For carp anglers, a rod pod is a bit like marmite – you either love them or hate them. Regardless of where you sit in this argument, I am sure we can all agree that a rod pod is a crucial piece of kit for specimen hunters.
Even if you prefer using a bank stick setup for the majority of your carp fishing, there will come a time when you are faced with some terrain where only a rod pod will suffice.
Rod pods come in a vast array of shapes, sizes, and materials, so it is worth having an idea of what you will get for your money and where to get it from if you are in the market for one.
Let’s take a look, in alphabetical order, at the best rod pods available today for under £100.
Avid Carp Lok Down Compact Pod
Ok, this rod pod comes in at slightly more than the £100 limit, but it is priced very close to the threshold amount and it is such a good product it would have been a crime not to include it!
Constructed from high-grade aluminium, this sturdy rod pod boasts a twin bar in the centre and 4 legs that all feature Avid’s “Lok Down” mechanism.
For the carp anglers that like to fish locked up or are concerned about this rod pod tipping over, it is supplied with a retaining strap that can be pegged down to provide peace of mind (and also ensure that your rods, reels and alarms don’t end up in the middle of the lake!)
![](http://carpsmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Avid-Lok-Down-Compact-Pod.jpg)
As an added bonus and for those of you that have OCD (Obsessive Carp Disorder), this rod pod has built-in spirit levels to ensure that your setup is completely aligned and Instagram ready.
The recommended retail price of this pod is considerably over the limit at £129.99, but you can expect to pay much less when ordering from Amazon or Angling Direct.Avid Carp Lok Down Compact Pod At A Glance:
Approx Price: £115
Capacity: 3 rods
Material: High-grade aluminium
Approx Weight: 1.75kg
Cygnet Quicklock Rod Pod
The Quicklock Rod Pod from Cygnet can be put into place very swiftly via the spring-loaded mechanism that helps the legs to snap easily into position.
This rod pod does not ship with bank sticks or buzz bars, so they will need to be purchased separately. The 20/20 bank sticks from Cygnet are a natural choice, but other bank sticks boasting the same dimensions will also work perfectly.
![](http://carpsmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Cygnet-Quicklock-Rod-Pod.jpg)
This rod pod boasts Cygnet’s anti-twist TPS (Telescopic Pole System), which ensures that everything remains stable, even during the most aggressive bites.
Weighing just 617g, this is one of the lightest rod pods on the market. It is also one of the smallest, packing away very neatly into the supplied neoprene sleeve.
Angling Direct and Total Fishing Tackle both stock this rod pod at the recommended retail price of £69.99, but it is worth bearing in mind that bank sticks and buzz bars will increase the overall cost, if required.Cygnet Quicklock Rod Pod At A Glance:
Approx Price: £70
Capacity: N/A
Material: Anodised aluminium
Approx Weight: 617g
Fox A Pod Plus
The A Pod Plus from Fox is a well built and well-priced solution for carp anglers who like the goal post setup.
This aluminium rod pod is easily adjusted and boasts a length range from 69cm to 106cm and a height range from 26cm to 41cm, making it suitable for a variety of different rod sizes and terrains.
![](http://carpsmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Fox-A-Pod-Plus.jpg)
It comes with moulded buzz bars which, along with the legs, easily detach and pack away neatly into the supplied carry bag (which is also big enough to accommodate bite alarms on the buzz bars).
Fox set the recommended retail price of this rod pod at £70, but you can usually save around 20% if you order from Amazon or Angling Direct.Fox A Pod Plus At A Glance:
Approx Price: £55
Capacity: 3 rods
Material: Aluminium
Approx Weight: 1.7kg
JRC Contact SQR Rod Pod
The JRC Contact SQR is another rod pod that falls easily into this price bracket, so will suit carp anglers who want quality while on a budget.
It possesses wide-ranging dimensions, with the length being adjustable between 70cm-125cm and the height varying between 23cm-41cm.
![](http://carpsmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/JRC-Contact-SQR-Pod.jpg)
In addition to performing well, this rod pod also looks the part, with the aluminium being finished with an anti-glare coating. It is shipped in a high-quality JRC rod pod bag and weighs approximately 2.8kg.
JRC suggest a selling price of £75 for this pod, but if you shop with either Amazon or Angling Direct, you can normally make a saving of more than 25%.JRC Contact SQR Rod Pod At A Glance:
Approx Price: £55
Capacity: 3 rods
Material: Aluminium
Approx Weight: 2.8kg
We compared some of the best rods on the market for under £100. Are your rods as good as these?
Leeda Rogue 3 In 1 Rod Pod
The Leeda Rogue Rod Pod is a competitively priced offering and is an ideal purchase for first-time buyers.
This is a very compact rod pod that is designed to accommodate 3 rods and pack down neatly into a supplied carry bag.
![](http://carpsmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Leeda-Rogue-Rod-Pod.jpg)
Even when fully extended, this rod pod still falls short of the length of most competitors on the market, so I would recommend this pod for use with rods of 11ft or less.
This is a popular rod pod that is stocked by most of the main tackle shops and distributors, with the best prices normally being advertised by Amazon.Leeda Rogue 3 In 1 Rod Pod At A Glance:
Approx Price: £45
Capacity: 3 rods
Material: Aluminium
Approx Weight: 2kg
Nash Tackle Rod Pod
Nash Tackle has released multiple rod pods over the years and this is one of their latest offerings.
