Elastics
Elasticating the top kit of your pole helps the angler to play a fish properly without overloading their pole and therefore avoiding breakages.
The first thing you need to do is to match your elastic to the pole you own and the type of fish that you are after. For example, there is no point going after Carp if you own a No 10-rated pole.
Most poles have around 3 top kits as standard (of course some have alot more) so for a balanced setup it is recommended to have a No6, No10 and a No14. As you start to get more skilled, you might want to focus on one aspect of the sport (say commercial carping) then you might want to double up on one type of elastic.
Solid/Latex Elastics
Standard solid is a very popular and reliable material which has a stretch ratio of around 5:1 to 6:1 and is generaally alot cheaper than say Hollow elastics<. It is also lighter and is available in much lighter grades. It is ideal when fishing for small fish up to 2lb. Elastics range from a small fish No 2 (o.6mm) or a monster crunching No 20 (2.3mm) and companies rate their elastics by number or diameter or both.
Some companies colour code their elastics, but it is prudent to stick to one specific brand rather than mixing them up. Solid elastics maybe cheaper, but depending how often you fish you may find that you need to replace the elastic every one to two months, where hollow may last the whole season.
How to Elastic a pole
Balancing your elastic
As with all things fishing it is worth having to balance your setup. No point using a No 20 elastic with a 0.06mm line and a size 26 hook. Below is a guide to a balanced setup:
| Grade | Fish Size | Hooklength | Hook |
|---|---|---|---|
| No2 | 1oz to 4 oz | 0.06mm to 0.08mm | 26 to 22 |
| No3 | 2oz to 8oz | 0.06mm to 0.08mm | 24 to 20 |
| No4 | 3oz to 12oz | 0.07mm to 0.09mm | 22 to 18 |
| No5 | 4oz to 1lb | 0.08mm to 0.10mm | 22 to 16 |
| No6 | 8oz to 2lb | 0.08mm to 0.11mm | 20 to 16 |
| No8 | 12oz to 3lb | 0.10mm to 0.13mm | 20 to 16 |
| No10 | 1lb to 5lb | 0.11mm to 0.15mm | 18 to 14 |
| No12 | 2lb to 8lb | 0.12mm to 0.16mm | 18 to 14 |
| No14 | 3lb to 10lb | 0.14mm to 0.18mm | 16 to 12 |
| No16 | 4lb to 10lb+ | 0.16mm to 0.20mm | 16 to 10 |
| No18 | 5lb to 10lb+ | 0.18mm to 0.23mm | 14 to 10 |
| No20 | 6lb to 10lb+ | 0.20mm to 0.25mm | 14 to 10 |