My Kit – What Shane Uses on the Bank

I get asked constantly what gear I actually use on the bank. So here it is — a no-nonsense list of everything in Shane’s kit bag, updated regularly. Every item here I’ve personally tested and can recommend with confidence. Where available, I’ve linked to the best current price I’ve found online.

Note: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, it costs you nothing extra but helps keep Fishing Again running. I only list gear I genuinely use.

🎣 Rods

Main rods: Daiwa Longbow X45 DF 12ft 2.75lb — My go-to all-rounder. Fast taper, great casting, looks the part. I’ve had mine for years and it’s never let me down. → See current price

Spod & marker rod: A dedicated spod rod is essential once you start baiting at range. I use a 12ft 5lb spod/marker combo rod — it handles the weight of a full spod with ease.

🔁 Reels

A reliable reel matters more than most beginners think. I’ve had cheap reels fail at the worst possible moment. These days I use mid-range reels that balance quality and cost.

→ See my full reel recommendations here

🔔 Bite Alarms

What I use: Fox Mini Micron X — compact, reliable, and the receiver is fantastic for night sessions. These are my honest top pick for anyone wanting a quality alarm without paying Delkim prices.

Budget option: If you’re just starting out, the best budget bite alarms article will save you money without compromising on the basics.

🏕️ Shelter

My bivvy: A quality 1-man bivvy is one of the best investments you can make for overnight sessions. Read my full bivvy buyer’s guide for what to look for — the Cyprinus Tardis is my current recommendation for value.

Bedchair: Don’t skimp here. A bad bedchair means bad sleep and bad fishing. → See my bedchair recommendations

Chair: For day sessions I use a lightweight session chair. → Best Lightweight Fishing Chairs

🎒 Terminal Tackle & Rigs

I keep my terminal tackle simple. Reliable hooks, good quality hooklink material, and well-tied knots will catch you more fish than the most complicated rig ever will.

Hooks: See my hook recommendations
Leads: I use a variety of leads depending on the lake bed — see this guide on choosing leads
Swivels: Why rig swivels matter
PVA: Full PVA product guide

🎯 Bait

Bait choice depends heavily on the lake and season, but here are the staples I always have in my bag:

Boilies: I rotate between a few brands depending on conditions — Best Carp Bait Companies Reviewed
Pop-ups: Always carry a selection of colours and sizes. Full pop-up guide here
Pellets: How to fish effectively with pellets
Liquids: Best oils and liquids for carp fishing

📸 Camera & Tech

Getting a good photo of your catch matters. Here’s the camera setup I use on the bank and the tech I rely on to find fish:

⚖️ Scales, Mat & Carp Care

Please don’t neglect carp care. Every fish deserves to be handled properly — it keeps the fish healthy and keeps fisheries happy.

This page is updated regularly as I test new kit and my recommendations change. Got a question about any of this gear? Get in touch via Facebook.

Shane

I have made a lot of mistakes during my fishing sessions and don't want you to make the same mistakes. I've learned the hard way over 20 years of fishing most weekends, testing, tweaking, and testing again and now want to help you excel with your carp fishing.

If you need any help, you can reach me at Fishing Again's Facebook page