This year I have fallen into the trap of joining a syndicate again, forgetting that I gave up my past syndicate tickets due to lack of time because of family and work commitments.
So far I have spent a total of about 18hrs on the bank and nil fish for my £600!
What makes it worse is having a syndicate WhatsApp group rubbing my nose in it, with all the usual faces doing atleast 3 nights a week and sharing their catch photo's 😩.
I think I have posted a similar thread before, but how many of us are struggling with bank time, feeling that it is more important to spend time with our families, but then feeling frustrated. It isn't helped by the fact that I have to work every other weekend too, so the weekends with the family are much needed and treasured!
I know that the fish will always be there 🤞, but when tickets come up you feel that you have to take them otherwise you could be waiting years for another opportunity, and then it just feels like a waste of money.
Sorry for the “feeling sorry for myself” post. I'm sure I'm not the only dad/husband sitting at home today gagging to get the rods out!
So far I have spent a total of about 18hrs on the bank and nil fish for my £600!
What makes it worse is having a syndicate WhatsApp group rubbing my nose in it, with all the usual faces doing atleast 3 nights a week and sharing their catch photo's 😩.
I think I have posted a similar thread before, but how many of us are struggling with bank time, feeling that it is more important to spend time with our families, but then feeling frustrated. It isn't helped by the fact that I have to work every other weekend too, so the weekends with the family are much needed and treasured!
I know that the fish will always be there 🤞, but when tickets come up you feel that you have to take them otherwise you could be waiting years for another opportunity, and then it just feels like a waste of money.
Sorry for the “feeling sorry for myself” post. I'm sure I'm not the only dad/husband sitting at home today gagging to get the rods out!
Leave the WhatsApp group for starters. If you use social media for fishing, then dump it. Go fishing when you can and ignore what anyone else is up to.
When you're just happy to be out rather than fishing to keep up or compete then you'll have a better head space and every fish is a bonus.
I'd much rather have a life outside of fishing and a happy family than do 3 nights a week.
When you're just happy to be out rather than fishing to keep up or compete then you'll have a better head space and every fish is a bonus.
I'd much rather have a life outside of fishing and a happy family than do 3 nights a week.
In reply to Post #2
couldn't agree more ,i know lads ,so called sponsored anglers, have put themselves under that much pressure, they are miserable as f..k if there not rinsing the lake, come of social media,and start to enjoy your hobby again mate, ive been there ,young family,self employed,working to support my family while the full timers are bagging up, after all its only fishing. il probably get hung for the last comment.lol
couldn't agree more ,i know lads ,so called sponsored anglers, have put themselves under that much pressure, they are miserable as f..k if there not rinsing the lake, come of social media,and start to enjoy your hobby again mate, ive been there ,young family,self employed,working to support my family while the full timers are bagging up, after all its only fishing. il probably get hung for the last comment.lol
In reply to Post #1
How far away are you from the pond and does it do night bites?
As long as I help the kids with the bedtime routine and then I'm back for the school run, I usually angle from 8pm to 6am once a week, or once a fortnight depending on shifts.
How far away are you from the pond and does it do night bites?
As long as I help the kids with the bedtime routine and then I'm back for the school run, I usually angle from 8pm to 6am once a week, or once a fortnight depending on shifts.
In reply to Post #2
Spot on!!
Spot on!!
See it more often now. So many lads on my lake obviously don't work. 3/4 nights a week and they only do that because there's a limit. They're not even half decent anglers they just occupy areas of the lake. Does put me off massively. Much preferred my weekday / weekend rota ticket. Was a great bunch on the weekend shift.
Don't get me wrong if family and work wasn't there I'd likely be out 3/4 nights a week also.
Don't get me wrong if family and work wasn't there I'd likely be out 3/4 nights a week also.
Sounds like you need to sack off the camping... sorry carping, purchase a centrepin and a decrepit old avon rod (preferably cane) and go rove the local overgrown rivers in search of some proper fishing.
In reply to Post #7
I'm in a similar position. I joined a syndicate this year but due to family life i get out for one overnighter a week. I've done around 8 nights and haven't caught yet. The ones catching seem to do 2/3 nights where they can bait up and sit and wait.
Im loving it at the moment as I am learning the lake and see it as a challenge.
Im almost writing off this year as its a learning curve.
The whatsapp group is very quiet as its a secret squirrel type place so I dont know what being caught anyway..
I'm in a similar position. I joined a syndicate this year but due to family life i get out for one overnighter a week. I've done around 8 nights and haven't caught yet. The ones catching seem to do 2/3 nights where they can bait up and sit and wait.
