Distance Sticks

Distance sticks have come along way from the early days when people started using ‘wraps’ and had to resort to banksticks or similar, as nothing was commercially available, and which were completely unsuited to the job and caused lots of issues.

In simplified terms, distance sticks are literally just two sticks that you push into the ground at a set distance apart – usually a rod length so that you can set them up the same every time – and then wrap your line around them to allow you to accurately clip up to the same spot every time, and to record that distance so you can repeat the process next time you fish that swim.

In reality though there is a lot more to them than that if you want to be able to ensure that they go into pretty much any ground vertically – for example, a slight lean to your distance sticks could potentially make six inches of difference to your wraps, depending on how high or low down the stick the line is being wrapped around, and if you multiply that over even ten wraps, that equates to 10ft! That is a huge amount in some situations and can mean you aren’t even landing on your intended spot, or on top of the bait that you’ve put out.

It also means that exactly where you are fishing could vary every time you fish that swim, if your distance sticks go into the ground at varying angles each time.

The whole point of using distance sticks is for the accuracy that they can give you, and you only get that if they are as vertical as possible every single time you use them, as well as being far enough into the ground that they won’t lean inwards once you start wrapping your line around them.

The other big issue with distance sticks has always been the line either springing off when you don’t want it to and causing a big birds nest – especially so with things such as fluorocarbon main line – or it not coming off the top of the sticks smoothly and back onto your reel, once you’ve measured out the correct number of wraps and clipped up.

We took all of that into account and teamed up with JAG to design and develop what we believe are the ultimate Distance Sticks, in terms of engineering, quality of components and functionality. So, if you want the best distance sticks that money can buy, then these are the ones to have.

We appreciate though that not everyone will want to spend that amount on a set of distance sticks, and so, more recently, we have also introduced a set of Basix Distance Sticks, which are perfectly functional and will do the job, but aren’t made from as high a quality of components and don’t have all of the features found on the original Distance Sticks.

DISTANCE STICKS

The Distance Sticks were designed by our in-house design team and then machined for us by JAG, in the UK, using the highest grade materials possible and no expense has been spared.

They’ve been constructed so that they will pretty much last forever, as they’re machined from high grade aluminium, which is both strong and lightweight.

Special grooves have been machined into each stick, which your line will find its way into as you wrap it around them, and this ensures that not only does it prevent your line sliding down to the ground and potentially getting caught up on undergrowth, but also ensures that only one coil at a time will come off of the sticks when you wind the line back onto your reel, thus preventing tangles from occurring (these are often caused when multiple ‘wraps’ of line all come off of the top of a distance stick simultaneously).

The end which goes into the ground features a stainless steel auger point with 43 cutting teeth, which will smash its way through pretty much any type of ground when used in conjunction with the T-bar which is supplied with it, and which fits into a hole near the top of the stick – basically allowing you to easily screw it into the ground. This type of point, when coupled with the high visibility, spirit level style bubble, in the top of the stick, ensures that you are able to get your Distance Sticks vertical every time, and that they will stay in that position even under tension (the high grade aluminium ensures there is no flex in the sticks themselves), thus ensuring you are ‘wrapping up’ as accurately as possible every single time you use them.

Each stick is finished with a high visibility, green plastic top, and as well as housing the spirit level bubble, it will also take a Mini Stow Lite isotope to help make it easier when using the sticks at night, and also to prevent anyone from tripping over them. This is attached to the top of the stick via a screw thread, and ensures the line comes off the top of the stick smoothly.

Each pair of Distance Sticks comes complete with a cord that is exactly 12 ft long and features a ring at each end, which fits over the sticks and allows you to position them exactly the same distance apart every time, and without the need to lay your rod on the ground. A plastic holder can be fitted inbetween sessions to ensure the spikes on the end of the sticks don’t damage you rod bag – or wherever else you store them – and also ensure you don’t lose the T-bar.  

BASIX DISTANCE STICKS

The Basix Distance Sticks have been designed so that they allow you to measure out wraps and to clip up effectively, but without breaking the bank.

This makes them ideal for newcomers to the sport, or those on a tighter budget who can’t stretch to the top-of-the-range Distance Sticks, but still want something that is practical, functional, and also looks the part as well.

The Basix Distance Sticks are made from stylish grey anodised aluminium, and feature a stainless steel point that can be pushed into most types of ground. This is easily achieved via a T-bar which comes supplied with the sticks and slots into a hole located near the top of each stick, making it easy to either apply downwards pressure, or to turn the sticks if they need extra encouragement to get them into the ground (such as through stones and gravel).

The top of each stick features a bright green end cap, which shows up well in low light levels or when using a headtorch and makes it easier to ‘wrap up’ at night. These caps have a screw thread and can be removed so that the T-bar can be fitted inside the stick for safe storage when not in use. A 12ft long green cord is also supplied to allow the sticks to be positioned exactly the same distance apart every time.

COMPAC DISTANCE STICK BAG

Whilst the Distance Sticks come with a plastic clip to keep them together, a much better way to store them and ensure you don’t lose the T-bar or cord, is to keep them in a Compac Distance Stick Bag – which comes in olive green or Dark Kamo.

Two Distance Sticks will fit neatly into the main compartment of the bag, and it also features a separate internal pocket in which to store the T-bar. An external pocket has plenty of room for the cord which is used to measure exactly 12ft between your sticks.

The Compac Distance Stick Bag is made from the same high quality material that is used throughout our range of Compac luggage, and which is tough, hard-wearing, lightweight and water resistant. A Velcro fastener and flap is used to prevent anything from falling out during transit. The bag is 54cm long by 9cm wide.