The Best Carp Fishing Rod Pods: A Total Fishing Tackle Review
- By Andy Grenfell
- |
- 31 May 2022
Fishing rod pods come in all shapes and sizes and it can be confusing when trying to choose one that will be suitable for your fishing. Luckily we have drilled down and plucked out the best carp fishing rod pods that we can find! All prices are correct at the time of writing.
| Editor's choice | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fox Black Label QR |
Rogue Pack Pod |
Prologic Avenger |
Century Stealth |
Solar P1 Mini |
|
| Price | £249.99 | £44.99 | £44.99 - £49.99 | £344.99 | £339.99 |
| Two or Three rods? | Three | Three | Two or Three | Two/Three | Can be either |
| Buzzer Bars Supplied? | Yes, as standard | Yes, as standard | Yes, as standard | Not required | Not supplied |
| Features | Quick release attachments Fully adjustable Super stable |
Super stable Lightweight Carry case included |
Two or three rod Super lightweight Carry case included |
Precision engineering High quality carbon construction Single stick design |
Highest quality engineering Unique ratchet leg system Compatible with all Solar buzzer bars |
| TFT Score | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| TFT Verdict | A super little rod pod setup that does everything you'll ever need and more! | Fantastic pod at a great price for those new to fishing or those who don't use a pod much in their fishing. | One of our best sellers, two or three-rod versions and a nice stable all round rod pod. | No doubt that this is world-class but the price reflects that. We love the single-stick design though! | Seriously impressive but you pay for that quality and workmanship. Will last a lifetime though. |
| VIEW PRODUCT | VIEW PRODUCT | VIEW PRODUCT | VIEW PRODUCT | VIEW PRODUCT |
EDITIORS CHOICE - FOX BLACK LABEL QR POD
I think it would make sense to focus a bit more on the 'editors choice' in my list of the best carp fishing rod pods. I have selected the Fox Black Label QR Pod simply because it is the pod that I use and I cannot find any fault with the design or functionality! First of all, weight is important to me, I don't want to be lugging heavy stainless metalware around with me as I like to try and travel as light as possible. Secondly, the pack down size is so small and the pod fits perfectly into my carryall which I love.
The QR part stands for quick release and this makes set up an absolute breeze. Pull out the pod base, slide in the four sticks, and drop the buzzer bars in - job done!
Stability-wise I have never had a problem and the Black label QR pod has coped with everything that I have asked from it, from wooden platforms to rocky river banks, it has stood up to it all.
If I had one gripe, it would be that the buzzer bars are fixed width, I would love to see an adjustable version but this is serious nitpicking!
Overall I will stick my neck out and say this is the best rod pod I have ever used.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS - FOX BLACK LABEL QR POD
- Compact Size stores away in a carryall and takes up hardly any room
- Super Lightweight doesn't weigh down the barrow and can be carried easily
- Quick Release The QR design means to set up and pack down is breeze.
- Black Profile subtle and discreet on the bank
- Cam Locks no danger of the important parts slipping or moving when in use
- Compatible with all black label metalware banksticks should you wish to change them
Rod pods or Single Banksticks?
For some of you who may be new to carp fishing, you might be wondering why a rod pod is necessary or indeed, what the alternatives to rod pods are - grab a cuppa and I will explain!
Single sticks relate the concept of each rod being fished on two banksticks pushed into the ground, one stick has a bite alarm, the other has a rod rest, and off you go. The advantage of this is that, unlike a rod pod, you don't have to fish all your rods in the same small area of your swim and you don't have to cart around a rod pod with you and set it up. You can leave the bite alarms in situ on the banksticks and the same with the rod rests, then simply pull them out and shove them in the ground, and off you go.
There are, however, some rather obvious disadvantages.
Single sticks rely on being pushed into the ground. This will be quite tricky if the bank is unsuitable for this, there might be wooden platforms, rock-hard gravelly ground or as I found out recently, the ground may be frozen bloody solid! A rod pod in these situations is worth its weight in gold.
So, if you have encountered wooden or concrete platforms, rock-hard ground, or more stones than dirt, a rod pod might be the way to go.
I am slowly being transformed into a rod pod kind of angler, but they might not be for everyone, let's take a look.
PROS
- Can be used on almost any terrain
- Super stable
- Easy to pick up and move swims
- Some pods are super lightweight
- Some pods pack down very small
- Keeps rods nice and neat in your swim
CONS
- Generally more expensive than banksticks
- Something else to carry
- Can be heavy if stainless
- Takes time to set up
- All three rods must be fished next to each other
- Can't point all rods at their spots to aid bite indication
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