I've noticed in the last few years I've been becoming increasingly disillusioned with carp fishing and after starting back in 1994 I've decided to call it a day.
It's shame as I loved it once, but the love isn't there anymore. I'm a member of a syndicate with 3 lakes and over the last 2 seasons have fished just 4 nights I think. In fact none of the last few lakes have grabbed my attention or given me 'the bug'.
I think about it a lot but I just don't have the desire anymore.
I may keep some course fishing bits and go now and then with a float but the thought of going carp fishing now just doesn't appeal to me.
Point of the post was to ask if anyone has done the same and if so, what hobbies you have taken up instead? I do still love the outdoors... although I was always a terrible golfer
Also, has anyone any tips on selling my 30 years worth of fishing gear?... Not sure I can bothered to go through anything... but I have amassed quite a lot... 3 or 4 bivvys and at least 4 sets of rods for example! But I just want it gone!
Thanks in advance all
It's shame as I loved it once, but the love isn't there anymore. I'm a member of a syndicate with 3 lakes and over the last 2 seasons have fished just 4 nights I think. In fact none of the last few lakes have grabbed my attention or given me 'the bug'.
I think about it a lot but I just don't have the desire anymore.
I may keep some course fishing bits and go now and then with a float but the thought of going carp fishing now just doesn't appeal to me.
Point of the post was to ask if anyone has done the same and if so, what hobbies you have taken up instead? I do still love the outdoors... although I was always a terrible golfer
Also, has anyone any tips on selling my 30 years worth of fishing gear?... Not sure I can bothered to go through anything... but I have amassed quite a lot... 3 or 4 bivvys and at least 4 sets of rods for example! But I just want it gone!
Thanks in advance all
In reply to Post #1
You could take a gander at Arsebook Marketplace , there'll be folks there who buy set up but possibly offering at a **** price though, there's also a dedicated site, but I can't recall its name, that sells all branches of fishing kit but mostly carp orientated and set ups get sold there too.
Edit, the site is called Tackletrader.
You could take a gander at Arsebook Marketplace , there'll be folks there who buy set up but possibly offering at a **** price though, there's also a dedicated site, but I can't recall its name, that sells all branches of fishing kit but mostly carp orientated and set ups get sold there too.
Edit, the site is called Tackletrader.
In reply to Post #1
I wouldn't sell it,you get next to nothing back and you might get the desire to go again in the future
I wouldn't sell it,you get next to nothing back and you might get the desire to go again in the future
If you can't be bothered to go through what you've got I'm not sure anyone will give you a price for it....would you? The only other option is to get someone to come to you and look through it, if your o.k with that (I wouldn't be). As has been mentioned, those who buy complete set ups are looking to make a good mark up, you'll get a crap offer in other words.
Carp fishing isn't just about nights, barrows and s**t loads of gear, prep & syndicate. You can have just as much, if not more fun doing days, in fact I know I'm a better angler because of it.
Why don't you keep some stuff back and just put the odd rod or 2 out while on a day's float fishing, that way you can sell your gear as and when you fancy, or not if the bug grabs hold again.
Carp fishing isn't just about nights, barrows and s**t loads of gear, prep & syndicate. You can have just as much, if not more fun doing days, in fact I know I'm a better angler because of it.
Why don't you keep some stuff back and just put the odd rod or 2 out while on a day's float fishing, that way you can sell your gear as and when you fancy, or not if the bug grabs hold again.
In reply to Post #4
I didn't mean I couldn't be bothered to go through it (I meant in the sense of separating it all for individual sales as it would take too long) But I guess I may have to do that. It may take some time!
To be honest. I've got no desire to continue carp fishing again. I don't have access to any lakes which get me remotely excited and despite being on waiting lists for many years I'm not getting any younger and the cost of said lakes continues to rise well above inflation.
I do think carp fishing has started to become a rich man's sport if you want to fish anywhere worth fishing!
I didn't mean I couldn't be bothered to go through it (I meant in the sense of separating it all for individual sales as it would take too long) But I guess I may have to do that. It may take some time!
To be honest. I've got no desire to continue carp fishing again. I don't have access to any lakes which get me remotely excited and despite being on waiting lists for many years I'm not getting any younger and the cost of said lakes continues to rise well above inflation.
I do think carp fishing has started to become a rich man's sport if you want to fish anywhere worth fishing!
