pablo7uk

Haha yeah I think that session was a turning point for me realising that I just didn't need that amount of space 😂

Nice spacious day session haha

I originally chose 2 man because I thought my girlfriend was going to occasionally come along but things change and it's certainly not her top priority haha especially when she can go shopping whilst I'm fishing haha. We don't have kids either so I guess now I've honestly no need for a 2 man. Although I'm not impressed with the set up time I think I'm gonna sell the 2 man on eBay and get a 1 man version brand new to save the hassle.

Your dimensions W315 x D280 x H155 My dimensions W 300 x D 306 x H 160 ... Now you understand my concerns haha

The longer this thread continues the more I fancy just keeping my jrc extreme tx 2 man haha. It's top quality material and super heavy duty. I love the hood over the front as it keeps off a bit of rain when watching the water through the letterbox. I love the space inside. My biggest worry is visiting a new venue and it being too big for a peg!

I think it's becoming very clear that bivvies, brollies etc really are a thing of personal preference! Ive been having a good look the trakker tempest bivvy and although it tempted me at first - lightweight and quick to put up I have found some things that to me are draw backs. It seems that all the different components have to be bought separate - groundsheet, front panel, skull cap if you want the peak over the door way. So not only is this additional expense to an already pricey bivvy but it will add weight to that initial claimed weight of 7/8kgs or whatever they are. So realistically will it be much lighter in the end? Possibly not I'm thinking. Also there doesn't seem to be an option for the clear panels on the front doorway and windows. Just mozzy mesh or standard fully closed bivvy material. Now my thoughts are if on a session and it's pouring down do you really want to be confined to complete darkness inside the bivvy - you certainly can't watch the lake unless you want to get rained on through the letter box door which has no peak to protect from the rain unless you get the extra skull cap and the other option would be raining in through the mozzy mesh.

Thanks for the suggestion, my other spools have braid on them with a fluoro leader so after a quick double check of the rules yes I think I could use these. I must admit I've never actually fished with braided mainline - the reels were second hand and arrived with these already loaded.

Thanks for the advice that's really helpful and certainly some things to keep in mind. I'm fortunate that my club water has no fishing on the opposite bank on both lakes so the only worry would be for any unfortunate ducks in the event of a break off haha looking forward to giving some heavier leads a go now

Just to add to my last comment - anyone heard bad things about the build quality of the trakker tempest V1 bivvy? Just read some very bad feedback in a YouTube comment

Interesting to see all the different views on this. I think I've decided I'm going to downsize to either the same jrc extreme tx but 1 man version or if the price is right a trakker tempest bivvy as they sound very easy to put up quickly. I'm not the fastest but factoring in rocks in the ground which is a nuisance for pegs I rekon it takes me half an hour to put up my current 2man. Maybe I'm just slow haha Also agree about the barrow comment, all the big heavy gear is a bit of a nightmare to get second hand. I could have bought a jrc extreme tx 1 man straight away yesterday but the seller wasnt offering postage so I was trying to arrange a courier collection with them and by the time I found a price I was happy with they had sold it.

Thanks all, well the rods have only recently been upgraded so there won't be any changes there haha. I've just got some 3.5oz Heli leads so looks like I'll be upgrading the rest of my leads haha I feel like I can't stop buying new kit lately! I must admit though I always felt like 2.5oz (my go to) was lighter than I would like but my old rods didn't feel right with anything heavier.

Spot on

So I've been looking at downsizing and getting the jrc extreme tx 1 man and selling my 2 man only problem is that the 1 man hold their value a lot better so it'll cost about the same and I've got all the hassle of trying to find a good condition one local enough

Thanks everyone, I've had some 3.5oz Heli style leads just arrive so I'll be giving them a go moving forward. I've always shyed away from larger leads as until recently I only had 2.75tc rods. My reels are daiwa emblem 35 scw 5000c qd so they aren't cheap and I like to think they should be up to the job. The Gardner line is 0.41mm if I remember right, it's actually finer than the 15lb Fox soft steel I used to have on my old reels.

