How does everyone feel about leaving your fishing gear unattended at a swim?
(Rods out of the water of course.)
As I usually fish solo, I almost always need to leave my gear a few times during a session to walk to the toilet block. This is usually only 5/10 minutes but I still end up being paranoid about leaving it behind.
Now looking at joining a lake with a locked gate which will certainly makes me feel better about the whole situation but I noticed one of the rules states that people must not leave their swims for any longer than two hours.
This got me thinking, is it normal for people to leave their swims for that long?
I guess they're perhaps going to a local shop or something but is leaving everything unattended for that long generally considered a safe thing to do?
(Rods out of the water of course.)
As I usually fish solo, I almost always need to leave my gear a few times during a session to walk to the toilet block. This is usually only 5/10 minutes but I still end up being paranoid about leaving it behind.
Now looking at joining a lake with a locked gate which will certainly makes me feel better about the whole situation but I noticed one of the rules states that people must not leave their swims for any longer than two hours.
This got me thinking, is it normal for people to leave their swims for that long?
I guess they're perhaps going to a local shop or something but is leaving everything unattended for that long generally considered a safe thing to do?
In reply to Post #1
I only do it on secured members only waters I've not had anyone interfere with my gear if I've gone for a look around the lake or visit the toilet. My club gives a maximum of 45 minutes away from your swim. Just long enough to nip to the local shops if need be.
I only do it on secured members only waters I've not had anyone interfere with my gear if I've gone for a look around the lake or visit the toilet. My club gives a maximum of 45 minutes away from your swim. Just long enough to nip to the local shops if need be.
In reply to Post #1
The 2 hour rule is so guys can pop out for supplies/home for a shower/feed the cats. I've seen that on a few syndis I've been on.
Regards leaving gear, depends on the water mate. On a syndi I'll do it no problem, they're mates. Wouldn't dream of it on a day ticket. Might do it on a club water if I have mates nearby to keep an eye on it.
The 2 hour rule is so guys can pop out for supplies/home for a shower/feed the cats. I've seen that on a few syndis I've been on.
Regards leaving gear, depends on the water mate. On a syndi I'll do it no problem, they're mates. Wouldn't dream of it on a day ticket. Might do it on a club water if I have mates nearby to keep an eye on it.
In reply to Post #1
I used to leave my gear unattended at Nazeing to pop to the shops and walk the dog, never had a problem, although at one time there was supposedly a problem at night while people were in their bivvy. I never found that, but I guess having a dog puts people off causing grief.
The Eastern Europeans who were doing it did get caught, then handed over to the old bill.
I used to leave my gear unattended at Nazeing to pop to the shops and walk the dog, never had a problem, although at one time there was supposedly a problem at night while people were in their bivvy. I never found that, but I guess having a dog puts people off causing grief.
The Eastern Europeans who were doing it did get caught, then handed over to the old bill.
In reply to Post #1
In my syndicate one of the lads does a week at a time and leaves his tackle all day while he goes to work..and only fishes in the evenings through the night....I don't think I'd go that far but I'd leave it to go the shops toilet block etc...... If there was another member on the lake I would leave my tackle for a few days as I know it would be fine....,,saying that it's not a massive lake ...fully otter fenced with one way in and out...... I suppose it depends on the venue and location....
In my syndicate one of the lads does a week at a time and leaves his tackle all day while he goes to work..and only fishes in the evenings through the night....I don't think I'd go that far but I'd leave it to go the shops toilet block etc...... If there was another member on the lake I would leave my tackle for a few days as I know it would be fine....,,saying that it's not a massive lake ...fully otter fenced with one way in and out...... I suppose it depends on the venue and location....
I remember fishing a day ticket and a guy turned up around 12 in the afternoon. Set up his bivvy and left all his gear inside. Walked over to my swim and asked me to keep an eye on his stuff, as he was a train driver and was due to start a shift.
Didn't turn up until about 8/9 o'clock in the evening. I remember thinking that was possibly one of the riskiest manoeuvres I've ever seen.
Didn't turn up until about 8/9 o'clock in the evening. I remember thinking that was possibly one of the riskiest manoeuvres I've ever seen.
the Essex country park I fish I just use cheap mid range rods and reels and sling them in the bushes, then cover them up with branches and what ever I can find.last time I used them was last winter, bet they are still there..most people are more interested in finding John (Goldfinger) palmers buried bullion than some **** fishing gear.. 
