Choosing the right carp fishing luggage to keep you organised and to protect all your equipment

Having spent a load of your hard earned money on all your fishing gear, the last thing you want is for it to end up getting damaged when transporting it to and from the lake, or storing it inbetween sessions.

To be able to fish effectively you also need to be able to find and easily access the tackle that you need during your session.

So, to cover both of these criteria, having the right luggage is an essential part of your fishing gear, and can make a real difference to how many fish you catch – if an essential item ends up broken, or you can’t find it, then that will definitely affect your catch rate!

Here we take a detailed look at all of the essential items of luggage that should be a part of your carp fishing gear, plus some that although not essential, will definitely make your life easier when out on the bank.

Rod holdalls

Usually the most expensive and also the most delicate items of fishing tackle that you will be transporting are your fishing rods.

Whilst modern carbon fibre rods have the ability to cast leads incredible distances and to perform at a high level time after time, they can also be susceptible to being broken or damaged if any sort of force is applied to them in a way that they aren’t designed for.

So, if transporting them unprotected you are asking for trouble and could end up snapping a rod tip, damaging one of the eyes, or knocking the blank in a way that causes it to blow up the next time you load it for a cast.

Or even just cosmetic damage such as scratches, which could otherwise be avoided and with a bit of care can keep your set of rods looking just as good as when you first bought them.

For most carp anglers, their reels - which will also be another of their most expensive items of tackle - will also be attached to their rods whilst being transported, either in their vehicle or from that to their swim, and these can also end up being damaged, either cosmetically via scratches and chips, or something more serious that affects performance, such as damage to the spool lip, bail arm etc.

The main criterion when choosing a rod holdall are the amount of protection that it offers; how easy it is to access your rods and pack them away; how bulky it is (especially if you have a smaller car); and how many rods you are going to need to fit in it.

If you are going to be fishing with three rods, plus using a spod rod and a marker rod, then you are going to need a holdall that can take five rods – or opt for a three rod holdall plus separate rod sleeves for your spod and marker rods, and which can either be attached to the outside of the holdall, or transported separately.

The Korda Compac range of rod holdalls includes configurations to suit pretty much any angler, whether you’re fishing with four 13ft rods, or using a couple of ten footers, and anything inbetween.

These holdalls have been designed to maximise available space, so the five rod versions are designed to have some rods facing up and others downwards, so that all the reels aren’t in the same place, and means it can be packed more efficiently and with a smaller footprint – making it better for packing into a vehicle or on a barrow, as well as being better balanced if you do carry it.

They are well padded to stop your reels and rod blanks banging together, as well as having Velcro straps to hold everything in place, plus two external pockets at the base allow two extra rods to be carried – either in separate sleeves, or ‘naked’. Plus there are pockets for your banksticks, storm poles and landing net, so everything is in one place and easily accessible when you need it – there is even a pocket for leads, which will often be the last thing you pack away just before your rods go in the holdall, and the first thing you put on them when you arrive.

The Compac Holdalls are pretty quick and easy to use, but if you’re looking for something a bit different and even faster, plus being less bulky – your rods and reels are still well protected but with less padding and bulk – then the Divide System is a great option and was designed by Damian Clarke to make it as quick and easy to get his rods out on arrival, and pack them away at the end of his session.

Each rod has its own easily accessible individual zipped compartment and is made from military grade water resistant fabric, which offers enough protection without adding bulk and weight. Three and five rod versions are available, and extra single sleeves can be added to the outside and clipped on, plus there is space for landing nets and storm rods along the outer spine, making Divide a very versatile system.

Being able to get your rods out quickly and efficiently upon arrival in your swim, and leaving it until the last minute to pack them away, will ultimately result in you catching more carp, whichever type of rod holdall you opt for.

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Carryalls and rucksacks

After your rod holdall, the next most essential item of luggage is some sort of carryall or rucksack to keep the bulk of the rest of your tackle in, and not only make it easy to transport and protect it from damage, but one which also gives easy access and quickly allows you to find what you need without having to empty the whole bag!