Why not try going to France for a week. My biggest pick me up of the year.
In reply to Post #1
Over the years the love has come and gone. About 10 years ago I spent to seasons course fishing, then returned to Carp, and then 6 years ago I started fishing the rivers for Barbel (traditional watching the tips, roving the river etc) as well as some carp fishing.
If I'm honest I enjoy the river fishing more than Carp, now and hen I am carp fishing tend to do mostly days, which I find more enjoyable and a lot easier with not much equipment required.
As for other hobbies I did play golf for a couple of years, but for me it couldn't match the enjoyment of fishing.
Hopefully you find what your after, but just maybe hang on to your gear for a year?
Over the years the love has come and gone. About 10 years ago I spent to seasons course fishing, then returned to Carp, and then 6 years ago I started fishing the rivers for Barbel (traditional watching the tips, roving the river etc) as well as some carp fishing.
If I'm honest I enjoy the river fishing more than Carp, now and hen I am carp fishing tend to do mostly days, which I find more enjoyable and a lot easier with not much equipment required.
As for other hobbies I did play golf for a couple of years, but for me it couldn't match the enjoyment of fishing.
Hopefully you find what your after, but just maybe hang on to your gear for a year?
Some of my mates have loads of gear and I think it just gets overwhelming and sorting it all out etc takes the joy out of it, also looking on social media etc is a bit of buzz killer.
Maybe just have a break, strip it right back and go when you get the urge?
It'll comeback I'm sure
Maybe just have a break, strip it right back and go when you get the urge?
It'll comeback I'm sure
Thanks for the decent advice and I appreciate a lot of you saying hang onto the gear but it's the gear being in the house and me not going / wanting to go that is annoying me. I've been feeling like this for a good few years now but it's just got stronger this year. I've not wet a line since May and haven't missed it.
I have gear in the loft, some under the stairs, some in a car boot and half a shed full of it, so perhaps I will consider trimming it all back first. I've got enough terminal tackle to last me another lifetime I would guess.
I actually saw a guy on Friday when I was working who said he and some mates had booked up to go to Las Graviers in France next October and would I like to go if they have a space... It should be a dream but I just thought instantly what excuse can I make not to go! I'd rather spend my money on my family than spend a week fishing.
I think maybe if I had some decent lakes to fish, perhaps things would be different but with even the syndicates are so busy these days I just get fed up with it. If I want to go fishing it's because I want to get away from people these days. Miserable old git
I have gear in the loft, some under the stairs, some in a car boot and half a shed full of it, so perhaps I will consider trimming it all back first. I've got enough terminal tackle to last me another lifetime I would guess.
I actually saw a guy on Friday when I was working who said he and some mates had booked up to go to Las Graviers in France next October and would I like to go if they have a space... It should be a dream but I just thought instantly what excuse can I make not to go! I'd rather spend my money on my family than spend a week fishing.
I think maybe if I had some decent lakes to fish, perhaps things would be different but with even the syndicates are so busy these days I just get fed up with it. If I want to go fishing it's because I want to get away from people these days. Miserable old git
In reply to Post #9
Honestly, have a trip or two on the rivers roaming with a rod or 2 catching whatever comes along. It's a totally different ball game, enjoyable and only needs a few hours of your time (at least until the bug gets you)
Honestly, have a trip or two on the rivers roaming with a rod or 2 catching whatever comes along. It's a totally different ball game, enjoyable and only needs a few hours of your time (at least until the bug gets you)
In reply to Post #6
Yep , even one trip a year is better than sitting on crowded lake in a swim you would not fish given a better choice .
Yep , even one trip a year is better than sitting on crowded lake in a swim you would not fish given a better choice .
In reply to Post #1
Dont sell your gear - or at the very least keep some of the essentials rather than ditching the lot . . .
I've only done about 10x sessions this season; spent a fortune on tickets / bait (most of it still in the freezer) and an expensive new sonar unit for the bait boat that had failed . . .there have been other 'life' related reasons why I simply 'cannot be *rsed with carping' but have enjoyed sea fishing on holiday / rivers for barbel a lot more than going through the motions to catch a biggy etc etc
For me the bug comes in phases and once I'm doing it it becomes an addiction; however I do think you need to keep it interesting by changing venues / trying new (or old) disciplines / focussing on days only with limited gear etc ie. mixing it up.
