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Bank sticks, is it worth it? (39 posts / 4,483 views)
SnapSh0ts SnapSh0ts
Posts: 146
Post #1 17 Oct 2023 10:15
0
Good Morning all,

To add some clarity to the title: Is it worth spending the extra on "higher-end" bank sticks.

I currently have a set of Garnder sticks which came with my compact rod pod and then a set of cygnet ones.

The tightening collar on the gardner is beginning to show their age and can pop off when pulling them out of the ground.
The Cygnet ones i find quite difficult to tighten enough to stop them sliding down over time.

Is it worth spending the 100plus quid on 4 jag sticks or is there another 10" stick which is good at driving into the ground and holds its height adjustment well?

Thanks,

Daniel
vossy1 vossy1
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 9,047
Post #2 17 Oct 2023 10:35
0
I'm not sure if any of the locking collars on any bank stick are designed to be used to help pull the stick out of the ground, even if used as such, so maybe not a design problem.

OatcakeFred OatcakeFred
Posts: 1,466
Post #3 17 Oct 2023 10:36
0
In reply to Post #1
Depends which side of the fence you're sitting really. For me, it's not worth it but others will say buy cheap, buy twice. I still have some cheap Gardner sticks from the early ‘90s, the black extending ones with a brass collar. Still working fine. But I am a bit of a tight a*?e on a limited budget.

Save your money to spend on some decent bait.👍
zinno
Posts: 1,381
Post #4 17 Oct 2023 10:39
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I have the Korda singlez (made by Jag) regularly use it as a backstick setup and they are 100% worth it

Jag/Korda Lock it tool recommended
mrjcarter mrjcarter
Posts: 1,370
Post #5 17 Oct 2023 12:09
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In reply to Post #1
It all depends where you'll be fishing.
Some lakes the ground is rock hard and out come the solar stainless sticks.. must be 25years old now but built to last.
If I was buying today I would look at the ones with adapted ends, again won't be cheap but they'll last you a lifetime
bashmeister bashmeister
Posts: 631
Post #6 17 Oct 2023 13:10
1
In reply to Post #5
I was asked the other day what was my best buy and fav bit of kit. Hands down my jag excavator bank sticks... Pricey I admit but absolutely brilliant. I have no idea how I managed without them. 👌
Carper1976
Posts: 307
Post #7 17 Oct 2023 14:22
1
In reply to Post #6
Totally agree. The xcavators are an amazing piece of kit and well worth the money. I personally don't think you can buy better than JAG gear. It is a one off purchase that will last for ever unlike other banksticks that chip and scratch and even bend.
dannyuk32 dannyuk32
Posts: 1,477
Post #8 17 Oct 2023 14:36
0
In reply to Post #1
I own the Summit Tackle D-Bit Bank Sticks, and can definitely say worth it.
zinno
Posts: 1,381
Post #9 17 Oct 2023 14:42
0
In reply to Post #8
Big plus on Summit bancksticks is that the have a flat side
Chesh_Carp Chesh_Carp
Posts: 217
Post #10 17 Oct 2023 14:50
0
In reply to Post #1
I have been debating this for a while too! I can't justify it at the minute, but if the cheap ones I've just got from eBay don't cut it, I'll get “better ones” x4 spiral bit bank sticks for under £30, even if they last a season that'll do!
Baitman Baitman
Posts: 5,237
Post #11 17 Oct 2023 16:05
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In reply to Post #10
I got some cheapo 16mm diameter banksticks with a spiral screw point.
I tested them at home and a few of the plastic ends came off when I twisted them.
I pulled them all off, gave them a file to key the surface and then superglued them back together. All OK now.
johngall
Posts: 221
Post #12 17 Oct 2023 17:32
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In reply to Post #6
i have six 2x10"
2x15"
2x20" both of the 15" heads came of/ loose
and 1x20" came of/ loose had to epoxy them back on ,im big jag fan got the pod,safeliners,lockdowns plus snag ears and the rod lockers so it never put me off .

but the heads are only sweated on..
The-Heff The-Heff
Posts: 3,404
Post #13 17 Oct 2023 17:42
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Maybe back in the day, cheaper aticks would last, but in modern times, youre better off just taking the hit and getting something that you know will last.

Personally, im a solar fan boy, often been tempted by the singles system, tried jag once, prefered my solar, but had already sold it, so that cost a small fortune to replace. Decided against summit, as for me, if that pod design reflects the rest of the range, it cant be up to much

But jag, or solar, not sure you can go wrong
AndyClark AndyClark
Posts: 5,815
Post #14 17 Oct 2023 17:45
1
In reply to Post #12
I'd be sending them back to jag, customer service is second to none and they'll definitely sort it for you.
johngall
Posts: 221
Post #15 17 Oct 2023 18:06
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In reply to Post #14
to late now andy,had them acouple of years mate. i just fixed them.
AndyClark AndyClark
Posts: 5,815
Post #16 17 Oct 2023 18:08
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In reply to Post #15
even after a couple of.years they would still look after you, they value their customers...atleast they're sorted 👍
500kg
Posts: 157
Post #17 17 Oct 2023 18:13
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I'm all in favour of paying a bit extra if the item is more than likely going to outlive you. Let's face it, there's bugger all really to go wrong on a bank stick so a quality made set should never break
bristol bristol
Posts: 2,288
Post #18 17 Oct 2023 19:09
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In reply to Post #17
Steve Neville - they'll last a lifetime

