[UK-CONTEST] Vertical Dipole

[mm0bqi]

Following some very helpful and interesting comments last year about my IOTA
contest ground plane antennas I have gone for a change this year.   During
our recent EU108 expedition we tried vertical dipoles beside the sea and
they seemed to work.  However I am not fully convinced but feel it is worth
having a go!  I have two questions.
1.  Will there be any great performance difference between the two types of
antenna?  My main target area is EU and I have a clear sea path to VK/JA
should the bands open....
2.  The antennas will be on 12m fishing poles, does the height of the feed
point matter or should I just make it as high as possible?
Each antenna 10/15/20m will be taped to a separate 12m fishing pole and
they will be within 5m of the sea.  The coax will come away at right angles
along a cane for about six feet then slope to the ground at about 45
degrees.
Thanks
Jim,  MM0BQI