Im loving it at the moment as I am learning the lake and see it as a challenge.
Im almost writing off this year as its a learning curve.
The whatsapp group is very quiet as its a secret squirrel type place so I dont know what being caught anyway..
In reply to Post #1
With you on this - similar situation on my water made worse in that you have to submit captures to a private FB group as part of the rules - when you've not been for a bit you can get sick of all the trophy shots that ping over the weekend / perfect weather windows that you've missed. . .
I feel your pain however still believe its worth keeping tickets if the lake is pretty / secure and the members aren't 'members' - this is worth its weight in gold irrespective of how many sessions you clock before ticket renewal time; do you really want to go back to day tickets?
Also - if your trips are sporadic try and get on the going bait / a bait team if poss. Pre-baiting on my water pays dividends; the most consistent anglers are baiting up on either Sunday pm when the lake is mostly empty to return midweek or Mid week to return at the weekend. There's no way I have the time or energy to compete with this so I quickly discovered who was using what and jumped on the bandwagon; this way at least most of the commonly known spots are now being baited regularly and on my behalf! This has made a difference to my own catch rates and does give me confidence when I do get the chance for a session etc . . .
With you on this - similar situation on my water made worse in that you have to submit captures to a private FB group as part of the rules - when you've not been for a bit you can get sick of all the trophy shots that ping over the weekend / perfect weather windows that you've missed. . .
I feel your pain however still believe its worth keeping tickets if the lake is pretty / secure and the members aren't 'members' - this is worth its weight in gold irrespective of how many sessions you clock before ticket renewal time; do you really want to go back to day tickets?
Also - if your trips are sporadic try and get on the going bait / a bait team if poss. Pre-baiting on my water pays dividends; the most consistent anglers are baiting up on either Sunday pm when the lake is mostly empty to return midweek or Mid week to return at the weekend. There's no way I have the time or energy to compete with this so I quickly discovered who was using what and jumped on the bandwagon; this way at least most of the commonly known spots are now being baited regularly and on my behalf! This has made a difference to my own catch rates and does give me confidence when I do get the chance for a session etc . . .
In reply to Post #9
If I found out what bait the top rod on a water were prebaiting with and it wasn't one of my normal baits, I definitely couldn't bring myself to jump on the back of their time, effort and expense. I'd consider that very poor etiquette.
If I found out what bait the top rod on a water were prebaiting with and it wasn't one of my normal baits, I definitely couldn't bring myself to jump on the back of their time, effort and expense. I'd consider that very poor etiquette.
In reply to Post #9
I detect some reticence about having to post on FB.. Is there an obligation to be honest& truthful regarding catches? If its for growth /weight records then maybe fair enough,but for anything else?? Can't you deny some catches and 'blank ' instead'? As for looking at the FB page, turn off notifications and leave it alone.
I detect some reticence about having to post on FB.. Is there an obligation to be honest& truthful regarding catches? If its for growth /weight records then maybe fair enough,but for anything else?? Can't you deny some catches and 'blank ' instead'? As for looking at the FB page, turn off notifications and leave it alone.
Any decent syndicate will have some level of control over time bandits... "How much and when do you fish?" being one of the first questions asked during vetting... I know a few places where three nights a week most weeks would see zero chance of even obtaining a ticket. The point being to give the working family angler a decent chance when they do get time to fish. 
In reply to Post #10
Etiquette be damned - if I could compete timewise (some of these are balliffs who live mins away) I would introduce my own bait however if you cant beat em / join em . . .
Etiquette be damned - if I could compete timewise (some of these are balliffs who live mins away) I would introduce my own bait however if you cant beat em / join em . . .
In reply to Post #1
I'm in a similar position, got onto a syndicate this year that I'd been waiting a couple of years for. Beautiful place but I've only done 4 nights since 1st April as it's 90 mins away so needs to be a weekend. Loathed to give up the ticket as cracking fish, may just have to focus on spring and autumn there.
But have also just got a weekday ticket for an embryo syndicate, stock no where near the same quality but it's 10 mins from work so I fish every Monday night. Gets me my fix without impacting family life and seems a good compromise for now.
I think if you can afford it then keep the ticket, but maybe consider focusing on a couple of weeks at 'good' times of the year and accept you can't do the rest. Accepting the reality I found takes away that constant guilt of paying for it but not fishing.
I'm in a similar position, got onto a syndicate this year that I'd been waiting a couple of years for. Beautiful place but I've only done 4 nights since 1st April as it's 90 mins away so needs to be a weekend. Loathed to give up the ticket as cracking fish, may just have to focus on spring and autumn there.
