On- the- bank test: Preston Innovations Response XS50 pole

An impressive package for when you want to join the higher echelons of pole fishing

PRESTON INNOVATIONS RESPONSE XS50 RRP: £ 1,499.99

The new Preston Innovations Response XS50 falls into a price category where things start to get serious. When you’re in the market for a pole between £ 1,000 and £ 1,500 you expect something that ticks all the boxes. When you buy a pole at the lower end of the price spectrum you accept that there might be the occasional shortcoming. But when you reach this price bracket the whole works is expected.

A generous spares package, bags of strength and a responsive action are just a few of the essential qualities required. With that in mind, the 16m Response XS50 needed to impress from the off. And it’s fair to say it did precisely that when I was lucky enough to get my hands on one.

Upon opening the bag there was so much carbon staring back at me that I didn’t know where to start! The package includes four Roller Pulla top two kits, two Roller Pulla F1 kits and a match top two inside the pole.

There’s also a cupping kit with cups and three mini extensions that can be used when fishing both short and long. As well as giving you that little bit of extra reach, they also provide protection to the ends of the main sections.

Curborough Fishery in Staffordshire was my venue of choice for this test and the hardfighting carp in Oak Lake would be perfect for the putting the pole through its paces.

Shipping out to 16m was a smooth operation thanks to the impressive finish. There was no struggle or stuttered shipping and it was easy to get to the full distance.

Although it was perfectly fishable for periods at 16m, it was when I dropped back to 14.5m that I felt I could hold it for hours on end without feeling the strain.

Once the float dipped, the 13H elastic zipped to my right – it was inevitable the lily pads in that direction would be an attractive proposition to any hooked carp!

The old M50 pole, which the XS50 replaces, was criticised in part for lacking the required muscle power and there’s no doubt Preston’s designers have taken this feedback seriously and rectified the issue with this new model.

There was no indication it couldn’t handle the strain and I had no hesitation in piling on the necessary pressure to win each battle. A quick inspection of the sections instantly revealed the walls of each were solidly built, with little give when I squeezed the ends.

As with every Preston pole there were plenty of little extras that win additional brownie points.

Each top kit comes prebushed and with a Side Pulla already installed. The sections have aligners which enable you keep the spine of the pole lined up, enhancing performance in the process.

Preston prides itself on creating top- class tackle at an affordable price and the company has stuck to that mantra. If you are buying a pole between £ 1000 and £ 1500 then you’ll struggle to find anything else that will compete with the Response XS50. www. prestoninnovations. com

“There was no indication it couldn’t handle the strain and I had no hesitation piling on the pressure”

The XS has been developed using the most durable and hard- wearing carbon fibre

The top kits offer increased stiffness and extra durability The XS50 is stiff and responsive and won’t let you down