A carp bivvy is a type of shelter that carp anglers use to stay comfortable and protected from the weather during their fishing sessions. A carp bivvy can vary in size, shape, design, and features, depending on your preferences and needs. Here are some steps to help you purchase a carp bivvy:
1. Decide on the size and capacity of your carp bivvy. Do you need a one-man, two-man, or larger bivvy? How much space do you need for your bed, chair, luggage, and other gear? How often do you plan to use your bivvy and for how long?
2. Choose the type and style of your carp bivvy. There are different types of carp bivvies, such as pram-hood, dome, peak, or brolly systems. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, such as ease of setup, stability, ventilation, and protection. You can also choose between single-skin or twin-skin bivvies, which offer different levels of insulation and condensation control.
3. Compare the features and specifications of different carp bivvies. Some of the features you may want to look for are: the material and durability of the bivvy fabric, the strength and weight of the frame and poles, the quality and number of zips, windows, doors, and vents, the presence and size of a groundsheet, a front porch, or an overwrap, and the accessories and extras that come with the bivvy, such as pegs, carry bag, tension bars, etc.
4. Check the reviews and ratings of other carp anglers who have used the carp bivvies you are interested in.
The Airfield Lake is back open, and I’m here on the first day for a quick overnighter. I arrived at about 8 am on Friday morning and was the second person there, another syndicate member was just finishing setting up. The weather is a bit all over the place over the next 24 weeks as well as the following week, which is when I’m planning on getting out here as much as possible, due to finally having my broken tooth removed next Friday. I’m not sure how I will be feeling the following week, then the week after this is the Easter holidays, and the kids are off for two weeks. The second week, the wife is off work and my dad is due to stay. Hopefully, the weather will have improved somewhat, and we can get out and visit a few places.
I’ve spent so long waiting for March to arrive, and now I’m writing about May nearly! The wife is away for work for a week in Corsica.
When I arrived, I had a good drive about the tracks, being very mindful of getting stuck. The water levels were extremely high, much the same all over the Avon Valley, with the river season ending last night. Those poor members hardly got to fish over the past few months.
With the 30+ mph winds forecast, some swims were just not going to be possible to fish, along with the flooded ones, reducing my options. I popped by for a chat with James, the other member, who had looked all around the bottom lake, plus the middle, and had settled for the double gravel swim. After looking around a bit more, it became obvious that a couple of swims away were my best options and the chance of a carp. It certainly wasn’t a given and will probably be a blank, simply because they haven’t seen anything other than natural food since last October.
I pitched up in a swim with no name, other than ‘The One Below The Tower Swim’. One rod was fished on an area I’d caught from before, and the other was going to be a single hook bait roving about if I spotted anything close by.
But by 15:30, nothing close by had stuck its head out. However, Gate Island looked interesting for my next trip, as I’d seen a few near there.
One of my approaches this season was to fish closer in more than in previous years, and there’s a lovely overhanging tree/bush to my right that has produced carp in the past for me, there may have been movement there this morning. I really wasn’t sure at the time, but it had been playing on my mind and drawing me in over the day, as generally, open water doesn’t work out very productively for the first few weeks.
I decided that I would put a large PVA bag out with 75% pellet and a few halves of 20mm Classic Corn Boilies.
The other rod would stay where it was. That was a small bag, with 4 spombs put over the top. One rod was on a 12mm Catalyst pop-up, and the other a Masala dumbell, and hopefully, one of these would rattle off at some point.
The afternoon and evening were spent chatting to various people coming for a walkabout on opening day. The clouds vanished, and the stars came out. With no light pollution over the New Forest, they were fantastic last night. The chances of a bite faded; the lake was flat and calm. I woke to the birds in full spring song, a stunning misty, flat carp lake, with no signs of carp. By 8 am, the sun was on my bivvy, and it was lovely looking out across the lake again, watching for any carpy signs.