But have also just got a weekday ticket for an embryo syndicate, stock no where near the same quality but it's 10 mins from work so I fish every Monday night. Gets me my fix without impacting family life and seems a good compromise for now.
I think if you can afford it then keep the ticket, but maybe consider focusing on a couple of weeks at 'good' times of the year and accept you can't do the rest. Accepting the reality I found takes away that constant guilt of paying for it but not fishing.
In reply to Post #1
I think if you can afford to always keep a ticket.
I'm in the same boat, due to work and family life I get maybe 1 or 2 nights every 3 weeks. But if I didn't have the syndicate it would be day ticket waters and I just couldn't see myself doing that. Plus the prices for 24/48hrs are a joke.
The only highlight which keeps everything fair down my syndicate is there's no pre-baiting, walking around the lake or visiting without fishing.
I think if you can afford to always keep a ticket.
I'm in the same boat, due to work and family life I get maybe 1 or 2 nights every 3 weeks. But if I didn't have the syndicate it would be day ticket waters and I just couldn't see myself doing that. Plus the prices for 24/48hrs are a joke.
The only highlight which keeps everything fair down my syndicate is there's no pre-baiting, walking around the lake or visiting without fishing.
In reply to Post #1
The syndicate lake is what you make of it.
Do you need the FB or WhatsApp notifications?
Turn them off for the syndicate.
You joined I presume for somewhere quiet to fish, that is not likely to be crowded or you are fighting for a swim when you can go.
I've been on both sides, struggling to find time to fish as family and work are more important, or (actually annoyingly) fishing almost full time as due to physical health issues not being able to work and my children are grown up and I'm separated.
Your syndicate could be like mine, some special fish, that whether you catch the 'biggie' or not you just love being there.
I say turn off the notifications, but look through the page every now and again to enjoy what you could 'win'.
The syndicate lake is what you make of it.
Do you need the FB or WhatsApp notifications?
Turn them off for the syndicate.
You joined I presume for somewhere quiet to fish, that is not likely to be crowded or you are fighting for a swim when you can go.
I've been on both sides, struggling to find time to fish as family and work are more important, or (actually annoyingly) fishing almost full time as due to physical health issues not being able to work and my children are grown up and I'm separated.
Your syndicate could be like mine, some special fish, that whether you catch the 'biggie' or not you just love being there.
I say turn off the notifications, but look through the page every now and again to enjoy what you could 'win'.
If your job stops you doing the things you really love, then I would be seriously considering doing something about that.
I've been a family man for 43 years having my kids very early, I also had a six day a week retail job finishing at six on a Saturday but still managed to find time since the late nineties to fish syndicates. The key I found was to fish for yourself, never set targets based on others especially those doing 48 hours every weekend. Having fished park lakes, clubs and day tickets the step ‘up' to a syndicate not only meant on the whole the fish were bigger but the lakes were safer. The surroundings are more astectic with wildlife being abundant especially pre otter fences. I suppose what you m saying is it's not just about the fish, enjoy your fishing and do something the rest ain't doing (bait, rig swims people leave alone). As I've got older, kids have grown up and changed jobs time on the bank has got to the heady heights of 20 hour session most weeks and I'm pleased with what I've caught and friends I've made 👍🏻
Just monitor the what's app group and take the info that will help you with your fishing and don't believe the hype/BS the wannabes want to spout off!!
Good luck
Michael
Just monitor the what's app group and take the info that will help you with your fishing and don't believe the hype/BS the wannabes want to spout off!!
Good luck
Michael
In reply to Post #15
Crikey that actually plays into the hands of those who can fish more often. For the last twenty years I've rarely fished more than one night a week, but will try my utmost to visit and walk the water at least twice more and put a bit of bait in if no one is fishing.
Crikey that actually plays into the hands of those who can fish more often. For the last twenty years I've rarely fished more than one night a week, but will try my utmost to visit and walk the water at least twice more and put a bit of bait in if no one is fishing.
