Rod Support

Rod pod or banksticks: how to choose your rod support

A rod pod is a freestanding frame that stands on its own legs. It is the answer when the bank is stony, gravelly or man-made and banksticks simply will not go in. Adjustable legs level out a sloping bank, and accessories such as extension pieces and carry bags let you tailor the pod to the way you fish.

Banksticks are pushed into the ground and offer a light and stable option on soft banks. A single bankstick takes a front or butt rest, or you can fit a buzz bar across two sticks to hold several rods. In a goal post system, two banksticks and two buzz bars form a solid and tidy setup.

The front rest position is usually taken by a bite alarm, while the butt rest holds the handle of the rod in place. Snag ears fit over the alarm when you fish close to snags with a locked-up drag, and they stop the rod from being pulled out of the rests on a violent take.

A stage stand is designed for platforms and wooden swims where nothing can be pushed into the ground. Quick-release adapters let you remove an alarm or rest in a second, which makes packing up and moving swims much faster.

Before you buy, think about how many rods you use and what kind of banks you fish most often. Many anglers carry both a pod and a set of banksticks, so they have the right support for every swim they come across.