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 Handling
carp
In the following article, I am going
to give some advice on the handling of carp, from
the moment they enter the landing net, to their
safe return to the water. It is very important
that the novice carp angler, and even some more
experienced angler, learn the basic rules to follow,
in order to preserve the well being of the fish.
After all, if the fish suffer, then so does our
angling.
There are a few basic pieces of equipment
that you will need, and in fact they are compulsory
on many of our waters. They are a landing net
of a reasonable size, an unhooking mat, a weigh
sling and scales if you intend to weigh your quarry,
which most of us do. I will talk about each piece
of equipment in turn: -
Landing Nets
Nets are largely a matter of personal
preference and budget. Size will be governed by
the size of your quarry. It should be large enough
to safely net a carp of whatever size you may catch
in your water. A minimum 36" net is required
on most waters, and some fisheries insist on this
or even larger. The mesh used in its construction
does tend to vary a lot and the finer meshes are
better for carp, especially mirror carp, as they
are less likely to catch on their scales and damage
them. Some nets have a larger mesh near the frame
and a finer mesh in the base of the net. Try to
aim for a fairly small soft mesh. Net frames vary
in construction and the better nets will collapse
fairly quickly if needed when landing a carp. This
enables the fish to be lifted by the net frame,
using both hands. This is a much safer method than
trying to lift a net full of carp by a long handle,
which is bending and looking like it might snap
at any moment. If the frame doesn't easily dismantle,
then support it with one hand to take the weight.
Handles again come in many shapes, sizes and materials,
from aluminium one and two-piece telescopic varieties
to carbon fibre models of one two and even three
sections. Whilst the latter are much lighter to
transport and use, some cheaper models will not
stand the weight of a good carp and may snap just
at the wrong moment with disastrous consequences.
If in doubt, seek the advice of a good dealer and
try to get a good balance between weight and strength
to suit the net you are using.
Unhooking Mats
This is an essential piece
of kit whatever size of carp you are fishing for.
I have seen so many anglers laying their carp
on the grass while they unhook them, which may
in some instances not do any harm. Suppose however
there is a sharp stick or discarded bivvy peg
under that grass, or even a piece of glass, what
then. Suppose the carp flaps about and moves off
of the grass onto gravel. An unhooking mat need
not be an expensive item of kit, and can save
a carp from untold damage to its fins and scales.
Some better models have raised edges to stop the
carp from being able to flip themselves off, and
some have flaps and covers, some even have Velcro
covers to enable them to double as weigh slings,
but be careful, as a heavy carp will slide about
and pull Velcro apart easily. Whatever type you
choose, it will better than laying a carp on the
ground.
 If
you are looking for a bargain unhooking mat, you
could do a lot worse than the excellent John Wilson
Unhooking Mat/Net bag Combo. A good quality well
made unhooking mat and net bag combo. which has
been designed by John Wilson for Masterline. Forest
Green in colour with brown trim. Generously proportioned
at around 24" x 49" make this perfect
for the Pike or Carp specimen hunter. Buy it now
from Tacklebargains.co.uk for less than £30.
Weigh slings
Most weigh slings on the market
will serve their purpose reasonably well, from the
lower cost soft net varieties to the more advanced
Velcro and zip up material versions, and again budget
will largely determine your choice. Do make sure
that whatever type you choose, it is kept in good
condition and is not likely to rip as you lift a
carp above the ground. Give them a rinse after fishing
and hang them up at home to dry. I left a wet smelly
net I my bag once only to find it being used as
a mouse nest the next time I needed it. As mentioned
above, some unhooking mats double as weigh slings,
and this saves having to move a fish from mat to
sling before it can be weighed. If you decide on
this type, make sure that the fastening method used
will support the weight of the carp and it can't
slide out during weighing and fall to the ground.
Do not be tempted as I have seen some do to use
a carrier bag. They split, usually at the most inopportune
moment and are not safe. It will also not hold a
large carp and you may not be able to weigh the
fish of your dreams
Scales
From the small spring balances
to the top of the range models, weighing scales
come in all types. Basically you get what you pay
for, and if you want to measure a possible record
fish you need the accuracy of a good set. If you
just want a rough idea of the weight, then a spring
balance will give you that, but they do tend to
rust after a while and give inaccurate readings.