Whether you opt for a carryall or rucksack will largely come down to personal choice, as well as the way that you intend to transport it – if using a barrow then either is a good option, but if you’re planning to carry it then a rucksack is definitely better, and a lot more comfortable and practical.

Both will consist of a main compartment along with other external zipped pockets to help you organise things and make it easy to find whatever you are looking for.

Within the Korda Compac range there are several different sizes of carryall, ranging from 20 litres capacity for the small size, right up to 50 litres in the X-Large model, and all feature a hard lid that can double up as a bivvy table, plus external pockets that are designed to be used in conjunction with the Korda range of Compac EVA pouches (which size depends on the model of carryall you opt for).

There is also the option of the Compac Framed Carryall, a design based on the old Efgeeco framed rucksack with legs from many years ago, which was very popular at the time.

Not only are these carryalls rigid – with two sizes available – but the legs mean that the base is kept away from the ground and any damp or mud. The front pocket features organisers for various items, such as a Funnel Web PVA system, plus will take the Korda Tackle Box, and there is a detachable tray in the top of the main compartment which serves as a bivvy table.

For those who prefer a traditional rucksack, the Compac range has a choice of 30 litre, 45 litre, or 60 litre sizes, all of which are very comfortable to carry via padded straps and back panel, plus an adjustable harness.

The main compartment has plenty of space, and the side pockets will fit various sizes of Compac EVA pouches, plus a Tackle Box in the front. There is a also a front pocket for smaller items, plus one inside the zipped lid, which is perfect for storing items such as fishing club memberships.

All of the Compac carryalls and rucksacks are made from hard wearing military grade water resistant fabric, with reinforced waterproof bases, and a wipe clean internal lining. Two way strong and durable zips allow for easy access and mean you can quickly get to whatever you need.

Bivvies and brollies

These tend to come with their own bag, and given that most anglers these days use a barrow, they can simply be put on that as they come.

There are other options though which make them even faster and easier to pack away, as opposed to trying to fit them back into the bag they originally came in, and also that help prevent you from getting wet and muddy in the process.

The Korda Compac range includes both a Bivvy Wrap and a Brolly Wrap, which are made from durable elasticated fabric and can simply be wrapped around the middle of your brolly or bivvy and Velcro’d securely in place – it even has retainers for your bivvy pegs.

This makes it very quick and easy  to set up at the start of your session, or pack away at the end of it, and much less of a chore.

Tackle storage bags, pouches, and other carp luggage

Just how organised you are with the rest of your fishing tackle will vary greatly from angler to angler, and even amongst the Korda team of anglers!

Some like to have literally everything organised and inside some sort of specific bag or pouch, whilst others are happy with just a few essential smaller bags and with most items loose inside their carryall or rucksack, or anywhere inbetween.

For those that prefer a highly organised approach, the Korda Compac range includes bags and pouches for most things you could think of – including a Lead Pouch; various pouches for different types of scales; bags for your banksticks, Singlez system or distance sticks; spool cases; wader bags; Pocket Wallets rig wallets; water resistant camera bags; a PVA Kontainer System, designed for solid PVA bag users; and even a bag for storing all your bottles of Goo.

In addition, there are plenty of more general storage options via the Compac range of EVA pouches, which come in a wide variety of different sizes to handle everything from small items of tackle, right through to the largest size which will comfortably take marker floats, a Funnel Web PVA System, Zig Box, or similar. Some anglers who are less bothered about everything being in neat compartments also use this instead of a tackle box.

This EVA range also includes a couple of more specific pouches, with a Tackle Safe version that will has a tray with compartments which sits underneath your Tackle Safe; or the largest sized one, the Compac Organiser, which has space for all sorts of tackle items, plus a removeable tray at the top which is compartmentalised and designed to be compatible with the Korda hook link spools and Kamakura hook boxes.

