How to Unhook A Carp: 10 Top Tips

  • Posted: 25th June 2025
  • Author: Alan Draycott

As anglers, we all love catching carp – but ensuring their safety on the bank is just as important as landing them. With the right kit, a calm approach and a bit of know-how, unhooking and returning a carp safely becomes second nature. Here’s how I do it, step by step.

What You’ll Need Before Starting

Before I even cast out, I make sure I have all the essential gear ready to give any fish I catch the best possible care:

  • A large, padded unhooking mat or cradle

  • A knotless mesh landing net (minimum 42 inches)

  • A wet weigh sling

  • Forceps or a disgorger

  • An antiseptic treatment (like Propolis)

  • A bucket of lake water

  • A camera (optional, but great if you’re into catch reports or self-takes)

Step-by-Step Guide to Unhooking a Carp Safely

1. Prepare Your Unhooking Area

I always get my unhooking area set up before I even make a cast. That means placing the mat on level, soft ground close to the water, filling a bucket with lake water, and laying out everything I’ll need within arm’s reach.

2. Land the Carp Using a Safe Net

I use a large, knotless-mesh landing net to land the fish, which will gently cradle it in the water. I try to keep it calm and avoid lifting it out until everything else is ready.

3. Transfer the Carp to a Weigh Sling

While the carp is still submerged, I slide a wet sling underneath and zip it up. I then lift the sling slowly and carefully, keeping it low to the ground to reduce any stress on the fish.

Alan standing in the water with a fish in the weigh sling

Once netted, transfer the carp to the weigh sling

4. Place the Fish on the Wet Unhooking Mat

Once I’ve got the carp in the sling, I gently place it on the mat, unzip the sling, and remove the net. I keep pouring water over the fish throughout to protect its slime coat and keep its gills hydrated.

Alan with the fish on the mat

With the fish on the mat, I unzip the sling and remove the net

5. Remove the Hook Carefully

Using my fingers or forceps, I carefully push the hook back the way it came in. It’s important not to yank or twist – just a smooth reversal of the entry angle.

A carp with a hook in its bottom lip, ready to be removed

It’s important to remove the hook carefully, pushing it back out in the direction it went in

6. Treat Any Hook Wounds

If there’s any damage or a visible hook-hold, I dab on a few drops of antiseptic straight away. It only takes a second, and it helps massively with healing.

A carp with a wound that needs treating

Check the carp over and treat any wounds with a carp-care spray

7. Weigh the Carp Safely

After the hook’s out and any wounds are treated, I zip up the sling, attach it to my scales, and weigh the fish. I always hold it just above the mat in case anything slips – safety first.

An image of weigh scales

When weighing, hold the fish over the mat, just to be on the safe side

8. Take Careful Photos

If I’m taking pictures, I kneel behind the cradle, support the carp properly with both hands, and keep it low. If the fish flaps, I lower it immediately – nothing’s worth risking its health.

Alan holding large carp over unhooking mat

It’s important to keep the fish low over the mat when holding up for photos

9. Rehydrate and Recheck

I gently pour more lake water over the fish and check it’s still alert and breathing well. A calm, steady carp means it’s ready to go back.

10. Return the Carp Gently

I use the sling to return the fish to the edge, keeping it supported in the water until it’s ready to swim off strongly on its own. That moment when it kicks away is always a highlight.

A release shot

Use the sling to return the fish to the water

Bonus Tips for Fish Safety

Here are a few extra things I’ve picked up over the years that really help minimise risk and give the carp the best chance of recovery:

  1. Use barbless or micro-barbed hooks – they come out easier and cause less damage.

  2. Always kneel – never stand up holding a fish.

  3. Keep everything wet – mat, sling and hands.

  4. Take your time – rushing leads to mistakes.

  5. Protect the slime coat – never place the fish on dry surfaces.

  6. Maintain your gear – damaged nets or mats can harm fish.

  7. Be smart in hot weather – consider skipping photos and doing water shots instead.

  8. Ask for help – don’t be afraid to call someone over if you’re struggling.

  9. Have spares – keep extra forceps, nets, or slings just in case.

  10. Handle less – less handling means faster recovery for the fish.

Final Thoughts

Unhooking and returning carp safely isn’t difficult, but it does require care, attention and a bit of planning. For me, the best part of any session is seeing a carp swim off strongly, knowing it’s in great shape for another day. Follow these steps and you’ll be doing your part to keep our sport sustainable and our fish thriving.

Learn how to use the right hook pattern and the right hook size for all occasions.

If you are new to carp fishing, we’ve got everything you need to know right here.

Make sure you’ve got your rod licence sorted before you next get out on the bank.