How to easily un-snag a carp

“It’s quite a difficult one to answer this, as every situation is unique and different actions could either lose you the fish or even cause a breakage to the rod or line. However, what I have found to work in most cases is to keep the pressure on and try gently pulling from different angles. Try walking up the bank in either direction if you have room – you never know, a slightly different angle maybe the key. You have to remember that the fish is probably trying to get rid of the hook if it hasn’t already done so.

“If this doesn’t work, I put the rod back in the rest, loosen off the clutch, put the kettle on and wait to see if the fish comes out of its own accord. I would never ever advocate pointing the rod directly at the snagged fish and pulling for all your worth. This is not only very dangerous for the fish but for you or on-lookers too, and could result it in the lead coming back towards you at incredible speed.

“If this still fails and a boat isn’t available to get the tackle back, or indeed land the fish, I wrap the line around my arm a few times, making sure that I have a hoodie on to stop the line cutting into me. I then slowly pull back, keeping my arm as close to the water’s edge as possible to avoid the possibility of the lead returning to where I’m standing. Using this method, I have found I usually get everything back apart from the rig and sometimes I’ve even felt the fish kick at that moment when you expect the line to part and I’ve been able to pick the rod back up and play the fish safely into the net.”