Hi guys I've done a couple of sessions lately on larger venues that I've probably ever fished. On both occasions I either got told of a good spot that was a huge Chuck or could see a good spot (fallen tree on far bank). When I say a big cast I'm meaning in the region of 20-23 wraps. I've been JUST about able to reach the clip after a few attempts. Main issue though is that there is a big bow in the line because it wasn't a strong hit on the clip. Question is what can I do to make this easier without major changes to rods, line and reels? Current set up as follows; 3lb TC 12ft rods 20lb Gardner hydrotuff mono mainline Daiwa big pit style reels filled to the lip Rig tubing, lead clip, 2.5oz flat pear gripper lead. No pva bag etc Thanks, Paul

Thanks for all the input and yes the korda guys do seem to use the trailer tempest I recognise the tensioning handle thing on the top....they are so expensive though!! Don't think I can justify it. After my session out today I feel like my bivvy is a bit big. I only really do day sessions and the occasional overnighters. I didn't have my bedchair today because it was just a day session and it felt unnecessarily huge. I think I might downgrade to the 1 man version of the same bivvy as it's really good otherwise and fairly easy to set up. Takes me about 30 mins though including all the pegs!!

Hi all, I know ultimately it depends on where you fish etc but what does everyone use for overnighters? I've currently got a jrc extreme tx 2 man bivvy Dimensions: W 300 x D 306 x H 160 Weight: 15.3kg I got it second hand and I've used it a handful of times and never had a problem with fitting it into my chosen peg but I'm starting to think is it too big? Could I manage with something smaller and then never have to worry about fitting into a peg. I kno what I have is a top quality bivvy with high quality materials etc but maybe I should have the 1 man instead? What do you use and why? Also just wondered if anyone knows what the bivvy is all the korda guys seem to use with the handle on top to tighten it all up. cheers, Paul

Great thank you, I'll give it a try next time I'm on that venue. I was really wanting to give the spot a try on that day as I'd had nothing all day. Once I can get the lead 23 wraps next job will be the spomb 😭 I have 30lb braid with a leader on a Grey's distance spod rod with a daiwa emblem spod reel so just gotta go for it!!

Well I have it a go on Saturday and it does seem quite good and is nice and flexible for tying knots easily. If I'm fishing a bit of a distance out would I need a leader or will it be strong enough? I've never really fished at distance but a regular on the lake I was fishing said there was a good gravel spot at 23 wraps. I felt apprehensive trying to cast that far. I only managed 22 wraps with the market float set up.

I opted for Gardner hydrotuff in 20lb in the end. One spool filled all 3 reels with a little left over. It feels pretty soft and flexible for such a strong line. I'm looking forward to giving it a go this weekend.

Thanks I think I'll give it a go. Certainly good value and a reputable brand.

Haha it's not like wire though is it?

Looks like the GTHD is the only one available above 15lb? It says high abrasion resistance in the description? I've also found Fox eos which seems cheap for a mainstream brand. Also fox soft steel which I actually think it what I had on my previous reels for years - didn't realise they still made it.

Just found the GTHD on Angling Direct for £20 at 18lb. Should be enough to fill all 3 spools with 830m too or near enough anyway at 0.39 diameter. Thanks for the recommendation. I think the fox stuff and korda stuff I was looking at had carp tax added as they were going to be £50+

Hello I've just recently bought 3 new reels and it's been a long time since I've bought mainline. They fit about 330 yards of 15lb on as a guide but I'm looking for recommendations. They each already have a spool of 25lb braid so I'm looking for mono ideas. I'm thinking 18lb as there is a venue I want to fish that has catfish in it with a 18lb minimum rule but I'm also unsure I want to base my kit on fishing just one venue when there are many others I fish which are 15lb recommended. Thanks Paul