I know as well as you do that there has been a lot written about this subject and rightly so but there are still people out there who do not bother with Carp Care.

It is ABSOLUTLY PARAMOUNT  that we care for our captures regardless of how big it is, because after all a 5lb carp will one day be a 30lb carp if they are looked after on the bank.

I am not telling any experienced carpers who might read this how to suck eggs but it is a subject I am passionate about.

Remember, when a carp is in its natural home its body weight is supported by water so when it is on the bank it is a totally alien environment.

Firstly, when you have netted your fish make sure that all the fins are flat against its body,detach the landing net from the pole and roll the net up and lift it supporting under its flank with one hand and carry it to your unhooking mat which you should have ready BEFORE you start fishing!!!if not then peg the net in the margins and let the fish rest while you get the unhooking station sorted.

Once on the mat, gently remove the fish from the net making sure that anything that comes in contact with the carp remains wet at all times.

Remove the hook and then treat the hook hold area with your chosen Carp care Kit

If you are not taking a photo, place the carp into a WET weigh sling and roll up making sure that all the fins once again are flat against the body, lift and carry it back to the waters edge keeping it low to the ground, place the sling in the edge and gently open it, the fish might swim away immediately but sometimes it might need holding in the edge until it has gained its strength back then it will swim away ok.

NEVER EVER just put it back and wander off, make sure it swims away ok.

If you are taking a photo before returning your capture, make sure you have water handy to keep the fish wet and looking it’s best, lift the fish so it is just off the ground, never stand up holding a fish.

When you are holding a fish for a photo you might feel it tense up if it does just lower it back not the unhooking mat until it has calmed down

 Top Tip - if a fish wont calm down, just cover its eyes with the weigh sling for a few seconds.

Once you have taken your photo follow the returning fish paragraph above.

Final thought - NEVER EVER EVER place a carp onto hard ground for obvious reasons!!! Also, some people will say it is ok to place a carp onto grass - WRONG!!! Carp have not got eye lids like us so there is nothing stopping a blade of stiff grass or similar going into its eye, result = Blind Carp.

Please please always use your mat and after care kit, the carp you catch is another carpers dream.

*Please note: a lot of fisheries are very strict about carp care and you may well find one of their rules is

No Mat = No Fishing.