Aplogies as this has probably already been done to death, however having just done 2 days fishing after taking a 5 year break (3 kids - 5yrs and under)I've realised one of the things I hated most about carping . . .our obsession with lugging mountains of heavy gear . . .

Not that my kit is particularly weighty however I'd like opinions pls on the ultimate lightweight set up to enable a more pleasurable yomp down the bank on day sessions or quick overnighters . . .

I'm talking everything from shelters to rods/reels, barrows to banksticks . . .cost not a problem; I'll probably end up taking more bait anyway but its worth a punt . . .

Cheers, Belch

Well I've managed to get all my gear reasonably light weight, I'd be looking at something like the following:

Rods - Anything slim/light - I use Harrison's
Reels - Shimano Baitrunners
Shelter - Oval Brolly - I use trakker Big Z
Alarms etc. - Delkims+bobbins
Bedchair - Fox ultra 3 (not the lightest but quite light and comfy)
Banksticks - Obelisk stainless (ok its heavy but the b****cks and I love it) If u want light go carbon/mild steel
Barrow - What for? I've streamlined enough not to need one!

All rods/etc. go in a fox quiver not a rod holdall. All other stuff goes in a trakker rucksack.

Hope this helps

You could lighten the load even more by using something like the chub snooper or snooper lite shelters. I have a snooper lite for days as I find oval brollies weigh far too much to be practical (the JRC and Chub ones anyway). I dunno what it's like in the wind yet though as it's only been breezy when I've been out but it's ok in the rain.

I`ve boned down my gear that many times..now have a light seperate two rod quick rover set up and a seperate 3 rod mediocre set too and a winter more luxurious set up.
shorter trips less gear,winter longer stay more.
snooper bivvy is rock solid..take the strap off and bow it right down to be more aerodynamic..summer sleeping bag too which rolls inside the bedchair,tery hearn light bedchair..both dead light..if you can use a barrow use one..makes no difference with boning other than quick up and move..try cutting down the food tpp..tatty ash..pre-made and in a tub..healthy eating..sugar from biscuits for alertness..sorts the drowsiness of longstays.good luck

Mmmm . . .alright this is what I'm currently lugging . .
Rods - 3xGreys F1 Mk 2's, Greys Spod & Marker, Floater rod all in lightweight Cotswold Aq sleeves with Tip Top protectors throughout = 6 rods
Reels - Emblem X Big pits on the rods, Emblem S's on the Utilities, Small Shimano Baitrunner on the floater.
Other - Greys Prodigy Landing net, Trakker Big Z brolley, 4x storm sticks for brolley, bankstick for snag fishing, 8 pegs for brolley
Sling - Wychwood System select 5 rod sling takes all of the above.
Fishcare- Fox Classic Roll up mat with Nashy mesh weigh sling, Nashy zipped sack
Indication - 3 rod Quattro pod with 2 extra euro banksticks for single rod set up option with Fox alarms / remote, lightweight hangers & backleads
Gear - Wychwood medium carryall with all the necessaries, including cold food & drink only, 2x 10ltr bait buckets, 1 with floater baits, the other with boilees / pellet etc.
Furniture – Lightweight Chub Chair (days), JRC Cocoon Bedchair (overnighters) Big Z bag and pillow (nights only)
Barrow – Chub Barrow
Ok – I could probably ditch all the floater gear when the weather permits, could also ditch the marker rod on waters I’m already familiar with . . .the brolly weighs loads IMO . .as does my rod & reel set up but I love Big Pits . . .I could ditch the pod but it’s useful on hard banks when time is at a premium and carefully drilling holes for a split set up can be dull . . .looking for the lightest gear in all categories if poss . . .!

Looks like the main weight is in the brolly and the amount of big reels. Getting a lighter shelter will make a lot of difference, my holdall is apain in the arse with my chub brolly in but with the snooper lite it's easy to carry with 3 big baitrunners plus 4 rods.

The other thing to take into account is do you need so much bait and luggage, I try to get everything for a day sesh into one bag. I rarely need more than a kilo for days.

Ok . .good stuff. My tart nature would never consider a snooper lite but after a quick search 2.9kg vs 6/7 sounds good . . however . . .

Lightest rods - Century Fat Boy Slims?
Big Pits - Daiwa Basia Airs / Daiwa SS 3000 / Shimano 1Ok Baitrunners?
Pods & Sticks - Dymag?
Shelter - Snooper Lite / Fox Evo?
Chair / Bedchair - Daiwa Specialist / Angling intelligence?
Sling & Luggage - not sure?
Carpcare - think I'm already there?
Bait - You can never have too little . . ..

How long you going for ? What type of lake ? Oxford gravel or Chesire sand ? Loads of weed ? How big ? There is no diffinitive answer. Here's a tip...(for a 36 hour session) limit yourself to 5 pieces of luggage that you can carry.(leave nothing in the vehicle,negating the need to leave your tackle unattended whilst you return for the luxuries or giving the potential thief a reason to centre punch your window.)

1. Rucksack.
2. Quiver.
3. Mat.
4. Cookbag.
5. Bedchair.

Nevermind what bit's,if you can carry it then cool,if your using a barrow then even better. I've just started fishing a large public park and have dug my mk2 porter out of the garage...9 years it's been in there...a wipe down with Wd40 as she's back on the range.

There's only one way to go though...2 or three different set ups to cover all possible angles,the best bit of light type kit ive bought has been an Aqua 60" brolly with the sides,door and winter skin,some 10 years ago,winter,spring,summer and autumn in one shelter big enough for more than a couple of nights,ive got a dillo but it's the brolly that gets the action every time,trouble is we are bombarded with the pram hood style copies from china and the right price and that dictates the bivvy market...brollies are unfashionable...but the ultimate system.

j.