CARING FOR YOUR FISH AND GEAR

We all know how it feels to get back after a long cold set! It is easy to walk away from the gear once it is in the shed. This is in part some of the problem!

Net cleaning and maintenance is not the most fun part of fishing but it is essential if we intend to enjoy the hobby further. With just a few simple steps we as anglers can help prevent the spread of disease. I have made a couple of instructional videos (over right) to assist new and old anglers join the fight against disease.

Most diseases are transferred from pond to pond and river to river by our nets! Although this is not always the case it accounts for more than 70% of transferal. Furthermore, most of the carping community do not use keep nets. However, we do use the landing net for every capture and this is the biggest threat from us as specimen anglers.

One complaint I have heard along the bank is the cost of these cleaning products. It is in fact cheap to do and costs little in time but can have massive implications to rivers and ponds we enjoy.

I hope you find the videos informative. Please upload your informational videos on fish care, kit maintenance or disease. Help build a data base of information to further the cause, Massive healthy Carp.

NET CARE

SLING AND MAT CARE

CARE PRODUCTS

MUST HAVES FOR YOUR KIT

There are many anglers out on the bank today with little other than a rod and some bait! Caring for the specimens we catch should be the upmost priority. Below is a range of carp care products that must be integral to any good anglers gear. Even if your out for a quick set. All of the products listed below are affordable and easy to access being stocked at every local tackle shop. Its up to us as anglers to make a change and save the sport from disaster.

CARP CARE KITS

Here are just a few carp care kits available on the market today. First is the carp care kit from Nash. retailing between £10.00 -£20.00. Next is the care kit from Korda Retailing @£19.99. The third offering is from Gardener retailing between £15.00 -£20.00 and finally a market bargain is Mark One Developments, Mouth and Body retailing for £10.00.

It often seems that as anglers and specifically carpers are targeted with every gimmick under the sun! But carp care is not part of that message. It is something that needs to be part of every kit! I have far too often seen anglers with TVs and heaters, top end rods but no carp care and poor crash mats. Pick up a carp care kit today!

What kits have you used and how well did they work? give your feedback on products and methods here!

Feedback

Mats & Cradles

Slings

Slings are another part of the fishing gear that should be out with you on every trip. NO FISH SHOULD BE CARRIED BY HAND BACK TO THE WATER!

There are many types of sling; from the basic mesh net with cords to the more expensive flotation slings. Quality is always reflected in price but you can buy a sling for as little as £10.00 (mesh net middle image below). Brand named flotation slings will set you back as much £50.00+ but with care and constant maintenance they can last up to ten years which make it quite cost effective.

There are several carp mats and cradles available on the market today and they do not have to be expensive to acquire. To the left the top right image is a very basic crash mat and will probably set you back as little as £10.00. Top left is the bean mat, one stage up from the basic mat. This mat is more than adequate for most specimen fishing but must be changed every few years as effectiveness is lost. The bean mat will set you back at least £20.00 but offers much greater protection to the fish. Image bottom right is an air inflated crash mat although this offers the greatest protection for you capture it will set you back at least £40.00+ and has a short life expectancy on the bank. The final image is crash mat with side and padded bottom offering good protection for the fish as well as being durable and light weight, this product will averagely cost £35.00+ but will last a good few years if looked after correctly.

We should all carry a mat of sorts every time we hit the bank; whether it be for a quick set or a week session.

Cleaning products

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The products to the left are just a few available on the market and most are readily accessible at most major supermarkets. There are some specialist products for use in cleaning your gear down. However, these are not so easy to locate or to buy. The instructional videos at the top of the page will help you decide what course of action you will take to clean down your gear. All the chemicals listed overleaf are to be used in accordance with manufacturers directions.

We should all clean our gear every time we hit the bank even if you are fishing the same water consistently. It is good practice and can help prevent other forms of virus and pathogen as well reducing cross contamination between fish.

If you do nothing other than rinsing your nets and leaving them out in the sun to dry completely then that can make a difference, however, this is not a sure fire way to kill viruses, parasites, pathogens or fungal infections. It would be a start!!!

ALL CLEANING PRODUCTS SHOULD BE USED WITH CARE!!!

GIVE US YOUR FEED BACK

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR GEAR

CLEANING NETS

PREPARE SAFE WORKING AREA
SET UP TWO BUCKETS WITH WATER ONE HOT ONE COLD (DEPENDING ON CLEANING PRODUCTS)
ADD DESIGNATED AMOUNT OF CLEANING PRODUCT TO BUCKET ONE (HOT ONE IF NOT USING BLEACH)
WASH NETS THOROUGHLY IN BUCKET ONE AGITATING THE NET AGAINST ITSELF USE A GOOD AMOUNT OF FORCE
RINSE NET THROUGH PROPERLY (CHANGE WATER IF NECESSARY)
DRY NET COMPLETELY USING SUNLIGHT IF POSSIBLE. OTHERWISE DRY ON WASHING LINE OR RADIATOR (IF ALLOWED).

CLEANING MATS, SLINGS AND CRADLES

PREPARE SAFE WORKING AREA
SET UP TWO BUCKETS WITH WATER ONE HOT ONE COLD (DEPENDING ON CLEANING PRODUCTS)
ADD DESIGNATED AMOUNT OF CLEANING PRODUCT TO BUCKET ONE (HOT ONE IF NOT USING BLEACH)
WASH SLINGS AND MATS THOROUGHLY USING AN ABRASIVE CLOTH OR SPONGE. HANG FROM WASHING LINE OR POST TO MAKE EASIER. MAKING SURE TO GET INTO ALL THE CREVICES, WASH THE STITCHING THOROUGHLY
RINSE MAT AND SLING THOROUGHLY. A HOSE CAN BE USED TO MAKE QUICKER.
DRY MATS AND SLINGS COMPLETELY USING SUNLIGHT IF POSSIBLE. OTHERWISE DRY ON WASHING LINE OR RADIATOR (IF ALLOWED).

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