 01483 303262