Why do I always take too much kit when carping

I have just started to sort out my kit for our French Carp trip in 3 weeks, I already have a mountain of gear and I have only sorted the tackle bait and rods!!

The list I made is nearly 2 pages long, I really need to cut down a bit.

What are the items you always pack, but never use??

If you are on about what you take to France I really think you have to take more than you need,if possible,to overcome any problems you might have.
The same could apply to fishing sessions in the UK but on a smaller scale.
I'm just as guilty as the next as regards taking to much gear.I do try to trim down what I take but it never works.Food,for example,always take too much.Bait is another example,to much and too many variations.Always take spare clothes as well and never use them.I'm sure I could lighten mt tackle box but I always think I'll need what I've got.
I would love to do weekend sessions under a brolly but now a days you just can't rely on the weather,so a bivvy is a heavy essential.

Don't know what the answer is.

sorry im guilty as you both... by taking all the essential items, you need to be comfortable .. esp in france, you cant pop home for a few bits.....

And don't forget the Corkscrew mike.....

i can beat you mike,my list is 4 pages long,i havnt learnt from last year,but , lets face it,its my car and i might as well fill it up,

dont blame you paul, nice to have a bit of comfort on the bank... and why not??

I have spent an hour each evening for most of the last week tying rigs, i now have about 45 different rigs.

"D" rigs, for pop up baits fluoro and braid
"blow back" stiff rigs for neutral baits
flouro hair rigs
braid hair rigs
different sized hooks

long links and short links

even tied a few rigs for catfish.

and I have all the makings for about as many more.

I hope I am prepared now!!!!

mmmmm I reckon you may have enough rigs mike....

I was fishing in France a few years ago, and while sat there waiting for a run i counted all the things i didn't really need to take, quite a bit by all accounts, but i've been back several times since and i still take it all, habit i think.

If travelling a long distance to go fishing, like France, you can never take too much gear, as long as you've got space in the vehicle to put it all. Nothing worse than getting all that way and forgetting something.