Hi All,
After wasting so much time before my session Sunday night it was a race against time to set up and get the rods in before dark.
I seem to faff about so much before I set up. I do walk the lake a few times and that in itself takes time so always end up rushing to get the rods out somewhere. Do you guys have any tips which have helped you set up quickly?
Currently use a 10ft Sonik S tec holdall / tempest brolly (which I can set up in 3 minutes tops - Bank sticks can take a little time to get in as the swims are rock hard... most of tackle in now ready at hand in my RM bucket so that's not really an issue and I do try to have some rigs tied prior to fishing.
Thanks!
After wasting so much time before my session Sunday night it was a race against time to set up and get the rods in before dark.
I seem to faff about so much before I set up. I do walk the lake a few times and that in itself takes time so always end up rushing to get the rods out somewhere. Do you guys have any tips which have helped you set up quickly?
Currently use a 10ft Sonik S tec holdall / tempest brolly (which I can set up in 3 minutes tops - Bank sticks can take a little time to get in as the swims are rock hard... most of tackle in now ready at hand in my RM bucket so that's not really an issue and I do try to have some rigs tied prior to fishing.
Thanks!
In reply to Post #1
The obvious response would be to say 'have less kit' but it seems you're already onto that.
A pod instead of bank sticks? Might save you 5 minutes.
The obvious response would be to say 'have less kit' but it seems you're already onto that.
A pod instead of bank sticks? Might save you 5 minutes.
I can set up quicker than packing down,but my tip for packing up sounds silly but here goes..I start packing up the minute I have set up,ie I'm organised, when I use something I trained myself to put it back in the bag or whatever straight away,also my sleeping bag never gets rolled up as it gets stuffed carefully in my porterlight bag,I don't take a bag for a bag,or water I use a filter and drink from the river nearby..and I'm still alive...lol..
Put your rods out first. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to get your bank sticks in, or set up your bivvy once your rods are already in.
Rods out then brolly up. Nothing worse than waking up with junk everywhere, get that tidied as you go.
Keep tidy, put things away after use.
No matter how much I try to pack up faster, by putting things away properly after use, makes life easier.
No matter how much I try to pack up faster, by putting things away properly after use, makes life easier.
In reply to Post #1
The thinking anglers sleeves are a god send for getting rods in and out quick.
I have a small tackle pouch with needles etc in it so they are wuickly to hand. Have hook baits to hand aswell, dont bury them in your bag
In terms of getting sticks in, its one of the things i hate most. I bit the bullet and bought a jag digging stick. Problem solved.
The thinking anglers sleeves are a god send for getting rods in and out quick.
I have a small tackle pouch with needles etc in it so they are wuickly to hand. Have hook baits to hand aswell, dont bury them in your bag
In terms of getting sticks in, its one of the things i hate most. I bit the bullet and bought a jag digging stick. Problem solved.
I pretty much only do quick overnighters
Rig up rods at home in advance
Make up a quick meal to just warm through
Make up a flask at the lake then put the cooker away
Tie up mesh pva etc in advance
Try to have all pegs mapped out on your phone wraps etc
Put everything away before you go to sleep
Rig up rods at home in advance
Make up a quick meal to just warm through
Make up a flask at the lake then put the cooker away
Tie up mesh pva etc in advance
Try to have all pegs mapped out on your phone wraps etc
Put everything away before you go to sleep
In reply to Post #1
For overnighters I try to have my rigs already on the rods.
Some and some pva bags made up in the bucket.
Rock hard ground here too so use a defiant pod
Alarms and hangers all.in place in unhooking mat
Can do same.with a.nash KNX pod. Just connect the centre shaft
Rods are in a 5 rod sleeve I usually just fish two so my net
And safety sling in there too. One zip and they are all out.
Order is
Unhooking mat opened and lobbed on the deck
Pod set up
Rods out-of bag set up on pod.
Sling opened on mat
Landing net set up.
Bait and bag on Rods and out.
This is a short late arrival overnighter at a regular swim.
For overnighters I try to have my rigs already on the rods.
Some and some pva bags made up in the bucket.
Rock hard ground here too so use a defiant pod
Alarms and hangers all.in place in unhooking mat
Can do same.with a.nash KNX pod. Just connect the centre shaft
Rods are in a 5 rod sleeve I usually just fish two so my net
And safety sling in there too. One zip and they are all out.
Order is
Unhooking mat opened and lobbed on the deck
Pod set up
Rods out-of bag set up on pod.
Sling opened on mat
Landing net set up.
Bait and bag on Rods and out.
This is a short late arrival overnighter at a regular swim.
Get confident fishing in the dark, no need to rush and mess up then
In reply to Post #10
Find the fish and don't rush that bit. Otherwise you'll only have a good night's sleep. I'll happily sacrifice an hour or two just to find them and work out where I'm putting the rods.
I fish 15-18hr sessions (6pm-9/10am) and travel as light as possible. Brolly, bedchair, stove, rucksack with all my bits in, rod holdall with 2 nets, sling, distance sticks, one bucket (bait and bedside table!)
Once I've walked, looked and decided where I'm fishing for me it's all about getting rods out first (unless it's absolutely hammering down).
I've done the rigs and set the rods up before arriving. I use single sticks with alarms and backrests. Get each rod exactly right, again so I have confidence. Again, I catch more and enjoy it more when I've taken my time with the important bits.
Then brolly up over the bedchair (takes less than 5mins) and stove on for a brew.
Everything tidy and to hand so I can find things quickly.
Find the fish and don't rush that bit. Otherwise you'll only have a good night's sleep. I'll happily sacrifice an hour or two just to find them and work out where I'm putting the rods.
I fish 15-18hr sessions (6pm-9/10am) and travel as light as possible. Brolly, bedchair, stove, rucksack with all my bits in, rod holdall with 2 nets, sling, distance sticks, one bucket (bait and bedside table!)
Once I've walked, looked and decided where I'm fishing for me it's all about getting rods out first (unless it's absolutely hammering down).
I've done the rigs and set the rods up before arriving. I use single sticks with alarms and backrests. Get each rod exactly right, again so I have confidence. Again, I catch more and enjoy it more when I've taken my time with the important bits.
Then brolly up over the bedchair (takes less than 5mins) and stove on for a brew.
Everything tidy and to hand so I can find things quickly.
In reply to Post #7
Do they do a version of the thinking anglers sleeves for 10ft rods?
Do they do a version of the thinking anglers sleeves for 10ft rods?
In reply to Post #1
Don't know if it will be useful to you? But i use a Heli lead set up 95% of the time these days, and i've recently started using size 8 quick change swivels for both the Rig and the Lead attachment.
This saves me a bit of time when changing/removing rigs, using a lighter or heavier lead and just feels more efficient.
Once the rods are out setting up the bivvy etc. doesn't take much time at all.
It's always worth carrying a Barrow Cover too so if it's raining it's not such a drama trying to keep everything dry while you set up.
Don't know if it will be useful to you? But i use a Heli lead set up 95% of the time these days, and i've recently started using size 8 quick change swivels for both the Rig and the Lead attachment.
This saves me a bit of time when changing/removing rigs, using a lighter or heavier lead and just feels more efficient.
Once the rods are out setting up the bivvy etc. doesn't take much time at all.
It's always worth carrying a Barrow Cover too so if it's raining it's not such a drama trying to keep everything dry while you set up.
In reply to Post #13
Use two rods rather than three, amazing how much faff it cuts down
Use two rods rather than three, amazing how much faff it cuts down