Back from a session today and enjoyed it but still found I've been taking far too much with me.
This is what a took for an overnighter
Tempest brolly
Avid bedchair (Benchmark lite)
ESP Quickdraw - jammed packed full and too heavy really - including buzz bars banksticks and alarms on the sides - not ideal as they move about a lot but I love the rucksack
Cult tackle holdall - 3 x 10ft rods + spod/marker (didn't use that but sometimes do) a few banksticks one for self takes
Sonik cradle - inside are scales weighing sling and calaspable bucket and carp care kit
Bedchair buddy - needed for my lower back pain
RM square bucket with hookbaits / some tackle / zig bits catapult etc
small thermos coolbag
JRC Barrow
Waders
2 x bait buckets
No cooking equipment or kettle was taken which is concerning!!
Does that seem a lot, anyone else managed to cut right back?
This is what a took for an overnighter
Tempest brolly
Avid bedchair (Benchmark lite)
ESP Quickdraw - jammed packed full and too heavy really - including buzz bars banksticks and alarms on the sides - not ideal as they move about a lot but I love the rucksack
Cult tackle holdall - 3 x 10ft rods + spod/marker (didn't use that but sometimes do) a few banksticks one for self takes
Sonik cradle - inside are scales weighing sling and calaspable bucket and carp care kit
Bedchair buddy - needed for my lower back pain
RM square bucket with hookbaits / some tackle / zig bits catapult etc
small thermos coolbag
JRC Barrow
Waders
2 x bait buckets
No cooking equipment or kettle was taken which is concerning!!
Does that seem a lot, anyone else managed to cut right back?
In reply to Post #1
It looks a lot when you list it out like that, but it's pretty much as trimmed down as you can be. I'm always looking at ways to trim back the weight. Recently bought some lightweight aluminium banksticks/buzz bars and ditched the stainless ones. Also ditched bait buckets, just ram everything in my carryall (unless using particles). You can also get lightweight bivvies (Fox Easy Shelter & Wychwood Tactical Compact for example). Some guys also use them camping beds instead of bedchairs, weigh about 3Kg but no storage space underneath.
Like I said, there are ways of making it lighter, but it's a pretty trimmed down setup.
It looks a lot when you list it out like that, but it's pretty much as trimmed down as you can be. I'm always looking at ways to trim back the weight. Recently bought some lightweight aluminium banksticks/buzz bars and ditched the stainless ones. Also ditched bait buckets, just ram everything in my carryall (unless using particles). You can also get lightweight bivvies (Fox Easy Shelter & Wychwood Tactical Compact for example). Some guys also use them camping beds instead of bedchairs, weigh about 3Kg but no storage space underneath.
Like I said, there are ways of making it lighter, but it's a pretty trimmed down setup.
In reply to Post #1
If it all fits on a barrow then what's the problem?? I mean you're not realistically going to be moving swim to swim in the middle of the night.
If it all fits on a barrow then what's the problem?? I mean you're not realistically going to be moving swim to swim in the middle of the night.
In reply to Post #1
Switch the tempest for a light weight brolly or low pro type shelter. You can always leave an overwrap in the car if the weather turns.
Remove a load of leads if you are carrying them and leave them in the car.
As previously mentioned ditch any stainless for Ali or Carbon. Clear out unwanted stuff for your particular water, for example if you are carrying stage stands but your current water has no sleepers, leave them at home. Same goes for things like extra long sticks for waters where you might need to have the rods out in the water if you dont need them for where you currently fish.
I only carry four bank sticks, and a camera stick.
I always carry my spod and marker in separate sleeves. If im doing and overnighter after work then theres no way im using a marker or a spod, so I leave them at home. Saves carrying them when i know im not gonna use them.
If you are the sort of person who makes up a rig box at home, then leave all the spools and crimping tools and sixty packets of hooks etc at home.
Unless you drink a crazy amount of tea on your own in one night, cut down on the water you carry. Only half filling your water container could save you 3 kilos straight off.
I find a rucksack on my back makes the push to the swim much easier than putting the rucksack on the barrow which ive seen a lot of guys doing.
Switch the tempest for a light weight brolly or low pro type shelter. You can always leave an overwrap in the car if the weather turns.
Remove a load of leads if you are carrying them and leave them in the car.
As previously mentioned ditch any stainless for Ali or Carbon. Clear out unwanted stuff for your particular water, for example if you are carrying stage stands but your current water has no sleepers, leave them at home. Same goes for things like extra long sticks for waters where you might need to have the rods out in the water if you dont need them for where you currently fish.
I only carry four bank sticks, and a camera stick.
I always carry my spod and marker in separate sleeves. If im doing and overnighter after work then theres no way im using a marker or a spod, so I leave them at home. Saves carrying them when i know im not gonna use them.
If you are the sort of person who makes up a rig box at home, then leave all the spools and crimping tools and sixty packets of hooks etc at home.
