Scaling back

[Whitstable Jack]

Hi all,

I've come back into carp fishing in Spring 2023 after circa 25 years out, and had a bit of a geek out with kit, bags etc. I've too many pouches, bags, holders etc etc.

I am now at a point where I want to scale back.

Couple of questions:

01) I like the Korda tackle box (larger one with the storage tubs) as it helps me know where bits are in one place quickly. I wondered about the smaller box - the tackle safe. But for now will keep what I have. I use pva sticks, sometimes bags, so I need another storage bag, but smallish. I wondered about this from Aqua to store all this including: leads, tubing, crimping tool, forceps, marker float for leading around/depth research, and some general backups if something runs out or misplaced: https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/aqua-black-series-pva-fishing-pouch-xl?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIva6Kn7Tw_wIVy9reCh1nwgrMEAEYASAIEgJdePD_BwE

 

02) I'm a big fan of chods, very short and longer, pop up and bottom. I want a storage box to keep the hook points sharp and the curve of the chod, but the ones available seem to store loads of rigs, and that's not where my head is at. Yes there is the rig board in the Korda tackle box, but with different hook link lengths it isn't a good option with the magnet.

When possible, I also like to fish a couple of different setups including running lead, and an inline lead option with tubing.

Top line, I can't seem to find one box, that isn't massive, to store my terminal tackle, pva, tubing, marker flaot, crimping items, leads and a few other bits. So I am thinking of two storage boxes - the Korda tackle box, and one other.

Has anyone found a solution? 

Many thanks in advance.

[kevtaylor]

I still use the same tool box I found 30 odd years ago coz it fits in my rucksack and seems to be the right size.  I also carry a zig disc (fox) - thats good because it's 1ft round so use as a measure and rig storage.

Theres lots of stuff I rarely use which lives in a big rig wallet - only goes in the car on big trips where I dont know what might happen, multiple zig lines, bait drills and corks, various leaders, tubing sets, spares on top of spares.

I used to carry a big float tube full of spods, marker floats, floater floats - again only on big trips - but left in car.

For normal fishing trips (95%) of the time I carry just one spare spod, one floater/zig line, one marker float, PVA funnel web all in the lid of my rucksack, one tackle box FULL of rig making essentials, rig box (Korda) and the zig disc (Fox).

Spare leads can stay in the car, I carry some in a lead pouch - enough for a few fish, back to the car if I run out.

You could spend a fortune buying all new stuff that goes together perfectly or just make what you've got work - I'm kind of reviewing what I need on a venue to venue basis.

[jh92]

Bought the ridgemonkey armoury tackle box about a year or so ago and haven't looked back. Love it, it fits everything I need in there 👍

[framey]

3 hours ago, Whitstable Jack said:

Hi all,

I've come back into carp fishing in Spring 2023 after circa 25 years out, and had a bit of a geek out with kit, bags etc. I've too many pouches, bags, holders etc etc.

I am now at a point where I want to scale back.

Couple of questions:

01) I like the Korda tackle box (larger one with the storage tubs) as it helps me know where bits are in one place quickly. I wondered about the smaller box - the tackle safe. But for now will keep what I have. I use pva sticks, sometimes bags, so I need another storage bag, but smallish. I wondered about this from Aqua to store all this including: leads, tubing, crimping tool, forceps, marker float for leading around/depth research, and some general backups if something runs out or misplaced: https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/aqua-black-series-pva-fishing-pouch-xl?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIva6Kn7Tw_wIVy9reCh1nwgrMEAEYASAIEgJdePD_BwE

 

02) I'm a big fan of chods, very short and longer, pop up and bottom. I want a storage box to keep the hook points sharp and the curve of the chod, but the ones available seem to store loads of rigs, and that's not where my head is at. Yes there is the rig board in the Korda tackle box, but with different hook link lengths it isn't a good option with the magnet.

When possible, I also like to fish a couple of different setups including running lead, and an inline lead option with tubing.

