Booked a half day off work today and got home to sort my gear out to go but I'm just too tired... worked long hours this week but this is becoming a bit of a theme with me of late...
It just seems so much effort every time I want to go... certain bits down the shed other bits in the house then loading up the car getting the barrow together and walking a fair way to my choose swim. I don't whether it's age thing or lack of motivation but it just feels like an ordeal every time I want to go... even for a quick overnighter I'm still having to take a fair amount and stuff and the barrow is heavy. Not sure how much more I can do to lighten the load as I've stopped taking my brew kit.
I guess knowing the lake is busy too doesn't help. My missus said the amount I go I may as well think about selling up and I'm starting to think she may have a point.
Anyone else feel like this?
It just seems so much effort every time I want to go... certain bits down the shed other bits in the house then loading up the car getting the barrow together and walking a fair way to my choose swim. I don't whether it's age thing or lack of motivation but it just feels like an ordeal every time I want to go... even for a quick overnighter I'm still having to take a fair amount and stuff and the barrow is heavy. Not sure how much more I can do to lighten the load as I've stopped taking my brew kit.
I guess knowing the lake is busy too doesn't help. My missus said the amount I go I may as well think about selling up and I'm starting to think she may have a point.
Anyone else feel like this?
I have done 3 overnights this week. No real effort required as I go light and the gear is always organised.
No barrow, Bedchair stays in car boot. Small bag then 2 rods in mat.
If I was loaded up with a barrow and lots of clutter it may become a chor.
No barrow, Bedchair stays in car boot. Small bag then 2 rods in mat.
If I was loaded up with a barrow and lots of clutter it may become a chor.
In reply to Post #1
Had exactly the same thing a few years ago. Started fishing short sessions with a float rod and centrepin for little ones or chasing barbel down the river. The enthusiasm came back stronger than ever
Had exactly the same thing a few years ago. Started fishing short sessions with a float rod and centrepin for little ones or chasing barbel down the river. The enthusiasm came back stronger than ever
In reply to Post #3
I feel this way each time i go, although its 3 night sessions,sort the food, batteries,water,toilet roll,bin bag ,bait probably ten trips out the shed. I admit I enjoy my fishing as being there with a chance of a couple of twenties is my target. Sat at home now cannot wait till i next go in a couple of weeks time, love the journey and dont even mind packing up. I eat and drink too well on the bank and that takes priority over the fishing I think, could not give a stuff what the i take two pot noodles for 2 days brigade say it's what keeps me happy..ish.
I feel this way each time i go, although its 3 night sessions,sort the food, batteries,water,toilet roll,bin bag ,bait probably ten trips out the shed. I admit I enjoy my fishing as being there with a chance of a couple of twenties is my target. Sat at home now cannot wait till i next go in a couple of weeks time, love the journey and dont even mind packing up. I eat and drink too well on the bank and that takes priority over the fishing I think, could not give a stuff what the i take two pot noodles for 2 days brigade say it's what keeps me happy..ish.
In reply to Post #3
Absolutely.....leave the gear where it is and just fish local rivers! I've been doing that since the season started as I can't stand fishing crowded venues! I can recommend drop shot fishing,rod,reel, net small bag and off you go! Dropping into little spots as you go, I sometimes fish for no more than an hour?
It's just what I needed not sure I can ever be arsed with sitting behind three rods again 🤷♂️
Absolutely.....leave the gear where it is and just fish local rivers! I've been doing that since the season started as I can't stand fishing crowded venues! I can recommend drop shot fishing,rod,reel, net small bag and off you go! Dropping into little spots as you go, I sometimes fish for no more than an hour?
It's just what I needed not sure I can ever be arsed with sitting behind three rods again 🤷♂️
In reply to Post #1
Have a read through the 'taking less gear thread' mate. Lots of good suggestions for beating the baggage blues. ..
Maybe mix it up with a bit of fluff chucking as the carp seem to be a bit picky at the moment anyway. ...
Have a read through the 'taking less gear thread' mate. Lots of good suggestions for beating the baggage blues. ..
Maybe mix it up with a bit of fluff chucking as the carp seem to be a bit picky at the moment anyway. ...
In reply to Post #1
Anyone else feel like this?
Yes and it's not helpful when others tell you how they motivated they are and then start telling you all the things you should be doing.
Bit like Facebook really where everyone's life is a-m-a-z-I-n-g
My advice is don't go, wait and see how you feel later. Don't sell your gear, so many people do that and have to rebuy everything, keep it, does it matter if you don't go for a while?
Anyone else feel like this?
Yes and it's not helpful when others tell you how they motivated they are and then start telling you all the things you should be doing.
Bit like Facebook really where everyone's life is a-m-a-z-I-n-g
My advice is don't go, wait and see how you feel later. Don't sell your gear, so many people do that and have to rebuy everything, keep it, does it matter if you don't go for a while?
In reply to Post #7
Last summer was my first time in 3 or 4 years.
And over 40 years of angling that isn't the longest spell.