Unless you drink a crazy amount of tea on your own in one night, cut down on the water you carry. Only half filling your water container could save you 3 kilos straight off.
I find a rucksack on my back makes the push to the swim much easier than putting the rucksack on the barrow which ive seen a lot of guys doing.
This isn't cutting down the kit but a massive improvement in my fishing has came from buying a better barrow.
I had the cygnet sniper barrow and it was ok for a small barrow but I used a fox explorer deluxe and the difference was crazy, after that session I had to buy one. Now I can load all of my gear on the barrow and due to the barrow having a front bar to put a holdall (s) or a bedchair over the front wheel it really reduces the weight you have to lift when using the barrow.
Now if I see fish in another swim I don't have to hesitate, I can just get on the move without too much procrastinating due to weight putting me off.
I had the cygnet sniper barrow and it was ok for a small barrow but I used a fox explorer deluxe and the difference was crazy, after that session I had to buy one. Now I can load all of my gear on the barrow and due to the barrow having a front bar to put a holdall (s) or a bedchair over the front wheel it really reduces the weight you have to lift when using the barrow.
Now if I see fish in another swim I don't have to hesitate, I can just get on the move without too much procrastinating due to weight putting me off.
Glenn nails it for me, \i reduce my gear once I deduce what my best options are for the lake i'm fishing.
heh, little rhyme, deduce to reduce, by goose
heh, little rhyme, deduce to reduce, by goose
In reply to Post #1
Maybe on overnighter don't take marker and spod rod, I like the better barrow and lighter tent option
Maybe on overnighter don't take marker and spod rod, I like the better barrow and lighter tent option
In reply to Post #1
I change to Korda basic tackle box for good reason it takes a few leads and has a rig board it takes all my
terminal bits as well I put leaders in packets in it it's much better than the tackle safe I had before take a look at one like me you probably be able to get everything in it I also bought the RM brew kit tea sugar
coffee all goes inside the mug also got a jetboil zip gas goes inside so just 2 things to make tea or warm up meal
for a day session I take a flask with boiling water and the Nescafé 3 in 1 sachets there's lots of ways to cut down best go through the gear a make a box up to stay in car with everything in in then take out the bits you need for session
I change to Korda basic tackle box for good reason it takes a few leads and has a rig board it takes all my
terminal bits as well I put leaders in packets in it it's much better than the tackle safe I had before take a look at one like me you probably be able to get everything in it I also bought the RM brew kit tea sugar
coffee all goes inside the mug also got a jetboil zip gas goes inside so just 2 things to make tea or warm up meal
for a day session I take a flask with boiling water and the Nescafé 3 in 1 sachets there's lots of ways to cut down best go through the gear a make a box up to stay in car with everything in in then take out the bits you need for session
If you truly want to cut down on gear then you need to simplify your approach to fishing, the gear takes care of itself if you do that. For a start off, do you really need three buckets and a rucksack worth of stuff for an overnighter?
In reply to Post #9
I don't get this 3 buckets I only take a bucket if spodding
boiiles are in zip freezer bags with made up pva bags with pellets in another
Korda basic box 5 leads inside
Catapult
Towel
Hat
3 half size pots pop ups
Buzzers sticks ect
Wet wipes pk of paper hanky's instead of toilet roll
Small head torch
Korda zip pouch for zig floats ect
Palm size radio
Flask for day
I think that's it as I've said before I just can't understand why people take so much gear this 40 leads and bags inside bags look Alfie Russel vids see how he goes
I don't get this 3 buckets I only take a bucket if spodding
boiiles are in zip freezer bags with made up pva bags with pellets in another
Korda basic box 5 leads inside
Catapult
Towel
Hat
3 half size pots pop ups
Buzzers sticks ect
Wet wipes pk of paper hanky's instead of toilet roll
Small head torch
Korda zip pouch for zig floats ect
Palm size radio
Flask for day
I think that's it as I've said before I just can't understand why people take so much gear this 40 leads and bags inside bags look Alfie Russel vids see how he goes
Remember the old days, rucksack bed chair and rod bag,
OK we got 2 the swim fooked half dead and in need of a jump start but we got there, , good old days, no thay were *****
OK we got 2 the swim fooked half dead and in need of a jump start but we got there,
, good old days, no thay were *****
In reply to Post #11
Ya I remember in the 80s one swim we fished had to walk through gravel work and walk up big heap of gravel like a hill and have to be very careful going down very steep one day I fell and went tumbling down while rucksack on and holding all the gear
Wanted to add me and friend have competition who can go the lightest he is a
Master of it he has carryall weighs for night under 3 kilo I've tried an tried I can't get under 5 kilo
Rods tempest net he carriers in mat
Bedchair bag inside that's it and he catches a lot of fish
Ya I remember in the 80s one swim we fished had to walk through gravel work and walk up big heap of gravel like a hill and have to be very careful going down very steep one day I fell and went tumbling down while rucksack on and holding all the gear
Wanted to add me and friend have competition who can go the lightest he is a
Master of it he has carryall weighs for night under 3 kilo I've tried an tried I can't get under 5 kilo
Rods tempest net he carriers in mat
Bedchair bag inside that's it and he catches a lot of fish
'The more you know , the less you carry'
A bag ,for a bag ,for a bag that's where I see people going awry with trying to be minimal .
