Landing Gear: Net, Mat, Sling, Scales — What You Need.

Landing Gear for Carp Fishing

Carp fishing weigh station with tripod scales, weigh sling, and unhooking mat set up by a lake
A simple weigh station ready before the fish is landed: tripod, wet weigh sling, and unhooking mat positioned close to the water.

Landing gear is not optional in carp fishing — it’s part of respecting the fish.

This section covers essential carp landing gear for Michigan anglers, including landing nets, unhooking mats, weigh slings, and scales. The focus is on protecting carp during landing, handling, weighing, and release on real banks and shorelines.

If you’re fishing for carp, this is the gear you don’t skip.

Introduction: Why This Stuff Matters

Carp fishing is catch and release. That only works if we handle fish properly and return them in good condition. The right landing gear prevents avoidable damage during netting, unhooking, weighing, photos, and the release.

This guide covers the basic landing gear needed to handle carp safely: net, mat, weigh sling, scales, and a careful release

Michigan has everything from urban rivers to big open water and inland lakes, and fish care is the same everywhere: plan the landing, keep the fish wet, keep it low over protection, and get it back quickly.

You don’t need to buy every carp gadget on the internet. But you do need the basics done right. This guide covers what you actually need, how to use it, and what can wait.

The Landing Net: The One Item You Can’t Skip

If you’re targeting carp, use a proper carp landing net. A small bass/trout net and rough mesh are how fish get scraped, folded, or dropped at the edge. A carp net is designed to land a big, lively fish safely and control it while you get organized.

What Makes a Carp Net Different

  • Soft, fish-friendly mesh: Ideally knotless or fine mesh that’s gentle on fins and skin.
  • Wide arms: Enough opening to scoop a big fish without forcing it into a tight bend.
  • Deep mesh: Helps keep the fish secure at the surface while you move to the mat.
  • Proper spreader block and handle fitting: Strong connection points so the net stays stable under load.

Net Size: Don’t Under-Net Yourself

For Michigan carp fishing, a 42-inch net is a reliable all-round choice. You might catch smaller fish often, but the day you hook a bigger one is the day an undersized net causes problems.

The number refers to the arm length. Common sizes are:

  • 36″: Works on smaller fish but gets limiting fast.
  • 42″: Handles most carp safely and comfortably.
  • 46″–50″: Useful for very big fish or awkward banks, but bulkier to carry.

The Handle

A two-piece handle is standard and works for most bank spots. If you fish high walls, riprap, or piers, more reach (or a telescopic option) makes landings safer and less rushed.

Tip: Keep the net ready. When a carp rolls near the edge, that’s not the time to assemble a handle.

Landing a Carp: The Safe Method

  1. Set the mat up first. Unfold it, clear debris, and wet it before the fish is at the net.
  2. Wet the net. Dunk it so the mesh is wet before the fish goes in.
  3. Hold the net still. Submerge the hoop and keep it steady.
  4. Guide the fish over the net. Use the rod to lead the fish—don’t chase it with the hoop.
  5. Lift smoothly, once. When the fish is over the mesh, lift in one controlled motion.
  6. Keep the fish low and controlled. Don’t stand up and swing the fish around on the bank.
  7. Move straight to the mat. Keep the fish wet and get it onto protection quickly.

The Unhooking Mat: Protecting Fish on the Bank

Common carp resting in a landing net on a padded unhooking mat by the lake
The carp stays low, wet, and fully supported in the landing net on a padded unhooking mat.

Once the fish is landed, it needs a safe place while you unhook it. Not rocks. Not dirt. Not dry grass. A proper unhooking mat gives the fish padding and keeps it off anything that can cut or scrape it.

Why Mats Matter

Carp are heavy and strong. If they kick on hard ground, they can injure themselves quickly. A mat provides:

  • Cushioning: Padding absorbs impact when the fish moves.
  • A clean surface: No sticks, stones, or grit under the fish.
  • A wet working area: A soaked mat keeps the fish wet while you work.

Types of Unhooking Mats

Standard unhooking mats: Padded, foldable mats that cover most situations. Look for enough length and width to comfortably fit the fish you’re catching.

Cradles: Higher sides and better containment. Useful on uneven ground or when fish are lively, but bulkier to carry.

Compact/roll-up mats: Good for mobile fishing, but smaller with less padding. Fine as a backup; not ideal if you regularly handle bigger fish.

