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They're all good but for really, really cold weather you want the SJ9 or SJ12, or, if you want waterproof too, you want the Torrent or Torrent Extreme. I have the SJ9 which is brilliant and recently got a Torrent Extreme. The Extreme is ridiculously warm - too warm for Spring/Autumn, but perfect for this time of year when its proper nuggets outside. I think the OG Fortis jobbie was an SJ9 Kev. The SJ12 was released after the Fortis versions.

Snugpak SJ6 for me, bought it in black coz I wanted it as an all round jacket not just fishing. SJ6 is described as spring/autumn but it's good down to -5 even -10. There's the SJ9 and SJ12 if you want silly warm but for me the SJ6 is perfect. I've also got Geoff Anderson Dozer - waterproof jacket, very expensive for what it is but cant fault it tbh, and recently bought the Fortis Tundra jacket but in hindsight I don't need this and the SJ6 is more comfy and less bulky. The original Fortis jacket that you see about is an SJ12. 👍

Nah, more fashion than function. They started off doing skateboarding and angling clobber (!!?!!). Better suited to skating than winter angling for sure. I have a nice sweater off them but wouldn't dream of using it this time of year.

No just joggers, tee shirt and normal hoody. Sallopetes would be way too hot and if I fall asleep in the polar fleece I wake up too hot too.

Have a Look at the likes of millets, go outdoors, mountain equipment, military shops and decathlon. some of the decathlon clothing gear is well rated even compared to the top end gear.

I layer my clothing, usually with an army Norgie over a standard tee-shirt and a fleece over that, with a Hoggs of Fife jacket and overtrousers. As @yonny says, I don't go for fishing brand clothing, preferring shooting clothing, although I do have a Dickies camo smock as well. If it drops to colder than -4⁰ then chances are I will be packing up as it is likely that the lake has frozen over, although I have reeled in a few times as I heard the lake freezing over and just climbed into the sleeping bag for the night and packing up in the morning after coffee and breakfast. Quite spooky hearing the surface 'tinkle' as the lake freezes. The hard part to be honest is footwear and socks. Yuedge socks and a Merino pair of socks over the top keep my feet warm in normal combat boots to around 4⁰ but I do have a pair of Tundra boots if it is colder.

This is my absolute favourite bit of clothing, expensive but if I lost it I'd buy the same again. https://www.geoffanderson.com/shop/52-teddy/288-teddy-green/ However on price point I couldn't ignore the Fortis one. https://fortiseyewear.co.uk/product/tundra-fleece/ I find that if it's dry I only need the fleece over a normal sweater, rarely a coat.

@yonny @kevtaylor with the SJ9 what would you wear underneath it? Just having a look at this: https://johnsonrosstackle.co.uk/snugpak-clothing/16045-11608-snugpak-sj9-jacket-dpm-camo.html#/16,size,xl

Oh fair enough good knowledge mate was almost right lol. For me the SJ6 is the one because I have brilliant mid layers if needed but yeah for all out cold the SJ9, the SJ12 must be ridiculously hot. In hindsight I didnt need the Tundra jacket coz the Salopettes are so good I was warm enough in a polar fleece and the Tundra salopettes. If I'd have got the waterfroof jacket (Fortis) you recommended to go with the salopettes I could have saved a fortune. But then they weren't out when I got the Geoff Anderson, there was nothing as good at the time.

https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/how-to-keep-warm-in-a-bivvy-safely/

I’ve got a Snugpak sleeping bag. Have you any recommendations for coats?

I don't use bivvy heaters, electric blankets, hot water bottles, groundsheets, and I use a brolly all winter. The secret is decent togs and a decent bag - I mean really decent - spend some money. Bass layer, micro fleece, hoody (sometimes), but the insulated jacket/salopettes with down/softie filling are what matters. Same goes for sleeping bag - pay the price to get real quality. The Snugpak stuff is a good place to start and not that pricey compared to some of the other outdoorsy stuff (Rab etc). Avoid anything from fishing brands - most of it is overpriced tat.

