Total Carp Staff

Without a doubt the top choice for the roving angler. Packing down to the smallest size and being the second lightest on test, the X Snugpak Techlite showed remarkable heat retention properties when tested. Sadly there is no escaping the price and, yes, it is the most expensive on test but for the anglers who can afford it and rely on a lightweight, high-performance bag, this has got to be the choice. Only dropping by 2.

At just under £90 the Discovery is the joint cheapest on test, alongside the Chub Vantage. You may be expecting a no thrills, cheap and cheerful product but that is not the case at all. With a very generous external draught skirt there is no way uncomfortable breezes can enter through the zip, which can often cause a restless night’s sleep. Another key feature is the external pocket on the tip of the bag, perfect for either your mobile phone or alarm receiver, keeping it to hand yet protected and close enough to wake you when needed.

New on the market, we were keen to put it through its paces and considering it’s a single-layered bag we were astounded by the results. Minimalist in design, it boasts several unique features that we think are extremely clever and indeed useful. First up, the bottom of the bag utilises a drawcord system and three-quarter-length zip so you can reduce the amount of wasted space at the bottom to help warm the bag up even quicker with your body heat. Staying with the bottom, a detachable, easy to clean heavy-duty foot protector is supplied, while the head end sees two internal handwarmer pockets for wraparound comfort.

Okay, so I know the majority of you may not experienced fishing with a braided main line and may be looking at the price tag with open eyes and a dropped jaw, but let me tell you working out to around £30 a spool it will be one of the wisest moves you have ever made. Utilising 100% Dyneema PF FIbres, the CB2000 has absolutely zero stretch making it the ultimate line to lead around and of course play fish on. It is true that it can be a very knee trembling experience the first time you play a carp, but as you feel every twist and turn and hear the sing of the braid in the wind you will be hard pushed to find a more electric and exciting means of playing a carp. I have been using the 30lb breaking strain variant and with a minimal line diameter of just 0.