No Neil, the main purpose is to protect the fish
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Unhooking mat or not?
- Thread starter Paul Whiteing
- Start date
I agree with unhooking in the net being the safest way to ensure no further harm happens to the fish. However, most of the swims I fish are either deep or have high banks so unhooking in the net is not an option. It’s about using the best and most fish friendly method for the situation you’re in.
Joe Winstanley
Senior Member & Supporter
Can I think of a single good reason not to use an unhooking mat? Other than when wading and being able to unhook the fish in the water, no not one. I would never go fishing without one.
PS...
PS...
- 11ft or 12ft rods - both
- Centrepin or fixed spool - both
- Arsenal or Spuds - The latter. One of the best feeder clubs United have ever had.
- Chairs with arms or not - not
- To pre-bait or not - both
- Barbed or barbless - both
- Triangular or round - both
Andy Bebbington
Senior Member
- 11ft or 12ft rods - both
- Centrepin or fixed spool - fixed
- Arsenal or Spuds - Arsenal
- Chairs with arms or not - not
- To pre-bait or not - both
- Barbed or barbless - barbed
- Triangular or round - round
Neil Smart
Senior Member
Protection only if you are lifting it out of the net, imo it is safer to unhook in the confines of the net where the fish cannot be dropped or slide around. The fish can be returned with no dramas or damage. As said the self takes are the reason(mostly) a net is employed in the first place, the welfare of the fish is of paramount importance, especially now, the images of captures holding the Barbel c/w with the 'Carp vacant stare' are evermore the fashion.No Neil, the main purpose is to protect the fish
Richard Isaacs
Senior Member & Supporter
obviously your referring to cases where you can actually get to the net to unhook it.
A lot of fish I catch on the Nene need to leave the water and the poor net needs to go under some serious strain simply because it’s not possible or safe to get to them. High banks or large amounts of vegetation infront of the swim.
There’s nothing wrong with weighing and photographing captures if you’ve prepared everything Properly prior to lifting out the fish.
Takes less than 2 minutes for a clued up well organized angler to do both tasks and have it back resting up.
Richard Isaacs
Senior Member & Supporter
I don’t do self takes or fashion poses.
The latter simply because I’m useless at it. If no one is round to ensure a quick snap with my mug in it then its a mat shot if it justifies one.
The latter simply because I’m useless at it. If no one is round to ensure a quick snap with my mug in it then its a mat shot if it justifies one.
Mike Hodgkiss
Senior Member
and staring at the fishes tail! What's that about!?
[/QUOTE]
With you on that one . I have never understood why anglers adopt the baleful look towards the fishes tail area , 90% of em look as if they lost a tenner and found a quid , who started this trend ? Im am all for the big grin in to the camera approach . As for this thread ,nearly as dull as what bank stick ....
Net fish, place net and fish on mat, unhook fish, return fish still in net having made sure it's pointing so it's head would be upstream.
I'm sorry Richard, but your ability in this respect would put you way down the list compared with me. I'm the master of the useless self-takes
clickety-click
Ash Gould
Senior Member
Obviously the main thing to come from Pauls posts is that gooners are rubbish barbel anglers and Tottenham Hotspur fans are the best barbel anglers 
I always carry a mat, and use one when barbelling but Im guilty of not carrying one when chubbing. The one thing I would say is that I have never felt that a fish is being damaged when being unhooked on soft grass etc Never. The few occasions that I have landed barbel without un-hooking mats- again not felt that any damage has been done to the fish on soft grass, becuase it hasnt damaged them.
A 20lb carp slapping about on the ground is going to do alot more damage to itself than say a 3lb chub or even a 9lb barbel.
Its good practise to use a mat thats the main thing.
I always carry a mat, and use one when barbelling but Im guilty of not carrying one when chubbing. The one thing I would say is that I have never felt that a fish is being damaged when being unhooked on soft grass etc Never. The few occasions that I have landed barbel without un-hooking mats- again not felt that any damage has been done to the fish on soft grass, becuase it hasnt damaged them.
A 20lb carp slapping about on the ground is going to do alot more damage to itself than say a 3lb chub or even a 9lb barbel.
Its good practise to use a mat thats the main thing.