The great thing about these EVA pouches is that they are water resistant, and thanks to their welded seams and the durable material used, you can leave them sitting on the ground and moisture won’t get inside – the only place water can enter is through the zip, if you were to leave them outside in the rain, and even that has a lip to help prevent any chance of that happening.

The Compac EVA pouches, especially in the smaller sizes; have also been designed to be compatible with our range of rucksacks and carryalls, and will neatly fit into the side pockets (as long as you choose the correct size for whichever bag you have).

Bait and food storage

If you’re going to be on the bank for any length of time then it is important to keep both your bait and your food as fresh as possible, as if either goes off it can wreck your session – either the carp won’t eat your bait or you will end up making yourself ill via food poisoning!

The Compac luggage range has a variety of different cool bags and coolers to suit any angler, whether you are just doing a short session and want to keep your sandwiches and drinks cold, or on a longer trip where you want to keep food and bait fresh for several days.

The Compac Cool Bags come in sizes ranging from 8 litres to 34 litres, and have fully insulated wipe-clean walls and a reinforced base, and when used in conjunction with our Cool Packs, they will keep the contents colder for longer – whether you choose to use them for food or bait. There is also a 12 litre Bait Cool Bag as well, which is built the same way, but is cylindrical in shape.

If you’re looking for something to keep food and bait frozen or cold for longer periods of time, then the Compac Cooler is definitely the best option, as it has closed cell insulation all the way round, plus air tight zips – how long it stays cold for depends on how many ice packs you use, how full the bag is (the less air the better), and how often you open it, plus of course the outside temperature. It’s 20 litre capacity means there is plenty of space for things that it is essential to keep cold – whether that be perishable foods or bait (especially live baits such as worms and casters).

For the rest of your bait, such as pellets and particles, which don’t need to be kept cold, there are the Korda Kamo buckets, which come in 5, 10, or 17 litre sizes and with a sealable lid. There is also our clever Kontainer system that allows different types of bait to be stored separately in its own container, but all within one bucket – such as spod mix ingredients prior to mixing them on the bank as and when you bait up.

Whatever type of bait, and however much of it you are taking on your session, you will find a suitable storage option from within the Korda range.

Cooking equipment

Most anglers use some sort of cooking equipment on the bank, even if just making a cup of tea, and it makes sense to store all of that neatly together in one place, rather than having it mixed in with your fishing tackle and making it harder to find anything.

The Korda Compac range includes several bags that are perfect for all of your cooking gear, including a Cookware Bag that has space for all your pots, pans, plates and cutlery, plus a special compartment for your stove and a gas canister, and gives easy access to it. Plus enough external pockets for things like cutlery and condiments.

For shorter sessions where you’re just planning on making hot drinks or doing the minimum amount of cooking, the Compac Utility Bag is a good option and with enough space for all the essentials.

Either of these bags can be used in conjunction with the Compac Tea Set, which is a neat design that keeps your mugs (two or three cup versions) plus teabags, coffee and sugar (via screw lid containers) altogether in one place in a zipped EVA pouch.

Barrow bags

These days most anglers use some sort of barrow, and the Carp Porter range – with both manual and electric versions – is very popular.

As well as being able to load all of your gear onto these carp barrows, it is also possible to get specially designed bags that utilise more of the available space and footprint, and which add extra storage capacity to the sides, front, and even the underside.

These bags and panniers can be used for storing all sorts of items, either loose or within. Other smaller bags and pouches, and then once you arrive at your swim you can either unload the contents from them; remove the bag from the barrow and use it in the same way as you would do your other fishing carryalls or similar; or even just leave it in place on the barrow where it contains items, such as a set of DryKore waterproofs, scales, spare spombs, and the like, that you don’t immediately need and don’t want cluttering up your bivvy. All the of these bags are made from durable and water resistant fabric.

A full range of different sizes and configurations of this luggage are available, to suit any need, and to carry and store pretty much any item of tackle or other accessories that you are going to want on the bank with you.