In reply to Post #7
Are they stashed anywhere near palmers place then 👀🤫
Are they stashed anywhere near palmers place then 👀🤫
In reply to Post #1
I have a large bucket with a seat and lid on it. Purpose made for the job. Put a bin bag in it and it doubles up as a rubbish bin. Never have to leave for a dump.
I have a large bucket with a seat and lid on it. Purpose made for the job. Put a bin bag in it and it doubles up as a rubbish bin. Never have to leave for a dump.
In reply to Post #8
its a lot of land..x marks the spot..
its a lot of land..x marks the spot..
One of my waters has a four hour rule. Long enough to go to the tackle shop, pop to the cafe, maybe pick up shopping. It's a nice perk, no one takes the piss as it's strictly enforced. It's long enough to go home but stops guys stitching up swims for weeks at a time.
Never once worried about leaving my gear, in fact I've done the night before and got back to my van and realised I haven't even locked it.
I'd never do this on any water with public access.
Never once worried about leaving my gear, in fact I've done the night before and got back to my van and realised I haven't even locked it.
I'd never do this on any water with public access.
In reply to Post #11
Your van would be alright, plumbers usually have a rubble sack of scraps worth more than their tools
Your van would be alright, plumbers usually have a rubble sack of scraps worth more than their tools
In reply to Post #12
You ain't kidding. I like to think of my tools as multifunctional. Can't find a hammer, use a drill battery. Can't find a chisel, use a screwdriver. Can't find a screwdriver, use a hammer.
Us plumbers have tool kits that make chippies cry themselves to sleep at night. If you've got OCD don't ever open my drill box. The amount of snapped drill bits in there weighs more that the drill.
You ain't kidding. I like to think of my tools as multifunctional. Can't find a hammer, use a drill battery. Can't find a chisel, use a screwdriver. Can't find a screwdriver, use a hammer.
Us plumbers have tool kits that make chippies cry themselves to sleep at night. If you've got OCD don't ever open my drill box. The amount of snapped drill bits in there weighs more that the drill.
In reply to Post #13
If a drill bit sticks out of the chuck it's fair game to plumbers
If a drill bit sticks out of the chuck it's fair game to plumbers
My local Colne valley club has a 2 hour rule and thats great as its enough time to go home for a shower change of clothes or tackle shop etc
In reply to Post #15
Or the oaks, the coy carp, the horse and barge.
Or the oaks, the coy carp, the horse and barge.
In reply to Post #16
yep have had a dinner in the Coy in the past
yep have had a dinner in the Coy in the past
In reply to Post #17
You can sit in the beer garden and almost see your gear on Troy. In fact it's almost within receiver range. Hmmmmmmmm
You can sit in the beer garden and almost see your gear on Troy. In fact it's almost within receiver range. Hmmmmmmmm
In reply to Post #18
Camera body and a couple of decent lens ...£4000 + ...1000's more on tackle... I don't like even leaving my gear in the car to bucket a swim... Chancers everywhere these days... Public waters/day tickets /syndicates... i'm with the OP ....Paranoid about leaving and not seeing my gear.....As for leaving the lake with it still there ..Forget it....
Camera body and a couple of decent lens ...£4000 + ...1000's more on tackle... I don't like even leaving my gear in the car to bucket a swim... Chancers everywhere these days... Public waters/day tickets /syndicates... i'm with the OP ....Paranoid about leaving and not seeing my gear.....As for leaving the lake with it still there ..Forget it....
In reply to Post #19
Terrifies me too, I got ridiculed for suggesting linear do a bivvy sitting service say tenner a hour, I'd pay it for sure,go enjoy a shower ,top up supplies etc.
Terrifies me too, I got ridiculed for suggesting linear do a bivvy sitting service say tenner a hour, I'd pay it for sure,go enjoy a shower ,top up supplies etc.
In reply to Post #20
If I ever fish linear for long enough to need a shower please someone come and put me out of my misery. You can keep my gear.
If I ever fish linear for long enough to need a shower please someone come and put me out of my misery. You can keep my gear.
In reply to Post #21
In reply to Post #21
Half of them need a shower before they get there never mind after.
Half of them need a shower before they get there never mind after.
In reply to Post #23
your not wrong !! can totally agree with you on that
I wash brush my teeth change my socks and underwear daily at home ? and can see no need to be different on the bank ? and amazed at the minging people that go fishing and forget all that ???
Edit
hope Phil and Wayne dont ever fish near me
your not wrong !! can totally agree with you on that I wash brush my teeth change my socks and underwear daily at home ? and can see no need to be different on the bank ? and amazed at the minging people that go fishing and forget all that ???