Never drama sold all my kit. And thank god. Looking
At the prices and quality.
Last summer was my first time in 3 or 4 years.
And over 40 years of angling that isn't the longest spell.
Never drama sold all my kit. And thank god. Looking
At the prices and quality.
In reply to Post #7
Aye, i agree. Ive sold all my gear twice - lived to regret it each time.
Day sessions over baited spots keeps me going, rather than fishing nights.
Aye, i agree. Ive sold all my gear twice - lived to regret it each time.
Day sessions over baited spots keeps me going, rather than fishing nights.
In reply to Post #1
I think you have to sometimes have a break from whatever it is to get keen again. I went thru a similar situation nearly 20 years ago and apart from the odd days float fishing with the kids haven't fished in a long time. I'm glad I didn't sell all my gear as In the past year or so I've gotten that passion back once again, and when you've got that back sorting all your gear & pushing a loaded barrow around almost comes as little effort. I'm not saying wait 20 years but just take a break, do something else. I honestly think once a fisherman, always a fisherman and you'll come back when the time is right.
I think you have to sometimes have a break from whatever it is to get keen again. I went thru a similar situation nearly 20 years ago and apart from the odd days float fishing with the kids haven't fished in a long time. I'm glad I didn't sell all my gear as In the past year or so I've gotten that passion back once again, and when you've got that back sorting all your gear & pushing a loaded barrow around almost comes as little effort. I'm not saying wait 20 years but just take a break, do something else. I honestly think once a fisherman, always a fisherman and you'll come back when the time is right.
In reply to Post #1
I know exactly what you mean....it all starts to seem like an exercise in logistics rather than fishing and you end up not being bothered.
It will pass in my experience.
A new water often helps.
Don't sell the gear!
I know exactly what you mean....it all starts to seem like an exercise in logistics rather than fishing and you end up not being bothered.
It will pass in my experience.
A new water often helps.
Don't sell the gear!
I've had an interesting home life in the last two or three years and it's meant my fishing took a back seat. I did a handful of nights each year at best. I've not been to France in over ten years now.
This year I'm enjoying it more, but I also don't want it to just fall back into the same routines of just going for the sake of it. My biggest problem is I do like catching, so I find a season long blank an absolute killer. I've realised the best thing for me will be if I have a ball breaker of a year this year, then there's no shame in fishing an easier water next year to keep myself keen. I fish for my own enjoyment, so going forward I'm gonna make sure I'm enjoying it. That might mean I don't even fish for Carp one year, and do a season tench fishing instead. I've never quite managed a double tinker, so that might be a challenge one year instead.
Once the nights draw in, and the weather turns it takes a lot of motivation to fight it out on the m25 on a Friday night and set up in the dark and the rain. But I guess you don't catch them at home.
One thing that I think a lot of people including me sometimes struggle with, is that we live in a culture where from an early age we are taught that effort equals reward, but in carp fishing sometimes we put in massive effort for weeks at a time for no reward which can definitely seem that the Carp gods are just being unfair.
This year I'm enjoying it more, but I also don't want it to just fall back into the same routines of just going for the sake of it. My biggest problem is I do like catching, so I find a season long blank an absolute killer. I've realised the best thing for me will be if I have a ball breaker of a year this year, then there's no shame in fishing an easier water next year to keep myself keen. I fish for my own enjoyment, so going forward I'm gonna make sure I'm enjoying it. That might mean I don't even fish for Carp one year, and do a season tench fishing instead. I've never quite managed a double tinker, so that might be a challenge one year instead.
Once the nights draw in, and the weather turns it takes a lot of motivation to fight it out on the m25 on a Friday night and set up in the dark and the rain. But I guess you don't catch them at home.
One thing that I think a lot of people including me sometimes struggle with, is that we live in a culture where from an early age we are taught that effort equals reward, but in carp fishing sometimes we put in massive effort for weeks at a time for no reward which can definitely seem that the Carp gods are just being unfair.
In reply to Post #7
Bit like Facebook really where everyone's life is a-m-a-z-I-n-g
The EXACT reason why I do not go on it, full of ****ing ****, my life's better than yours, if your life was that good you would not have to try and tell the world, you would be happy getting on with it you lying sickly ****
Life is what you make it, crack on is my advise, look for **** you will find it, look for the good things they are there
If fishing is in your blood it's in your blood for me, there times when you simply cannot get enough and there's times where the interest drops, do something else for a while, your choice
Don't sell the gear
Bit like Facebook really where everyone's life is a-m-a-z-I-n-g
The EXACT reason why I do not go on it, full of ****ing ****, my life's better than yours, if your life was that good you would not have to try and tell the world, you would be happy getting on with it you lying sickly ****
Life is what you make it, crack on is my advise, look for **** you will find it, look for the good things they are there
If fishing is in your blood it's in your blood for me, there times when you simply cannot get enough and there's times where the interest drops, do something else for a while, your choice
Don't sell the gear
In reply to Post #1
. . .doing 24hrs this Sunday . . .first time out 'propa' carp fishing in over 6yrs.
