In reply to Post #1
Keep the gear, just swap the hair rigs for Pike traces and learn how to float fish for them. That'll be the thing that keeps me going over the winter until the sping returns, and I get the bug to start doing overnighters again.
Keep the gear, just swap the hair rigs for Pike traces and learn how to float fish for them. That'll be the thing that keeps me going over the winter until the sping returns, and I get the bug to start doing overnighters again.
I've sol up twice once match fishing once carp. Both times for different reasons. Regretting it both times.
You won't get anywhere near value selling a job lot. Don't do it.
You won't get anywhere near value selling a job lot. Don't do it.
Just keep one complete setup and off-load the rest. Its probably that you have too much gear that getting it together for a session is putting you off. I did the same and now its so much easier getting ready for a trip.
What I have done is reduce all the non essentials ,that take up a lot of room in your armoury..
I see a lot of people overwhelmed by all the gear ,either in storage at home or actually taking the kit to fish with, angling is a simple pastime, but we are all told you need this n that,you don't..!
So just keep the basics ,rods,reels etc after a while if the angling mojo doesn't return ,you know what to do..!
I got a decent general course set up, just minimal ..when I'm not bothered about carping I get float fishing ,tenkara,fly fishing etc ..just a change up..it makes a big difference to your mindset.
I see a lot of people overwhelmed by all the gear ,either in storage at home or actually taking the kit to fish with, angling is a simple pastime, but we are all told you need this n that,you don't..!
So just keep the basics ,rods,reels etc after a while if the angling mojo doesn't return ,you know what to do..!
I got a decent general course set up, just minimal ..when I'm not bothered about carping I get float fishing ,tenkara,fly fishing etc ..just a change up..it makes a big difference to your mindset.
In reply to Post #19
I have never been one for taking the kitchen sink, yuk, that is not my game but each to their own.
Carp fishing is far too commercialised for my liking and as a result too popular, with a lot of lakes been packed out, deffo not my scene, I struggle to find somewhere I want to REALLY fish nowadays, the fish, the water etc.
There are still a few waters I know and fish but I have been on the rivers more over the last two years and have loved every single second, lot more laid back, same as most folk you meet, plenty of places to fish too if you know where to look
Also done a bit of spinning in the sea and again, really enjoyed it. Variety is the spice of life if you are not feeling it, if it's in your blood it's in your blood.
I have never been one for taking the kitchen sink, yuk, that is not my game but each to their own.
Carp fishing is far too commercialised for my liking and as a result too popular, with a lot of lakes been packed out, deffo not my scene, I struggle to find somewhere I want to REALLY fish nowadays, the fish, the water etc.
There are still a few waters I know and fish but I have been on the rivers more over the last two years and have loved every single second, lot more laid back, same as most folk you meet, plenty of places to fish too if you know where to look
Also done a bit of spinning in the sea and again, really enjoyed it. Variety is the spice of life if you are not feeling it, if it's in your blood it's in your blood.
In reply to Post #1
In the same boat, done a few trips this year but hearts not really in it anymore. Can't do more than about 30 hours max including set up & pack down did try one 48 hour trip but was bored & itching to go by the end.
Did do a bit of floater fishing which was a bit more enjoyable as its a few hours, got coarse gear as well but the river fishing locally isn't up to much.
Did do some mullet fishing a few years ago which again was short sessions & is a possibility.
Reality is i'd rather go for a good walk these days, will be selling off the gear soon i think, done that before & come back but it feels like the end this time.
Shame as i've enjoyed it over the years but nothing stays the same for ever things change, time to move on.
In the same boat, done a few trips this year but hearts not really in it anymore. Can't do more than about 30 hours max including set up & pack down did try one 48 hour trip but was bored & itching to go by the end.
Did do a bit of floater fishing which was a bit more enjoyable as its a few hours, got coarse gear as well but the river fishing locally isn't up to much.
Did do some mullet fishing a few years ago which again was short sessions & is a possibility.
Reality is i'd rather go for a good walk these days, will be selling off the gear soon i think, done that before & come back but it feels like the end this time.
Shame as i've enjoyed it over the years but nothing stays the same for ever things change, time to move on.
In reply to Post #21
For my two penneth worth , I'd keep the basics of a set up ,you can go if the feeling comes. Thin it out , get rid of some etc .....I kind of get where you are . I hate the modern carp scene, social media and the commercial aspect of it has made it a victim of its own success. Folks booking a peg , camping essentially all weekend .... If that's all I had mine would be gone as well
For my two penneth worth , I'd keep the basics of a set up ,you can go if the feeling comes. Thin it out , get rid of some etc .....I kind of get where you are . I hate the modern carp scene, social media and the commercial aspect of it has made it a victim of its own success. Folks booking a peg , camping essentially all weekend .... If that's all I had mine would be gone as well
Definitely keep a set of gear just in case mate. I've sold up twice over the years and regretted it both times further down the line. I've been back into it for a few years now and am as keen again as I was as a kid. I am lucky as I now live in France and am having a great time exploring the rivers and big public lakes, I'm not sure how I'd be with the uk carp scene of today though to be fair.
In reply to Post #1
About 10 years ago I was in the same boat having spent 30 years chasing carp and gave up fished out and disillusioned with the whole game.
