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IGFA Corporate
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 Carp fishing has always been synonymous with fish care, and FOX have been designing innovative carp safety products for a very long time. One thing I have come to realize through my work as a fishing guide is that a lot can be done to improve carp care and the way carp safety equipment is used.
This series of articles will offer what I hope to be a comprehensive overview of how to ensure our catches return to their environment in good condition, ready for another encounter a few years down the line, hopefully at an even better weight!
PART ONE: CHOICE OF SWIM AND SETTING UP.
The factors deciding our choice of swim are first of all determined, and rightly so, by fish location and features. Observation, feature finding whenever possible and information gathered from other anglers will direct us towards specific areas. |
 Once in the vicinity of the swim, where we fish from is often chosen in relation with the space available to put a shelter up and where to set a rod pod in a stable position. Yet where and how we lay our fishing gear out should be dictated by fish safety. Is there enough water in front of me to net the fish properly, or if not can I wade out safely to more adapted depths? Is there a wide enough surface of even ground close by for me to lay out the landing mat so I don’t have to carry the fish over long distances? If such questions are dealt with well before the first lead hits the water, I can ensure that my catches will be handled with care and not put at risk.
Let’s look at this in a practical way, by tackling a swim on a given natural venue. The aerial picture shows why the swim has been chosen initially: a wide, deep gravel area in front, a nice feature to fish to at mid range (gravel bar ending in a reed island) and a channel to the left linking the two pools making up the pit. The next picture shows the “peg”, with steep sloping ground, fairly narrow and made of hard gravel. |
 A closer inspection reveals a flat area to the right, laid with cut out reeds and almost level with the water surface. The water in front is four foot deep and free of snags. This will be the landing area of the swim, and the carp cradle is quickly blown up, wetted and put in place. I unfold the safety weighing sling on top of the cradle and wet it too, also leaving a bucket full of water close by. It is essential that all carp safety items are kept wet, as this will protect the carp’s mucus, itself protecting the fish from bacteria, fungi and diseases.
I can now unfold my landing net and secure it on a rod rest ready to be grabbed. The landing area is now operational, safe and close from where fish will be netted. I also like to leave my scales, a pair of long nosed pliers and a carp care product (bongela type) in a little bag close to the cradle. It prevents more movement and time lost when the fish is there.
If you fish on your own, then you will know everything about the joys of taking pictures of yourself holding a big fish. Frustrating for the angler, this tricky self portrait task can quickly become stressful and hazardous for your capture. Taking another few minutes to prepare will save a lot of time, effort and stress for both the angler and the fish later on. I simply put my camera on its stand, and adjust composition and distance. I then mark where the feet of the tripod stand, and put the camera away ready to grab. I will get into more details on taking pictures in a later article. |
 The last task before I can fully concentrate on getting the rigs and bait out is to think carefully about where to place the rod pod. I want sufficient space to net fish either side, and also to be able to get to the cradle without having to walk over the hard gravel ground. In this scenario, I have decided to put the pod fairly centred and so that the rod tips don’t hang over the water, allowing me to walk in front of them if needed. Fishing with slack lines makes it very easy as I can just lift the rods slightly and get past without pulling the leads. Alternatively, the FOX captive back leads are great to keep your lines pinned down and out of the way!
I am now confident that I can safely bring fish to the net, then from the net to the landing area, weigh it and photograph it without having to cover much ground or waste much time at all, thereby minimising stress and hazards to the fish.
Part two will look at bait and rigs concentrating again on fish welfare, this time focusing on adequate baiting and effective rigs which mechanics allow clean hook holds.
Till then, tight lines and make the most of the autumn, its big fish time!!! |
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Stefan Hanff
