How to weigh your carp successfully on the bank

Many times I have witnessed carp anglers getting them selves in a mess when it comes to weighing a fish. After you have just netted a fish it’s an exciting time especially when it is a possible personal best. Good preparation is essential to avoid any accidents or injury to the fish and get the correct weight.

1. Have your safety unhooking mat ready to put the fish on

The mats I recommend are the large bean filled mats. These may be a bit on the bulky side but weigh next to nothing and are great for unhooking fish safely. If you fish a lot on your own then the carp cradle mats may be more suitable, as they will keep the fish secure when grabbing your camera for the all important picture.

2. Have your weight sling next to your unhooking mat

Many mats have special pockets to keep them stored until needed. I recommend the very common safety weight slings available from most of the manufactures. These have quite a few benefits over a straight weight sling. The carp are securely held and are easy to carry and manoeuvred around the swim. If you are setting up a self take photo, the fish can be lowered back into the water with the zips close. This will give the fish a breather very quickly while you sort out your picture set-up. I must add though that these weigh slings are not carp sacks and fish should not be left unattended while in them. When you have finish the weigh in and trophy shots, the fish is easily revived and lower back to the water with the safety weight sling.

3. Invest in a quality set of scales

This may seem obvious to some, but during my time as a bailiff, I have seen some terrible excuses for scales. In fact on some occasions I have weighed a fish with my own scales to illustrate how inaccurate the anglers scales were. I have had a set of classic Reuben Heaton scales for years but there are now quite a few sets of quality digital scales on the market now. I don’t think you can go far wrong with these.

4. Weight your catch with a T-bar or support hook and pole

Have you tried lifting a 20lb plus fish with two fingers jammed in the top of a set of scales, impossible? Get a T-bar handle fitting to aid the accuracy of the weighing or better still carry a hook attachment for your landing net pole to independently hang the fish from.

5. Make sure you have a small bucket of water next your unhooking mat

Never place a fish onto a dry unhooking mat or into a dry sling, especially on warm summer days. Placing a fish onto a baking hot unhooking mat is going to burn it. Those of you that have ever got in a car with leather seats in a pair of shorts, after it has been sat in the sun all day will know that painful feeling well! Keep a small bucket of water to wet down the mat and sling before the carp goes on them. The water is also useful to clean of the fish of any debris brought in by the netting before taking a photograph.

6. Zero your scales with a wet sling

Set your scales up to be zero with a wet weigh sling attached at the start of a session. Trust me it’s a pain to do the pounds and ounces deduction calculation after the event and is often forgotten.

7. Hold the fish away from your body

Inaccurate body position when weighing the fish can lead to over or under estimation of weight. I have often seen anglers struggling to hold up the fish and read the scales while the fish is actually been supported on the top of their legs or stomach.

In conclusion

Weighing a catch is very easy if you have the correct equipment. Don’t forget you can also possibly use some of the environment around you and find a sturdy tree branch to hang your scales from. If you don’t get it right you could deny your self a personal best or a lake record.