CarpFever 2015

CARP CARE ESSENTIALS
Preserving and caring for your catch is an
essential part of specimen angling. The main
goal is to release your catch in a healthy
condition for others to catch and enjoy again.
Or, for yourself to one day stare the monster in
the face once more after it gained another kilo
or two. Care can be given in a number of ways:
1
Before the carp is placed on the mat, wet the
landing mat with a bucket of cold water. It
helps to prevent the carp from losing mucus,
particularly in summer.
2
Always have a container of water next to
you and keep the fish wet at all times. This is
for the fish’s safety with the bonus of a nice
shine that will look great on the photographs.
3
Do not hold a carp too high from the mat, or
even worse, stand up with the carp. If you
should drop the carp, you can cause a lot of
damage to the fish or it could even result in
its death.
4
Never leave the fish unattended on the mat
unless you have a carp cradle and the carp is
wet and closed up.
5
Use clinic or something similar on all
wounds including the hook mark – it helps
to prevent infections. Apply clinic after you
have taken the photographs, as a big yellow
stain on the fish and your fingers doesn’t
look great.
Above: When
you photograph
your catch, hold
the carp over
the landing mat.
When it decides
to flop around,
simple catch it in
your arms, and
lay it down until
it’s calm again.
Preserving
and caring
for your
catch is an
essential part
of specimen
angling.
26 | December 2015 www.carpfever.co.za