All experienced fishermen know that a good weigh sling is essential for when carp fishing. Not only is the right sling easy to use and durable, but it will be designed for the safety of the carp.
A good weigh sling will be light to carry, and compact when packed away, yet will be able to hold the carp easily while you register its weight. For sport fishing this is among the most important items in the anglers’ armoury, so choosing well is important. Carp care should always be at the forefront.
There are many different slings around, from a wealth of different makers, but overall you want strength, lightness and ease of use as your main criteria when choosing the best sling.
Of course, if you’re reading this then you already know that, so let’s get on with it! Here are our reviews of the best carp weight slings available for purchase right now.
![KingCarp - Fishing Weigh Sling Made From Soft Green Mesh Material - Dimensions 85cm x 48cm with Mesh Stink Carry Bag [27-00048]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41BSt4TIDyL.jpg)
Contents
Top Carp Weigh Slings
1: Ultimate Angling Weigh Sling
Our first best retention sling is from Ultimate Angling, a brand with a wide variety of angling accessories and equipment and a reputation for quality products at sensible prices. This sling is made from very fine and light mesh (great for water drainage), so the user will have no trouble zeroing the scales before after taking the carp out of the landing net. This is an important factor when carp fishing for sport. It’s well made and strong – despite its very lightweight – and is a nice item all-round.
This sling comes with a zip carry bag for added convenience and is made by a UK manufacturer. It is designed for safety with a drawstring closure so the carp cannot fall while being weighed. In use it measures 110x50cm, so is a good size, and the fine mesh is also designed to help speed up drying time. It’s simple to use, and at the price may well be hard to beat.
Key Features – fine mesh, very light, strong drawstring, uncomplicated, cheap
2: Madfish Combi Mat and Sling
Next on our best weigh slings list is this very nice package combines an easy to use and quality retention sling, with a mat that is an added and very handy bonus. The mat is 100x70cm, and folds up into a carry-bag type format when not in use, while the sling is 90x50cm so is more than adequate. Both slip into a nice carry package when not in use, which is surprisingly compact and very light indeed.
The unhooking mat is very usable for laying fish out carefully and without damage, essential when unhooking, and the mesh weigh sling is made from fine material that is also very strong. The package comes with a useful external pocket, perfect for forceps and a weigh scale, and is clearly a quality item. With very favourable customer reviews, we can recognise this combination a sling for the shortlist, especially as it is a surprisingly affordable price.
Key Features – fold out mat, large and light mesh sling, pockets, carry package, compact
3: NGT Carp Sling System and Case
Third, on our best weigh slings list is a very nice full retainer sling from a leading brand in the angling accessories world, NGT, and takes the form of a bag that is used for weighing easily and effectively. It also comes with a bag for after-use, designed to be used as stink bag. The fish is safely zipped in for weighing, which is a nice safety feature (good for fish care), and the structure is kept by neatly placed fibreglass rods.
The end caps are reinforced on this design making it very strong and durable, although the overall design does mean it is not as compact as come when stored away out of use. Customer reviews mention it can double as a holdall, and that it is of a notable decent quality. All in all, then, a very nice bag for weighing carp, but not a lightweight mesh version, and at a surprisingly affordable price.
Key Features – bag design, rigid upper, zip closure, large, quality
4: Abode DLX Oxford
There are two main types of retainer slings; the simple mesh variety, which is easy to use and compact, and the bag variety, such as this one and a couple of others on the best list. Which you prefer is down to the individual, but for some the likes of this model will be the preferred choice. This is a high-quality weighing sling or bag with some neat features, including vents in the base for water flow and a nice carry handles.
It is large, and could double as a holdall, and it is made from strong materials with double zip closing. The nylon outer and PVC inner – perfect for wiping clean after use – are a sensible combination of materials, while the fish friendly design means no damage to the animal. It’s a quality item all-round if the full bag is what you want, and it comes at what can only be described as a very favourable price.
Key Features – bag design, three flow vents, fish friendly, wipe clean interior
5: NGT Deluxe Sling and Stink Bag
Another package on our best list from the NGT brand, and a product that is well worth looking at when you see the price, this one takes the form of a bag that is used for weighing easily and effectively. It also comes with a carry bag for after-use, designed to keep the smell of fish at bay! The fish is safely held in with zips in for weighing, which is a nice safety feature, and the structure is kept by neatly placed fibreglass rods.
The end caps are reinforced on this design making it very strong and durable, although the overall design does mean it is not as compact as come when stored away out of use. Customer reviews mention how it is a good size and can double as a holdall, and that it is of notable decent quality. There’s nothing wrong with this bag if you want a cheap and cheerful sling and bag, and it really is very cheap
Key Features – bag design, rigid upper, zip closure, large, very cheap
6: Carptrix Flotation Retainer Weigh Sling and Bag
Our final item on our best list is a very clever one from specialist maker Carptrix, who offer a variety of angling items of a similar quality to this.The fully waterproof outer means that it will float unaided, while the mesh sling allows for fish-friendly weighing, adequate water run-off, and ease of use. This one is designed so you can keep your fish in the water before weighing, and as such is perfect for competition fishing. A zip closure is also a welcome addition, and the detail includes a rigid aluminium tube to keep it in shape. It comes with a bag for carrying and is a sensible price for a quality sling.
The carry handles are strong.
Key Features – floating bag, capacity, zips, fish friendly, rigid when in use
That’s our selection of the best carp weigh retention slings on the market right now, but which of the above is best for you? That will depend on what you are looking for, so to help you decide here’s a reminder of what you need to look for when choosing the best retention slings.
Features to Consider
Are you just a hobby fisherman, or do you fish for sport? This is a question that may influence your choice when it comes to buying a weigh sling, so check out the following tips:
Sling or Bag – do you want a basic weigh sling, or would one of the bag varieties suit you well? There’s a choice of each to look at here, and there are benefits and drawbacks to either.
Size – A few of these are smaller than others, and some are surprisingly spacious, so you need to consider whether a sling that is compact to carry around is more or less important than a sling that offers a lot of space.
Accessories – some come with a mat, others with a carry bag, others just as the basic sling; it’s up to you what you want, but make sure you know what you are buying.
That’s our brief list, so let’s try and give you a decision!
Our Choice
This is difficult, as the choice will depend upon the type of fishing you indulge in. If you want a basic, simple sling – and nothing else – the first one on the list may be perfect for you, as that is all it is, and it’s well-made and not at all expensive.
If you want a bag and mat combination, the Madfish model at number two on the list is a great buy, and will serve you very well indeed.
If, however, you are looking for the overall best sling and bag for competition use, we can’t get away from the fact that that last one on the list, from Carptrix, is by far the most comprehensive and impressive offering, so that should be your choice.
We have also put together a similar article on carp cradles!
Mike has over 30 years of fishing experience in carp fishing and general coarse fishing. He is always looking for the latest fishing kit to try out and talk about and needs a bigger shed due to all the fishing tackle he owns. You can read more about him here.