Firstly I will go through this section with a guide on how to elasticate a pole step by step with pictures.

Things you need:

 

1. Top kits to elasticate
2. Elastic
3. PTFE Bushes
4. Elastic/line connectors
5. Bung
6. Diamond Eye Threader
7. Junior Hacksaw
8. Fine sand paper

Now that you have what you need

Start with fitting the PTFE Bush to the tip section. PTFE bushes come in a range of sizes, you determine the size required by the size elastic you are going to install.In this guide I am going to fit number 8 elastic and have chosen an EXTERNAL PTFE Bush to a size 10 or 12 elastic. Reason for this choice is because I like to go one size bigger than recommended to make sure that my elastic runs smoothly and hassle free. When buying PTFE bushes check the recommendation on the pack to find the perfect match.

When fitting a PTFE bush in most cases cutting back the tip section is required. Hold the PTFE bush up against the tip section to see roughly where the perfect fit will be. Now cut back with a fine tooth hacksaw and fit bush in place.

 

Top Tip: It’s always better to cut that little less than where you think the bush will fit. Its costs only a little more time rather than a new top section!

Power top 2 kits - A lot of poles come with power top 2 kits nowadays. These top kits are specially designed to handle big elastics (10 or bigger is the norm). Power top kits only require a small amount of cutting back due to the large bore they have already. When new, most manufacturers make them to fit a 10 elastic with no problems and no cutting back but I personally still recommend you cut back at least to a PTFE bush measured for a number 12 elastic.

Does a PTFE bush require super glue?

Simple answer is yes and no, the only time i would use a small amount of super glue is with an internal PTFE bush. With an external the fit should be tight enough to hold in place without it.

Bung

Now for the bung, available in various sizes to fit the tip section for very light elastics and all the way up to mighty 20 elastics where some people even fit the elastic through 4 sections!

For this guide I have chosen to fit through 3 sections. Fit the bung into the section you wish it to fit. As you can see from the picture its too big in its shop bought state. Gently push the bung into the section and turn it so that it makes a small mark on the bung, use as a guide to where to cut the bung. Cut a little above the mark you have created so that you can be sure the bung is not going to stop the 4th section from connecting properly; You do not want to loose your top kit!

Elastic

Now to get the elastic through the sections. The easiestwayof doing this is with an Diamond Eye threader. Thread the threader through the sections with the"Diamond eye" at the top. Put the elastic end in the eye and pull up so that the elastic is locked into place. Now simply pull from the other end and you will have the elastic through your sections.

 

Connecting bung to the elastic

There is a few ways to connect the bung to the elastic but the most popular one that is used when using a ordinary bung is the loop method.

First you need to create a simple figure of 8 loop in the elastic. Make sure the loop is at least 10 cm (elastics 4 to 8) and 20cm for elastics heavier. This loop is a safety feature which will act as that little extra stretch if a fish takes so much elastic. Do not just tie a knot connecting the elastic to the bung. This is more likely to snap when the elastic is put under high pressure.

Remember to make sure that you wet the knot before the final pull this will prevent damage to the elastic.

Put the loop through the hole of the bung as shown on the picture

 

Now take the loop under the bung and pull tight so that there is a neat connection around the hole of the bung. The good thing about this way is its much easier to take the bung off should you need too.

 

Finally the connection between rig and elastic

There are a few ways of connecting your

 

Pole elastic connector

A plastic pole elastic connector is the most popular way for connection of the pole rig to the elastic due to its simplicity.

Its has 3 parts to it,

1) The cap, this protects the knot holding the body from damage

2) The body, is what connects the rig via a small hook

3) The sleeve is what covers the hook

 

Now for tying on the plastic connector which is a basic overhand knot.

 

 

1) Firstly slide the cap on to the elastic

 

 

 

2) Now thread the elastic through the hole on the

body of connector

 

 

3) Create a loop like you would for an overhand knot

 

 

 

4) Pull connector through the loop you have just formed

 

 

5) Moisten before pulling tight making sure that the knot is right down to the connector

 

 

 

6) Trim tail down to 1mm and slide cap back down to the connector and click into place.

You have now tied on your first connector.

 

Top Tip: Practice on a piece of spare elastic before tying on the connector for a real fishing situation, this make sure no disasters happen when on the bank. It’s a good idea to carry some spare connectors for all sizes of elastics in your tackle box, this ensures you are covered just incase one breaks or the elastic snaps whilst playing a fish.