smufter

Genesis for a week with my daughter Liddy. 7th July. As much as I've loved fishing The Retreat, after 3 years I feel it's time for a change. Eddy the owner has reserved swim 1 for us, so Liddy can be near the loos!!

Have had a look at Carpzone, and I know their gear is good for the price. The hurricane bivvy looks good, but is only 5,000mm whereas the Quest is 10,000mm. My daughters brolly is 5,000mm and when you sit under it on a hot day it's like a sauna inside as the light is still getting in.....

If the blanks continue Dayvid, I could be sparking up sooner rather than later!😉😉😉

You don't know me that well do you Geezer????

Now there's an idea. Bivvy heater

I know you're going to think I'm stupid but I won't bother with the wrap Snoozer. I won't ever fish during the winter months, when a wrap is more useful, I am literally going to use this one for my weeks drive 'n survive holidays and they are always taken during the "summer" months.

Have decided on this one in the end. Better material and a great price for a two man. Cushty http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162627493486

Well, all my "bits 'n pieces" arrived today, had a trial run putting everything together and seems a doddle. No problems with threading my mainline down through the tubing, easy peasy. Only problem I'm having is fitting the tubing through the tail rubber. Jeez the hole is small!! Only way I can do it is by trimming the tail rubber back to almost half it's original length until the hole becomes big enough (if that makes sense?). Hopefully this isn't going to affect performance in any way? Other than that, it's buying some different tail rubbers with a bigger diameter hole.

Thanks for your tips lads. I ended up ordering (on recommendation) some of this http://mcftackle.co.uk/product.php?id=107 along with some Solar lead clips http://www.solar24-7.co.uk/baitshop/advanced-rig-gear/product/kslcg-safety-lead-clip-system The Solar clips look ideal as they allow me to use either a semi fixed lead or a running rig quite easily. I'll have a play over the week-end and see how they work. Rob

I've never used rig tubing in my life. Got pulled up by the bailiff at White Cottage yesterday because I should be using it. I had no idea!! He was okay about it, let me carry on fishing, but advised me that I must use it from now on. I've ordered some of this (on his recommendation) http://mcftackle.co.uk/product.php?id=107 Thing is, I usually use a straightforward running rig. with my mainline just attached via swivel to my hooklength, incorporating an anti tangle sleeve. What do I need to buy now, and can I keep a straightforward running rig???? Sorry for the numptiness of my question. Rob

This one looks pretty good.... https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/advanta-protector-2-man-bivvy?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Products All AUTO&utm_term=%2BAdvanta %2BProtector %2B2 %2BMan %2BBivvy&utm_content=AD15092503

Sadly I don't ever visit the shows. I'm not that much into it to want to waste my time at one. But I do want to be comfy when I'm on the bank!

Thanks for the tip Commonly. I'm not ready to buy yet (Missus is possibly treating me for Christmas) so I'll take my time looking around, and if I see one I fancy I may well chuck a few more quid at it to get what I want. But as I say, not worth spending an absolute fortune as my 60" brolly suits for 95% of my fishing.

Just a bit cheesed off that it doesn't have additional windows in it, or a rear vent. But at the price I don's suppose I can moan.....well I can, but it won't do any good lol!

Looks like the JRC then!

Appreciate what you are saying CF, but I'm not a winter fisherman and am only likely to use this during the Summer months. I know you can't guarantee decent weather, even in July/August, but as I say I'm not going to be venturing out during the traditional "downpour" months.

Looking to buy a "two man" bivvy. I've got a Solace 60" HD brolly for quick overnighters and day sessions which is fine, but want something a little more substantial as I am thinking of doing a weeks drive 'n survive next year. I don't want to spend a fortune as it's only going to be used once in a blue moon, and the idea of a two man is that I'm going to have a lot more room if used on my own (likely) but if push comes to shove I could squeeze another bedchair in in an "emergency". The two I've seen are the JRC Contact 2 man, which I can pick up for just over £100.00 new from Eric's Angling http://www.ericsangling.co.uk/index.php/bivvies-and-brollies/bivvies/jrc-contact-bivvy-1-man-2014-version.html or the NGT "Fortress" 2 man, which is about £20.00 more. The thing I like about the Fortress is that it has the additional two windows in the sides, and a ventilation window in the back. https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/i48/Large-Carp-Bivvy-Fortress-Style-Heavy-Groundsheet/B00OQPYGK0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1501914435&sr=8-2&keywords=ngt+bivvy Any thoughts, or other recommendations??? As I say, I don't want to spend much more than I've indicated, and I really do want a "two man" jobbie. Rob

A Shimano fanboy in disguise!! Zey gut effryver.

I'd rather have one bearing in a good reel than 8 bearings in a pile of cak

Especially if it's budget class. A cheap Japanese branded reel (Daiwa/Shimano/Okuma) would knock spots off of a medium priced "British" reel, even if such a thing is made anymore. I've never been a fan of British fishing tackle.

Japanese are best.

I still think that is too big. As I say, have a look at Shimano or Daiwa.

With all due respect, why on earth would you want a distance casting reel on a stalking rod? The whole idea behind stalking is being as mobile and as "stealthy" as you can, so whilst I commend your choice of rod, you really need as small a reel as possible to match it. Putting a big pit reel on a 9ft stalking rod is akin to putting a 250hp Honda outboard on a canoe! You'll want something that will hold a decent breaking strain line because stalking, by nature, will usually have you fishing close to snags of some description, although again you don't want to fish too heavily because you're likely to be going after wary fish and you don't want to spook them. My idea of stalking is using the smallest lead possible, if in fact I used any at all. Freelining is as stealthy as it gets. Flicking a piece of sweetcorn, a dog biscuit, a lump of breadflake or meat/small boilie into a tight little spot sums up "stalking" to me. I'd be looking at the smaller Shimano or Daiwa offerings. You don't really need a bait runner because with stalking you are going to be "on your rod" all the time, but the Daiwa Emcast 4500 which I use would suffice. These have a baitrunner which of course you don't have to use, but at least you have the facility there if you want to revert to the more "usual" methods of fishing at some point. Forget big pit reels. Unless you suddenly decide you want to buy 13 foot 3.5tc rods and start whanging it out 150 yards plus.

Lake Reaper reads well, and if I had more use for a Baitboat I guess I would be ordering one. But "my" water, and most of the others I fish locally, don't allow them. So on the basis that I will only use one when I go on holiday to France, my little old cheap jobbie serves me well!! As an aside, with only just over a week to go before this years trip I have started sorting all my gear out. I took HMS Gonads out of her dry dock over the week-end and tried her out. Started up first time, batteries still holding charge from last years trip, she's as sweet as a nut and ready to go into action. Little bit of dried weed around one of the propeller shafts, but other than that good to go. Just need to swab the decks a little. Due to the way the bait hopper works on her, it doesn't always empty completely when using particle mixes. Fine if you are sending out dry stuff like boilies etc. but sticky stuff leaves a residue. A quick wipe over under a running tap and she's as good as new. Seriously, best £60.00 I've ever spent on fishing gear. Seriously.