WITH no reels or rollers to add complications, whip fishing is about as basic as it gets. But in the right hands a whip can be responsible for catching huge bags of smaller fish and its also a great way to introduce someone to the sport and progress them into pole fishing with longer poles.
Generally whips are telescopic in design, sometimes including a take-apart top kit section but this all depends on the manufacturer. The rig is either attached to a metal eye that is fused into the end section, commonly referred to as a “flick tip” or you can thread some elastic through the end section for added insurance when targeting larger fish.
In terms of fishing with a whip, its best to have a rig as long as the whip itself, so if you’re fishing with a 5m whip, a 5m rig is best suited as it allows you to swing it back into your hand when re-baiting or landing a fish. If it is shorter or longer than the length of the whip, it makes the whole process very inefficient and more challenging than it should be.
DAIWA CONNOISSEUR WHIPS RRP: £42 – £250
Light and crisp in the hand, these quality Daiwa Connoisseur telescopic whips will cover everything from short-range gudgeon and bleak snatching right through to long lining for roach and dace.
Fully telescopic, each Daiwa Connoisseur whip has a blended solid carbon flick tip, and top Daiwa technologies such as V-Joint, X45 Bias and HVF Nanoplus carbons. Available in 2m, 2.5m, 3m, 3.5m, 4m, 4.5m, 5m and 6m lengths. For those seeking Daiwa quality in a system whip, there’s a Connoisseur 8m version as well.
Superb-actioned whips from one of the best carbon producing brands around! www.daiwasports.co.uk
MIDDY BAGGIN’ MACHINE 5.5M WHIP RRP: £49.99
An incredible value 5m telescopic whip with a 0.5m dolly butt. It comes with a flick tip and two ready elasticated tips.
There’s even a rig and a disgorger included, making it ideal for beginners. It has three tip options – two ready-elasticated with different grades of Hi-Viz elastic, plus a flick tip. It incorporates Synaptic carbon and, with a 24 elastic rating, the Baggin' Machine whip is super strong. Just add bait and you are ready to fish.
A lot of variety is covered at very little cost, ideal for the super-keen young angler. www.middytackle.com
CADENCE CP200 RRP: 6M £175.99, 9M £318.99
Designed predominantly for river fishing where longer whips are becoming a necessity, yet tough enough when elasticated for fishing pole-to-hand style in Ireland, Holland and Denmark. Unusually, the whole top-5 is telescopic for a stronger and improved action.
The Cadence CP200 whip can be bought at 6m or 9m lengths, while additional top-3 and top-5 kits can be added at very reasonable prices.
This is a perfect choice for the river angler who wants a number of lengths and tops kitted out fo
