Choosing the right elastic

[dace]

I am new too pole fishing, and don't really know which elastic to use for different situations. My pole is rated up to 14 elastic.
I have 4 top 3s with 2 , 5 , 7, 9 elastic fitted and a top 2 with 12 fitted for my carp fishing.

[BUDGIE]

The way I always decide my elastic strength isnt so much by the fishs size but the strength of hook length I want to use.Dont know if this is the accepted way but its always worked for me.

As I think Ive posted before some manufacturers/suppliers of pole elastic put a guide on the back of the packet saying what sizes go with which diameters/breaking strains of line.

[dace]

Thanks Budgie
will have too look out for elastic with instructions on.
My pole came fitted with the elastic already fitted, and a small sticker on the joint showing the elastic size. Which dont mean a thing to me because i am new to pole fishing.

[Carpy]

Getting the right elastic is very important, choosing the wrong one, say too heavy will cause fish to bump off.
Elastic to light and fishing deep you will not connect the hook.
Fished a canal two years ago and normally go for a number 3 to start off.
To see how thing started to get on, and save any bump offs.
I had loads of takes but missed
But the peg i picked was deeper than the normal canal peg, so i had the reverse, i needed a heavier elastic to hook the fish, went to a number 5 and the fish rolled in.
Has Budgie said you go to your hook length too.

[deadred]

All good sound advice Pole fishing like any method in our wonderful sport takes practise and time to master if we ever do. That's what makes fishing what it is. The key with elastics is as in all aspects of fishing is to balance your tackle to suit the conditions.

Depending on the venue and the size of fish you are likely to encounter determines your elastic choice that also determines your line strength. There is a massive choice on the shelves of most tackle shops who's staff are more than happy to advise you as to what suits your needs.

Always make sure that you know the reccomended elastic strength rating for your pole and the top kits you will be using for each session as the wrong choice can cost alot of money to replace.

I good piece of kit to invest in is a stora bung that allows you to put several extra feet of elastic on to it.This allows you to either tigthen or slacken off the tension of the elastic. This can avoid bumpering off or tigthening can give better hook penertation. It also allows for happy medium when you have a venue where there are a slightly larger stamp of fish that may turn up.