Tag: fox

Advice and Buying Guides

Happy Wednesday, I hope everyone is well! Last weeks blog was talking about why I chose the brands I use for my PVA Pellet Balls, if you haven’t read that yet then click here! I go into each brand in detail so you know what you can expect from my products.

In this weeks blog I am going to talk about something a bit different. We are now coming into prime carp fishing season where 24hr + sessions are common when you will require a shelter of some sort. What bivvy you require largely depends on the type of angler you are. Whether your looking for a lightweight shelter so you can move between swims and onto the fish or a ‘home-like’ shelter where you can set up like home then this guide will run you through EVERYTHING!

What to look for when buying a bivvy

When you look at the market for bivvies there are never ending options from a huge range of brands which can make deciding a difficult decision. Most people ask what to look for in a bivvy and now I am going to run you through what I look for when deciding on a bivvy.

Set Up Speed

When carp fishing you do not want to spend hours on the bank setting up your bivvy, you want to get fishing effectively as soon as possible especially on short overnight sessions. I prefer something that is quick to set up and is lightweight so I can move onto the fish when I see signs of fish feeding. Nowadays most bivvies on the market are designed for quick erection and the times of threading poles is long gone! The trend now seems to be the brolly style bivvies as they are extremely fast to erect.

Most brands now have YouTube channels where they show how quick you can put up their shelters. I tend to watch CARPologyTV on youtube as they give you a detailed in depth review on all product carp fishing! If you haven’t checked them out then I suggest you do! Honest Reviews!

Bivvy Size

When selecting the right bivvy for you it is really important to take into account the size of the bivvy to give you plenty of space and a comfortable night on the bank. I would suggest if you are looking for space or there could be 2 of you then a two man bivvy would be ideal. If you travel with minimum gear then a one man bivvy would be your best option. This option is the one i tend to go for as these are normally more leightweight which means I can move easily.

REMEMBER take into consideration the size of your bedchair if you already have one. Nothing worse than buying a bivvy to small for your bed!

Height of Bivvy

The height of a bivvy can make your night stay on the bank more comfortable. The standard height for bivvies on the market is 125cm which for most people takes a bit of bending to get in and out. For those less able in movement I would suggest a higher bivvy, this just makes for easier entrance and exit from those long nights on the bank.

Overwrap / Skin

Some bivvies come with a overwrap and others come as an additional extra. If you are looking to continue fishing throughout the coldest days in winter I would suggest checking if an overwrap is available. Overwraps work in two ways, they keep you warmer and prevent condensation. It’s sort of like wearing more clothes by improving insulation and warmth within.

Vents

Most of the newer bivvies on the market contains meshed vents, but some don’t, so make sure you check before buying. The vents provide air circulation which is vital both in summer and winter. In the summer it provides needed circulation to keep cool and in the winter it prevents condensation.

Types of Bivvy

In simple terms there are really only three types of bivvy, Central Block, Pram Hood and Brolly Systems. Below I will go into a little more detail on each one and when and where you would use them so you can make the right decision for you!

Central Block Bivvy

Bivvies that are built around a central block are the most popular in the market right now! This is because they have a quick set up time and can be packed down easily whilst remaining very stable. The central block has the rods pre attached that fan out to create a dome like structure which are easy to use and time effective.

These Bivvies are perfect for 365 day use and come with all the attributes you need to fish in the different months comfortably. They suit different types of angling from day sessions with the front zip off to the longer sessions where you need more space.

Sometimes these bivvies are free standing which means you can pitch up on the hardest of grounds!

Pram Hood

These are the longest serving bivvies in the market. They remain a popular choice for anglers who are looking for a comfortable and spacious bivvy for nights on the bank. These bivvies are simple to put up but do take a little more time than the central block bivvies which I talked about above.

To erect these bivvies you simply connect all the poles then pull from the front putting tension poles in between to fan the sections.

Like most other bivvies on the market, almost all of the pram hoods come with optional overwraps too. Like the others this helps insulate the bivvy and provides an extra layer to prevent condensation.

Brolly System

These systems are very popular with carp anglers who fish shorter sessions. As these are more open they offer less protection than the other 2 types but they are very adaptable to various fishing situations. For example a quick overnighter or day sessions.

As you can gather by the name they are based on a umbrella design which features rods that open up through the use of a simple pole. The traditional size of these are 60 inches which gives you more than enough rooom to fit your kit and bedchair in. These sometimes come with storm sides which gives you a little more protection from the elements.

