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Fish care Antiseptic kits

Kevin Daly said:
I unhook in the water bud, weigh in the net, and don't have the fish out of the water at all unless I need a photo for a PB or near or ID purposes. One of the syndicates I belong to has a similar extremely stupid rule. I have a self inflating sleep mat that stays rolled up in the bottom of my bag to get round that one.
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I have a similar approach in swims where that is practical and safe and I seldom weigh a fish unless it's clearly special. BUT, there are numerous swims where it simply isn't practical and so a mat makes complete sense. I think it's manifestly wrong to regard a requirement to carry an unhooking mat to be "extremely stupid". Out of all the rules that a club might impose on its members, this is surely one of the more benign. Unhooking mats are not the heaviest things to carry.
 
Your judging by your own standards Howard The syndicate I refer to is three estate type lakes with no difficult swims. I fish an extremely mobile approach, mostly lure fishing for Perch and Pike but also stalking the carps in the summer. I am a member of a syndicate on the Severn as well, in the main I fish it three ways, For barbell, (not often) and for Pike and Zeddys I use an unhooking mat, A Korda one apparently though like Nev the grate man of pike fishing I stand to unhook pike under twenty. Thirdly trotting for the superb roach fishing, do I need one for that? That particular syndicate has two rules; rule 1 don't forget your kettle and rule 2 don't be a nob. I have changed the last word of rule 2 so as not to inflame sensibilities.
 
Howard Cooke said:
I have a similar approach in swims where that is practical and safe and I seldom weigh a fish unless it's clearly special. BUT, there are numerous swims where it simply isn't practical and so a mat makes complete sense. I think it's manifestly wrong to regard a requirement to carry an unhooking mat to be "extremely stupid". Out of all the rules that a club might impose on its members, this is surely one of the more benign. Unhooking mats are not the heaviest things to carry.
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Howard, can you carry mine please. :D:rolleyes:

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t104/derekf_2007/mat.jpg
 
If you can't treat the infection/cut with the application daily then it's useless. Fish care kits by tackle companies are a compete rip off and they're rubbing it your face. Much what like Korum/Korda etc like to do. On the other hand, Friars Balsam instantly kills the infection when applied, allowing for the fish to heal itself over time. Great for fin rot.
 
What is the best solution for treating hookholds?
 
Kevin Daly said:
Your judging by your own standards Howard The syndicate I refer to is three estate type lakes with no difficult swims. I fish an extremely mobile approach, mostly lure fishing for Perch and Pike but also stalking the carps in the summer. I am a member of a syndicate on the Severn as well, in the main I fish it three ways, For barbell, (not often) and for Pike and Zeddys I use an unhooking mat, A Korda one apparently though like Nev the grate man of pike fishing I stand to unhook pike under twenty. Thirdly trotting for the superb roach fishing, do I need one for that? That particular syndicate has two rules; rule 1 don't forget your kettle and rule 2 don't be a nob. I have changed the last word of rule 2 so as not to inflame sensibilities.
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Firstly, I thought we were talking about barbel fishing, that then being the context for a discussion about first aid kits for fish which has now been broadened to unhooking mats. Secondly, I am not judging anything, simply offering an opinion. Thirdly, your post last evening "do we?" which was a response to an earlier post concerning people fishing with unhooking mats, suggested something of a challenge to that notion. But as your post above states , you do in fact use an unhooking mat.

My humble opinion remains that mats absolutely have an important part to play in our fishing and should be used when not doing so might be detrimental to the welfare of the fish. That said there will be many instances where they are not required. They can also be quite comfy to sit on when roving about and carrying a chair would be a pain.
 
Hi men,

Good post Howard , if needed , when resting / unhooking in the net ain't an option , then why not ?. As for what to put on a hook hold , there are many fish keepers on here that may be able to answer that better ?.