Top line, I can't seem to find one box, that isn't massive, to store my terminal tackle, pva, tubing, marker flaot, crimping items, leads and a few other bits. So I am thinking of two storage boxes - the Korda tackle box, and one other.

Has anyone found a solution? 

Many thanks in advance.

Trakker pva pouch is the same as the Aqua version but cheaper 

I’ve had one for years and it’s almost perfect 

I even attached some quick release clips on it and a strap saves carrying it in my hand then

[Whitstable Jack]

3 hours ago, framey said:

Trakker pva pouch is the same as the Aqua version but cheaper 

I’ve had one for years and it’s almost perfect 

I even attached some quick release clips on it and a strap saves carrying it in my hand then

Hi mate, the trakker and the aqua look very similar but there are differences, including the see through sleeves in the top pouch of the aqua - this will be good for me for storing different sized pva bags etc.

[Whitstable Jack]

3 hours ago, jh92 said:

Bought the ridgemonkey armoury tackle box about a year or so ago and haven't looked back. Love it, it fits everything I need in there 👍

Does it fit mesh pva tubes mate?

[salokcinnodrog]

Scaling back?

I tried that and struggled, simply because it wasn't where I had gotten used to it over 30years of fishing. @elmoputney has a fit as my Plano tackle box ends up like a bombsite, just after the explosion...

The top level tray is full of hooklink materials, leads, my hygiene stuff, pocket knife forceps, Klinik etc.

I do have 2 rig bins for bottom bait or snowman rigs and a rig wallet for pop-up rigs, although one rod is my helicopter setup for big chucks, and stays setup for that. I simply tie the linklet onto a boom, basically hinge rig style.

If I need a pop-up rig on one of the other rods I can grab a whole rig out of the wallet and fish that with  run ring pendant lead.

[Jone5y]

To scale back you really need to decide what you actually need for the vast majority of your fishing. You also need to be content with the fact they you will never cover every possibility. 

I really do not enjoy carrying loads of unnecessary things in anything I do - whether that be fishing tackle or tools for a job. If I can buy something that has multiple uses then I will prioritise that. When I stopped carp fishing exclusively, my items of end tackle all fit into a 9" by 6" zipped bag which I have attached a picture of. The little box has a few beads, swivels etc in, the bit of pipe lagging as a few pre-tied rig bits pinned on, and the cut down pva tube has the hook section of hinge stiff rig/chod rigs in - which can be used for either rig obviously. I have three packets of hooks only.

I think most people would shudder at the idea of taking so few items of terminal tackle with them. Personally,  I always found it very relaxing to have a very simple approach to work from. Granted I may add items as a situation dictates but I never found myself feeling the need to try something for no reason whatsoever.

I would advise seriously considering concocting a very basic approach to carp fishing (i.e. deciding on three rigs that cover most situations you can envision) and decide EXACTLY what you need to do that.

 

 

[Jone5y]

Here's a picture including all the items above in their respective pouch and my other tackle pouch which has all my tackle for river fishing (chub, barbel, and perch). The bottle of scotch is for scale purposes obviously.

 

 

[framey]

I knew I had put a post up recently 

it hasnt changed but I haven’t been lately 

use it as a starting point if you like lol

 

 

Edited March 26 by framey

[Whitstable Jack]

2 minutes ago, framey said:

I knew I had put a post up recently 

it hasnt changed but I haven’t been lately 

 

 

Great photos, thank you, the kit looks pretty minimal, lucky you, I need to reduce what I take and be more like that.

[Whitstable Jack]

33 minutes ago, Jone5y said:

To scale back you really need to decide what you actually need for the vast majority of your fishing. You also need to be content with the fact they you will never cover every possibility. 