Sold a load of excess gear (didn't really need 3x bivvies / 3x bedchairs) and bought a few new, lighter, brighter, comfier bits . . .picked up 10kg of fresh bait today - can't wait!
. . .doing 24hrs this Sunday . . .first time out 'propa' carp fishing in over 6yrs.
Sold a load of excess gear (didn't really need 3x bivvies / 3x bedchairs) and bought a few new, lighter, brighter, comfier bits . . .picked up 10kg of fresh bait today - can't wait!
In reply to Post #1
Hi Hardy, Id echo all the sound advice posted here. Been times when I havent fished much. Times when despite effort, very little reward. But as one poster says, if fishing is in your blood chances are you'll return to it one day. I have sold off bits and bobs over the years that I have duplicates of,or worked ot was uneccesary stuff that just clogged up the spare room but would never consider selling anything that I may have to replace at a later date. I can't improve on the advice already given, so keep on keeping on
Hi Hardy, Id echo all the sound advice posted here. Been times when I havent fished much. Times when despite effort, very little reward. But as one poster says, if fishing is in your blood chances are you'll return to it one day. I have sold off bits and bobs over the years that I have duplicates of,or worked ot was uneccesary stuff that just clogged up the spare room but would never consider selling anything that I may have to replace at a later date. I can't improve on the advice already given, so keep on keeping on
In reply to Post #13
Well said fella, I had 10yrs out, family, running my own business etc and fishing took a back seat, got a little more time now and getting back into,
Well said fella, I had 10yrs out, family, running my own business etc and fishing took a back seat, got a little more time now and getting back into,
In reply to Post #1
Absolutely 100% agree with you and I'm in the same position.
Even though work has been much less hectic (only working 9 to 5, 5 days a week for the first time in 30+ years), I can always find an excuse for not going, normally because I'm too knackered and can't face it.
Seems silly to admit it but I miss fishing with someone. My fishing buddy died last year and I really miss the banter we used to have on the bank.
On the plus side I have just had my Nevilles refurbed (hopefully they arrive back tomorrow) so that's one less excuse for not going and another friend has just joined one of the lakes I fish and is keen to go so that should give me the kick up the backside I need. He's my lucky charm as the last time we went together I had my first 40!
Absolutely 100% agree with you and I'm in the same position.
Even though work has been much less hectic (only working 9 to 5, 5 days a week for the first time in 30+ years), I can always find an excuse for not going, normally because I'm too knackered and can't face it.
Seems silly to admit it but I miss fishing with someone. My fishing buddy died last year and I really miss the banter we used to have on the bank.
On the plus side I have just had my Nevilles refurbed (hopefully they arrive back tomorrow) so that's one less excuse for not going and another friend has just joined one of the lakes I fish and is keen to go so that should give me the kick up the backside I need. He's my lucky charm as the last time we went together I had my first 40!
Nothing wrong with taking a break from it for a while. As others have said, keep your gear and see how you feel. Might be a week, a month or a year.
No rush, only go if you fancy it.
No rush, only go if you fancy it.
In reply to Post #1
Exactly in the same boat to be honest. From April to end of June I was baiting the river every 2 nights. Saw carp in the area etc. You may remember we had that torrential rain around the 20th of June. Woke up at 4am ready for my first ever session on the river and a huge branch had Floated downstream onto my spot. After 3 hours of getting drenched in the rain trying to remove the snag I went home and spent my next 2 days off doing sod all.
Completely lost the buzz for it, Although I have started baiting again starting today. Doesn't help the lakes everywhere are really busy. Maybe try the river if you have one local to you? Just a thought
Exactly in the same boat to be honest. From April to end of June I was baiting the river every 2 nights. Saw carp in the area etc. You may remember we had that torrential rain around the 20th of June. Woke up at 4am ready for my first ever session on the river and a huge branch had Floated downstream onto my spot. After 3 hours of getting drenched in the rain trying to remove the snag I went home and spent my next 2 days off doing sod all.
Completely lost the buzz for it, Although I have started baiting again starting today. Doesn't help the lakes everywhere are really busy. Maybe try the river if you have one local to you? Just a thought
I need to order bait for my holiday fishing in August. I'm struggling to find the get up and go I normally have. Also doubting my self about whether to go with particle. Or boilie and if boilie which size / sizes to order. I don't normally feel like this but with lakes busy and not fishing well and high pressure likely in August I'm struggling mentally. May just buy a pair of black flip flops and cut them up to save myself a fortune.
In reply to Post #1
I feel a bit like this too.
I do the odd overnighter, normally 7pm to 7pm, but mainly fish day sessions as I hate dragging bedchair, bivvy, pots and pans etc. Day sesh I just don't need them and can fish nice and light.
But to be honest, on an overnighter I'm only really going so that I'm there at first light.
