Wednesday Review... MAP TKS 901 16m Pole

This entry was posted on 20th August, 2014

MAP TKS 901 16m Pole Review

MAP’s TKS 901 pole caused quite a stir when it was released, but what has it been like to use one on a weekly basis? Our good friend Joe Carass at Match Fishing magazine has had 10 months with his and here are his honest views.

Some 18 months ago I was privy to an exclusive look at a prototype pole that MAP was set to launch. It was top secret, but the company wanted me to see what I thought of it. To say that it blew me away was an understatement – it was by far and away the stiffest pole I had ever held. Amazingly, though, MAP wasn’t finished and was intent on improving it still further. I just had to have one, and my order was placed there and then!

I received my TKS 901 last October and I think I have been using it long enough to give you an honest appraisal.



Let’s not deny that, at £2,999 (SSP), this is not a cheap piece of kit. It is certainly breaking new ground as far as MAP is concerned, but as the guys there had been making serious inroads with the 801, they felt the time was right to launch the 901.

Firstly, I think the whole package is incredible. I like to have a lot of top kits because I try to change elastics as little as possible, so have several kits with varying elastics is important – the 13 kits included certainly get you up and running, along with the three short No.4s, cupping kit, dolly butt, holdall and tubes you have a brilliant package, arguably the best available.

Having used the 901 in both delicate winter sessions and summer bag-up matches, I have certainly had a proper chance to test all the top kits. I find the match kits are super strong and I use them for 90 per cent of my fishing.

The Power kits feel heavy in the hand, although somehow have little effect on the poles action. I rarely use these, to be honest, but have got some fitted with really beefy hollow elastics for the rare snag pits that I am likely to draw.

As for the pole itself, well it is – and I don’t use this word lightly – awesome. There is no doubt that this is the stiffest, most responsive model available and for an angler like me, who does a lot of long-range Carping, it is a dream. It’s long too and with the dolly butt fitted I have 16.2 metres at my disposal.



I have to say, though, that I was worried about the 901’s strength. The last super-stiff pole I owned and used was a real disaster and I was a little concerned about this one. For the first few months, though, its power was rarely tested, as winter F1s were easily dealt with on light, double No.4 elastic.

The first ‘proper’ test came on a super windy day on one of the Tunnel Barn Winter-league rounds. I had parked my car parallel to the bank in an attempt to form a bit of a windbreak, and it was working well until a huge swirling gust spun me round on my box, clattering the 901 into my car. I closed my eyes, not daring to look, expecting my pride and joy to be reduced to a pile of bits. Amazingly, the pole was totally fine, with not even a small crack. This certainly filled me with confidence and since then I have given it some right grief!

The only section I have broken (or should I say ‘somehow’ broke it) was a No.6. Alarmingly? Nope, a certain editor put his camera tripod through it! I haven’t even broken a single section when fishing with it, which for me is quite amazing!

I would say performance wise the 901 is up there with the very best. I get to fish with a lot of poles and, to be honest, all of the flagship models are brilliant. I do think this is the stiffest, though, and suits my (carp-based) fishing perfectly. Based on performance alone, it gets a solid 10/10 from me.

But… there are a few downsides. Firstly the top-kit length. Now for some, long top kits maybe perfect but for me, these are slightly over gunned in the length department. I have got used to them but I would prefer something 18 inches shorter and have actually butchered mine to make them so.



The bushes that are supplied in the top kits are not the highest quality I have ever seen. They don’t seem to let the elastic run as smoothly as I would like and I have replaced them in my pole. This is only a small thing, but I don’t see the point in pre-bushing top kits if they are not right.

The carryall is also a little underwhelming. I know the carbon is what is important, but a nice tarty holdall would make the whole package that bit more desirable, especially given the fantastic Parabolix range that MAP already produces.

I have heard a few negatives on the forums regarding the availability of spares. Now, when I ordered my new No.6 section it came two days later, which is pretty stellar service if you ask me. You’ll probably say well, of course yours will come straightaway, but I have been promised that MAP hasn’t suffered any stock issues and for the most part is actually nothing to do with the company!

So, would I recommend the 901? Definitely. It is superb and the best pole I have owned. It is packed with positives and my slight niggles wouldn’t stop me from buying it as these are easily remedied, and you would have to buy bushes with most models anyway.

Buy The MAP TKS 901 16m Pole