Nets, Fish Care & Weighing

How to handle carp safely

Good fish care starts with the landing net. A carp net is wide and deep, and its long handle lets you net a fish from a high bank or from behind a reed bed. A fine, soft mesh protects the slime layer and fins, and a net float keeps the tip of the net on the surface. A spare mesh lets you replace a worn net without buying a whole new one.

On the bank, the fish always goes onto an unhooking mat or into a cradle, never straight onto the ground. Wet the mat before laying the fish down and keep the fish low, where it is safe to handle. The raised sides of a cradle stop the fish from rolling off if it kicks while you remove the hook.

A carp care treatment is applied to the hook hold and any minor damage before the fish is released. It is a small but important part of responsible catch and release fishing, and the bottle belongs right next to your unhooking mat.

A weigh sling is a soft sling that is used wet and holds the fish while it is weighed on the scales. A weigh bar or tripod keeps the scales steady, so you get a more accurate reading. A retention sling can hold a fish in the water for a short while, for example while you wait to take photos, but always follow the rules of the water and keep retention time short.

Have all your fish care kit ready before you get a take. With a wet mat, the sling and scales within reach and the camera ready, the fish is back in the water in no time.