I will fish until it gets dark, and then bring my rods in. Lot's of snags in my lake and I sleep like a log. By the time I've heard an alarm in the middle of the night, come to my senses enough to get to my rod, I dread to think where the fish has ended up. Trying to sort that lot out in the pitch dark fills me with dread, and I don't want to put the poor fish through it thank you very much.
But I'm an early riser. No need for an alarm clock for me, I can guarantee I'll be up before dawn.
That's the bit I go for. First light, until about 11am. Then I start losing interest again. I'll sit the session out, just because I'm there, but by 4pm I'm ready to pack up and go home.
I'd booked an overnighter the week before last but cancelled at the last minute. temps were forecast to his 30 degrees and I just didn't fancy sitting there during the day in those temperatures.
I didn't miss it at all.
I feel a bit like this too.
I do the odd overnighter, normally 7pm to 7pm, but mainly fish day sessions as I hate dragging bedchair, bivvy, pots and pans etc. Day sesh I just don't need them and can fish nice and light.
But to be honest, on an overnighter I'm only really going so that I'm there at first light.
I will fish until it gets dark, and then bring my rods in. Lot's of snags in my lake and I sleep like a log. By the time I've heard an alarm in the middle of the night, come to my senses enough to get to my rod, I dread to think where the fish has ended up. Trying to sort that lot out in the pitch dark fills me with dread, and I don't want to put the poor fish through it thank you very much.
But I'm an early riser. No need for an alarm clock for me, I can guarantee I'll be up before dawn.
That's the bit I go for. First light, until about 11am. Then I start losing interest again. I'll sit the session out, just because I'm there, but by 4pm I'm ready to pack up and go home.
I'd booked an overnighter the week before last but cancelled at the last minute. temps were forecast to his 30 degrees and I just didn't fancy sitting there during the day in those temperatures.
I didn't miss it at all.
In reply to Post #21
That's the bit I go for. First light, until about 11am. Then I start losing interest again. I'll sit the session out, just because I'm there, but by 4pm I'm ready to pack up and go home.
I think as you get older you make fishing work for you and not the other way around 
I tailor my local fishing around bite times and weather conditions, when you have been at it a while you get a feeling for when you really need to be there
I've done crazy stuff when I was younger, used to finish nights, straight to the lake, rods out, bed for the day 4 times a week, exhausting stuff. Same with day shifts, finish at 2pm, set up fishing for 3 and in bed for 9, couple this with getting up in the night to land fish and packing away at 4.30am it's exhausting stuff but if it's under your skin, it's under you skin. Do whatever suits you is my advise, ain't no rules, it's all personal preference and this can change throughout your life. Not to mention when I did continental shifts and I used to live on the bank most midweeks
Make fishing work for you is my advise. Find the right water and fish the right tactics.
I have different sets and of gear, day gear which covers all my fishing
Overnight gear which is a medium carryall packed with what I call my essentials
Session gear, Euro carryall as above
Pick the shelter I need, add bed and bag.
All I do when I've finished, chuck it all in the shed when I come home and then in the week when I'm doing nothing I will re-stock.
That's the bit I go for. First light, until about 11am. Then I start losing interest again. I'll sit the session out, just because I'm there, but by 4pm I'm ready to pack up and go home.
I think as you get older you make fishing work for you and not the other way around
I tailor my local fishing around bite times and weather conditions, when you have been at it a while you get a feeling for when you really need to be there
I've done crazy stuff when I was younger, used to finish nights, straight to the lake, rods out, bed for the day 4 times a week, exhausting stuff. Same with day shifts, finish at 2pm, set up fishing for 3 and in bed for 9, couple this with getting up in the night to land fish and packing away at 4.30am it's exhausting stuff but if it's under your skin, it's under you skin. Do whatever suits you is my advise, ain't no rules, it's all personal preference and this can change throughout your life. Not to mention when I did continental shifts and I used to live on the bank most midweeks
Make fishing work for you is my advise. Find the right water and fish the right tactics.
I have different sets and of gear, day gear which covers all my fishing
Overnight gear which is a medium carryall packed with what I call my essentials
Session gear, Euro carryall as above
Pick the shelter I need, add bed and bag.
All I do when I've finished, chuck it all in the shed when I come home and then in the week when I'm doing nothing I will re-stock.
In reply to Post #1
I must admit Ive felt like that in the past. I just do part days now and find that keeps my interest better than even just a long day.
Part days might also address the too much effort theme as you wouldn't need so much preparation, at a push I can carry all the gear I take but normally use a shopping bag type carrier for ease of transport.
You might need more of a challenge or just more variety, try different lakes, hard, easy, big small, they all have their own particular quirks which if you are like me that's what was missing. Give floater fishing more time perhaps, getting them feeding can be a challenge in itself sometimes.
I must admit Ive felt like that in the past. I just do part days now and find that keeps my interest better than even just a long day.
Part days might also address the too much effort theme as you wouldn't need so much preparation, at a push I can carry all the gear I take but normally use a shopping bag type carrier for ease of transport.
