I went for day session yesterday and it was embarrassing how much gear I took...
I did have to take a fox easy shelter as it was raining all afternoon, rod holdall, unhooking mat, chair, rucksack, coolbag and cooking bag... had to use the barrow and it just felt wrong for a day session.
The bulky bits like rucksack, unhooking mat and holdall can't be avoided really but also it to took me ages to set up after faffing around and likewise packing away after having two fish while it was pissing down I had stuff all over the place i'd chucked in the shelter.
Are there any decent cradles type mats (rules) that pack down fairly small?
I did have to take a fox easy shelter as it was raining all afternoon, rod holdall, unhooking mat, chair, rucksack, coolbag and cooking bag... had to use the barrow and it just felt wrong for a day session.
The bulky bits like rucksack, unhooking mat and holdall can't be avoided really but also it to took me ages to set up after faffing around and likewise packing away after having two fish while it was pissing down I had stuff all over the place i'd chucked in the shelter.
Are there any decent cradles type mats (rules) that pack down fairly small?
In reply to Post #1
I think Korum used to do a bag like unhooking mat or was it NASH. loose the rod holdall and carry rods and net in this and for a day session cut down on cool and cooking bag, sarnies and a bottle of water
I think Korum used to do a bag like unhooking mat or was it NASH. loose the rod holdall and carry rods and net in this and for a day session cut down on cool and cooking bag, sarnies and a bottle of water
In reply to Post #1
I use a barrow even when going mega light for a day I leave everything on it only thing that comes off is the rods. It sounds to me your taking way too much still there so t a need for a cool bag and a cooking bag on a day session. Do yourself a few sandwiches and some snacks job done. I have a thinking Angler's rucksack that carries my alarms, stage stands, banksticks, pop ups, Binoculars, all my terminal tackle, scales, carp care kit etc. The key is to scale it down you really don't need a lot of stuff. Pre tie some rigs and carry minimal terminal tackle only take a few leads. A lightweight Cradle won't make much difference If your carting around cookers,kettles,pans,cool bags and loads more tackle than you need.
I use a barrow even when going mega light for a day I leave everything on it only thing that comes off is the rods. It sounds to me your taking way too much still there so t a need for a cool bag and a cooking bag on a day session. Do yourself a few sandwiches and some snacks job done. I have a thinking Angler's rucksack that carries my alarms, stage stands, banksticks, pop ups, Binoculars, all my terminal tackle, scales, carp care kit etc. The key is to scale it down you really don't need a lot of stuff. Pre tie some rigs and carry minimal terminal tackle only take a few leads. A lightweight Cradle won't make much difference If your carting around cookers,kettles,pans,cool bags and loads more tackle than you need.
In reply to Post #1
I take a Shakespeare seat box with all my bits and bobs in it - it's got a cushion and a shoulder strap for easy carrying. Unhooking mat. Rod bag with rods and net handle in it. Carrier bag with flask / water and munchies. Only extra is the brolly if it rainy.
dead easy
I take a Shakespeare seat box with all my bits and bobs in it - it's got a cushion and a shoulder strap for easy carrying. Unhooking mat. Rod bag with rods and net handle in it. Carrier bag with flask / water and munchies. Only extra is the brolly if it rainy.
dead easy
In reply to Post #1
I hate humping gear
For a start ditch the cooking gear, take sandwiches etc. And if you really need a hot drink, try a flask
You can only refine your stuff down so far. What I usually take:
Small ruck sack, chair, rod hold-all with slings, stick, and landing net in etc. Sling mat with pod, bait and a few bits thrown in it.
Cut down on the baits, few different hook-baits and my main bait, that's it
Shelter wise, I went this morning at 4am, took my main day shelter as I knew the weather was going to be bad. Usually 50 inch match brolly is enough
Leave spare stuff in the car, clothing, spares etc. went back today to get my wellies
Not bad for an 8lb bream
I hate humping gear
For a start ditch the cooking gear, take sandwiches etc. And if you really need a hot drink, try a flask
You can only refine your stuff down so far. What I usually take:
Small ruck sack, chair, rod hold-all with slings, stick, and landing net in etc. Sling mat with pod, bait and a few bits thrown in it.