In reply to Post #19
I've just accepted a place on a dream syndicate after a 5 year wait, knowing full well that I wont be able to fish it much this year due to family and work commitments. I'm looking at it as more of an investment - I wont be dropping the ticket for years to come now I have one. Plus the fishery is maturing and the fish are blossoming so no rush
In addition I've always used not having a ticket for anywhere as an excuse to not fish. Now I can do 12hr day trips or overnighters without even thinking about it
I've just accepted a place on a dream syndicate after a 5 year wait, knowing full well that I wont be able to fish it much this year due to family and work commitments. I'm looking at it as more of an investment - I wont be dropping the ticket for years to come now I have one. Plus the fishery is maturing and the fish are blossoming so no rush
In addition I've always used not having a ticket for anywhere as an excuse to not fish. Now I can do 12hr day trips or overnighters without even thinking about it
In reply to Post #20
Same here. Got a ticket I've been waiting on for 7 years, did my 1st overnighter last night and can't see me doing more than a handful of sessions this year, but for me worth paying to have the ability to fish when I can rather than rushing around trying to book somewhere at short notice. Fortunately at the moment I can afford to do this, but appreciate if circumstances change then I may need to take a different view
Same here. Got a ticket I've been waiting on for 7 years, did my 1st overnighter last night and can't see me doing more than a handful of sessions this year, but for me worth paying to have the ability to fish when I can rather than rushing around trying to book somewhere at short notice. Fortunately at the moment I can afford to do this, but appreciate if circumstances change then I may need to take a different view
In reply to Post #1
I feel your frustration. I started a family 3 years ago . My fishing hasn't been the same since . I'm not prepared to miss these precious years for any carp . I have however found new ways to still get my carp fix . I have started doing a week in France once a year . This is something I never did pre children . This gives me something to focus on and also a taste of a different style of fishing . Iv also started doing a couple of social trips each year , this is something I used to miss out on when I was syndicate fishing .
Iv kept one of my syndicates and still do occasion nights as and when the time is right . In all Iv found a balance and the best scenario I feel I can have at this time in my life . I fully intend to get back to a night or two a week when my young boys are grown
I feel your frustration. I started a family 3 years ago . My fishing hasn't been the same since . I'm not prepared to miss these precious years for any carp . I have however found new ways to still get my carp fix . I have started doing a week in France once a year . This is something I never did pre children . This gives me something to focus on and also a taste of a different style of fishing . Iv also started doing a couple of social trips each year , this is something I used to miss out on when I was syndicate fishing .
Iv kept one of my syndicates and still do occasion nights as and when the time is right . In all Iv found a balance and the best scenario I feel I can have at this time in my life . I fully intend to get back to a night or two a week when my young boys are grown
Good to read a thread of parents in similar positions.
I'm slowly getting back into it after around 25 years, and I'm struggling with the day ticket waters for obvious reasons such as too many anglers, and not very relaxing etc.
My son is 5 years old, and I am a very present dad in his life, which is great as we have a great relationship, but of course there is compromise there too. And I am a freelance photographer, and the sole earner in our home, so there's a lot to juggle.
I'm aiming to fish around twice a month for just 5 hours each time. And would love to do a night a month too.
I'm based in Kent, Whitstable. Does anyone know of any syndicates that currently have spaces?
I'm not too bothered about the cost, as for me fishing is so important to help with a balanced and more relaxing life.
Many thanks in advance all.
I'm slowly getting back into it after around 25 years, and I'm struggling with the day ticket waters for obvious reasons such as too many anglers, and not very relaxing etc.
My son is 5 years old, and I am a very present dad in his life, which is great as we have a great relationship, but of course there is compromise there too. And I am a freelance photographer, and the sole earner in our home, so there's a lot to juggle.
I'm aiming to fish around twice a month for just 5 hours each time. And would love to do a night a month too.
I'm based in Kent, Whitstable. Does anyone know of any syndicates that currently have spaces?
I'm not too bothered about the cost, as for me fishing is so important to help with a balanced and more relaxing life.
Many thanks in advance all.
In reply to Post #1
At the end of the day the amount of fishing you do doesn't change the fact that you laid down the £600. It's £600 whether you fish 3 nights a week or 3 nights a year. IMO if it's somewhere you like fishing then pay the money and know you have somewhere nice to angle when you can, and pay no attention to what the other lads are catching as you're comparing apples with pears.
I pay for three tickets each year, none of them expensive, but knowing I have the opportunity (and choice!) is worth every penny over fishing sh*those day tickets.
I've said this in another post recently too, but if you're not fishing work over nighters then start. It's a game changer in terms of getting rod hours without impacting family life.
At the end of the day the amount of fishing you do doesn't change the fact that you laid down the £600. It's £600 whether you fish 3 nights a week or 3 nights a year. IMO if it's somewhere you like fishing then pay the money and know you have somewhere nice to angle when you can, and pay no attention to what the other lads are catching as you're comparing apples with pears.