Obviously the main thing to come from Pauls posts is that gooners are rubbish barbel anglers and Tottenham Hotspur fans are the best barbel anglers
Stupid boy
Neil Smart
Senior Member
But two minutes out of the water is enough to turn a Barbel into a zombie state, and then becomes a 'mug' fish.
Dave Collins
Senior Member & Supporter
Zombie BarbelBut two minutes out of the water is enough to turn a Barbel into a zombie state, and then becomes a 'mug' fish.
Richard Isaacs
Senior Member & Supporter
What’s the alternative in cases where you need to remove it due to bank conditions preventing you from unhooking in the water and upon removal you see it’s a 14lb fish in your net.But two minutes out of the water is enough to turn a Barbel into a zombie state, and then becomes a 'mug' fish.
Sure you could slip it straight back but wouldn’t you personally want to weigh it and get a cheeky snap? I would personally but of course I’d do it quickly
Zombie barbel
Tone Smith
Senior Member
Paul my dear friend. Have you been waiting for me?
If a woman asks you to use a c#####m, use one. If a law says do/ do not do something, you should probably follow it ( discretionary
), if it’s better for the planet to recycle and reduce your carbon footprint then please do. Drive electric, go vegan, don’t smoke, don’t drink alcohol, love thy neighbour ( but don’t get caught if you love his wife as well 
). Do unto others as they do unto you.
If your conscience tells you to use an unhooking mat, please do so. If the situation demands it, please do, if it’s 50/50 whether you should, be safe and use one. If you are confident that the fish safety is paramount to you and you are completely happy that you are acting with empathy for the welfare of the fish in all situations, and are competent, continue and rest easy.
Competence. Is the unhooking mat secure? Not going to slide down a bank and deposit a fish that requires recovery, into the river in a dangerous state? Is the mat wet before the fish is laid on it? ( and before you all say yes obviously, is it?) and is it done by everyone every time? Is the mat sufficient to support the fish or is it the cheapest, most convenient Implement to conform? Ad infinitum. I love my fish ( more than I do most people
). I would never personally, or recommend to anyone, anything that endangers the health of such. I use what I need to, when I need to, and my conscience is clear. If, at any time I feel that I am lacking ( personally, not via social media criticism, diatribe from bandwagon or ill informed opinionists) then I shall change my methods instantly and with full vigour. Until such times trouble my conscience, I wish you all a lovely winters fishing, whatever ethical methods you may choose to employ. I hope to share your pictures of your lovely fish and give as many congratulatory messages as possible. And I hope there are many of them. Please, do as you must to satisfy your conscience. And above all, everyone ENJOY your fishing. Happy Christmas, and a happy, successful winters barbelling to all!! Ho ho ho!
If a woman asks you to use a c#####m, use one. If a law says do/ do not do something, you should probably follow it ( discretionary
), if it’s better for the planet to recycle and reduce your carbon footprint then please do. Drive electric, go vegan, don’t smoke, don’t drink alcohol, love thy neighbour ( but don’t get caught if you love his wife as well ). Do unto others as they do unto you.If your conscience tells you to use an unhooking mat, please do so. If the situation demands it, please do, if it’s 50/50 whether you should, be safe and use one. If you are confident that the fish safety is paramount to you and you are completely happy that you are acting with empathy for the welfare of the fish in all situations, and are competent, continue and rest easy.
Competence. Is the unhooking mat secure? Not going to slide down a bank and deposit a fish that requires recovery, into the river in a dangerous state? Is the mat wet before the fish is laid on it? ( and before you all say yes obviously, is it?) and is it done by everyone every time? Is the mat sufficient to support the fish or is it the cheapest, most convenient Implement to conform? Ad infinitum. I love my fish ( more than I do most people
). I would never personally, or recommend to anyone, anything that endangers the health of such. I use what I need to, when I need to, and my conscience is clear. If, at any time I feel that I am lacking ( personally, not via social media criticism, diatribe from bandwagon or ill informed opinionists) then I shall change my methods instantly and with full vigour. Until such times trouble my conscience, I wish you all a lovely winters fishing, whatever ethical methods you may choose to employ. I hope to share your pictures of your lovely fish and give as many congratulatory messages as possible. And I hope there are many of them. Please, do as you must to satisfy your conscience. And above all, everyone ENJOY your fishing. Happy Christmas, and a happy, successful winters barbelling to all!! Ho ho ho!
Not waiting Tone, will talk after tonight 