I was on the bank this weekend glaring at my tackle box the size of a suitcase which had me thinking about the amount of gear I take on trips and what I actually need.
Now I in no way go overboard with gear but can probably cut back on some stuff i.e
1) Committing to 1 or 2 tubs of hook baits leaving my bait bag at home.
2) Clearing out my Avid XL tackle box and only taking essential items fitting into my smaller tackle bag.
3) Losing my camera tripod / DSLR camera as iPhone 11 is quite sufficient for self takes.
I've seen some anglers do 3 barrow loads to their swim!
Does taking less gear make you a better angler as catching on less can be quite challenging?
Have any of you questioned your amount?
Now I in no way go overboard with gear but can probably cut back on some stuff i.e
1) Committing to 1 or 2 tubs of hook baits leaving my bait bag at home.
2) Clearing out my Avid XL tackle box and only taking essential items fitting into my smaller tackle bag.
3) Losing my camera tripod / DSLR camera as iPhone 11 is quite sufficient for self takes.
I've seen some anglers do 3 barrow loads to their swim!
Does taking less gear make you a better angler as catching on less can be quite challenging?
Have any of you questioned your amount?
In reply to Post #1
If it don't fit on barrow it don't go , never more than 1 trip to swim ,
If it don't fit on barrow it don't go , never more than 1 trip to swim ,
In reply to Post #1
I Never question it
How much of everything do you really need
And it will also depend on season
A full pot of mixed colour and size of the same flavour hookbaits (could scale that back if I wanted)
A couple of spools of hook link material
3 different type of hooks I only use 1 size (unless zigging or floater fishing so these are stored in the floater pouch)
Most of my terminal tackle is. Now in a thinking anglers medium zip pouch and a clam shell box for swivels links etc and only a mix of 5 of each in there
Weights are in another 1 grappling lead 3 captive back leads and 3 flying back leads and 4 of each 1 oz 2oz 3oz I remove weights at the end to save smashing the rods
My spools of hook link are in a pop up pot along with a spool of pva string hence why in the pop up pot
Made up mesh pva bags are in an old esp pva tube make them the size of a walnut and you can get over 30 in the 1” pot lol
Surface and zig bits are in a jag hook sharpening pouch and the things like cork sticks and foam and zig a
Iiners are in an old ace plastic hook case with the middle bit thrown out
Everything else is in buckets in the van.
Even my thinking anglers rucksack is probably too big lol
Carp care,scales,weigh sling buzz bars, sticks, alarms on either side in the side pockets
a couple of protein bars in the top with some bell clip on alarms in another pouch along with marker float and permits
Cap and Polaroids and normal glasses in the front pouch
Total weight 19lb including the bag
I'm sure there's a few other bits I've forgotten
Chucked in the portalite barrow are
A lightweight avid chair from the stalking kit rucksack can sit on this to get the weight over the front wheel straddling the top end of the barrow so I can still get in the bag
Binoculars
Marker sticks
Bits like stage stands,cross bars screwdriver in one pocket in a bag
The other has a waterproof coat and trousers in it and a cover all
A small turbo bike pump.
Attached to the front is a ridgemonkey action clamp ( the one that breaks into 2 parts) so I can attach the phone for self takes.
Tea kit used to be thrown in there as well but I don't bother now as I only take water in the summer.
In winter will be a flask and a litre of water anyway.
I take the sleeves of the rods and Chuck them in the van until I leave
Captive mat under the rods and net and strap it all down. (Just bought the esp one so may need to play about with that one)
I can pick it all up together and load it in the van in one go but I have a ramp lol
A 45” fibre shield brolly brolly if I need it and 3 pegs stays in the van otherwise
If I do an overnighter just need to add the bed and proper sized brolly(summer) tempest brolly (winter)
Weekend I tend to wind in and go and get food for the day from the cool box in the van when I'm hungry or bored..
A bait bucket with about a kilo of boilies or whatever I'm going to use I clip onto the barrow by unclipping the bag and putting the straps through the handle of the bucket and then clip them back up.
This is quite annoying as it hangs low to the floor but you get used to it
Ps
Hook links are attached using quick change swivels so it only take seconds to whip up a new rig if needed
I Never question it
How much of everything do you really need
And it will also depend on season
A full pot of mixed colour and size of the same flavour hookbaits (could scale that back if I wanted)
A couple of spools of hook link material
3 different type of hooks I only use 1 size (unless zigging or floater fishing so these are stored in the floater pouch)
Most of my terminal tackle is. Now in a thinking anglers medium zip pouch and a clam shell box for swivels links etc and only a mix of 5 of each in there
Weights are in another 1 grappling lead 3 captive back leads and 3 flying back leads and 4 of each 1 oz 2oz 3oz I remove weights at the end to save smashing the rods
My spools of hook link are in a pop up pot along with a spool of pva string hence why in the pop up pot
Made up mesh pva bags are in an old esp pva tube make them the size of a walnut and you can get over 30 in the 1” pot lol
Surface and zig bits are in a jag hook sharpening pouch and the things like cork sticks and foam and zig a
Iiners are in an old ace plastic hook case with the middle bit thrown out
Everything else is in buckets in the van.
