Sonik Super Care
Eye-pleasing and super functional to us, and the safest and most fish-friendly to the carp, Sonik have two new additions to its Carp Care collection this month
Carp of the world, bounce (okay, sort of flap) with joy. As part of their 2021 collection, Sonik have a new line-up of carp care products, all designed to be more functional to you and even more softer and delicate to the carp whilst they’re bankside. Here are all the deets…
1. SK-Tek Floating Weigh Sling
Not content with supplying the angling world with some of the best bivvies, bedchairs and Face Mask Snoods (the stylish way to stroll around Tesco), Sonik have now added to their carp care range with this stunning dual-purpose weigh sling/short-term carp retainer.
Thanks to its lightweight design, sculpted shape and webbing support, Sonik’s offering gives the carp maximum support when it comes to weighing. They’ve also stitched the weighing straps to the very far corners of the sling, resulting in better balance when it comes to taking a weigh reading.
Onto the retainer side of things and they’ve equipped this with full-length buoyancy floats and full mesh sides and base for optimum water flow and quick drainage, along with a single span tension bar (situated centrally) for quick launch and removal from water. In a nutshell: water flow and drainage is F1 pitstop fast.
There is a 5m removable retention cord with bankstick attachment, four night-sight reflective patches and a large No.10 zip with zip-lock clip—and that in a nutshell means that any carp housed within simply cannot escape!
Available in two sizes: ‘Standard’—110(L) x 50(H) x 35(D)cm and ‘Large’ —130(L) x 65(H) x 40(D)cm for the real big brutes, and both come supplied with their own carry bags. £44.99 and £54.99
2. SK-Tek Unhooking Cradle
Fabric super-brand, Sonik, a favourite with everyone from the guy who fishes the commercials right through to seasoned chap who’s out there doing it week-in, week-out, 12 months of the year (think: Frank Warwick and Jimmy Hibbard), have now focused their attention to unhooking mats—and the result is something which isn’t just lightweight and compact when in transport, but is up there with one of the most fish-friendly CARPology has ever reviewed.
While some of CARPology’s readership will prefer a more traditional flat-based, unwalled mat (in that case, look no further than their SK-Tek Beanie Mat), the Cradle, thanks to its high-sided stiff outer walls means it’s perfect for those who like the added security that the carp, no matter how much it plays up, can’t go anywhere and ultimately cause itself any damage.
Lining these rigid sides is a fish-friendly, easy-clean, heavy-duty PVC material, and supporting the carp from beneath is an extra thick padded foam base that screams out total protection. A top flap easily Velcros in place should you have a really lively visitor, and unlike other high-walled mats which get bogged down with trapped water, Sonik have ensured this doesn’t happen by including a mesh base and side vents for quick draining and drying.
On top of all these carp/you-friendly features, the other real beaut about this mat is how compact it is when packed away. Pull the Velcro straps apart to turn this 96cm x 52cm x 22cm sized mat (capable of handling carp to 60lb) into something that folds in on itself and into a carry bag for easy transportation (think: 98cm long by 25cm deep. £64.99
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So you’ve uploaded the obligatory ‘One in the slammer’ shot to your iG feed (we’re being sarcastic!) but now you need that money shot and there’s no one within a mile of you. Thankfully today’s cameras all feature some sort of remote or timer facility, and if they don’t, then a bulb release system can be used. You can even get self-photography apps, such as ‘Whistle’, for your smartphone, and in his April vlog, CARPology’s Luke Venus brings you a detailed rundown on how to use said app, along with how to frame the shot and everything else you need to know to nail a self-take.
