Gardner Tackle

Barbel/Specialist Rucksack

RRP £40.99

As the team at UKMA are more than just one discipline anglers, we come across little gems that one species anglers may miss in the shops that they frequent, and the Gardner Tackle Barbel/Specialist Rucksack is one of those hidden gems that crosses over into all specimen aspects of angling.

Gardner Tackle took the design by one of the company's long time consultants and river specialist, Neil Wayte, and made it a reality based on the requirements that Neil looked for in a rucksack for his angling.

Vital Statistics

Height = 50cm
Width = 50cm
Depth = 34cm
(all dimensions are total including all external pockets)

Starting with the top of the rucksack, a large thermally insulated pocket has been fitted to the lid of the main compartment. This will comfortably hold 5KG of boilies or deadbaits and keep them fresh throughout all but the very hottest of days. Obviously this pocket will keep food or drinks cold if required. Connected to the outside of the thermal lined pocket are two elasticated straps. These straps have been placed to accomodate a rollup unhooking mat perfectly. The straps will hold a size of unhooking mat that is perfect for the speciaist or roving angler, but you should always ensure that the unhooking mat you carry is large enough to deal with the largest fish that you could possibly catch on the session.

The main compartment is like a little Tardis. The rear of the main section has been stiffened to retain the shape and to stop the rucksack collapsing on top of itself when items are removed. Neil designed the main compartment to be the perfect size to take a SLR camera case and two flasks of tea, but it is more than ample to hold spare clothing, towels or anything else that you may require on the session. The outer base of the main compartment has been fitted with a plastic outer to protect aginst wer and tear when placed on gravel or rough ground. The outer also stops water from ingressing into the material from dew sodden grass.

The front pocket (pictured left) has a zip along three of the four sides and the front flap folds down flat. This may be only small in size but is ideal to place a single knee on to make getting items out of the rucksack or baiting up whilst keeping low to not spook fish. Inside the front pocket is a smaller pocket which holds a supplied medium "clamshell" type box which is ideal for holding imitation baits or other rig items. The box also has a lanyard attached via a clip which allows it to be carried into tight areas where a rucksack would be an emcumberance. Along side the small pocket are 8 elasticated loops that are designed to hold baiting needles and unhooking tools safely and to hand.

On either side of the main compartment, Gardner have placed two large pockets. One of the pockets has drainholes in the bottom which allows wet slings or sacks to be placed into them without filling the pocket with water. The other pocket is the perfect size to hold a scales pouch and scales.

A rucksack would not be complete without a set of shoulder straps to carry it easily. The straps are well padded and the rucksack can be comfortably carried when fully laden. One unique point of this rucksack is that the straps have been fitted with a unique sliding chest strap. The chest strap can slide up or down on the straps to be located perfectly for the individual angler. This is something that I have not ssen before on angling luggage and Gardner can only be applauded for including this. At the top of the shoulder straps, is a webbing loop that makes lifting the rucksack in or out of the car an easy process. On the top of the rucksack, a single shoulder strap has been added for those that prefer a traditional carryall type arrangement. This strap can be easily removed by unclipping it from the eyelets on the rucksack itself.

Final Thoughts

The Gardner Barbel/Specialist Rucksack has been obviously well thought out and designed, but most of all the retail price of the finished product has been kept low. At UKMA we get to see a lot of luggage coming through the doors, and for the money that this product sells for, we have yet to see better! The material that has been chosen is very hard wearing indeed, and the stitching is superb. We have filled the rucksack up with bait and leads and lifted it up using each of the straps and at any time has the stitching or material strained or creaked. Obviously filling it totally with lead would render it unliftable by 99.9% of anglers and you would not expect it to be put through these situations, but the heaviest load that a roving angler would want to lug around all day with them will be easily handled by this rucksack.

You can be ensured that this rucksack will be seeing a lot of bank time this season and coming ones for the sessions that we take along the river after Barbel and Chub as well as onto the Fen Drains after Pike and Zander in the winter months. This rucksack has also been nominated as the bag of choice for one of the team for all of his floater work during the summer months as he can fit all the mixers/floating pellet he will need for the session inside the main compartment!!

If you are looking for a short session rucksack that ticks all the boxes, look no further than this one!

More Information on any of the Gardner Tackle range please click below