Best Banksticks

Solar's P1 Captive Anti-Twist Bankstick is high-grade stainless steel with a solid stainless inner section. A milled flat along that inner stops it twisting, so your alarm keeps pointing straight down the rod once everything is tightened.

Height is set with a captive stainless thumbscrew held by the five-spoke knurled P1 collar, so it can't go missing in the grass. The Ground Probe point is made for hard ground, Pozi-Loc keeps things aligned and the 3/8in BSF thread suits most alarms. Lengths are 9in, 12in and 16in.

It suits carp anglers who want one set of sticks that lasts for years and stays straight on firm or stony banks. Next to the Edward Custom Upgrades RailZ, it pushes in rather than screwing in, and it's solid stainless where the RailZ pairs a stainless outer with carbon inner rods.

To be fair, the lengths stop at 16in, so it won't cover the tallest set-ups. For most carp anglers, though, I think it's the best bankstick overall.

Century's Carbon Stealth Chunky Bankstick is built on 16mm carbon tube, which is thick for a carbon stick, yet it stays lightweight. It's made for anglers who like robust, chunky bankware with a dark, discreet look.

An easy-grip thumbscrew is designed to prevent alignment issues, the black anodised collar carries discreet Century branding and the stainless point is made for long life. Lengths run 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 24in, so most heights are covered.

It suits carp anglers using Century Stealth Carbon Pods, and the 6in stick is made for Century stage stands. Next to the Edward Custom Upgrades RailZ, it's carbon tube instead of a stainless outer, while the Trakker ACS Pro is 16mm aluminium with a carbon inner and more lengths.

To be fair, the Solar P1 Captive's Ground Probe point suits very hard banks better. For anyone set on carbon, though, I think it's the best carbon bankstick around.

Trakker's ACS Pro Bankstick is developed from the 20/20 range, with a 16mm profile and 22mm collars in high-grade 6082 aluminium. A super-hard black anodised finish protects it, and an extendable carbon core with a 13mm inner gives a firm lock-down.

A precision-engineered stainless digging point is made to cut through different ground types, and captive thumbscrews with interchangeable stainless capsules make changes tool-free. It comes in eight lengths, from 6in up to 46in, which covers pretty much any bank.

It suits carp anglers who want one make of stick for every height, from a low set-up to a high bank. Next to the Century Carbon Stealth Chunky, it swaps carbon tube for aluminium with many more lengths, while the Solar P1 Travelite is stainless and made in England.

To be fair, it isn't stainless like the Solar P1 Captive. For anyone needing lots of different heights, though, I think it's a superb all-round choice.

The Edward Custom Upgrades RailZ Stainless Bank Sticks are a hybrid that combines both materials, with a UK-machined stainless steel outer and solid carbon inner rods. The machined RailZ system handles adjustment, anti-twist and true alignment, and a milled E.C.U label sits on each piece.

Every stick has a quick-release long riser and an auger point that screws into the ground for a firm hold. They come in 9, 12, 15 and 18in lengths, and they match the RailZ buzzer bars with their goal-post threads.

They suit carp anglers who want a matched, top-end set of bankware and are happy to pay for the machining. Next to the Solar P1 Captive Anti-Twist, they swap a push-in Ground Probe for a screw-in auger, while the Century Carbon Stealth Chunky is a 16mm carbon tube stick.

To be fair, they're the dearest pick, and the auger takes a few more turns to set. For anyone who wants stainless and carbon in one stick, though, I think it's a top hybrid, with a stainless outer over solid carbon inner rods.

Solar's P1 Stainless Travelite Banksticks are made in England from high-quality stainless steel components, finished with 1K carbon detailing. The 3/8in BSF thread suits bite alarms, back rests and earlier Solar bankware.

Five-spoke diamond-knurled collars lock the height through an internal system, and the streamlined shape is built to avoid line snags. Sizes start with a 6in stick for low set-ups and go up to a 20in stick that extends to 880mm, and that 20in doubles as a Worldwide Pod leg.

They suit carp anglers who fish single sticks and want stainless that lasts. Next to the Trakker ACS Pro, they cover fewer lengths but bring Solar's Ground Driver point and English stainless, while the Solar Black-Lite swaps stainless for hard-anodised aluminium built to keep weight down.

To be fair, Solar's P1 Captive Anti-Twist adds a milled inner to stop twisting in soft ground. For single-stick anglers who want stainless that should last for years, though, I think they're a superb buy.

Solar's Black-Lite Bankstick is built from high-grade aluminium with strengthened stress areas and a hard-anodised matt black finish. It's made in the UK, and the Black-Lite Bankstick weighs from 0.11kg, so it's an easy stick to carry.

Its five-spoke knurled collars lock up positively, and the stainless Ground Driver point is engineered to get into hard ground. Every one of the four lengths, from 9in to 20in, adjusts, and the 3/8 BSF thread takes alarms, back rests and Solar buzz bars.

Mobile carp anglers who fish single sticks, buzz bars or Solar's A1 Pod will get the most from it. Next to the Solar P1 Travelite, it swaps stainless for aluminium to keep weight down, while the Century Carbon Stealth Slim goes for a 12mm carbon tube with an easy-grip thumb screw.