I want to be packed up by 10 am and go for a good warm-up, plus start scattering boilies about in no particular place, just get them spread around the lake so the carp find them and start feeding on them as soon as possible.
With only a couple of hours before I’m off, I can only hope that something comes my way.
Fingers crossed.
Packing-up time arrived all too soon, but I had planned to scatter a bit of bait on the way out, so I need to get a shift on.
“Spring Preparations: Reflecting, Adapting, and Embracing New Challenges”
Introduction: As the dawn of a new year unfolds, avid anglers like Richard find themselves immersed in the art of preparing for the upcoming spring season. For Richard, this goes beyond merely continuing on familiar waters; it involves introspection, analysis, and a keen eye for potential improvements. Join us as Richard delves into his approach to gearing up for spring, drawing on years of experience and a passion for adapting to new challenges.
Chapter 1: Reflecting on Past Seasons Spring preparations kick off with a retrospective look at the previous year’s endeavors. Richard emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing results, not just from the previous season but over several years. With a dedicated logbook and now a website to record valuable insights, he reflects on how subtle changes in rigging, bait, or conditions can significantly impact catch rates.
Chapter 2: Lessons from Lost Data Richard candidly shares a setback – the loss of a meticulously maintained spreadsheet during a busy period in his life. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of consistent record-keeping. Despite the setback, the lesson learned fuels Richard’s commitment to recording and analyzing data for continuous improvement.
Chapter 3: Approaching New Waters When faced with new waters, some anglers prefer intensive research to uncover every detail about the fish population. Richard, however, thrives on the challenge of the unknown. While acknowledging the benefits of research, he revels in discovering the beauty of the carp as he encounters them, preferring to fish for the unknown rather than targeting specific individuals.
Chapter 4: Confidence and Self-Belief Richard underscores the significance of confidence and self-belief in angling success. Drawing parallels between boosting confidence on familiar club waters and translating that self-assurance to new syndicate waters, he emphasizes the psychological aspect of angling. The importance of starting with a bait and rig that instills confidence cannot be overstated.
Chapter 5: Observations and Gradual Adjustments Observation emerges as a cornerstone of Richard’s approach. While confidence is crucial, he advocates keeping an open mind and keenly observing the water and fellow anglers. Gradual adjustments, made after careful consideration, prevent hasty decisions that may lead to misguided changes in tactics.
Chapter 6: Respecting Others and Exploring Options Richard highlights the delicate balance of discreetly observing other anglers without intrusive questioning. Exploring various swims, especially those less frequented, and utilizing tools like the Deeper sonar contribute to a holistic understanding of the water. He emphasizes the need for respect among anglers, especially when seeking information.
Chapter 7: Timing and Observation Recognizing the impact of timing, Richard suggests teaming up with a friend to fish during different times of the week, offering a fresh perspective on the water. Early sessions on new waters involve selecting swims that provide maximum visibility, enabling day-long observation of the water.
Conclusion: As Richard gears up for the spring season, his blend of reflective analysis, confidence-building, keen observation, and respect for fellow anglers sets the stage for another chapter in his angling journey. Through these preparations, he embraces the unknown challenges that lie ahead, eagerly anticipating the unraveling stories that each new session will bring. Stay tuned for more updates from Richard’s angling adventures.
As we head into spring we’re opening a few spots for promotional team members.
This is an opportunity to join a growing brand along side our dedicated team . There will be team membership benefits as well as opportunities only available for team.
So if you’re interested and have a passion for the outdoors photography, videography and being part of a growing brand then drop us a DM for more details.
Perfect size for carrying in your bait bag or holdall and will give you plenty – as its so light, 350g goes a long way!
This Antarctic Krill powder has a lovely orange/pink colour and a great coarse texture to it that is light and will add a strong crustacean smell to any bait carrying it.
We have successfully used this Antarctic Krill Meal in everything from groundbaits to boilie mixes.
UK Carp & Coarse Fishing 