Edit
hope Phil and Wayne dont ever fish near me
In reply to Post #24
Many years back there was a bloke who had the Nickname "Sleep In the Woods". I found out why when I met him one day.
Yes personal hygiene is important and I cant see why anyone wouldn't want to stay as clean as they possibly when on the bank.
Many years back there was a bloke who had the Nickname "Sleep In the Woods". I found out why when I met him one day.
Yes personal hygiene is important and I cant see why anyone wouldn't want to stay as clean as they possibly when on the bank.
In reply to Post #24
Oi
Oi
In reply to Post #24
I agree, although the only thing I don't use is soap as I don't like it tainting my hands especially when handling bait etc. I use a unscented baby wipe for a good wipe around the undercarriage/taint when changing underwear & if warm, wash feet in a spare bucket with warm water from the kettle as well as some cold if got enough spare. Feet get a good wipe as well with the unscented wipes -especially between the toes. Always got a stuff bag of clean clothes in the car & I get what I need at the same time I refill my water bottle at the car & pay the Portaloo a visit in the morning. As a dentures wearer, I don't brush my teeth per say (only give the dentures a quick scrub after soaking in Steradent overnight on the bivvy table) but I still have a travel bottle of mouthwash in my kit that gets a swig taken from every morning & night time. Roll-on deodorant takes up no room either in one of the barrow bags that sit on the barrow.
Instead of soap I have unscented antibacterial hand gel or a bottle of Dr Weils if the shop has stock of it! I wont rub any of that around the "Gentleman area" though!!!!
I agree, although the only thing I don't use is soap as I don't like it tainting my hands especially when handling bait etc. I use a unscented baby wipe for a good wipe around the undercarriage/taint when changing underwear & if warm, wash feet in a spare bucket with warm water from the kettle as well as some cold if got enough spare. Feet get a good wipe as well with the unscented wipes -especially between the toes. Always got a stuff bag of clean clothes in the car & I get what I need at the same time I refill my water bottle at the car & pay the Portaloo a visit in the morning. As a dentures wearer, I don't brush my teeth per say (only give the dentures a quick scrub after soaking in Steradent overnight on the bivvy table) but I still have a travel bottle of mouthwash in my kit that gets a swig taken from every morning & night time. Roll-on deodorant takes up no room either in one of the barrow bags that sit on the barrow.
Instead of soap I have unscented antibacterial hand gel or a bottle of Dr Weils if the shop has stock of it! I wont rub any of that around the "Gentleman area" though!!!!
In reply to Post #1
How things have changed who has bred these scumbags I remember leaving all my gear with rods on the rests loads of times on lochmaben in the 80s and go to the pub all day and night .This was by a carpark on show by the road nothing was ever touched.Many people used to do it .Nowadays your van isn't even safe
How things have changed who has bred these scumbags I remember leaving all my gear with rods on the rests loads of times on lochmaben in the 80s and go to the pub all day and night .This was by a carpark on show by the road nothing was ever touched.Many people used to do it .Nowadays your van isn't even safe
In reply to Post #28
You can't leave a thing now, it will be gone
One water I used to fish, people used to leave everything, bivvys up the lot and go to work, used to tie up all the swims, bailiff used to keep an eye on it for them, stopped fishing it as a result
Another we used to hide stuff in the woods. We had a couple of plastic chairs in certain areas, pull one out of the bushes, job done, put it back when finished
Couple of times on waters with long walks that don't see many people I have contemplated leaving gear in the reeds and bushes but have always resisted at the last minute. There is always an opportunity for somebody these days, couple this with the popularity nowadays you want to be sitting with a shotgun on some waters. I've know a few spod and marker rods go missing in the night along with landing nets etc
It's pretty sad really but that's society as a whole i guess. When I was a kid we used to go camping to the lakes and Scotland. You could leave your gear out all week, canoes, dingy with outboard, nobody would touch a thing. Imagine doing that in certain areas now
There's a reason why fisheries need rules and that's dickheads, the more popular the pastime the more dickheads about and you will always get the odd few who just spoil things for others, leaving the rods out etc. In fact, talking about dickheads I was fishing yesterday and was at said water around 4.45am. Dickhead opposite me pulled a sack out of the water around 9am after he had got his fat arse out of the tent to take the pictures, old fish in here to. I really question some people's ethics, why they go fishing, what they get out of it and what goes through their tiny minds, maybe they should sell retainers with an orange label stitched on them, don't be a dick, carp care is number 1. How's that for leaving things out
You can't leave a thing now, it will be gone