Even my thinking anglers rucksack is probably too big lol
Carp care,scales,weigh sling buzz bars, sticks, alarms on either side in the side pockets
a couple of protein bars in the top with some bell clip on alarms in another pouch along with marker float and permits
Cap and Polaroids and normal glasses in the front pouch
Total weight 19lb including the bag
I'm sure there's a few other bits I've forgotten
Chucked in the portalite barrow are
A lightweight avid chair from the stalking kit rucksack can sit on this to get the weight over the front wheel straddling the top end of the barrow so I can still get in the bag
Binoculars
Marker sticks
Bits like stage stands,cross bars screwdriver in one pocket in a bag
The other has a waterproof coat and trousers in it and a cover all
A small turbo bike pump.
Attached to the front is a ridgemonkey action clamp ( the one that breaks into 2 parts) so I can attach the phone for self takes.
Tea kit used to be thrown in there as well but I don't bother now as I only take water in the summer.
In winter will be a flask and a litre of water anyway.
I take the sleeves of the rods and Chuck them in the van until I leave
Captive mat under the rods and net and strap it all down. (Just bought the esp one so may need to play about with that one)
I can pick it all up together and load it in the van in one go but I have a ramp lol
A 45” fibre shield brolly brolly if I need it and 3 pegs stays in the van otherwise
If I do an overnighter just need to add the bed and proper sized brolly(summer) tempest brolly (winter)
Weekend I tend to wind in and go and get food for the day from the cool box in the van when I'm hungry or bored..
A bait bucket with about a kilo of boilies or whatever I'm going to use I clip onto the barrow by unclipping the bag and putting the straps through the handle of the bucket and then clip them back up.
This is quite annoying as it hangs low to the floor but you get used to it
Ps
Hook links are attached using quick change swivels so it only take seconds to whip up a new rig if needed
In reply to Post #1
Yes, i have questioned it all.
No barrow, no nights, because i don't like that. No bivvy, no stretcher, no need. Good clothes. No bait boat, no spod rod, buckets. Come to think of it, if i have to list everything i once had but binned or no longer use i would never end.
So, 2 rods, small pod, net, mat, chair, small rucksack, small tackle box, some food and some liquid and 3 kg of bait for the session. I even have a little system that can be adjusted to just about any water. And lots of prebaiting and recon as it is called:P. Have i become a better angler because of all that? I think so yes. Effective and fast, i'm setup in minutes, move in minutes and the only thing that is sometimes annoying is not having enough bait with me.
But, in all honesty, it depends on the waters you fish if you can get away with it. And if France will ever be on the cards again i might take a thing or two extra with me
Yes, i have questioned it all.
No barrow, no nights, because i don't like that. No bivvy, no stretcher, no need. Good clothes. No bait boat, no spod rod, buckets. Come to think of it, if i have to list everything i once had but binned or no longer use i would never end.
So, 2 rods, small pod, net, mat, chair, small rucksack, small tackle box, some food and some liquid and 3 kg of bait for the session. I even have a little system that can be adjusted to just about any water. And lots of prebaiting and recon as it is called:P. Have i become a better angler because of all that? I think so yes. Effective and fast, i'm setup in minutes, move in minutes and the only thing that is sometimes annoying is not having enough bait with me.
But, in all honesty, it depends on the waters you fish if you can get away with it. And if France will ever be on the cards again i might take a thing or two extra with me
In reply to Post #1
Korda tackle safe cut down my bulk massively, I have it in a compac 150 which I take for longer sessions.
Korda tackle safe cut down my bulk massively, I have it in a compac 150 which I take for longer sessions.
In reply to Post #1
Change of user name required, you sounder like a modern camper with rods.
Change of user name required, you sounder like a modern camper with rods.
In reply to Post #1
Barrow size is the biggest issue I've had, sold it and got a fox explorer. That done you start to thin everything else out. Can just walk back to the van for anything extra I need clothing or bait wise.
Barrow size is the biggest issue I've had, sold it and got a fox explorer. That done you start to thin everything else out. Can just walk back to the van for anything extra I need clothing or bait wise.
In reply to Post #6
Haha, I've been fishing for 30+ years.
A lot of the anglers on my syndicate have literally next to no gear but still catch a lot of big fish.
