This is the top section of the pole that contains the elastic. The top is sometimes 2 pieces such as a Carp or Match top kit or a single piece such as a one-piece F1 Kit. Carp top kits are built with a heavier construction to allow for larger fish, match top kits are light and designed for smaller fish such as silvers. One-piece F1 top kits are shorter and stiffer than a normal top kit and are sometimes fished with a short 3 which contributes to making the end of the pole stiff and speeding up striking into a fish.