You might need more of a challenge or just more variety, try different lakes, hard, easy, big small, they all have their own particular quirks which if you are like me that's what was missing. Give floater fishing more time perhaps, getting them feeding can be a challenge in itself sometimes.
In reply to Post #1
i recognise those signs mate, classic burnout, no motivation, can't be arsed going and not enjoying it when you force yourself to go.
you've a few options, a change is as good as a rest so try a different venue, there's something about learning a new water and working things out, starting from scratch it becomes more interesting and it stops you just going through the motions
try another branch of fishing, lure fishing and barbel fishing are my favourites when i've got a severe case of cba towards carp fishing
take a complete break from fishing, 'recharge your batteries' so to speak.
have a backup hobby you can turn to when you're feeling like this, if i don't want to go fishing i've got a drone i can go and fly and if the weather isn't suitable i'm also a radio ham so i can stop home and just chat sh*t with my fellow geeks
whatever you do don't sell your gear as you're likely to want it sooner rather than later
i recognise those signs mate, classic burnout, no motivation, can't be arsed going and not enjoying it when you force yourself to go.
you've a few options, a change is as good as a rest so try a different venue, there's something about learning a new water and working things out, starting from scratch it becomes more interesting and it stops you just going through the motions
try another branch of fishing, lure fishing and barbel fishing are my favourites when i've got a severe case of cba towards carp fishing
take a complete break from fishing, 'recharge your batteries' so to speak.
have a backup hobby you can turn to when you're feeling like this, if i don't want to go fishing i've got a drone i can go and fly and if the weather isn't suitable i'm also a radio ham so i can stop home and just chat sh*t with my fellow geeks
whatever you do don't sell your gear as you're likely to want it sooner rather than later
In reply to Post #1
Effort = reward.
I'd hazard a guess and say that the water you're fishing is playing a significant role in why your not that fired up, though I could well be wrong. I'd suggest finding a water that's a challenge, where there are less bods about.
Depends on the type of person that you are; I'm fishing a low stocked big pit that I've blanked on for 6 months, as have other anglers. The drive and determination never left me (can handle a blank) in fact, blanking that long had given me even more drive until I caught, which happened to be a fair few over the last few weeks.
I've fished those busy club and circuit waters and they can be draining. You turn up, the place is banged out and you think to yourself, what's the effin point...with a dead fish in the edge in the only swim left. Watching videos of competent anglers bagging up can leave you feeling empty, but what you didn't realize is the place is crawling with them... Berners Hall 700 plus carp in 19 acres anyone?
Grabbing a float rod and smashing the Rudd from a little pool can be almost heavenly. Whoops of laughter and lashings of ginger beer all round. Can't go wrong. Bosh.
Effort = reward.
I'd hazard a guess and say that the water you're fishing is playing a significant role in why your not that fired up, though I could well be wrong. I'd suggest finding a water that's a challenge, where there are less bods about.
Depends on the type of person that you are; I'm fishing a low stocked big pit that I've blanked on for 6 months, as have other anglers. The drive and determination never left me (can handle a blank) in fact, blanking that long had given me even more drive until I caught, which happened to be a fair few over the last few weeks.
I've fished those busy club and circuit waters and they can be draining. You turn up, the place is banged out and you think to yourself, what's the effin point...with a dead fish in the edge in the only swim left. Watching videos of competent anglers bagging up can leave you feeling empty, but what you didn't realize is the place is crawling with them... Berners Hall 700 plus carp in 19 acres anyone?
Grabbing a float rod and smashing the Rudd from a little pool can be almost heavenly. Whoops of laughter and lashings of ginger beer all round. Can't go wrong. Bosh.
In reply to Post #1
I found half my problem was having too much kit. Recently I've been doing some first light sessions rather than go overnight, and it's so much easier just grabbing the rucksack, rods, water, and bait, and I'm sure a bedchair, and bivvy wouldn't be much more effort.
But some of the crap we buy is getting stupid. Yes there's loads of gizmos and god knows what else to help us, but do we really need them?
I see bags to go in a bag, to go in another bag. In my Nash recon rucksack, I have my Korda tackle box, lead pouch, hook pouch, scales, stove, kettle, pan to do a breakfast, mug, PVA, popups. In my 2 rod scope holdall, I've 2 rods, (I could strap the spod and marker rod to it if need be), bank sticks with alarms on, a not so necessary pod and buzz bars.
What more do I need? I can't even think of anything else I'd put in if doing an overnight (bar bivvy and sleeping bag).
The biggest hassle is getting the bait out of the freezer and filling the water container, and I'm fishing more regular now than I have for the last 10 years.
I found half my problem was having too much kit. Recently I've been doing some first light sessions rather than go overnight, and it's so much easier just grabbing the rucksack, rods, water, and bait, and I'm sure a bedchair, and bivvy wouldn't be much more effort.
But some of the crap we buy is getting stupid. Yes there's loads of gizmos and god knows what else to help us, but do we really need them?