Cut down on the baits, few different hook-baits and my main bait, that's it
Shelter wise, I went this morning at 4am, took my main day shelter as I knew the weather was going to be bad. Usually 50 inch match brolly is enough
Leave spare stuff in the car, clothing, spares etc. went back today to get my wellies
Not bad for an 8lb bream
What were you cooking on a day session? I think it would be better to cut down on the camping gear rather than trying to get a smaller unhooking mat.
In reply to Post #6
In reply to Post #1
I can remember in the past when a rod bag, rucksack and chair were all i would be carrying.
But for some reason i seem to of accumulated more and more gear over the years which i end up taking with me.
Cutting down on too many smaller luggage items helps to a certain extent, for example i used to carry a rucksack and also some other smaller bags.
Now i use a large barrow bag which will accommodate all of those items in one.
But to be honest it might sound foolish to some, but i've resigned myself to increasing my barrow capacity and so will be investing in the carp porter purpose made barrow luggage (side bags, drop in underbag etc.) which will stay on the barrow when fishing and a large waterproof cover to throw over the lot if it rains.
I can remember in the past when a rod bag, rucksack and chair were all i would be carrying.
But for some reason i seem to of accumulated more and more gear over the years which i end up taking with me.
Cutting down on too many smaller luggage items helps to a certain extent, for example i used to carry a rucksack and also some other smaller bags.
Now i use a large barrow bag which will accommodate all of those items in one.
But to be honest it might sound foolish to some, but i've resigned myself to increasing my barrow capacity and so will be investing in the carp porter purpose made barrow luggage (side bags, drop in underbag etc.) which will stay on the barrow when fishing and a large waterproof cover to throw over the lot if it rains.
In reply to Post #6
Agree
Agree
In reply to Post #8
I did that for a while. I was fishing a water that was quite a hike. Had one of the Gardner barrow bags, brilliant bit of kit. I could get everything in that and just left it all in. If you are barrowing then a stove and food is not a problem but it still makes sense to take minimal gear, to me anyway.
I did that for a while. I was fishing a water that was quite a hike. Had one of the Gardner barrow bags, brilliant bit of kit. I could get everything in that and just left it all in. If you are barrowing then a stove and food is not a problem but it still makes sense to take minimal gear, to me anyway.
Bloke on my water the other day had 3 large fox boxes and two big bivvy tables.
He was on a day session.
He was on a day session.
In reply to Post #11
WTF
WTF
Thing is on many fisheries these days you can park behind or very close to your swim with smooth tracks to push on. In that situation why not take all the comforts. Adjust your load according to the situation. I'm certainly not going to be cramped, cold, wet and hungry ten yards from my van or a ruptured cripple lugging 3 hundred weight of gear 3/4 of mile through an assault course. A bit of common is indicated.
In reply to Post #12
You should have seen his barrow and all the other bits.
I am sure his 3 wheel barrow had tractor tyres on it.
You should have seen his barrow and all the other bits.
I am sure his 3 wheel barrow had tractor tyres on it.
In reply to Post #5
See that's what happens when you don't take enough gear with you, you end up with an 8lb bream. If you had taken at least another 2 large fox boxes of tackle you might have got lucky and had a 10lb bream
but seriously we have all probably been guilty of this in the past, my main problem was taking all my terminal tackle. I used to have about 10 different types of hook length material about 20 leads even though I would only drop a few a year lol pots and pots of pop ups, enough bait to do a week in France until one day with a bad back I thought what the hell I'm I doing with all this gear. As the other's have said leave what you don't use every trip in the car, you can always reel in and go and get it Just take what you use every trip.
See that's what happens when you don't take enough gear with you, you end up with an 8lb bream. If you had taken at least another 2 large fox boxes of tackle you might have got lucky and had a 10lb bream
but seriously we have all probably been guilty of this in the past, my main problem was taking all my terminal tackle. I used to have about 10 different types of hook length material about 20 leads even though I would only drop a few a year lol pots and pots of pop ups, enough bait to do a week in France until one day with a bad back I thought what the hell I'm I doing with all this gear. As the other's have said leave what you don't use every trip in the car, you can always reel in and go and get it Just take what you use every trip.
In reply to Post #1
I sympathise with the mat, situation. My main water has strict rules on the size of the mat and my one is probably the same size as my large holdall when folded up. On the plus side it's so big I can sleep on it for a power nap on day sessions.
