In reply to Post #4
We weren't impressed with our last batch of Plum from JB. We didn't change anything, ingredient wise, or boiling wise, but the baits just didn't smell the same as they did before.

Ended up with Catchitlabs Plum instead.

I've just been to see her off. She didn't want the fuss of a funeral, so she's had a direct cremation instead. I stood outside the crematorium and watched her final journey from there.

I lost my wife two weeks ago after a very short fight with cancer. I only fish rivers, and the season can't come quick enough for me. Although coming home in the early hours to an empty house is going to take some getting used to.

I use them a lot in my Barbel fishing. A bit OCD, but I only ever put five boilies on the stringer.
I also use a paste wrapped gripper lead as well.

Looks like the new Trakker ELS-MF bed has a little more wiggle room at the foot end. Be interesting to see some user feedback when and if they're used.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrosU2zG5k0

In reply to Post #1
I've got an original Avid Benchmark X sleep system. I've tightened up the bungees to make it as firm as possible. I put a sim under the memory foam, and that helps with the firmness, and I find it's now perfect for me.

The SS is a little tight around my feet, I'm a size 13 and find there's a lot of pressure on my toes as there isn't enough material at the foot end. Something I think a lot of SS's suffer with. I may swap out the SS bit and put a sleeping bag on it to gain more foot room.

I wanted memory foam when I bought a bed, and Avid were the first to make one so went with the Benchmark. However, It's fleece lined and I move about a lot at night and find myself caught up in the fabric, so would go for a smooth lined SS now, although, I'd still go for a wide version.

Overall, I like it, It could be better for me, but I find it works ok now I've altered it somewhat.

Due to having mobility issues at the moment (both knees replaced) I can't walk too far with all my gear. I've had both shoulders operated on as well, so being close to the car is currently the best option for me.

I've been looking at having a session at Tar farm's lake 8 in the future. Either swim 1 or 6 as they are nearest to the car parks. Looking at YouTube videos, it looks like both of those swims point you towards the margins rather than out in to the lake. Does anyone know if this is the case, or can you fish out into open water from swim 1 and 6 ??

Many thanks.

I work outside all year and the draw of going out again at the weekend when we've had a awful week weather wise, means I CBA either.

I detest driving as well, and I'm only 50 minutes away from the venue, you can park behind pegs, and they're very comfortable. But I have to really make an effort to go.

I gave up for quite a few years when I stopped match fishing. We'd travel all over for matches, out all day, come home knackered and out again the next day. I wouldn't do it now, dread the thought. I've never really got that bug back TBH.

In reply to Post #16
Good shout that.

I'd never even considered a Fox sleeping bag. Never even looked TBH. Only looked at the Gardner and Sungpak.

I use an Avid Dual Layer brolly system for my shelter. That's flat across the back, and enough room to get my Benchmark X in. Not enough room to get my chair in at night though, but everything is a bit of a compromise when you're on the larger size.

In reply to Post #13
Looking at that picture of the oval bed sort of convinces me it wouldn't be any good for me. I'm 6'3" so my feet would be right at the bottom of that bed. I move around a lot in the night and even with a sharks fin bottom, there doesn't look like I'd have enough fidget room for my feet.

I'm wondering if getting a Gardner duvet in the wide version and just swapping the SS off my Avid for the Gardner bag is probably my best bet.