NEWS The TKS standard


MAP’s TKS range of poles has, some will say, set the standard for what is best termed a ‘legacy range’ and with new poles for 2019, the brand is not resting on its laurels - T&G delves deeper…


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orn from the need to establish itself as one of the major brands on the UK match scene, MAP’s TKS series was a major leap forward for compatibility in the pole market; not only did models share mandrels for easy section compatibility, but ANY top kit with a TKS label would fit ANY pole bearing the TKS badge… and so a success story was born. Shift forward and the TKS idea is now in its fourth iteration, although the new range bears the 3G moniker (the first range had a different naming structure) and is based on the 101, 201 (etc) naming hierarchy. February’s iceTackle* event in Milton Keynes was the initial launch platform for the range, which saw its existing 101-901 poles tweaked and improved, and the poles have since been on the road with


24 | Tackle & Guns | June 2019


appearances at numerous dealer days and The Big One consumer events. The reception has been great


according to the MAP team and there’s no doubt that the latest addition, the flagship TKS1001, has stolen the show. Lauded as the world’s slimmest 16-metre pole, it’s an incredible 43mm thick at the butt, which for any pole angler is a huge deal; basically, it’s like holding a no6 sections of other poles! It’s a game changer of sorts and put the TKS1001 pretty much in a league of its own in terms of a USP and the way it handles. Of course, the existing (and slightly


fatter) TKS901 is still a truly admirable piece of kit and despite popular belief, it sits alongside the TKS1001. “Both poles offer a different experience,” says MAP marketing


manager, Pat MacInnes. “We’re finding as much praise for the ‘regular’ mandrel TKS901 from anglers who have had previous versions and can benefit from sections compatibility. It’s still an amazing pole and offers a different type of feel to the TKS1001; however, the ’10 just feels like it’ll take on anything and will find favour with all-out power anglers.” Away from the TKS1001, the 3G range is based around three mandrels that cover the 101-301, 401 & 501, then the 601 right up to the 901. This means anglers can interchange sections and upgrade easily. Plus, with short poles like the 8.5m M10 and M20 margin poles, which fit onto 401/501 and 601/701/801/901 respectively, and a whole host of top kits and intermediate sections, this


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