I really do not enjoy carrying loads of unnecessary things in anything I do - whether that be fishing tackle or tools for a job. If I can buy something that has multiple uses then I will prioritise that. When I stopped carp fishing exclusively, my items of end tackle all fit into a 9" by 6" zipped bag which I have attached a picture of. The little box has a few beads, swivels etc in, the bit of pipe lagging as a few pre-tied rig bits pinned on, and the cut down pva tube has the hook section of hinge stiff rig/chod rigs in - which can be used for either rig obviously. I have three packets of hooks only.

I think most people would shudder at the idea of taking so few items of terminal tackle with them. Personally,  I always found it very relaxing to have a very simple approach to work from. Granted I may add items as a situation dictates but I never found myself feeling the need to try something for no reason whatsoever.

I would advise seriously considering concocting a very basic approach to carp fishing (i.e. deciding on three rigs that cover most situations you can envision) and decide EXACTLY what you need to do that.

 

 

Excellent advice, thank you. Yes, three different rig options is plenty. The joy and satisfaction of taking less kit, and then that making you much more mobile to move to showing fish is where I want to be. The only thing I would add 9for me) would be a couple of bolt bubbles and some dog biscuits for anything on or near the surface.

[jh92]

13 hours ago, Whitstable Jack said:

Does it fit mesh pva tubes mate?

Doubt it mate, I keep all pva stuff in a bait bucket where I keep pellet to make bags etc 👍

I normally take the kitchen sink with me. Prefer to have it just in case 🤣

 

[Whitstable Jack]

14 hours ago, salokcinnodrog said:

Scaling back?

I tried that and struggled, simply because it wasn't where I had gotten used to it over 30years of fishing. @elmoputney has a fit as my Plano tackle box ends up like a bombsite, just after the explosion...

The top level tray is full of hooklink materials, leads, my hygiene stuff, pocket knife forceps, Klinik etc.

I do have 2 rig bins for bottom bait or snowman rigs and a rig wallet for pop-up rigs, although one rod is my helicopter setup for big chucks, and stays setup for that. I simply tie the linklet onto a boom, basically hinge rig style.

If I need a pop-up rig on one of the other rods I can grab a whole rig out of the wallet and fish that with  run ring pendant lead.

Hi Nick, 

Plano tackle box - that takes me back and puts a smile on the face, wow!

[salokcinnodrog]

11 hours ago, Jone5y said:

Here's a picture including all the items above in their respective pouch and my other tackle pouch which has all my tackle for river fishing (chub, barbel, and perch). The bottle of scotch is for scale purposes obviously.

 

 

The bottle of scotch is because you are a good ghillie, always providing for your guests...

 

[Whitstable Jack]

3 hours ago, jh92 said:

Doubt it mate, I keep all pva stuff in a bait bucket where I keep pellet to make bags etc 👍

I normally take the kitchen sink with me. Prefer to have it just in case 🤣

 

Good advice, I take a small bait bucket and there is room, will do the same.

Alas, I've been taking the kitchen sink on a barrow and that has to stop for me. I saw a far more experienced and far better angler than me last week rock up with hardly anything, but very very systimsed, and that is what I am roughly aiming for - so I can be mobile and have less stuff.

I am a photographer/video maker and the amount of kit I need on a shoot day is a lot, but I've got used to it and know within a split second where every item is and what I need at any given point, and I have a team to help. My fishing is my quiet place and I don't want lots of bits and confusion. I'll have more stuff at home, and a backup bucket in the car, but not while I'm fishing (hopefully!!!!), famous last words and all that...

[bluelabel]

Korum Opportunist Mat Bag, with a Korum fully loaded tackle box in the kit bag, along with alarms, sticks, catty, pva tube, bait tub (bait tub since replaced with a Korum EVA eva bait and tackle station), Chair, rod bag and I still have a hand free for gates etc... I travel fairly light these days... short trips for me nowadays, even reverting to the use of a trolley as my back is totally naffed

 

Do yerselves a flavour and travel light... it do tickle me sideways when some bod with a barrow piled higher than the Shard say's...

"Ya gotta stay mobile man"...

🤣🤣🤣🤣