Winter Is Coming! Scaling Down!

So like the title says winter is well and truly on it's way. Winds and rain and even a light snow shower the other day. So while a lot of anglers will be hanging up the holdalls and sticks there will still be a few of us on the bank.

I personally will be fishing as much as I can but unfortunately for me it is days only sessions this winter (Maybe sneak out for a few nights but not many). This is due to many things but work being the main one. As we are trying to save for a house deposit (which is a nightmare!) I will have to take as much over time as I possibly can and this means less fishing time. Also this time of year my online game usually delivers it's latest expansion pack and this year is no exception (I know, I'm quite sad but we all have our vices!)

So as a days only winter I feel that I need to make the most of my time on the bank and this means a scale down is in order. The following photo is of my normal over night gear (Minus rod holdall and sleeping bag)

Overnighter gear

This will be shortened considerably now with the steps I have taken, and this photo is my normal day session gear. The holdall has everything in it imaginable and weighs a tonne so I decided that now was the time to declutter and scale down.

Day session gear minus rod bag

Masses of leads and other bits

Full of gear we never use, right?

The ever faithful hundred pots of pop ups!!

Buzz bars, spare sticks, alarms and indicators.

So the start of the scaling down began with purchasing a bucket bag. I got a Trakker one and it's great! It takes a 10ltr bucket and has a cushioned lid which can be used as a seat, so out with the day chair! Next the pop ups where attacked! I love the corker wafters as well as the PB and malty milks so a few tubs of those and a mixture of other pop ups in a pot will cover pretty much every situation I should come across. These now live inside the bucket along with a selection of pellets and some liquid additives.

Smaller selection of hook baits and liquids

The new home of the hook baits and catty! 

So I looked in the holdall and decided my PVA products could live inside an old bait box that was in the bottom of the holdall. This fitted nicely inside my PVA bag mix bucket. Excellent. 

My PVA products now live inside a small bait box in my bag mix bucket. 

So looking at my bank stick pocket I picked up my usual set up and now decided that will live in my un-hooking mat. I know what you maybe thinking, damage to the alarms, but the next purchase will be some cases for them and they should be protected enough.

PVA Bucket and sticks now live in my un-hooking mat.

So going through my other pockets in the hold all I found my scales, carp meds and rig bits tray fit perfectly inside the two small pockets on the bucket bag, good times. 

Scales, Meds and rig box.

With my bucket bag I also bought a small bits bag. Again this fits perfect in the bucket bags front pouch and stores everything you could need for a session, long or short.

All tucked up nicely

In here we have bait floss, hooklink material, scissors, forceps, marker elastic, putty, a selection of leads and leaders, hooks a lighter and some small shot, oh and a touch for those walks back to the car in darkness.

Bits and bobs.

So all in all it fits together quite nicely. My weight is greatly reduced now which means if the fish move I can super quick. I don't have to worry about a barrow or having too much gear. By holdall lives in the car which will 99% of the time be a short walk away so anything forgotten or a change needed then I can get it quite easily.

The essentials and easy to transport

Well thats about it. Add a thermos flask and some sandwiches and boom, day session carping just became simple again. My rig wallet will come with me as tying rigs with cold fingers is not something to cherish.

The finished article, compact, light and essential. 

So thats about it for this blog. I'm just waiting for my new rods now and then my next session will reflect on if this has been worth it all, I have a feeling it will be. Till next time folks.