TOOLS OF MY TRADE
Park Smart!
Do you take far more than you’ll ever need to the bank with you? Oz Holness has some advice on how to prepare for a session, as he explains what he takes with him, and how he transports it
BY Oz Holness
The tools of Oz’s trade…
PHOTOGRAPHY Tom Gibson
1. Original TA Bits Pouch, containing various end tackle items.
2. Latest TA Bits Pouch.
3. TA Tackle Pouch, which houses my hook sharpening kit, bits boxes, and other end tackle essentials.
4. 120lb Reubens.
5. Binoculars (super essential).
6. Power pack for keeping devices topped up.
7. Mini pouch containing head tablets, plasters etc.
8. Torch.
9. Head torch, spare batteries, lighter etc.
10. DSLR, with spare lenses and flashgun.
11. Tea and coffee pots.
12. Gas cannister.
13. Dissolving foam.
14. Fluoro pop-ups.
15. Match the hatch hookbaits.
16. Uber lightweight stove.
17. Cooking pans.
18. Mug.
19. Polarised sunglasses.
There is nothing more satisfying than having a good sort through your kit every now and then. It gives me a great sense of well-being to freshen everything up and get organised for any new ventures I have planned… and being ‘best prepared’ is always staying a step ahead of the game in terms of organisation and efficiency. Surely we would all like to be more focused on the lake and carp location, rather than that mountain of kit we are carrying about ‘just in case’.
Different set of circumstances
I have always taken great pride in keeping as organised and minimal on the bank as possible… it generally suits my style of angling and keeps me alert to my surroundings and those signs I want and need to be in-tune with. Of course, as with everything, there are trade-offs and considerations to be made. What works for me may not be suitable for everyone, or every venue for that matter, and so we have to remain open-minded, and most importantly, adaptable. There are no rules in carp fishing, and we all do things in our own way to suit our situation.