Buckets,are the first thing to go ,I've just done a double nighter,my mate Will,is a chef ,he's a master at minimal,so turns up last night,7pm...does the night,coupla rattlers,mini bbq,...gone at 7am,to cook early breakfasts ,12 hr days then back down the lake..
His biggest edge is his van ,wheels the lot straight in..gone!!..
A bag ,for a bag ,for a bag that's where I see people going awry with trying to be minimal .
Buckets,are the first thing to go ,I've just done a double nighter,my mate Will,is a chef ,he's a master at minimal,so turns up last night,7pm...does the night,coupla rattlers,mini bbq,...gone at 7am,to cook early breakfasts ,12 hr days then back down the lake..
His biggest edge is his van ,wheels the lot straight in..gone!!..
I like oz holness approach to scaling down kit ..
Literally minimal
Literally minimal
An interesting thread, this. As someone below said - if it all fits on the barrow, what's the problem? That said, it ties in nicely with my own push to be as efficient as possible. 'Efficient' doesn't always equal 'minimalist' - I'm lucky enough to have the option of multiple different waters close enough for quick overnighters, and they are very different. Some swims are nice grass, some are rock-hard stones, some are wooden stands. Some venues are under-the-rod-tip traps, some are far margin or open water. My gear, permanently in the boot of the car:
FOX Flatliner bedchair with Big Snooze plus cover - very comfy, and can sleep just under the cover on a warm night.
Avid brolly - nice and light, plus pretty robust.
Leeda Profil boat seat - does the job of a bedchair buddy, and weighs ounces.
Sonik 10ft 3.25lb x2 in sleeves. The pocket on each sleeve has one heli leader, one drop off solid bag leader and a couple of backleads. The mainline just has a big loop in the end.
Sonik 8ft 2.75 x2 in sleeves. My canal rods.
Sonik xtractor net - telescopes down nice and small.
Sonik folding mat - I know, Sonik groupie, but the mat does fold nice and small and the bag has folding sling, collapsible bucket, forceps, scales, carp care kit.
Sonik rucksack - alarms, bars, banksticks, the usual, plus food bag (standard bankside meal is a tin of tuna plus a packet of quick cook rice, with one from the selection of hot sauces. Tub of porridge for breakfast). Efficient doesn't mean eating badly on the bank.
Full brew kit - because efficient also doesn't mean that I'll compromise on the pleasure of having a proper coffee in the morning before pack-up.
One or two buckets - one bucket is my 'solid bag' bucket, one is my boilie bucket. Together, they give me shedloads of options.
Small tripod and phone bracket for self takes (I still feel pretty stupid saying 'shoot' to my phone in the middle of the night!)
All in all, not the lightest set up, but comfortable, efficient and - importantly - lets me fish a variety of swims with a variety of techniques. I wonder if the drive towards minimalism limits swim choice and response to the tactical situation before you even leave the house?
FOX Flatliner bedchair with Big Snooze plus cover - very comfy, and can sleep just under the cover on a warm night.
Avid brolly - nice and light, plus pretty robust.
Leeda Profil boat seat - does the job of a bedchair buddy, and weighs ounces.
Sonik 10ft 3.25lb x2 in sleeves. The pocket on each sleeve has one heli leader, one drop off solid bag leader and a couple of backleads. The mainline just has a big loop in the end.
Sonik 8ft 2.75 x2 in sleeves. My canal rods.
Sonik xtractor net - telescopes down nice and small.
Sonik folding mat - I know, Sonik groupie, but the mat does fold nice and small and the bag has folding sling, collapsible bucket, forceps, scales, carp care kit.
Sonik rucksack - alarms, bars, banksticks, the usual, plus food bag (standard bankside meal is a tin of tuna plus a packet of quick cook rice, with one from the selection of hot sauces. Tub of porridge for breakfast). Efficient doesn't mean eating badly on the bank.
Full brew kit - because efficient also doesn't mean that I'll compromise on the pleasure of having a proper coffee in the morning before pack-up.
One or two buckets - one bucket is my 'solid bag' bucket, one is my boilie bucket. Together, they give me shedloads of options.
Small tripod and phone bracket for self takes (I still feel pretty stupid saying 'shoot' to my phone in the middle of the night!)
All in all, not the lightest set up, but comfortable, efficient and - importantly - lets me fish a variety of swims with a variety of techniques. I wonder if the drive towards minimalism limits swim choice and response to the tactical situation before you even leave the house?