If its really cold use 2 hot water bottles and just stagger the start times, that way when one starts cooling the other will still be nice and warm. Also base layers, good socks, sleeping bag, hat and hot drinks and a hearty warm meal are your friend. And use a groundsheet and overwrap on your bivvy, it will keep the free warmth from farts safely stored 😂

I believe you can get an electric blanket that you plug into a power pack. For me if it's cold I'll keep myself wrapped up, decent boots, decent socks, longjohns, with joggers over the top, thermal top with a t shirt, hoodie, coat, wooly hat and gloves. In the bivvy I don't mess with heaters, I'll take a hot water bottle for the sleeping bag 👍 tbh, if it's too cold I just won't bother going 🤣

Welcome to Carp.com OK, let's go through this in order, and it will depend entirely on your waters. Would I Spomb or spod on a 1acre lake? Yes if it is the best way to get the particles, groundbait or pellets out to where I'm fishing. How long between a recast? I've left a bait in place for 48hours. I was convinced that after baiting up and casting in, the carp would not come onto it for 2 days. It worked! If there is no sign of showing fish? I'm nearly always binoculars and watching the lake. If I see fish I will move onto them. If I don't see anything then I'll leave the bait where it is until the morning on an overnight or longer session. Yet on a day session fishing I might recast after 15minutes or less if I have had no action. Are plastic or imitation baits effective all year? They may be, but I refuse to use plastic baits, I don't like the thought of me leaving plastic in the environment in the event of a crack-off. A hook will rust away, plastic takes years to break down. I would use wooden balls soaked in glug in a crayfish infested water, but on my current water, all plastic and fake baits are banned. On arrival at the lake, if I don't see fish, I will go on weather, current and predicted, my hunches, or whether I have prebaited swims, or areas that I know that the fish move onto.

I've just lost 2 friends to carbon monoxide poisoning in the bivvy. NEVER, NEVER, use a bivvy heater, gas stove or burner in your bivvy. Proper clothing and sleeping bag. https://forum.carp.com/topic/33876-bivvy-death/

Do you guys wear your salopettes when in bed? Unless it's really cold I tend to remove them in favour of base layer and joggers as I get too hot. I also got some fleece lined workwear combats from Aldi a while ago, they are pretty good for when you first arrive as you don't want to be too hot when, carting all your toot about and getting set up. I also never wear my baselayers whilst setting up and wait til I'm sorted so I don't get too hot.

Thanks I will have a look 👍

Decent base layer and a microfleece. The jackets work by the down/filling holding the body heat, just like a sleeping bag. If you wear too much underneath it stops the heat getting to the filling, so it won't work so well. Good ain't they! I wore mine one October night with just a thin base layer underneath. I was sweating my nuts off after baiting up 😂 Great for proper cold weather though 👍

Simple, DO NOT USE ANY KIND OF FUEL HEATER, fil a hot water bottle for sleeping bag, also consider a rechargeable heated vest thing

Welcome in Tom 1 no limit only limits are your baiting ability 2 depends on time of year 15 mins or so at a start but also depends on method of fishing 3 don’t see why not 4 this time of year ? fish the warmest side, they will most likely be there somewhere anyway.

I think that the original ball pellets were hard compressed with no liquids, where trout pellet shaped fast breakdown pellets get extruded through a machine (gun or rolling table) so must have liquids added. Eggs definitely slow the breakdown time compared to water as water totally evaporates and doesn't bind like eggs.

I just got DAM quick darkside 4 6000 size mini pits and they are stunning if you could find the same but 8000 they would be good

I’m with Elmo , and you can get the 8k for around £80

In that price range I would think on a budget Shimano Beastmaster rather than any other make.

Okuma 8k, bulletproof, great line lay, smooth, 5year warranty, best reel in that price bracket.

Pineapple boilies and bait for an upcoming social...