BEST Central Block Bivvies

Sonik AXS Bivvy

• 1 man tent: the carp fishing tent is very spacious and also holds king size beds and offers an internal height of 137 cm.
• Waterproof: the 10,000 mm hydrostatic head provides absolute protection against water even in heavy rain and keeps you completely dry.
• Lightweight: only 9.2 kg transport weight make this lightweight fishing bivvy stand out. The weight has been achieved by the intelligent construction and the use of aluminium.
• Quick to set up: in under a minute, the bivvy stands without any problems and then only requires installation of the groundsheet and the front.
• Full features: groundsheet, mosquito net and lockable front are also included, as the side storm poles, transport bag and ground spikes.

Fox Frontier Bivvy

• Increased Height and footprint from Frontier
• Khaki coloured VenTec fabric with *black out* laminate lining
• 20,000mm hydrostatic head
• Unique, patent-pending, ETS (Easy-Tension-System) boss with re-enforced Aluminium Skeleton
• Quick setup and pack down

Best Pram Hood Bivvies

Nash Titan T1

• Upgraded glass filled nylon block design for reduced weight, enhanced rigidity and super slick set up
• Tension bar to create create a stiffened peak over your porch area and prevent driving rain
• Sealed inner mesh capsule to prevent condensation
• Rain gutter to aid water run off
• Flexible storm and door panels
• Rear Mesh Ventilation
• Armoured Nylon
• Weight 14.9kg

Avid HQ Dual Layer Bivvy

• 20,000mm Hydrostatic Dura-Stop fabric
• Dual layer skin to prevent condensation
• Completely removable rear panel aids ventilation
• 2-way zip door to create a letterbox style opening
• Extra-large storm peak to protect from the elements
• Rod straps to the front and sides
• Total Weight: 16kg

JRC – Defender Peak Bivvy

• 1 Man Dimensions – 205cm L x 140cm H x 270cm W
• 2 Man Dimensions – 275cm L x 150cm H x 300cm W
• 5,000HH 210D PU coated polyester
• Taped seams
• Complete with durable and easy access carry case

Ridgemonkey Escape XF1 Standard 1 Man Bivvy

• Super-fast erection and pack down with inner aluminium X-Frame design Windproof, waterproof, breathable 300D ripstop HydroX skin
• CPAI-84 flame resistant material UV50+ ultraviolet protection
• Removable front panel with various door configurations Front, side and rear insect mesh vents
• Heavy duty YKK zips with full water baffles all round Tape sealed seams Magnetic rod straps
• Dimensions: H1650mm x W2100mm x D1600mmm + 600mm peak Dimensions folded: L1700mm x W400mm x D200mm Bivvy only weight: 21kg

Fox EOS 2 Man Bivvy

• Designed to offer unrivalled value for money
• 8000mm hydrostatic head fabric
• Two-rib, pram-hood design featuring a generous peak for extra protection
• Two-way letter box style door with integrated mesh insert
• Two rod straps located at front of shelter
• Lightweight groundsheet
• Weight – 7kg

Saber Capsule Bivvy

• Saber Capsule Carp Fishing Bivvy Tent GREEN
• Ultra fast set up via 5 break ribs
• Zip-off front so the Capsule is ideal for both overnighters and longer sessions
• Multi level pegging points
• Made from high grade 210 fabric with a 10,000 HH

Best Brolly Systems

Avid Carp HQ Dual Layer Brolly System

• 20,000mm Dura-stop fabric Dual Layer System
• Flat back design give more room for large bedchairs
• Custom camo mesh
• Letter box door allows you to keep an eye on the water whilst the door is closed
• 2 rod straps
• Oversized rear panel with vents
• Heavy duty groundsheet
• Total Weight: 9.9kg 

Trakker Tempest Brolly 100

• Ultra-strong, easy to use and ultra-quick to assemble
• Incredibly lightweight with small pack-down size
• Optional accessories including infill panel, groundsheet, skullcap, and extended front.
• Upgraded 10,000mm Hydrostatic Head fabric
• Anti-twist pole system
• Weight: Approx. 5kg

Overview

I hope this advice and buying guide helps you select the PERFECT bivvy for you! There are many factors you should take into consideration when selecting your bivvy to make it perfect for yourself! If you do require anymore advice then you can contact me through the form below! Or simply email me!