GearHead: Carp Care
From special solutions and celebratory scales to clever new net floats - here’s your guide to owning the very best carp care kit
1. Reuben Heaton 165th Anniversary Scales
Reuben’s weighing heritage now spans 165 years, and to celebrate this incredible milestone the company have given their flagship model, ‘Specimen Hunter’, a limited edition look and restricted its production run to just—yes, you guessed it, 165. The front features “negative look” high visibility dials, whilst internally it has a large tare/zero facility to 15% of its capacity, which on these special models is 60lb, weighing in 1oz divisions. £96.94
2. Thinking Anglers All-In-One
This brand-new product is the epitome of TA. Weighing no more than two adult hamsters, it’s three products in one: a retainer, weigh sling, and it can be converted into a sack should it be required. Uber stick thin and finished in their lovely Camfleck camo. £59.99
3. Avid Lok Down Landing Net Holder
If carp retailers are banned on your venue, then Avid can provide the perfect antidote. It offers belt-and-braces: an anti-twist design, easy slot in-and-out operation, retaining strap for max security and the universal sizing will house all handle diameters. £9.99
4. ESP 42” Onyx Landing Net
If you’ve been hankering for the beautiful ESP/Terry Hearn Landing Net but can’t justify the expense, then your prayers have been answered. The Onyx is sold with the same UK-made spreader block and features a lovely deep, soft olive mesh. £54.95
5. ESP Screw On Landing Net Float
The majority of net floats require a piece of Velcro to wrap over the spreader block, but ESP’s is much less unsightly. Secured by simply screwing the spreader black to the landing net handle through a top hole in the camo material of this ultra-buoyant float. £9.95
6. Korda Basix Weight Sling
New to carp fishing, on a budget, or only going occasionally? Then this weight sling is for you. Made from durable nylon, it’s big enough to weigh any carp in the UK. It’s compact too, thanks to the splitting bars. £29.99
7. Gardner Asylum Compact Unhooking Mat
A smaller model of Gardner’s tried and trusted Asylum Mat, measuring 10cm shorter and 7cm wider but armed with all the same great features: supplied stink bag, 50mm foam mattress, drainage mesh in the base and a large integrated kneeling flap. £94.99
8. RidgeMonkey +Pro Care
This liquid from our pals at RidgeMonkey is a carp care marvel. The highly active anti-bacterial and antifungal formula penetrates any hook holds, sores or lifted scales immediately, actively reducing infection and assisting healing. £11.99
9. Korda Ulcer Swab
Klin-Ik, Pro Care (left), propolis—whatever you know it as, there’s no excuse for not having a bottle of carp treatment liquid in your rucksack. This stuff differs from those others as it’s been developed for use on clean open wounds and ulcers. £9.99
10. RidgeMonkey Perspective Collapsible Bucket
A fold-flat (so it can be tucked inside your unhooking mat) water container is essential for keeping your prize well-hydrated. This one from RM also has a clear window so you can also check how beautifully (or not) your rig sits before casting it out. £9.99
11. JRC Cocoon 2G Auto Retainer
Most retainer cords are a couple of metres long and end up in a horrible tangled mess. Not so with JRC’s Auto Retainer. 4.5m of strong cord is fed into a spring-loaded retraction system (like one of those dog leads) which sits on a bankstick fixation. £28.99
12. JRC Cocoon 2G Weigh Hook
A decent weigh bar is a necessity for accurate scale readings. For mid-sized carp, lifting via the padded handle will give you comfort and a precise weight. Landed a behemoth-sized carp? Then screw the hook into a pole and use as a crook. £29.99
13. TA Forceps
These pretty (matt black!) and practical (5” short-nosed) but often-forgotten forceps make light (and safer) work of removing deeply buried or awkwardly positioned hook holds. Tip: rotate the hook, withdrawing it along the same angle as it penetrated. £7.49