I remember when I was younger and we used to have to cycle to lakes so we only took only what we could carry, that was until my father built us a bike trailer, that meant we could really pile the gear on, until we buckled the wheels 5 miles from home and then had to carry everything back home, including the knackered trailer, and push the bikes. Tell that to the youth of today and they wouldn't believe you!
I sympathise with the mat, situation. My main water has strict rules on the size of the mat and my one is probably the same size as my large holdall when folded up. On the plus side it's so big I can sleep on it for a power nap on day sessions.
I remember when I was younger and we used to have to cycle to lakes so we only took only what we could carry, that was until my father built us a bike trailer, that meant we could really pile the gear on, until we buckled the wheels 5 miles from home and then had to carry everything back home, including the knackered trailer, and push the bikes. Tell that to the youth of today and they wouldn't believe you!
In reply to Post #1
I use a sonik sks cradle which I keep set up, rest my rods already made up in there (in half still) with stuff like alarms/bank sticks and weigh sling and net.
Rucksack has small rig board and tackle box and weigh scales. Then use the rest of the space for a drink/food
Bait bucket with bait, pop ups and pva
I sometimes take a chair but most of the time just sit on the bait bucket. Keeps me off my ass and looking at the water for fish lol
I use a sonik sks cradle which I keep set up, rest my rods already made up in there (in half still) with stuff like alarms/bank sticks and weigh sling and net.
Rucksack has small rig board and tackle box and weigh scales. Then use the rest of the space for a drink/food
Bait bucket with bait, pop ups and pva
I sometimes take a chair but most of the time just sit on the bait bucket. Keeps me off my ass and looking at the water for fish lol
In reply to Post #1
I must admit on a day session I rarely take cooking stuff with me. A flask or two, some sandwiches or a ready prepared pasta meal I can eat cold.
Rarely does the barrow get used on a day trip.
Rods strapped to landing net with hairbands, 4 banksticks and buzzers in outside pocket of the ruckbag, or if it is due to be raining, umbrella and a small rod quiver (Fox Specimen sling).
The ruckbag contains food and drink, a fold up Chub Beanie mat with my chair inside, a bait bucket with bait in and my tackle box.
The whole lot can be carried in one trip, and is easy enough to pack up and move should I need to.
I must admit on a day session I rarely take cooking stuff with me. A flask or two, some sandwiches or a ready prepared pasta meal I can eat cold.
Rarely does the barrow get used on a day trip.
Rods strapped to landing net with hairbands, 4 banksticks and buzzers in outside pocket of the ruckbag, or if it is due to be raining, umbrella and a small rod quiver (Fox Specimen sling).
The ruckbag contains food and drink, a fold up Chub Beanie mat with my chair inside, a bait bucket with bait in and my tackle box.
The whole lot can be carried in one trip, and is easy enough to pack up and move should I need to.
In reply to Post #1
Commented on similar topics before...
I take a snugpak exocet rucksack and my rods, net and sticks in my unhooking mat for a days fishing and thats it. My aqua combi mate makes a great holdall. Sometimes stuff a jacket and some extra bits on there with the rods.
Sit on the mat, prop it against a tree etc.
End tackle is streamlined down to a small JAG pouch. Spot prebaited so as to not have to carry bait, at most ive got a bag full of pre-tied pva sticks. Stanley flask, nalgene full of juice and sandwiches.
I find it much more enjoyable.
Commented on similar topics before...
I take a snugpak exocet rucksack and my rods, net and sticks in my unhooking mat for a days fishing and thats it. My aqua combi mate makes a great holdall. Sometimes stuff a jacket and some extra bits on there with the rods.
Sit on the mat, prop it against a tree etc.
End tackle is streamlined down to a small JAG pouch. Spot prebaited so as to not have to carry bait, at most ive got a bag full of pre-tied pva sticks. Stanley flask, nalgene full of juice and sandwiches.
I find it much more enjoyable.
I won't lie I take far far too much, but part of that is with it being drilled into me to have every base covered at work and all prep done I have a tendency to go well I might need that 😂😂 Even On day sessions I take too much kit
In reply to Post #19
Don't like the sound of those sandwiches much.
Unhooking mat with rods, net & brolly inside, rucksack, chair, done. I do the same with a trakker mat, and it does for overnight sessions as well.
Don't like the sound of those sandwiches much.
Unhooking mat with rods, net & brolly inside, rucksack, chair, done. I do the same with a trakker mat, and it does for overnight sessions as well.
