Going back 20 years ago I was really into my match fishing. Out 2-3 times a week on evening matches and weekends fishing opens, winter leagues and club matches. Then a house project followed by marriage and 2 kids came along so my gear had not seen the light of day really for a good 10+ years. Decided to get my old Boss Box out the garage at the weekend as was invited out to a local club lake with a friend. To my surprise I located a float tube that’s dated 2009 full of old Mick Wilkinson floats that never made them onto winders! Having a quick look around it looks like these are now sold under the Guru brand ? Take it MW floats are still as popular as ever ? Not even sure some of these designs are still made but as the weather warms up I’m looking forward to getting some of these back on a winder to see if they still go under !

Having gone fishing today and loaded my trolley for the first time since the first lockdown when I did a four wheel conversion on it, it struck me just how much gear I actually take - and this is without keepnets and rods

Trolley
Seat box plus stacker units
Side tray, too big really but you never know
Bait bag with a mix of baits and groundbaits
Roller bag packed with all sorts plus two rollers
sandwiches and flask
Pole holdall
Brolly (just in case)
Landing net on it's own

Despite looking at it, short of strip out everything I know I won't use but might need so take it just in case, what can be done to condense tackle to a reasonable, if not sensible, amount? - and that was just for a pleasure fishing session

Pompous git said:

I hope the next zander you catch bites your knob.

Click to expand...

@Pompous git gave me this warm fuzzy blessing just before Christmas (If you missed the thread, there was a lot of tongue and cheek, although a definite different side of the fence regarding a certain silver predator)

Now, it's been an odd week. I went out all day on Monday for the first time since early November. I was after some good old Esox, but unfortunately, good old Esox didn't know I was at the party.

So, being a teacher and on half term week, I decided to give it another crack yesterday. I only gave it three hours and before my 2nd rod was out had a belting run. I was into a good double, and lost it at the net. Rude words may have made an appearance. Fortunately I didn't have to wait long to make amends and ended up with 4 pike on the...

Okay, I've got itchy fingers this evening, starting to get pre day's fishing excited even though it's a few days away yet - bet i don't sleep tonight now

But, anyway, I've just been milling around the online stores looking at groundbait - I know what I wanted but was absolutely taken aback at the amount and variety of groundbait available now - one store alone boasted some 115 different types of groundbait!

To me there was always fishmeal based and non-fishmeal based, natural colour or dark/black, but now it seems you can get every flavour and colour under the sun.
I thought, simples, a bag of Sensas Roach & Silver fish, but now I'm bamboozled with more options than I'd know what to do with

Is groundbait to catch fish or is it to catch the angler? Are we going down the Boilie path with Groundbait?

I am looking for some advice - where do you lot store your tackle?
Mine is in the shed and its A) a pain in the ar$e to get to what with mowers, bikes etc. B) a little damp and C) not the most secure.
I am thinking of buying a plastic outdoor storage unit and wondered if anyone else uses one and if so what are they like and which one would you recommend. Been looking at this sort of thing but worry about security Keter Store It Out Max 4 x 5ft Garden & Wheelie Bin Storage | Wickes.co.uk
Thanks for any help.

I wonder how many anglers on the forum are perfectionists in that some anglers, myself included, like everything to be perfect for when you turn up at a match.

Speaking for myself my hook length boxes are generally fully populated, my box is always well prepared and organised, winders and floats all neatly arrayed in order. My bait is all prepared the night before and organised simply to put in the car when I load my gear, with maggots riddled the night before with fresh maize and a sprinkling of garam masala. It's one of those little things I've always done and has held me in good stead.

When I get to my peg my set up is always the same, neat and consistent to maximize efficiency. Top kits are all doubled up and with pole rigs I generally have the same pattern and weigh floats set up in 3 offs of the same breaking strain often with 3 different line diameters, i.e. carp diamond...