I see bags to go in a bag, to go in another bag. In my Nash recon rucksack, I have my Korda tackle box, lead pouch, hook pouch, scales, stove, kettle, pan to do a breakfast, mug, PVA, popups. In my 2 rod scope holdall, I've 2 rods, (I could strap the spod and marker rod to it if need be), bank sticks with alarms on, a not so necessary pod and buzz bars.
What more do I need? I can't even think of anything else I'd put in if doing an overnight (bar bivvy and sleeping bag).
The biggest hassle is getting the bait out of the freezer and filling the water container, and I'm fishing more regular now than I have for the last 10 years.
In reply to Post #25
Fish somewhere you like / want to be and the size of the fish or other people there or effort involved in getting there
will not matter
If you like being there you will enjoy it more and want to go. I have a few tickets and sometimes I just swap between them I like to catch as Im sure we all do but sometimes I just want to be somewhere nice.
That's how I approach my fishing.
Fish somewhere you like / want to be and the size of the fish or other people there or effort involved in getting there
will not matter
If you like being there you will enjoy it more and want to go. I have a few tickets and sometimes I just swap between them I like to catch as Im sure we all do but sometimes I just want to be somewhere nice.
That's how I approach my fishing.
In reply to Post #1
Variety is the spice of life, so I do all sorts of fishing, and my gear enables me to do that. In a two week period I caught Chub in a stream, float fished crust for small park pond mirrors, Tench fished a gravel pit with a small bucket of maize to do me for the 8 hrs I was there, then done two nights on my club ticket wading through the doubles with the off chance of a twenty.
You'd be amazed what a 1.5lb avon rod and 6000 sized baitrunner is capable of. Had fish to scraper twenties on it, and had just as much fun catching 2lb Chub on them too the same week. Can't do that with a 3.5lb broom handle.
Don't get me wrong, I have all the gear (and no idea) if I fancied a trip to France for a week, but I like to be able to decide in a split second on a tuesday night that I want to do an overnighter, and be on the bank and fishing within half an hour of opening the shed door to get the kit out.
Variety is the spice of life, so I do all sorts of fishing, and my gear enables me to do that. In a two week period I caught Chub in a stream, float fished crust for small park pond mirrors, Tench fished a gravel pit with a small bucket of maize to do me for the 8 hrs I was there, then done two nights on my club ticket wading through the doubles with the off chance of a twenty.
You'd be amazed what a 1.5lb avon rod and 6000 sized baitrunner is capable of. Had fish to scraper twenties on it, and had just as much fun catching 2lb Chub on them too the same week. Can't do that with a 3.5lb broom handle.
Don't get me wrong, I have all the gear (and no idea) if I fancied a trip to France for a week, but I like to be able to decide in a split second on a tuesday night that I want to do an overnighter, and be on the bank and fishing within half an hour of opening the shed door to get the kit out.
Thanks for the comments! Nice to know I'm not alone.
I think a break while I sort my gear out may be in order.
I think a break while I sort my gear out may be in order.
In reply to Post #29
Definitely other types of fishing. I'm sat on the Trent now with my son and a mountain of gear Barbel fishing, but one evening last week I had a walk up the local river with a lure rod, a net and a small rucksack. Similar floatfishing for Tench at a local pond, and to scratch the Barbel itch when I haven't got much time I take a Korum roving kit and fish the local river for a couple of hours. The lure bag and roving kit are packed up seperate ready to go, so if I want to go I can be off inside 10 minutes. It balances out the 1-2 hours of unpacking the car, sorting everything out, washing etc when I get home from longer sessions.
Definitely other types of fishing. I'm sat on the Trent now with my son and a mountain of gear Barbel fishing, but one evening last week I had a walk up the local river with a lure rod, a net and a small rucksack. Similar floatfishing for Tench at a local pond, and to scratch the Barbel itch when I haven't got much time I take a Korum roving kit and fish the local river for a couple of hours. The lure bag and roving kit are packed up seperate ready to go, so if I want to go I can be off inside 10 minutes. It balances out the 1-2 hours of unpacking the car, sorting everything out, washing etc when I get home from longer sessions.
In reply to Post #1
Every now and then I go through a stage of 'I can't be bovvered'.
Work wise I do late shifts most days, but every now and again I get an early after a late. Sometimes I just pretty much sleep my two days off, I can't be bothered to go fishing.
Other weeks though I will fish directly after work, even if I finish late at 11pm. Go home, put the rods and the dog in the car and go fishing.
My fishing is not just carp fishing, I fish for pike (in winter), chub, roach etc, so I don't get bored.
Stop trying to force yourself to fish, life comes first, yet sometime you will just want to go. Don't think you have to do overnighters, they aren't essential. You may have to change your expectations from thinking big fish only to any fish. So possibly find an easier water where you can enjoy yourself.
Every now and then I go through a stage of 'I can't be bovvered'.
Work wise I do late shifts most days, but every now and again I get an early after a late. Sometimes I just pretty much sleep my two days off, I can't be bothered to go fishing.