I pay for three tickets each year, none of them expensive, but knowing I have the opportunity (and choice!) is worth every penny over fishing sh*those day tickets.
I've said this in another post recently too, but if you're not fishing work over nighters then start. It's a game changer in terms of getting rod hours without impacting family life.
Im in the same situation tbh but I still get out pretty much as much as I want, me and mrs both work full time jobs and have 2 young kids. What I do is go for a 48hr on my syndicates still every other weekend (if we don't have holidays and family things booked) i even go for 96hrs somewhere different about 3/4 times a year
Fishing is a way of getting me away from some very bad things I use to do for people when I was younger, if I don't clear my mind I start to get angry and worked up with general life so it helps me massively my mrs understands that and let's me go when I want. Im not saying this to rub it in I'm just saying there has to be some compromise in your life if you really want to go bud
If it's somewhere you like to fish the money is irrelevant aswell mate plus the way I see it I couldn't fish day tickets very often with how busy they get and how hard it is to actually book on these days so a syndicate price for the year or years isn't a bad thing
Fishing is a way of getting me away from some very bad things I use to do for people when I was younger, if I don't clear my mind I start to get angry and worked up with general life so it helps me massively my mrs understands that and let's me go when I want. Im not saying this to rub it in I'm just saying there has to be some compromise in your life if you really want to go bud
If it's somewhere you like to fish the money is irrelevant aswell mate plus the way I see it I couldn't fish day tickets very often with how busy they get and how hard it is to actually book on these days so a syndicate price for the year or years isn't a bad thing
Same boat here buddy. Keep swapping between lakes over the last 3-4 years as I haven't settled on one, but I've started to realise it's because before the kids arrived I would happily spend 48 hours a week on the bank and was in tune with the lake so it was much easier to feel settled somewhere whereas I might not get out for a month or so now.
This spring I focussed on making sure I tried to get out after work once a week, maybe once a fortnight for an overnight session, that seemed to do the trick and I strung together a good run of fish, but even that felt I was missing out on a lot of time with the kids.
A lot of it depends on having a very understanding wife, and in truth it's easy to tell if I haven't been in a while as I start to get irritable having not had that chill time, and I'm trying to convince myself it will be easier once the oldest one is old enough to come with me 😂😂😂
This spring I focussed on making sure I tried to get out after work once a week, maybe once a fortnight for an overnight session, that seemed to do the trick and I strung together a good run of fish, but even that felt I was missing out on a lot of time with the kids.
A lot of it depends on having a very understanding wife, and in truth it's easy to tell if I haven't been in a while as I start to get irritable having not had that chill time, and I'm trying to convince myself it will be easier once the oldest one is old enough to come with me 😂😂😂
In reply to Post #1
It's the same everywhere nowadays mate since COVID - blokes stringing 3/4 even 5 days a week on the lake, swims getting rotated amongst mates (I'm talking one of the sought after syndi ticket locations). It is what it is but for me, I don't care what these people catch - bait boating kilos of boiles to the same spot day after day and sitting under your bivvy is far detached from proper angling as it can be. I do wonder where these guys get their coin from or what their future aspirations in life will be...most come across as social misfits.
Like one of the guys said - I've binned all social media and used to subscribe to some of the social media video sites, all that's gone also as I realised that I was paying some bloke to go fishing whilst he knocked out a few videos
The best anglers I have ever met are all working men that hold down a job, they have spent years honing skills on limited time so when they rock up at the pond, it's game on and they are on it.
With that said, time is the biggest edge in this game, nothing else. if I ran a lake it would be 48 on 48 off. Worked well back in the Yateley CP days. Everyone gets a shot at fishing the decent swims then.
It's the same everywhere nowadays mate since COVID - blokes stringing 3/4 even 5 days a week on the lake, swims getting rotated amongst mates (I'm talking one of the sought after syndi ticket locations). It is what it is but for me, I don't care what these people catch - bait boating kilos of boiles to the same spot day after day and sitting under your bivvy is far detached from proper angling as it can be. I do wonder where these guys get their coin from or what their future aspirations in life will be...most come across as social misfits.
Like one of the guys said - I've binned all social media and used to subscribe to some of the social media video sites, all that's gone also as I realised that I was paying some bloke to go fishing whilst he knocked out a few videos
The best anglers I have ever met are all working men that hold down a job, they have spent years honing skills on limited time so when they rock up at the pond, it's game on and they are on it.
With that said, time is the biggest edge in this game, nothing else. if I ran a lake it would be 48 on 48 off. Worked well back in the Yateley CP days. Everyone gets a shot at fishing the decent swims then.
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