No unhooking mat

[Steve Burke]

As for a mat, if ever I needed to put the fish on the bank, if I didn't think the surface was soft enough, I'd probably use my coat or towel.

 

The problem with a towel is that they're absorbent meaning that they can take some of the protective slime off a fish. Unhooking mats are made of nylon or similar materials and so don't have this problem. Having said that, it's not a bad idea to wet your mat first, especially if it's been in the hot sun.

[Dick Dastardly]

I always feel that one of the main benefits of an unhooking mat is that you can use it to immobilise and protect the fish while you carry it safely back to the water. I feel sure that it is when fish are being carried that most damage occurs. I have a large inflatable Pro-Logic one, which has a kneeling flap that attaches to the mat with velcro and is ideal for the purpose.

 

But not all mats are like that and still IMO the safest way to take them back to the water is in a weigh sling or landing net.I see what you are saying though Peter about your mat.Not only is it a safe way to carry them but also minimises handling.

[Dick Dastardly]

The problem with a towel is that they're absorbent meaning that they can take some of the protective slime off a fish. Unhooking mats are made of nylon or similar materials and so don't have this problem. Having said that, it's not a bad idea to wet your mat first, especially if it's been in the hot sun.

 

Totally agree with this.Even though Im not in the "must use at all times£ camp I feel that when the situation arises that you do need to use one it should be suitable.

 

Hasnt got to be a "designer" branded one (allthough in all honesty there are plenty of cheap but servicable ones available these days) but it does need to be soft/thick enough and able to be wetted to do the job.A pirce of foam in a bin liner would do the job.

[benhben]

Depends where u fish i suppose. If its soft grassy banks ull be alright, if its gravely stones or a concrete walkway then you need a mat.

[benhben]

Does anyone know of any weighing slings that double up as unhooking mats? Id like to record the weight of my fish but as i prefer spinning I cant have too much tackle. Or any methods of safely weighing fish whilst traveling light? (Safe I mean for the fish not me!)

[John S]

Does anyone know of any weighing slings that double up as unhooking mats? Id like to record the weight of my fish but as i prefer spinning I cant have too much tackle. Or any methods of safely weighing fish whilst traveling light? (Safe I mean for the fish not me!)

 

Quite a few unhooking mats will double up as a weighing sling, your local tackle shop owner will be able to help you out there.

 

You can easily use your landing net as a weighing sling, just deduct the weight of the landing net (when wet) from the total weight

[Steve Burke]

Does anyone know of any weighing slings that double up as unhooking mats? Id like to record the weight of my fish but as i prefer spinning I cant have too much tackle. Or any methods of safely weighing fish whilst traveling light? (Safe I mean for the fish not me!)

 

For lure fishing I use a Sundridge mat/sling that unusually also has a shoulder strap so that it doubles up (or should that be trebles up?) as a bag.

 

See my review at http://anglersnet.co.uk/reviews/sundridge01.htm

[Guest tigger]

Does anyone know of any weighing slings that double up as unhooking mats? Id like to record the weight of my fish but as i prefer spinning I cant have too much tackle. Or any methods of safely weighing fish whilst traveling light? (Safe I mean for the fish not me!)

 

 

I have a JRC weigh sling which is thick enough to double up as a unhooking mat. There must be numerous weigh slings thick enough to use for a unhooking mat. Maybe you'd be better off having a nosey at a few in the tackle shops?

[Tim Kelly]

I have a thing about unhooking mats. I haveone that lives in the boat, but I don't think it's ever been used, and I never carry one on the bank. Most fish are unhooked in the water. If they are worth weighing or photographing they are just put in the landing net in the water while I get the gear ready.

 

My problem with unhooking mats, like a lot of other modern tackle, is that people feel they should be using them because they have them! I can't see why you would need to take the fish away from the water to unhook it or anything else? Surely it's better to leave the fish in the water and take any paraphinalia you need to the waters edge rather that the fish to your camp?

[Neil G]

I have a thing about unhooking mats. I haveone that lives in the boat, but I don't think it's ever been used, and I never carry one on the bank. Most fish are unhooked in the water. If they are worth weighing or photographing they are just put in the landing net in the water while I get the gear ready.

 

My problem with unhooking mats, like a lot of other modern tackle, is that people feel they should be using them because they have them! I can't see why you would need to take the fish away from the water to unhook it or anything else? Surely it's better to leave the fish in the water and take any paraphinalia you need to the waters edge rather that the fish to your camp?

 

Good point

 

Often when I'm piking pits/lakes where the bank is rough I'll lay the mat out with all the tools I need as close to the waters edge as possible minimising chances of something going wrong.

 

More often though when the fish isn't large enough to photo it's unhooked in the net at the waters edge so never even goes on the bank.