Even though I fished a cracking syndicate I just stopped enjoying it and went from 2-3-4 nights a week plus weekends to a fortnightly then monthly over-nighter; even the buzz from sliding the net under a few nice fish didn't last.
There were other factors but yeah for sure the bug had gone, I half heartedly put the tackle in the motor a few times and never fished. The last time I actually fished I was relieved to have a dry net to put in the car.
I fished and shot..well at least I shot at a few pheasants when the lakes were frozen. That reversed- I went shooting and owned a lot of fishing tackle
I'm just starting to get ready to return to the bank..with a better balance in mind.
Not sure if I can face the day-ticket waters or the waiting list for my old syndicate.
Guess that will change when the Delks warble for their first time in a decade.
In regards to selling up; having sold up before and started from scratch I didn't make the mistake again and put the lot in the loft.
Not as if the cash raised from used prices would be still to hand or come close to the current cost of Century rods, reels, alarms, bivvies.
Save a good set-up, might not be the same all consuming 'bug' you've lost but you'll never know when it will bite again.
About 10 years ago I was in the same boat having spent 30 years chasing carp and gave up fished out and disillusioned with the whole game.
Even though I fished a cracking syndicate I just stopped enjoying it and went from 2-3-4 nights a week plus weekends to a fortnightly then monthly over-nighter; even the buzz from sliding the net under a few nice fish didn't last.
There were other factors but yeah for sure the bug had gone, I half heartedly put the tackle in the motor a few times and never fished. The last time I actually fished I was relieved to have a dry net to put in the car.
I fished and shot..well at least I shot at a few pheasants when the lakes were frozen. That reversed- I went shooting and owned a lot of fishing tackle
I'm just starting to get ready to return to the bank..with a better balance in mind.
Not sure if I can face the day-ticket waters or the waiting list for my old syndicate.
Guess that will change when the Delks warble for their first time in a decade.
In regards to selling up; having sold up before and started from scratch I didn't make the mistake again and put the lot in the loft.
Not as if the cash raised from used prices would be still to hand or come close to the current cost of Century rods, reels, alarms, bivvies.
Save a good set-up, might not be the same all consuming 'bug' you've lost but you'll never know when it will bite again.
Maybe sit down and think about what angling situation would make you happy, then try and get to it, I did this many years ago and have not looked back.
Put the gear in the attic and don't sell I wish I listened to these words.
9 years ago I felt like this and now I'm looking at buying my kit back for 2 annual trips to France and a couple of over nighters.
9 years ago I felt like this and now I'm looking at buying my kit back for 2 annual trips to France and a couple of over nighters.
In reply to Post #1
When you're sat there in your Bivvy and thinking to yourself “WTF am I doing here?” I'm afraid you have just realised how bloody boring and monotonous static Carp Fishing can be, there's no way back from that realisation I'm afraid, only cure is to diversify (As suggested by many)
I fish to the weather – right now its Pike fishing with bare minimum gear or even Fly fishing for them, Trotting Maggots for Grayling, Chub etc, might nip on the Rivers for the Barbel/Chub with again absolute bare minimum if the weather deems it viable to do so, and I mean proper Barbel fishing with no Alarms, actually having to concentrate and Fish for them!
Come spring (March 15th) Weather permitting its Wild Brown Trout time wandering miles of untouched natural river & stream banks I never see a soul, you don't realise it at the time but you're like a sponge soaking up skills, skills you can never gain sat on a bank like a spare part on a shelf. But as soon as the leaves start to grow on the tree's it's time to also think about going for the Carp – quick over-nighters only with minimal gear (Don't need to use a Barrow) I'm lucky as the waters I fish the Carp don't rely or even need to show any interest in Anglers baits, making them very hard to fish for– and if you're in the right mind set will keep you thinking and trying different things/ approaches, which in turn stops it becoming monotonous.
I'd go and diversify if I was you Barry and start enjoying yourself again.
When you're sat there in your Bivvy and thinking to yourself “WTF am I doing here?” I'm afraid you have just realised how bloody boring and monotonous static Carp Fishing can be, there's no way back from that realisation I'm afraid, only cure is to diversify (As suggested by many)
I fish to the weather – right now its Pike fishing with bare minimum gear or even Fly fishing for them, Trotting Maggots for Grayling, Chub etc, might nip on the Rivers for the Barbel/Chub with again absolute bare minimum if the weather deems it viable to do so, and I mean proper Barbel fishing with no Alarms, actually having to concentrate and Fish for them!
Come spring (March 15th) Weather permitting its Wild Brown Trout time wandering miles of untouched natural river & stream banks I never see a soul, you don't realise it at the time but you're like a sponge soaking up skills, skills you can never gain sat on a bank like a spare part on a shelf. But as soon as the leaves start to grow on the tree's it's time to also think about going for the Carp – quick over-nighters only with minimal gear (Don't need to use a Barrow) I'm lucky as the waters I fish the Carp don't rely or even need to show any interest in Anglers baits, making them very hard to fish for– and if you're in the right mind set will keep you thinking and trying different things/ approaches, which in turn stops it becoming monotonous.
I'd go and diversify if I was you Barry and start enjoying yourself again.
In reply to Post #27
Brilliant post.
Brilliant post.
In reply to Post #27
Best post of last few years..truth and wisdom spoken..
Best post of last few years..truth and wisdom spoken..
In reply to Post #28
2nd
2nd