Also got Jag black sticks which are a lot lighter but not as sturdy as the Nevs
500kg
Posts: 157
Post #19 17 Oct 2023 21:02
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In reply to Post #18
Yes I have some Steve Neville bank sticks. I also have some made by Keith as well as Chris Brown. I'm certain I'll never need to replace any of them in my lifetime.
essesxandy essesxandy
Posts: 3,199
Post #20 18 Oct 2023 06:57
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The simple answer if you want your banksticks to last is to either purchase a dibber or have one made, as I did.
Calabro
Posts: 335
Post #21 18 Oct 2023 07:39
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In reply to Post #1
I use various lengths and use two per rod. I'd like them, but I'm not buying 18 of them. Cheap ones for me. Never had any issues.
bmthman bmthman
Posts: 978
Post #22 18 Oct 2023 08:34
0
In my humble opinion it is worth my investment buying decent bank sticks.
I use Defiant MPS auger point bank sticks for carp fishing, will never need to replace them.
Also use Chris Brown bank sticks on the river, bought the setup second hand but will still outlast me and so lightweight its unbelievable.
Suboc Suboc
Posts: 117
Post #23 18 Oct 2023 19:57
0
In reply to Post #22
Used Interlok in the past, light & very strong the anti twist design works well, they lock solidly with very little effort.

Currently using MPS Defiant augers which go into pretty much any ground & seem pretty indestructible.

So yes worth paying the extra for uk made quality.
maplecream
Posts: 723
Post #24 21 Oct 2023 10:05
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In reply to Post #23
I'm currently using interlock banksticks and bars, they are steel and weigh a tonne, am thinking of changing for that v reason.
I assume they done an alloy version?
essesxandy essesxandy
Posts: 3,199
Post #25 21 Oct 2023 15:17
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In reply to Post #24
Interlok banksticks and bars are made from high grade aluminium, not steel.
maplecream
Posts: 723
Post #26 22 Oct 2023 09:19
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In reply to Post #25
The outer casing of mine are definitely not aluminium, inner yes.
They are probably 15y + old so clearly they've now changed.
They are v.heavy, but v well made.
ip100 ip100
Posts: 12,494
Post #27 22 Oct 2023 09:49
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In reply to Post #26
Are you sure they are interlock then? Because Gary always used only Ali even long before he started interlock. They never did anything in any sort of steel
maplecream
Posts: 723
Post #28 22 Oct 2023 10:10
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In reply to Post #27
I will check now mate
maplecream
Posts: 723
Post #29 22 Oct 2023 10:35
0
In reply to Post #27
Yes interlok pressed into stick below thumbscrew.
15 inch long
Weight 17oz.
Maybe they just feel heavy to my old arms lol.
Is this the weight you would expect from aluminium? I really don't know.
Anyrate I wouldn't be surprised if these are 20years old, no issues.
ip100 ip100
Posts: 12,494
Post #30 22 Oct 2023 10:45
0
In reply to Post #29
Some Ali is surprisingly heavy, it depends on the grade of it. Top quality gear though that they make, and will outlast a lot of the cheaper stainless stuff on the market
maplecream
Posts: 723
Post #31 22 Oct 2023 10:58
0
In reply to Post #30
Yes, it's a chunky one as well.
20 years of use and still in good nick tells it's own story.
essesxandy essesxandy
Posts: 3,199
Post #32 22 Oct 2023 17:55
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In reply to Post #29
I was given a guided tour of the factory by Steven the owner.
He went into great depth about the type of aluminium they use and how, as an engineer, he couldn't understand anglers using stainless steel.
If you've got the chunky stuff, 22mm I believe, it will be weighty, my slim (16mm) stuff is nice and light.
Jimmers532
Posts: 889
Post #33 22 Oct 2023 20:09
1
I bought some solar stainless sticks and bars 17 years ago and I still use them now for my overnight fishing, for short session fishing I've always used black Ali stuff too keep it lighter, I have to replace these pretty much every year, they are rubbish. I've just bought 4 solar sticks same as mine to use instead now. Says it all really.
inzenity inzenity
Posts: 473
Post #34 22 Oct 2023 20:16
0
Got 12 alu ones, bought them about 30 years ago, banged them into everything, one is a bit crooked, that's about it. Guess they cost me 5 guilders a piece or thereabouts. Have to admit that those posh ones do look sexy, but well, these never let me down and people never take me serious when they see me fishing with those, so that's a bonus:P
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #35 22 Oct 2023 20:34
1
In reply to Post #33
Can't go wrong with the solar stainless, thinks it's more, how long do you want to keep it for
Jimmers532
Posts: 889
Post #36 22 Oct 2023 20:49
0
In reply to Post #35
Agreed. Proper kit that's fit for purpose 👍
JackWhitstable JackWhitstable
Posts: 246
Post #37 22 Oct 2023 21:15
0
Solar bank sticks and bars are brilliant, so solid. Slightly on the heavier side, but that's the balance I guess for a rock solid setup.

But the excavators by JAG look really handy for certain hard banks if I wanted to put the sticks in the ground rather than on a pod.
maplecream
Posts: 723
Post #38 23 Oct 2023 15:19
0
In reply to Post #32
Yes mine are the chunky ones, and are heavy, going to order the slimmer sticks, if they last nearly as long as my others (which are still in use) they'll outlive my fishing career, and probably me.
ip100 ip100
Posts: 12,494
Post #39 23 Oct 2023 15:46
0
I don't get all the hype about solar stainless Tbh, I found it not very good when I had it. Especially the adjustable buzz bars, they sagged even when tightened right up. For me both the Jag and matrix gear is far better if it's stainless you want.
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