Using Your Mat Correctly

  1. Wet it thoroughly. A dry mat can stick and drag.
  2. Pick a safe spot. Flat ground, away from rods, bank sticks, and sharp tackle.
  3. Keep the fish low over the mat. If it kicks, you want it to land on padding, not from height.
  4. Keep everything wet. Wet hands, wet mat, and wet fish while you unhook and sort the photo.
  5. Be efficient. Have forceps, sling, and camera ready. Don’t make the fish wait while you rummage.

Michigan note: Hot summer days and warm water reduce the fish’s margin for stress. Keep fish-care fast and wet. If you’re not set up for a quick photo, skip it and release the fish.

The Weigh Sling: Safe Weighing and Short Carries

If you want to weigh a carp, a weigh sling is the safe way to do it. It supports the fish evenly and makes weighing controlled and repeatable.

Why Not Just Use the Net?

You can weigh in a net in a pinch, but it’s less consistent and harder to do accurately:

  • Nets hold water, which changes the weight.
  • Wet net weight varies from fish to fish and moment to moment.
  • It’s harder to keep the fish stable while you read the scales.
  • A sling is easier to tare and easier to handle safely.

Types of Slings

Standard weigh sling: A simple, secure sling designed for weighing.

Retention sling (optional): Designed to hold a fish in the margins briefly. Only use in safe conditions and never as a default. If you can’t supervise it closely, don’t use one.

Combo sling/mat: Handy for mobile fishing if it’s properly padded and large enough to protect the fish.

How to Weigh a Carp Properly

  1. Wet the sling. Every time.
  2. Attach the wet sling and tare the scales. This zeros out the sling weight.
  3. Transfer the fish calmly. Keep it low over the mat while moving it.
  4. Secure the sling. Make sure the fish can’t slide out.
  5. Lift smoothly and briefly. No bouncing or swinging.
  6. Back onto the mat immediately. Don’t keep the fish hanging.

If you’re starting on a tight budget, the net and mat come first. A sling is the next upgrade once you begin weighing fish regularly.

Scales: Accurate Weights Without Drama

If you’re going to weigh carp, use scales that can handle the biggest fish you might realistically catch, and use them the same way every time.

Types of Scales

Digital scales: Easy to read and usually allow taring. Bring spare batteries.

Dial/spring scales: No batteries, but you need to pay attention to zeroing and reading.

Good Habits for Accurate Weighing

  • Tare with the wet sling attached before the fish goes in.
  • Wait for the reading to settle before recording.
  • Keep scales dry when not in use and store them sensibly.
  • Check them occasionally against a known weight at home.

What You Don’t Need (At Least Not Yet)

You’ll see a lot of “must-have” carp accessories. Most of it can wait until you’re fishing more often and know what you actually need.

  • Retention slings: Optional. Only use when conditions are safe and you can supervise closely.
  • Carp cradles: Great kit, but a proper padded mat covers the basics.
  • Multiple landing nets: One good carp net handles most situations.
  • Weighing tripods: Useful for very heavy fish, but not required to start.

The Michigan Carp Starter Kit: Essential Landing Gear

If you buy only the basics, prioritize fish safety like this:

  1. Proper carp landing net (around 42″). Priority #1.
  2. Unhooking mat (proper padding, good size). Priority #2.
  3. Weigh sling. Priority #3 if you plan to weigh fish.
  4. Scales. Useful if you’re weighing regularly.

Small Stuff That Makes a Real Difference

  • Forceps or long-nose pliers: For quick, clean hook removal.
  • Water container: Bucket or large bottle for keeping mat and fish wet.
  • Headlamp: Hands-free light for safer unhooking after dark.
  • Hookhold treatment gel (optional): Apply quickly and keep the fish wet and calm.

Returning the Fish: The Most Important Part

Carp angler carefully releasing a common carp from a weigh sling back into the lake
Supporting the carp upright in shallow water until it recovers and swims away on its own.

The goal is simple: the fish swims away under its own power.

  1. Carry the fish supported. Use the sling or net for short carries. Keep the fish low and controlled.
  2. Wade out if it’s safe to do so. A calm, shallow release is better than dropping a fish off a steep edge.
  3. Hold the fish upright in the water. Support under the belly and steady near the tail.
  4. Give it time. Wait until the fish kicks away on its own.
  5. In current, face the fish into the flow. Let the water run through the gills while it recovers.

Watch for fish that struggle to stay upright. Keep them supported and give them more time before letting go.

Wrapping Up

Landing gear isn’t glamorous, but it’s what keeps catch-and-release honest. A proper net and a proper mat are the minimum. Add a sling and scales if you want accurate weights. Use the gear the same way every time: wet, low, controlled, and quick.

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