I’m definitely not the best example of someone who planned things out well. I got into carp fishing after overhearing a phone call about how much sleep you could get during a session, and that sounded perfect to me. So, without much thought, I dove in headfirst and bought everything I could think of right away. Then, I spent most of my spare time on eBay, endlessly scrolling through "used" and "ending soon" listings, which led to me overstocking on gear — and picking up a lot of unnecessary junk along the way.

Get a Good Barrow and Practice Packing It
A reliable barrow is essential for any fishing trip. I picked mine up from Decathlon for under £100, and it’s been a great investment. It folds down small enough to fit easily in the car but can be extended to carry all your gear to the swim. While it doesn’t have built-in sides, a simple trick is to flip your bedchair upside down and use its fold-out legs as makeshift sides, giving you extra space to stack your gear efficiently.

Practice Makes Perfect
If you have the space, set up your bivvy in the garden and practice getting it perfect. Plan where everything will go inside to maximize storage, and make sure your groundsheet is pulled tight so you can replicate the setup easily each time. While every swim is different, having a clear layout in mind will help you stay organized and prevent accidents like knocking things over, leaving gear scattered, or damaging the expensive equipment you invested in.

Save Up and Fill the Gaps
Start with the essentials. If you can tie a few hair rigs and have spare parts to handle the occasional snag, you’re all set. From there, gradually build up your gear. I made the mistake of trying to fish every style, using every rig, hook, line, weight, and depth combination possible. This ended up costing me far more than I expected and left me lugging around way more gear than I actually needed (and, admittedly, I still haven’t fully learned that lesson).

Keep Your Food and Tackle Separate
Initially, I made the mistake of throwing everything into one big bag, which turned unpacking into a nightmare. Now, I’ve learned to keep things organized. I use a large carryall for essentials like lights, mozzie coils, rig boxes, tackle boxes, torches, clothes, wipes, towels (always pack towels), toiletries, and spare footwear. For food, I use a smaller backpack to store all the key "bank food" items: bacon, sausages, pot noodles, rice packs, breakfast pots—everything I need to keep me fueled during the session.

Read the Lake Rules and Pack Accordingly
Always check the lake rules before packing to avoid bringing unnecessary gear:
- If you’re limited to two rods, there’s no need to bring all three.
- If barbed hooks are banned, leave them at home.
- If the lake is small, you won’t need heavy weights for long casts over 120 yards.
- If spodding isn’t allowed, there’s no point in packing the spod kit.
- If food is available on-site, treat yourself and skip the hassle of a big food shop.
- If surface fishing is prohibited, leave the zigs and floater setups behind. For day sessions, pack light. Bring only the essential gear needed to cast and catch, keeping your kit minimal and efficient.

Have Fun
If you’re not enjoying yourself, then you’re missing the point. Bad weather, cold mornings, and even scorching heat are all part of the adventure. Embrace it! During the quiet moments, keep yourself entertained—tie some rigs, plan your next cast, or just relax with your phone, catching up on movies or scrolling through TikTok. The key is to enjoy the experience, no matter what the conditions throw at you.