Other weeks though I will fish directly after work, even if I finish late at 11pm. Go home, put the rods and the dog in the car and go fishing.
My fishing is not just carp fishing, I fish for pike (in winter), chub, roach etc, so I don't get bored.
Stop trying to force yourself to fish, life comes first, yet sometime you will just want to go. Don't think you have to do overnighters, they aren't essential. You may have to change your expectations from thinking big fish only to any fish. So possibly find an easier water where you can enjoy yourself.
Hi. Have been down the dreaded CBA road on a couple of occasions. 1st time I hung up the carp rods and went mad on the lures etc. Did that purely for 2 odd years and ended up burning myself out on that! They still come out once in a while now some 4 years later. Last winter I was starting to feel the same,and ended up buying a mountain bike along with a syndi ticket!. All was well until I went to a bike park and ended up in A&E that evening nursing broken ribs,a concussion and severe bruising lol. It didn't put me off and was back out asap but then lockdown happened. Cycling gave me a different focus for a period until we could fish again. Before long I felt the itch to fish.Once allowed out I was re focussed and more determined. Not had mega results but have enjoyed my time on the syndi and club waters.
Take the time to think what you want or actually NEED on a session. All the non smelly stuff like loo roll,tackle box,cook gear could be consolidated into a single holdall/rucksack that could if poss live in the house. That would save a few trips. Minimise bait taken. Think someone has already said that where possible things like bedchairs and some luggage can stay in the vehicle again saving trips .
Dont sell your gear though...so what if it gets dusty? Its still there when you want it and you wont have to fork out silly money replacing it!
Take the time to think what you want or actually NEED on a session. All the non smelly stuff like loo roll,tackle box,cook gear could be consolidated into a single holdall/rucksack that could if poss live in the house. That would save a few trips. Minimise bait taken. Think someone has already said that where possible things like bedchairs and some luggage can stay in the vehicle again saving trips .
Dont sell your gear though...so what if it gets dusty? Its still there when you want it and you wont have to fork out silly money replacing it!
In reply to Post #1
I think we all suffer a bit of the CBA syndrome from time to time. It must take me 6-8 hours to lug all my gear downstairs and prep everything for a measly 24/48 hour session. By the end of that I've usually shed about half a stone, add in loading the car up, fitting the roof bars on if the misses decides to come to take my rods and bivvy then theres the lugging all the gear down to and back from a swim which is 300 yards from the car park, it's a propper PIA.
I bought a 24 volt Barrow a couple of years ago and that takes a shed load of aggro out of it. I think you need to take whatever mitigation measures you can to reduce the hassle of it, but I do look forward to going.
Catch or no catch it's a chance to get some quiet time away from the kids, away from work, time to enjoy the surroundings and just chill.
You have to make the effort. Like anything else in life if you put the effort in you'll get something out of it. Really difficult for me as a single dad with two 12 year old lads and a 14 year old daughter as I just can't foxtrot oscar and leave them alone, so I have to arrange cover. The whole thing is a nightmare and then you're watching the clock.
I'm looking forward to 5 years from now when I can just go, until then its hit and miss, but still worth it and I'm looking forward to less complicated times.
Never give up 👍
I think we all suffer a bit of the CBA syndrome from time to time. It must take me 6-8 hours to lug all my gear downstairs and prep everything for a measly 24/48 hour session. By the end of that I've usually shed about half a stone, add in loading the car up, fitting the roof bars on if the misses decides to come to take my rods and bivvy then theres the lugging all the gear down to and back from a swim which is 300 yards from the car park, it's a propper PIA.
I bought a 24 volt Barrow a couple of years ago and that takes a shed load of aggro out of it. I think you need to take whatever mitigation measures you can to reduce the hassle of it, but I do look forward to going.
Catch or no catch it's a chance to get some quiet time away from the kids, away from work, time to enjoy the surroundings and just chill.
You have to make the effort. Like anything else in life if you put the effort in you'll get something out of it. Really difficult for me as a single dad with two 12 year old lads and a 14 year old daughter as I just can't foxtrot oscar and leave them alone, so I have to arrange cover. The whole thing is a nightmare and then you're watching the clock.
I'm looking forward to 5 years from now when I can just go, until then its hit and miss, but still worth it and I'm looking forward to less complicated times.
Never give up 👍
Can't do it myself any longer because due to living down a walkway it's an 80 yard walk each journey to the car and then to load it all took about 2 hours or so as I used to go for the week.
Getting no younger either really.
Getting no younger either really.
A few tips:
Travel as light as you can;
Fish for the seasons, carp in spring, rivers/other species in summer, carp in autumn, predators in winter;
Fish only at places where you feel enjoyment;
Avoid the circus;
Forget about celebrity status, nobody cares.
Travel as light as you can;
Fish for the seasons, carp in spring, rivers/other species in summer, carp in autumn, predators in winter;
Fish only at places where you feel enjoyment;
Avoid the circus;
Forget about celebrity status, nobody cares.