Hatter
 
Kevin Daly said:
I unhook in the water bud, weigh in the net, and don't have the fish out of the water at all unless I need a photo for a PB or near or ID purposes. One of the syndicates I belong to has a similar extremely stupid rule. I have a self inflating sleep mat that stays rolled up in the bottom of my bag to get round that one.

PS to satisfy the purist I wrote Korda on it in indelible felt tip
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Kevin,

In my book membership of a syndicate or club infers acceptance and compliance of the rules. If your syndicate has an unhooking mat rule you should abide by it and use it. Actually having it with you and not using it makes the situation even more ridiculous. I think your ego may be as self inflating as your unused unhooking mat.

Paul
 
Paul Bassinder said:
I'm a little confused by the comments of Mr Smart and Mr Daly. Would the gentlemen like to expand on why they think displaying a positive attitude to fish welfare and carrying an unhooking mat is an odd thing to do. Both are compulsory in the club I belong to and I would like to see other clubs follow suit.

Paul
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Hi Paul,

I do always take a mat, however it is not the be all to fish handling, certainly I see no problem with lying a fish on any soft WET surface that would bring it no harm.
So many other factors that come into play ensuring Barbel especially are returned as well as could be expected.

Nice to see another 'local' on here, how is that lovely Hydro thing developing?
 
Paul Bassinder said:
Kevin,

In my book membership of a syndicate or club infers acceptance and compliance of the rules. If your syndicate has an unhooking mat rule you should abide by it and use it. Actually having it with you and not using it makes the situation even more ridiculous. I think your ego may be as self inflating as your unused unhooking mat.

Paul
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Blimey Paul calm down, I am sure we all have an element of common sense in handling Barbel, no need to preach.:)
 
Howard, I fish for just about anything with fins, and have done so since I was in short pants about 55 years ago. It may come as a shock to some but I try and think about what I am doing in my work and play. I didn't take the thread to unhooking mats someone else did, I was just pointing out that in some situations; that you may or may not want to get into; that, they are as unnecessary as a bottle of some concoction or other that will be washed off as soon as the fish is back in the water.
Like I say I think about my fishing, one of the lees exacting tasks I put my brain through is do I need to take my unhooking mat today.
 
Mr Bassinder, please refer to the above.
If that is not explanation enough please refer to my post about unhooking in water and if you would be so kind as to give me a general guide to use of an unhooking mat in water I would be extremely grateful.
 
Kevin Daly said:
Howard, I fish for just about anything with fins, and have done so since I was in short pants about 55 years ago. It may come as a shock to some but I try and think about what I am doing in my work and play. I didn't take the thread to unhooking mats someone else did, I was just pointing out that in some situations; that you may or may not want to get into; that, they are as unnecessary as a bottle of some concoction or other that will be washed off as soon as the fish is back in the water.
Like I say I think about my fishing, one of the lees exacting tasks I put my brain through is do I need to take my unhooking mat today.
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I think we are simply in violent agreement. In some, many even, situations an unhooking mat is a waste of time but on others a necessity. We should be trusted to make the sensible choice. I suspect that some clubs etc have frustratingly encountered situations where mats haven't been used when it should have been obvious that one was necessary. Perhaps on the back of this they have felt compelled to introduce a blanket rule (which is like a mat rule, only more luxurious) requiring one to be used at all times.

I generally take one just in case because I am never quite sure where I am going to end up fishing.
 
John Cook said:
What is the best solution for treating hookholds?
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Friars Balsam is an antiseptic. Its all you'll need! Couple of quid. Just dry the wound and apply with a swab. Hook holds/cuts/uclers/infections/fin rot
All these fish care kits are stupid and a rip off. Hence aimed at the carp angling market :D
 
Thank you for that info Bobby..Any thoughts on Bonjella?
 
Are either designed to be used by something with gills? Has anyone got any medical evidence at all that these are not harmful to fish.
 
I don't understand the need to put anything on fish unless it is specifically designed for fish by a fish biologist or some other suitably qualified person.
 
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