Top Quality Carp Care
Ensure the well-being of your catch with our comprehensive range of carp care products. Whether you need a reliable unhooking mat, a sturdy cradle, or essential accessories, our selection ensures you have the right equipment to handle and release carp safely. Explore our latest offerings across various subcategories, each designed to meet the specific needs of conscientious carp anglers.
Upgrade Your Carp Care Today
- Accessories: Enhance your carp care routine with our range of accessories. From antiseptic treatments to repair kits for mats and cradles, our accessories are designed to help you care for your catch and equipment. Ensure you are prepared for every situation with these essential add-ons, promoting the health and safety of the carp.
- Cradles: Provide the best care for your catch with our high-quality cradles. Designed to keep carp off the ground and safely contained, our cradles offer superior protection and support during unhooking and handling. Easy to set up and transport, they are a must-have for any serious carp angler committed to fish welfare.
- Unhooking Mats: Ensure a safe landing for your catch with our durable unhooking mats. Padded for extra protection, our mats prevent injury to the carp while you unhook and handle them. Available in various sizes and styles, our unhooking mats are designed to provide a secure and comfortable surface for carp.
- Water Buckets: Keep your catch hydrated and cool with our practical water buckets. Essential for pouring water over the carp while on the mat or in the cradle, our buckets are designed for easy use and transport. Ensure the carp remain healthy and stress-free during handling with these indispensable items.
- Weigh Slings & Sacks: Accurately weigh and safely retain your catch with our range of weigh slings and sacks. Designed for precision and fish safety, our slings provide a secure way to weigh carp without causing harm, while our sacks allow for safe retention in the water. Ensure you have the right tools for responsible carp handling and accurate measurement.
Carp Unhooking Mats FAQs
What Are Carp Unhooking Mats, & Why Do I Need Them?
Unhooking mats are specialised padded surfaces designed to protect carp during unhooking, photographing, and release procedures. These essential tools prevent damage to fish scales, fins, and the vital slime coating that protects carp from infection and disease. Modern fisheries increasingly require anglers to use proper unhooking mats for any catch over 1.5 pounds, making them a legal necessity rather than an optional accessory.
The well-being of your catch depends heavily on proper fish care techniques. An unhooking mat provides crucial support between the hard ground and delicate fish, preventing injury that could impact the carp’s health and survival after release. For anglers pursuing larger specimen carp, these mats also offer knee protection and easier handling during extended photography sessions. The investment in quality fish care products directly supports the long-term sustainability of your favourite fisheries and ensures healthy stock for future angling pursuits.
What Are the Key Features & Materials to Consider in Carp Unhooking Mats?
The thickness of the padding directly impacts the level of protection your mat provides. Quality mats utilise high-density foam or air-filled chambers to effectively cushion the fish. The surface material should be waterproof and easy to clean. Typically, PVC or reinforced polyester that resists damage from hooks and scales. More padded options are generally preferable, as they provide enhanced protection for the fish during handling.
Size dimensions must match your target fish range. Mats for 10-20 pound carp require different specifications than those designed for 40-50 pound specimens. Larger mats provide more working space but increase transport weight. A vital consideration for mobile angling approaches. Using a larger unhooking mat is generally better for protecting the fish during handling, as it reduces the risk of injury by providing ample space.
Durability indicators include reinforced seams, quality zippers, and robust carry handles that won’t fail during transport to and from the water. Easy cleaning features like removable bases and drainage holes help maintain hygiene between sessions, reducing disease transmission risks. The market offers various portability versus protection trade-offs, with lightweight options sacrificing some cushioning for easier transport.
What Are the Top Brands & Product Recommendations for Carp Unhooking Mats?
Nash unhooking mats are the premium segment with innovative designs like integrated weighing systems and modular components. Their cradles feature superior padding thickness and attention to fish care details that serious anglers appreciate. Trakker models focus on durability and practical features, earning strong feedback from anglers who demand reliable performance across multiple seasons.
Korda fish care products emphasise a scientific approach to carp well-being, with mats designed specifically to minimise stress during capture and release. Fox unhooking mats bring innovative features like pop-up designs and rapid setup systems that appeal to modern specimen hunters. Solar and Shakespeare offer solid mid-range options that balance features with affordability.
Budget-friendly options start around £20 for basic flat mats, while professional cradle systems can reach £150 or more. The key is matching your mat choice to your angling style and target fish size rather than simply choosing the most expensive option available. However, some basic models can start as low as £10, while premium options with advanced features may exceed £100.
How Should I Properly Use Carp Unhooking Mats & Apply Fish Care Techniques?
Pre-wetting your mat before use is essential. Dry surfaces can damage the fish’s protective slime layer and cause unnecessary stress. Always pour water over the entire mat surface and ensure adequate padding remains effective when wet. Position the mat on level ground away from sharp objects or rough surfaces that could cause injury.
Safe fish handling begins the moment your carp touches the mat. Support the fish properly during unhooking procedures, keeping it calm and secure within the mat’s boundaries. For photography sessions, work quickly but carefully. Stressed fish are more likely to injure themselves thrashing against even padded surfaces.
Quick-release techniques minimise the time fish spend out of water. Have your unhooking tools, camera, and any treatment products ready before lifting the carp from the water. Common mistakes include using insufficient padding, failing to wet the mat properly, or attempting to handle fish that are too large for your mat size.