I reckon I can cut my stuff down to :
1. Rod bag
2. Food bag
3. General bag (tackle bag / clothes)
4. Bed chair
5. Cradle
6. Shelter
7. Bucket particle / boilies
8. Water canister
I suppose using plastic kitchen ware and not metal forks / ceramic plates would make a difference,
What about no water canister, instead lake water to save on weight?
Haha, I've been fishing for 30+ years.
A lot of the anglers on my syndicate have literally next to no gear but still catch a lot of big fish.
I reckon I can cut my stuff down to :
1. Rod bag
2. Food bag
3. General bag (tackle bag / clothes)
4. Bed chair
5. Cradle
6. Shelter
7. Bucket particle / boilies
8. Water canister
I suppose using plastic kitchen ware and not metal forks / ceramic plates would make a difference,
What about no water canister, instead lake water to save on weight?
In reply to Post #4
Agree. Less kit and less time definitely improves you as an angler.
Ampulla website for tiny pop up pots (why take a full tub?) and smaller water containers.
Sea to Summit X-set 11 for kettle and cups, fits inside the RM toaster.
Plastic spork for cutlery.
Fox Easy Shelter Plus.
Only take what leads you need, plus a couple of spares.
Be absolutely ruthless with all the “just in case” crap.
Then add a few cans of Stella to make up the lost weight...
Agree. Less kit and less time definitely improves you as an angler.
Ampulla website for tiny pop up pots (why take a full tub?) and smaller water containers.
Sea to Summit X-set 11 for kettle and cups, fits inside the RM toaster.
Plastic spork for cutlery.
Fox Easy Shelter Plus.
Only take what leads you need, plus a couple of spares.
Be absolutely ruthless with all the “just in case” crap.
Then add a few cans of Stella to make up the lost weight...
In reply to Post #8
That's all I take and if on a longer session ie more than three nights I have an ice box in van for extra food and bait.
That's all I take and if on a longer session ie more than three nights I have an ice box in van for extra food and bait.
In reply to Post #8
https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/water-treatment-c24/water-filters-c165/miniworks-ex-water-filter-p65/s175?utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=msr-miniworks-ex-water-filter-oc311&utm_campaign=froogle&cid=GBP
Better than tap water apparently..
https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/water-treatment-c24/water-filters-c165/miniworks-ex-water-filter-p65/s175?utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=msr-miniworks-ex-water-filter-oc311&utm_campaign=froogle&cid=GBP
Better than tap water apparently..
I've long been an advocate for the less is more philosophy..
Last night,was an example,and might be of help or interest to someone.
In this case I was trying to catch wild brownies,on the streams..but stayed over night..
Vango 200 trek wild camping tent
Snug Pak jungle sleeping bag
Thermarest blow up mat.
Waterfilter
Mini trangia 28
Multi tool
Tenkara rod or spinning rod..
All fits in or on a kombat uk NI patrol pack...
You could swap out a rod or reel to what ever you fancied,sometimes I take a Avon ,quiver,caught lots of carp on the Resource doing that..
Last night,was an example,and might be of help or interest to someone.
In this case I was trying to catch wild brownies,on the streams..but stayed over night..
Vango 200 trek wild camping tent
Snug Pak jungle sleeping bag
Thermarest blow up mat.
Waterfilter
Mini trangia 28
Multi tool
Tenkara rod or spinning rod..
All fits in or on a kombat uk NI patrol pack...
You could swap out a rod or reel to what ever you fancied,sometimes I take a Avon ,quiver,caught lots of carp on the Resource doing that..
In reply to Post #12
What water filter do you use adam, ive been consodering one for a while. Ive scaled down everything as far as im comfortable with, but begrudge taking 5 litres of water.
What water filter do you use adam, ive been consodering one for a while. Ive scaled down everything as far as im comfortable with, but begrudge taking 5 litres of water.
In reply to Post #13
No problem mate,I use a sawyer mini filter,plus a 16oz sachet bag it comes with..I used it yesterday,local stream have drunk from upper,lower,colli,crowdy,inny, camel and Ottery, no ill effects as yet..
Stay away from water to go bottles,they inherently easily re contaminated the fluid when expelling the water..as I found out!!
No problem mate,I use a sawyer mini filter,plus a 16oz sachet bag it comes with..I used it yesterday,local stream have drunk from upper,lower,colli,crowdy,inny, camel and Ottery, no ill effects as yet..
Stay away from water to go bottles,they inherently easily re contaminated the fluid when expelling the water..as I found out!!
In reply to Post #14
Fantastic, is that the one around £30?
How does it taste? I remeber making tea from lake water once or twice in my youth, and recalling how strangely sweet it tasted.
Fantastic, is that the one around £30?
How does it taste? I remeber making tea from lake water once or twice in my youth, and recalling how strangely sweet it tasted.