Available in both 2 and 3 rod versions, this is another rod pod that offers excellent quality on a budget.
![](http://carpsmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Nash-Tackle-3-Rod-Pod.jpg)
The length is adjustable on both versions from a compact 53cm to a more accommodating 90cm, with the height ranging between 21cm to 31cm.
This aluminium rod pod is competitively priced at both Amazon and Angling Direct.Nash Tackle Rod Pod At A Glance:
Approx Price: £50/£60
Capacity: 2/3 rods
Material: Aluminium
Approx Weight: 1.5/2kg
NGT XPR Rod Pod
The XPR Rod Pod from NGT is the ideal solution for carp anglers who don’t want to break the bank.
Its unique selling point is that it comes supplied with a dedicated bivvy peg that fits nicely into the centralised pegging point to keep everything locked down nice and tight (if you are fishing from a platform, the bivvy peg can be replaced by a screw).
![](http://carpsmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/NGT-XPR-3-Rod-Pod.jpg)
This is a 3 rod pod that gives incredible value for money at under £40, making it perfect for carp anglers on a budget. With that being said, it looks and feels like it is priced much higher and doesn’t look out of place when put in direct comparison with some of its more expensive rivals.
This rod pod is shipped with its own carry bag and is usually available at its best price on Amazon.NGT XPR Rod Pod At A Glance:
Approx Price: £40
Capacity: 2/3 rods
Material: Aluminium
Approx Weight: 2.4kg
Prologic K1 Low Profile Rod Pod
The K1 Low Profile Rod Pod from Prologic is an extremely versatile option for carp anglers who wish to cover all eventualities while on the bank.
It can be used as a regular pod, a goal post setup or even single bank sticks, allowing it to be used in most situations and terrains.
![](http://carpsmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Prologic-K1-Low-Profile-Rod-Pod.jpg)
This rod pod is available in 2 rod and 3 rod options, both of which ship in a padded carry case.
The 2 rod and 3 rod options both fall within the price limit of this article, with Angling Direct and Total Fishing Tackle stocking them at the RRP.Prologic K1 Low Profile Rod Pod At A Glance:
Approx Price: £90/£100
Capacity: 2/3 rods
Material: Anodised aluminium
Approx Weight: 1kg
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Saber Supra Compact Rod Pod
Saber’s Supra Compact Rod Pod is another value-for-money offering that delivers high-end features at a low-end price.
It is supplied with bank sticks and buzz bars, enabling it to be used with 2 rods as a single stick setup or with 3 rods in a goal post or pod formation.
![](http://carpsmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Saber-Supra-Compact-Rod-Pod-1024x461.jpg)
When folded away, this really is a compact pod, boasting dimensions of just 14cm x 28cm. When in use, the length is adjustable between 57cm to 70cm and the height ranges from 19cm up to 36cm.
This rod pod can be ordered at its best price from Amazon or directly from Saber Tackle.Saber Supra Compact Rod Pod At A Glance:
Approx Price: £40
Capacity: 3 rods
Material: Aluminium
Approx Weight: 1kg
Sonik Vader X Rod Pod
The Vader X Rod Pod from Sonik is one of the most popular rod pods on the market, thanks to its slick design, impressive build quality and attractive price point.
This is another all-in-one solution that can be used with single bank sticks, goal post style or as a full rod pod. When in use, the length can be extended up to 75cm (2 rod version) or 97cm (3 rod version). Both pod choices have a maximum height of 40cm.
![](http://carpsmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Sonik-Vader-X-Rod-Pod.jpg)
Although there are 2 rod and 3 rod options available, with a price difference of only £5 price separating them, you may as well opt for the latter (if you only use two rods now, you will eventually buy a third!)
Due to its incredible popularity, it can be difficult to find anywhere with stock of this rod pod. However, Sonik sell it directly on Amazon, so you can normally find one there.Sonik Vader X Rod Pod At A Glance:
Approx Price: £55/£60
Capacity: 2/3 rods
Material: Aluminium
Approx Weight: 830g/990g
TF Gear Cross Pod
The final rod pod to make it onto our list is the Cross Pod from TF Gear.
This rod pod is very well respected within the carp fishing community and it seems that the only thing that it is lacking is a logo from one of the well-known manufacturers.
![](http://carpsmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/TF-Gear-Cross-Pod.jpg)
Like some of the more expensive rod pods on this list, it can be used in a single bank stick setup, goal post style, or as a full pod.
Supplied with a carry case and buzz bars, which other companies manufacture a 3 rod pod of this quality for under £40?!
The best price for this rod pod can usually be found on Amazon, though it can also be ordered directly from TF Gear.TF Gear Cross Pod At A Glance:
Approx Price: £40
Capacity: 3 rods
Material: Aluminium
Approx Weight: 1.8kg
Conclusion
While some of the higher-end and custom-made rod pods can cost many hundreds of pounds, all of the options included here will not let you down on the bank.
The all-in-one rod pods provide a very cost-effective solution to your needs on the bank as many of them include all the components needed for use as a full rod pod, goal post or single bank stick setup.
Do you prefer to fish with a rod pod or with single bank sticks? Let’s debate in the comments.