To be fair, aluminium won't feel as solid as stainless, and the longest stick is 20in. For anglers who move swims a lot, though, I think it's a smart, low-key choice.

Century's Carbon Stealth Slim Banksticks are built around a 12mm slimline carbon tube that's ultra lightweight yet strong and hardwearing. A black anodised collar with discreet branding and a stainless steel point made for long life finish them off.

Alignment is handled by an easy-grip thumb screw built to stop it drifting out of line. There are four lengths from 6in to 18in, with the 6in sized for Century stage stands, and Slimline buzz bars for two or three rods complete the system.

If you like slim, stealthy carbon bankware and a matching set-up, they're well worth a look. Next to the Solar Black-Lite, they swap anodised aluminium and a Ground Driver point for carbon tube, while the ESP Bank Sticks go further, extending all the way to 35in.

To be fair, a 12mm tube may not grip soft ground as firmly as Century's 16mm Stealth Chunky. For anglers who want neat carbon sticks on firm banks and platforms, though, I think they're a smart choice.

ESP builds these Bank Sticks in its own UK factory, combining 12mm hard-anodised aluminium with a solid 8mm carbon inner rod for strength without much weight. At the bottom, an extra-long machined stainless point is there for the hardest ground.

Height is set with an ergonomic captive lever that locks in a fraction of a turn, and the threaded collar matches ESP Buzz Bars. The four extending lengths stretch from 9 to 13 inches on the shortest stick to 20 to 35 inches on the longest.

Anyone kitting out a full set of rods on a budget should look at these. Next to the Century Carbon Stealth Slim, they swap carbon tube for anodised aluminium but reach much further, while the NBRICE Carbon Bankstick is 12mm carbon with stainless fittings in lengths up to 16in.

To be fair, the 12mm outer and 8mm inner aren't as sturdy as the thicker Trakker ACS Pro. For anglers who want proper UK engineering at a low price, though, I think they're the best budget banksticks going.

NBRICE's Carbon Bankstick is a 12mm stick with a premium-grade moulded carbon body and precision-machined stainless steel adjusting parts. It's made to hold a bite alarm, a buzz bar or a rear rest, and the carbon keeps it light to carry.

A stainless locking mechanism holds the set length, and it comes in 6in, 8in, 10in, 12in and 16in sizes. The short ones suit a pod or a stage stand, while the longer ones push into soft ground.

Carp anglers on soft banks who want carbon without a big spend will get on well with it. Next to the ESP Bank Sticks, it swaps anodised aluminium for a carbon body, while the ESP extends to 35in and has an extra-long point for hard ground. The Century Carbon Stealth Slim is the more refined 12mm carbon stick.

To be fair, its 16in top length won't reach high-bank swims. For soft banks, pods and tight budgets, though, I think it's a tidy, sensible buy.

Korda's Singlez Stage Stand is the platform base for the Singlez rod support system, a hybrid of buzz bars and single banksticks. JAG Products makes it from hard-wearing stainless steel, finished to a high standard.

It holds Singlez uprights and buzz bars steady on a hard surface, in two-rod or three-rod set-ups. The uprights come in 3.5in, 5in and 6.5in lengths, and the bars, uprights and spikes can also be used as individual sticks.

It suits Singlez owners who fish wooden stages, platforms and other hard swims where a stick won't go in. Next to the ESP Stage Stand Set, it's the tougher all-stainless build, while the ESP comes with wood screws and extending carbon inners. Pair it with the Korda Black Singlez Uprights for a lighter, black finish on top.

To be fair, it makes most sense if you already own Singlez kit. For Singlez anglers facing platforms, though, I think it's a superb, long-lasting add-on.

ESP's Stage Stand Set is built for wooden platforms and jetties, where a pointed bankstick has nowhere to go. Each stand has a hard-anodised aluminium outer, a solid carbon inner and a wide stainless steel foot plate.

Wood screws and a screwdriver come with it to fix the stands down, and a captive thumb screw locks the extension. It comes as pairs of 4in and 6in stands, which extend to 5¼in and 9in, for tips-up or tips-down set-ups.

Anglers who meet stages and jetties regularly, and want stands that aren't tied to one system, should look at it. Next to the Korda Singlez Stage Stand, it screws to the boards, while the Korda is the tougher stainless base for Singlez kit such as the Korda Black Singlez Uprights.

To be fair, screwing the stands down takes longer than pushing in a stick. For regular platform swims, though, I think it's a secure, well-made set.

The Black Singlez Anodised Aluminium Uprights from Korda are the adjustable front and rear supports for a Singlez set-up. JAG CNC machines them in the UK from solid aluminium billet, as a lighter alternative to the original stainless uprights.

The finish is super-hard satin-black anodising with a non-glare look, inside and out, and an engineered knurled locking collar sets the height. Lengths of 3.5in, 5in and 6.5in suit two-rod and three-rod set-ups on gravel or a platform.

Singlez owners who want a darker, lighter set of uprights are the ones to buy them. Next to the ESP Stage Stand Set, they're one part of a system rather than a complete platform kit, and they screw into the Korda Singlez Stage Stand on the boards. For me, the UK machining is the standout.

To be fair, they need Singlez bars, spikes or stands around them. For anglers already using Singlez, though, I think they're a smart, low-glare upgrade.