Have you ever caught a carp, weighed it accurately and then a few days later the same fish is caught weighing 2 to 3 lb heavier by another angler.

Watch some of the angling video’s on the internet web sites and you can witness for yourself, examples of fish being weighed in-correctly.

I have in fact caught a feeding fish at 9.30 am and returned the fish for it to be caught later at around 11.30pm that evening by another angler, weighing in at an extra 3lb. Do you think that is possible? No! It is not. So why do anglers claim these exaggerated weights. Is it ignorance, self esteem, or simply knowingly cheating?

 

Let’s first of all go into the basics of what is required to land and weigh that trophy carp.

  • Adequate sized landing net.
  • Large enough unhooking mat
  • Large weigh sling
  • Good accurate weighing scales
  • Firm and sturdy weighing location (If possible).

 

How to add those few pounds to your trophy carp.

1/.To add at least 1lb 8oz to the weight of your fish, support the scales from the bottom, this will guarantee an over exaggerated weight. All fishing scales are designed to be supported from the hook or handle on top of the scales.

2/. Zero your scales without the weigh sling being soaked in water prior to placing the fish in for the final weighing, or better still zero the scales without the weigh sling. Both these options can add a further 1 to 3 lbs in weight to your final weigh in. You might not think this happens, it does and it will carry on doing so.

Correct procedure for weighing a fish.

  1. Suspend the scales by the upper most point which should be a handle or metal loop.
  2. Thoroughly wet the weigh sling.
  3. Place the wetted weigh sling on the lower hook of the scales and zero the scales.
  4. Remove the sling from the scales and safely place the fish into the sling.
  5. Secure the sides of the sling and return the sling back to the hook at the bottom of the scales.
  6. Support the scales from the uppermost point and weigh your fish.

Follow these simple rules prior to weighing each fish, and we should all have a correct picture of what our fish weigh.

Paul Cooper

Editors Note: Since this Article Shaun has done a short video clip showing the techniques Paul outlines above. Check it out Here

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