In reply to Post #33
It must take me 6-8 hours to lug all my gear downstairs and prep everything for a measly 24/48 hour session
Really
Never timed it, probably takes me 10 - 15 minutes to load the car up.
It must take me 6-8 hours to lug all my gear downstairs and prep everything for a measly 24/48 hour session
Really
Never timed it, probably takes me 10 - 15 minutes to load the car up.
In reply to Post #36
Yeah everything is stacked inside a bedroom eve space behind a 100kg solid oak bed, it's a right PIA. Have to crawl around and then take kit downstairs one thing at a time, stopping in between.
Putting it back is fun too. Maybe 6-8 hours is a bit ott but it's a good morning session.
Yeah everything is stacked inside a bedroom eve space behind a 100kg solid oak bed, it's a right PIA. Have to crawl around and then take kit downstairs one thing at a time, stopping in between.
Putting it back is fun too. Maybe 6-8 hours is a bit ott but it's a good morning session.
In reply to Post #37
So you have done a ‘short session' just getting your gear ready. Oh dear
No wonder you almost dread getting ready to actually go fishing.
So you have done a ‘short session' just getting your gear ready. Oh dear
No wonder you almost dread getting ready to actually go fishing.
Feck that. I think I'd be hiring the smallest sized room available at the local 24 hr storage facility and putting my gear in there. A lot of them have flat beds, load it from the boot straight into the flat bed. Up in the lift. Quick push to your lock up. Chuck it in. Go for breakfast.
In reply to Post #37
have you considered that the bed might be the problem?
you should just ditch it and kip down on your bed chair. put the bivvy up and tell your missus it's a new type of 4 poster canopy ...
have you considered that the bed might be the problem?
you should just ditch it and kip down on your bed chair. put the bivvy up and tell your missus it's a new type of 4 poster canopy ...
In reply to Post #40
Last of the great romantics Mal.
Last of the great romantics Mal.
In reply to Post #40
He could wing it, if she likes festivals or ⛺️ Camping
He could wing it, if she likes festivals or ⛺️ Camping
In reply to Post #35
There is a lot to be said for the self excuses, mental battle, anxiety and preparation to get ready to actually get the gear out the door to even go fishing!
TIP: Get organised as much as possible, so it is as stress free and easy as possible.
Whether it is a bout of CBA, or you are a WTF Korda Hoarder and the sight of your own kit overwhelms you, the less gear you can manage with, and carry, the better in my book 👍 Also for storage reasons after the session.
Fishing should be a pleasure, not a chore.
There is a lot to be said for the self excuses, mental battle, anxiety and preparation to get ready to actually get the gear out the door to even go fishing!
TIP: Get organised as much as possible, so it is as stress free and easy as possible.
Whether it is a bout of CBA, or you are a WTF Korda Hoarder and the sight of your own kit overwhelms you, the less gear you can manage with, and carry, the better in my book 👍 Also for storage reasons after the session.
Fishing should be a pleasure, not a chore.
Depends where you live but my old battered vivaro van stays loaded and ready to go, problem solved.
In reply to Post #44
I hope for your sake you don't live anywhere near sunny Luton. Vans round here regularly get peeled just to see if there's anything in there worth nicking.
I hope for your sake you don't live anywhere near sunny Luton. Vans round here regularly get peeled just to see if there's anything in there worth nicking.
In reply to Post #45
Happy to say I don't. The far south western lands for me.
Happy to say I don't. The far south western lands for me.
In reply to Post #46
Lucky you. A beautiful part of the world. Top tip. Unless you are going there for the airport. Avoid luton.
Lucky you. A beautiful part of the world. Top tip. Unless you are going there for the airport. Avoid luton.
In reply to Post #47
Thanks. Quite a few people have told me that.
Thanks. Quite a few people have told me that.
After finding I was having to take a run up from Tuesday gathering all the stuff, tying rigs, making bait, checking lists just for a weekend session I have gone back to basics fishing for tench with one rod on short morning/evening sessions. Life seems so much less complicated now
In reply to Post #40
I'm not happy unless I'm sleeping on top of my gear. It's been strategically entombed behind that bed so they can face my misses, that's if the pomeranian doesn't fill them in first on the way upstairs 😂
I'm not happy unless I'm sleeping on top of my gear. It's been strategically entombed behind that bed so they can face my misses, that's if the pomeranian doesn't fill them in first on the way upstairs 😂
In reply to Post #37
That could be a problem!
Like others have said, I would try and find away around that mate.
That could be a problem!
Like others have said, I would try and find away around that mate.
In reply to Post #1
If you can't be bothered then don't go. Win.
If you get the bug back start going again. Win.
If you don't, you've not lost owt. Win.
If you can't be bothered then don't go. Win.
If you get the bug back start going again. Win.
If you don't, you've not lost owt. Win.
In reply to Post #52
Absolutely spot on, cant see what all the fuss is about
Absolutely spot on, cant see what all the fuss is about
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