Theres a nice little lake near me. Fish to 30. I used to be a member but moved on.
Anyway, i live a lot closer now but loading a barrow and driving seems a pain as its about 10 minutes door to swim on a pushbike. Much quicker than driving as you cant park that near. Its quite a walk through the park.
So over the last year ive been putting together a lightweight kit for my bike. Tiny nash two rod knx pod with small alarms no reciever. Dwarf rods and bag with shimano 4000 BR . Two piece net. Nash Nano chair. Korum
Fastmat. Old evo lashed to the bike like a lance if likely to rain lol. 3 pegs.
Drink and a snack and bit of tackle in bike front bag as I'm only doing very short sessions dawn and dusk.
Small bait bucket with some pva bags, bit of bait. Hanging off a handlebar.
Ive ordered a bike trailer so I can take a bit more gear and take my son. But that's not arrived yet.
Anyway, i live a lot closer now but loading a barrow and driving seems a pain as its about 10 minutes door to swim on a pushbike. Much quicker than driving as you cant park that near. Its quite a walk through the park.
So over the last year ive been putting together a lightweight kit for my bike. Tiny nash two rod knx pod with small alarms no reciever. Dwarf rods and bag with shimano 4000 BR . Two piece net. Nash Nano chair. Korum
Fastmat. Old evo lashed to the bike like a lance if likely to rain lol. 3 pegs.
Drink and a snack and bit of tackle in bike front bag as I'm only doing very short sessions dawn and dusk.
Small bait bucket with some pva bags, bit of bait. Hanging off a handlebar.
Ive ordered a bike trailer so I can take a bit more gear and take my son. But that's not arrived yet.
In reply to Post #3
Completely agree. Do you really need 40 hooks, 200 swivels and six different hook length materials with you on a day session?
Completely agree. Do you really need 40 hooks, 200 swivels and six different hook length materials with you on a day session?
Day sessions? Noooo two nights is the least I can handle and at £400.00p/year. I do get my monies worth & crucially time doing what I love most..
Not knocking day sessions, just not my cupa tea I still only take one ruck sack plus essentials and no toothbrush or comb.... 😂
Not knocking day sessions, just not my cupa tea I still only take one ruck sack plus essentials and no toothbrush or comb.... 😂
On the lakes I fish I can only say fish only. It took me a long time to cut right down on my gear. As was so use to going for long sessions. I was taking way to mutch hear when 1st started days. Now I can set up/pack up in about 15ins
Got my total weight to just under 20 kg for 12 hour overnight trips.
Included sleeping bag, bed chair, shelter and all I need.
Included sleeping bag, bed chair, shelter and all I need.
The best angler that I have seen in operation fishes only short sessions, sometimes with year long gaps between his sessions! Incredibly limited time yet unbelievably successful.
Won't mention his name, as he wouldn't appreciate it.
He still uses an old Galaxy seat box. Just chucks his stuff in there, as little stuff as he can carry, and he can move swims at the drop of a hat.
Won't mention his name, as he wouldn't appreciate it.
He still uses an old Galaxy seat box. Just chucks his stuff in there, as little stuff as he can carry, and he can move swims at the drop of a hat.
In reply to Post #26
That's good going
That's good going
In reply to Post #1
Would just getting organised both before and during the session be better, take it all just use it and put away?
Would just getting organised both before and during the session be better, take it all just use it and put away?
In reply to Post #29
Take only the real essentials, and leave the rest in the car boot or Van, just in case.
Take only the real essentials, and leave the rest in the car boot or Van, just in case.
If going fishing meant I would have to load up a van with a stack or gear, then unload and pile high onto a barrow, I would pack in carping.
In reply to Post #31
always thought mine looked like I took loads , but I only take what I need ... barrow bag contains brew kit , stove , water , box with food and knife n fork , tackle box , scales ,camera, few bits .... avid cradle ... bait bag and chair.
can't avoid rod bag and brolly really ... i'm 50 odd so don't wanna be perched on a bucket or leant up a tree really.
it's on the barrow so easy enough
always thought mine looked like I took loads , but I only take what I need ... barrow bag contains brew kit , stove , water , box with food and knife n fork , tackle box , scales ,camera, few bits .... avid cradle ... bait bag and chair.
can't avoid rod bag and brolly really ... i'm 50 odd so don't wanna be perched on a bucket or leant up a tree really.
it's on the barrow so easy enough
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