Buy as good as you can. A good set will last you
for many years.
Preperation
So that gives a brief rundown on
the equipment you will need, now a bit on how to
use it. There is no point having all of the best
equipment and then misusing it. First I am going
to mention preparation. This is important as the
best equipment in no use at all if it is not ready
when you get that run you have waited hours for.
Many fisheries today insist on dipping nets and
weigh slings before you start to fish. If yours
does, then do it. I know how annoying it is when
you have just unpacked the car, walked all of your
gear to the swim and realise you haven't dipped
your nets, but this ruling is for your own good.
If you help to spread an infection from one water
to another, then it is your own fishing you are
risking. Try to get in the habit of dipping them
as you arrive at the water. I carry an old nylon
tent carry bag and as soon as I have dipped the
nets I place them in that to carry them to my swim.
When you first arrive at your swim
and start setting up, make sure that you lay out
your unhooking mat and set up your landing net
before you cast a rod. I have often seen a rod
cast out and a run occur straight away while the
angler is still trying to screw his landing net
handle on. Scales and weight sling should be put
nearby so that everything is in reach as soon
as a fish is landed. You don't want to be rummaging
through tackle bags while a fish is gasping in
the net. I always keep my unhooking mat damp as
well, so that it is less likely to damage a fish.
Ok, so you have your run. The carp
is on and with any luck is approaching the landing
net. If you are fishing with a friend the next
few minutes is made a lot easier, but if not,
you will need your landing net to hand. As the
fish comes nearer to the net, sink the net in
the front of the swim and then guide the carp
over it. Thrusting a net at a carp as it approaches
will spook it and send it shooting off for cover
just as you about to land it, which often results
in a lost fish. As the carp draws over the net,
gently lift the net until it is above the water's
surface.
Weighing
Now comes the bit where you need three hands. If
possible, put your rod down where it cannot be trodden
on, and release the bail arm on the reel or the
baitrunner so that line can be pulled from it. Then,
supporting the net's frame lift the carp carefully
from the water, trying to ensure that no fins or
scales are caught in the net, and that the carp
cannot be damaged by leads, floats, loops of line
or other rig items. Walk the carp back to your unhooking
mat and place it down carefully on it still in the
net. Now remove the hook watching for any line that
is wrapped around the fish to ensure that no scale
or fin damage can occur. Move the rig away from
the mat preferably near to your rods.
Next the fun bit. The carp needs to
be transferred from the unhooking mat to the weigh
sling. This is easiest achieved with two people
if possible, at least until you are used to it.
First make sure that the sling is wet and that
your scales have been correctly set to zero with
just the weight of the wet sling attached. I find
it easiest to slide the weigh sling under the
fish rather than lift the fish from one place
to another. If you are wearing a watch or other
jewellery, remove it first again to avoid damaging
the fish.
Once in the sling, attach the scales
to the links provided and then lift the carp clear
of the ground holding the scales by the support
ring above them. Try to keep the carp above the
mat in case of disaster and not too high from
the ground.
Once weighed, you can photograph your
catch. This is the most dangerous moment for the
carp, as they do tend to move about a bit. You
need to offer as much support to the fish as possible
whilst keeping your arms clear of the front to
get the best picture. Always kneel down whilst
holding it and keep it over the unhooking mat.
When the picture has been taken, place the fish
back on the mat or sling and return it quickly
to the water. This is best done in the sling or
on the mat if it doubles up as both. Never pick
up a fish and walk it to the water. This is asking
for trouble. Place the carp back in the water
carefully, supporting it in an upright position
until it is ready to swim away. If you have followed
all of my advice, then this is one of the most
pleasing moments, seeing the fish swim off to
fight another day.
Just one last thing. Do return the
carp straight to the water. Do not be tempted
to place it in a keep net. These are designed
for match anglers catching small fish. They are
not designed for carp and will almost certainly
cause them damage or worse.
And that's about it. It may seem like
an awful lot to remember to the novice angler,
but it is mostly common sense and all designed
to protect our fish. Without them there is no
fishing. And one damaged fish can spread disease
to others very easily. Most of the rules at any
good fishery are there for good reasons. If you
stick to them then you can go on enjoying your
fishing for years to come, and those small carp
you start off catching may become your fish of
a lifetime in the future.
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