Just a dab of Bonjela or Kryston Klin-ik can make all the difference

Dave with a carp of 28lb that went back in better nick than when it came out
Okay, so the carp’s in the net, and now’s the time to sort out your unhooking equipment. Leave the fish in the net to recover whilst you sort out the unhooking stuff. Make sure the net’s secure with a peg or a bankstick so that the fish can’t swim away, taking your net with it.

A few words of warning if you’re going to sack the fish

  • Make sure the fishery allows it (most don’t)
  • NEVER sack the fish in shallow water (less than 4ft)
  • ALWAYS use a decent sack (stick to the known manufacturers) that allows water to flow freely
  • ALWAYS use a long sack cord – at least 20ft, and MAKE SURE IT’S SECURE! Many fish have managed to escape the sack, or worse, swum off still in it – and there’s no way it’ll get out
  • Modern cameras will take excellent flash photo’s these days, so there’s no need to wait till its light

Use as big a mat as you can carry.

There are no excuses these days not to have a decent mat – even if it’s a big lump of foam covered in a couple of bin bags.

I use a Kevin Nash beanie mat – the beads of polystyrene make it harder for a fish to flip as they move around (it also carries a Microcat Baitboat!).

A mat that has a velcro flap can be useful to stop the fish flapping around when you are checking the camera, etc. A wet sling or sack will work as well. Lay out your mat and MAKE SURE IT’S WET. The slime on fish protects them, so avoid putting them on a dry mat – especially on a hot day.


A small tube or bottle of suitable antiseptic takes up hardly any room at all in your rucksack

Make sure you use Kryston Klin-ik or the equivalent to treat the perforation where the hook went in (both yours and anyone else’s who make have hooked the fish recently) and to treat any sores. Pick off the leeches too if the fish is carrying any. I like Bonjella best as it’s not soluble and therefore won’t wont wash off. It probably puts fish off aniseed baits though!

If you’re going to take a photo, sort out your camera equipment before taking the fish out of the water. With the use of a tripod, self-release bulb, and a couple of banksticks, you can actually take some decent shots. Try to use a motor wind camera, or a digital, so you don’t have to keep putting the fish down and running backwards and forwards winding on the camera.

Also, digitals mean you can check the shots before you put the fish back. It’s a good idea to have a bottle/kettle of water handy to keep the fish wet whilst taking the photos.


Make sure you’ve got everything ready
If you’re not sure, ask someone for help, especially with big fish. They can be a handful at times, so it’s best to have someone standing by just in case the fish is going to give you a slap!

If it wont calm down, place the wet sling over its head….and if it still wont, put it back, its not worth damaging the fish over a photo. Easy to say I know…..!

Note from Graham
Although Dave has written this with carp in mind what he has to say is relevant to all species.

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