Why do I need an Unhooking Mat?
Carp Fishing is about more than just catching the biggest fish or trying to add another photo to your collection. It is about taking care of the Carp we catch and making sure that they aren’t harmed and that they are returned to the water not only in the same condition that we caught them but sometimes in an even better one.
An Unhooking Mat plays a big part in keeping Carp safe. It is no use you have the best Carp Baits and the nicest Carp Landing Net but as soon as you have landed the fish and took it out of the water you just place it on the hard ground where it can get badly hurt. You need something that will support the carp and keep it wet while you are handling them. Think of an these mats as a temporary bed for Carp to lie on, and as the name states, it is used while unhooking a carp.
A good quality Mat is made out of nice thick sponge like material or soft foam balls. This gives Carp something soft to lie on. The material used on an Unhooking Mat is quite waterproof which is needed to hold some water on top of the mat so that the Carp won’t dry out while you are handling it. Always make sure that you have a bucket full of dam water close at hand so that you can continually throw more water on the fish. This will help the Carp to stay damp.
Another reason for using a Mat is that if, while you are taking some photos and the Carp jumps out of your hands, it doesn’t fall onto a hard surface that could potentially kill it. These Mats are not made for your comfort but for the Carp. You do get some Mats that have a fold-out padded area for your knees, so if you have problems with your knees then get one of those instead.
Where can I buy an Unhooking Mat?
A good quality Mat along with other great carp care products can be bought at this awsome web-site.