One water I used to fish, people used to leave everything, bivvys up the lot and go to work, used to tie up all the swims, bailiff used to keep an eye on it for them, stopped fishing it as a result
Another we used to hide stuff in the woods. We had a couple of plastic chairs in certain areas, pull one out of the bushes, job done, put it back when finished
Couple of times on waters with long walks that don't see many people I have contemplated leaving gear in the reeds and bushes but have always resisted at the last minute. There is always an opportunity for somebody these days, couple this with the popularity nowadays you want to be sitting with a shotgun on some waters. I've know a few spod and marker rods go missing in the night along with landing nets etc
It's pretty sad really but that's society as a whole i guess. When I was a kid we used to go camping to the lakes and Scotland. You could leave your gear out all week, canoes, dingy with outboard, nobody would touch a thing. Imagine doing that in certain areas now
There's a reason why fisheries need rules and that's dickheads, the more popular the pastime the more dickheads about and you will always get the odd few who just spoil things for others, leaving the rods out etc. In fact, talking about dickheads I was fishing yesterday and was at said water around 4.45am. Dickhead opposite me pulled a sack out of the water around 9am after he had got his fat arse out of the tent to take the pictures, old fish in here to. I really question some people's ethics, why they go fishing, what they get out of it and what goes through their tiny minds, maybe they should sell retainers with an orange label stitched on them, don't be a dick, carp care is number 1. How's that for leaving things out
in the late 70s I used to fish a pit in Harefield at this time it was hardly fished at all by carp anglers maybe 2or 3 other people that was it
I used to make up a dummy in the sleeping bag pair of boots sticking out the bottom of the bag and arrange all sorts in the bag to shape a body and a hat over the head end and the radio under the bed on very low it looked good like someone was fast asleep and the radio kept any animals from going inside there were lots of nosey cows in the fields I used to go home and have a shower go to shops for supplies etc
never had a problem other than my car getting broken into as I stupidly left my recently purchased Nikon F camera on the back seat and could never afford to replace it at the time
I used to make up a dummy in the sleeping bag pair of boots sticking out the bottom of the bag and arrange all sorts in the bag to shape a body and a hat over the head end and the radio under the bed on very low it looked good like someone was fast asleep and the radio kept any animals from going inside there were lots of nosey cows in the fields I used to go home and have a shower go to shops for supplies etc
never had a problem other than my car getting broken into as I stupidly left my recently purchased Nikon F camera on the back seat and could never afford to replace it at the time
In reply to Post #30
I reckon you're still not that far off what its like now in the valley. I'd be a lot more concerned about some toe rag breaking into my van if I left it parked up in Harefield than I ever would be about my gear id left at the lake.
What's really gutting is I bet your lovely new camera got sold on for nothing, without a care for what irreplaceable photos might have been on it. Scumbags.
One well known member who I'm sure you must know, used to leave his large Rottweiler in his car with his gear if he ever left his car unattended in the Coy car park.
I remember anyone ever saying it got broken in to .
I reckon you're still not that far off what its like now in the valley. I'd be a lot more concerned about some toe rag breaking into my van if I left it parked up in Harefield than I ever would be about my gear id left at the lake.
What's really gutting is I bet your lovely new camera got sold on for nothing, without a care for what irreplaceable photos might have been on it. Scumbags.
One well known member who I'm sure you must know, used to leave his large Rottweiler in his car with his gear if he ever left his car unattended in the Coy car park.
I remember anyone ever saying it got broken in to .
In reply to Post #31
In the 90's I occasionally left my gear on St. Johns and went to Witney for a couple of hours, there may have been a pub involved 
Mind you had **** all worth nicking back then
In the 90's I occasionally left my gear on St. Johns
and went to Witney for a couple of hours, there may have been a pub involved Mind you had **** all worth nicking back then
In reply to Post #32
Mind you had **** all worth nicking back then
I have some half decent gear but sleeping behind a full set of Basias on some water must be nerve racking. Maybe that's why some smoke dope, to clam down
I bet most people have around 2k near the waters edge
Scum bag or smack rats dream
Mind you had **** all worth nicking back then
I have some half decent gear but sleeping behind a full set of Basias on some water must be nerve racking. Maybe that's why some smoke dope, to clam down
I bet most people have around 2k near the waters edge
Scum bag or smack rats dream
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