Someone once told me in my late 20s/early30s (when I'd fish for carp as much as I possibly could including the depths of winter when the chances of a bite were pretty much zero) that 'lifes too short for carp fishing' . . .I scoffed at such a noddy comment at the time however 20+ yrs on I've come to realise how accurate that statement is . . .
Embrace your doubts - take up another hobby / excel at it and move on - when the fishing bug calls you again dust off your tackle and have another go!
Dont sell your gear - or at the very least keep some of the essentials rather than ditching the lot . . .
I've only done about 10x sessions this season; spent a fortune on tickets / bait (most of it still in the freezer) and an expensive new sonar unit for the bait boat that had failed . . .there have been other 'life' related reasons why I simply 'cannot be *rsed with carping' but have enjoyed sea fishing on holiday / rivers for barbel a lot more than going through the motions to catch a biggy etc etc
For me the bug comes in phases and once I'm doing it it becomes an addiction; however I do think you need to keep it interesting by changing venues / trying new (or old) disciplines / focussing on days only with limited gear etc ie. mixing it up.
Someone once told me in my late 20s/early30s (when I'd fish for carp as much as I possibly could including the depths of winter when the chances of a bite were pretty much zero) that 'lifes too short for carp fishing' . . .I scoffed at such a noddy comment at the time however 20+ yrs on I've come to realise how accurate that statement is . . .
Embrace your doubts - take up another hobby / excel at it and move on - when the fishing bug calls you again dust off your tackle and have another go!
In reply to Post #5
I do understand, as I always say on here 'fishing is different things to different people".
I've been where you are but from a time perspective, didn't go fishing for 4 years. I sold a lot of my gear but kept some sentimental stuff and some other stuff as I simply wouldn't sell it as I would get next to nowt for it, glad I did really. I can imagine if you're anything like me the thought of going through your stuff is daunting!
I wonder how many of the younger generation who have only known modern Carp fishing will simply stop fishing having never enjoyed other species, must be hard for them to think of Bream etc in a positive light, a real shame
I've personally got to disagree with your last coment as a generalisation of the hobby as 'worth' is a very personal perspective, but as I said each to their own.
My hobby when not fishing....was thinking about fishing. I did do more hill walking but that was about it, so not much help there.
Good luck with it mate whatever you end up doing
I do understand, as I always say on here 'fishing is different things to different people".
I've been where you are but from a time perspective, didn't go fishing for 4 years. I sold a lot of my gear but kept some sentimental stuff and some other stuff as I simply wouldn't sell it as I would get next to nowt for it, glad I did really. I can imagine if you're anything like me the thought of going through your stuff is daunting!
I wonder how many of the younger generation who have only known modern Carp fishing will simply stop fishing having never enjoyed other species, must be hard for them to think of Bream etc in a positive light, a real shame
I've personally got to disagree with your last coment as a generalisation of the hobby as 'worth' is a very personal perspective, but as I said each to their own.
My hobby when not fishing....was thinking about fishing. I did do more hill walking but that was about it, so not much help there.
Good luck with it mate whatever you end up doing
Although I stopped quite a while ago I've still got the float tackle for day fishing for carp.
I've not yet sold my set up but shall do shortly.
I found that when I'd got tired of carp fishing in the summer (too packed and plenty of loud louts) I turned to fishing in the depths of winter and really enjoyed it.
I've not yet sold my set up but shall do shortly.
I found that when I'd got tired of carp fishing in the summer (too packed and plenty of loud louts) I turned to fishing in the depths of winter and really enjoyed it.
In reply to Post #1
I sold most of my stuff last year as I'd just had enough. Every water was too busy and most matches were being won by cheats so I just gave up
I kept an old set of rods, the XTs that my parent bought me for my 18th and the rx digitals that they bought me for my 16th so that I had enough for a social
That social happened in late September. I didn't enjoy the angling aspect very much but everyone was jealous of my awesome old gear that I kept for sentimental reasons, and always will
I sold most of my stuff last year as I'd just had enough. Every water was too busy and most matches were being won by cheats so I just gave up
I kept an old set of rods, the XTs that my parent bought me for my 18th and the rx digitals that they bought me for my 16th so that I had enough for a social
That social happened in late September. I didn't enjoy the angling aspect very much but everyone was jealous of my awesome old gear that I kept for sentimental reasons, and always will