There are some items of fishing tackle that you will need to care for the fish to catch. Some fisheries and clubs insist that you are in possession of some of these items before you are allowed to fish.
Disgorger
This item, which is used to safely remove hooks from fish when they have been swallowed and cannot be removed by hand is an essential item. Disgorgers can be purchased for a few pence each, and you should buy several as they can easily be mislaid. The plastic or nylon variety are best as they will not damage fish. Avoid any that are made of metal and have sharp edges or spikes.
Forceps
Metal forceps can be useful for removing hooks that are not easy to remove by hand and are available quite inexpensively. Not essential, but a useful addition to your fishing kit if your budget allows.
Unhooking Mat
This is used to provide a soft cushioned surface on which to unhook fish. Many fisheries where larger fish are expected insist on an unhooking mat, so check the rules to determine whether you need one.
An unhooking mat is not an essential item of tackle if you are not intending to target larger fish, but if you do catch a large fish that cannot be held safely while unhooking, always make sure you unhook it on a soft cushioned surface to avoid damage if the fish ‘jumps’ around. If you do not have an unhooking mat, leaving the fish in the landing net and placing it on top of a folded jacket while unhooking will protect the fish from being damaged by a hard bank.
Antiseptic
Many fisheries where large expensive carp are the quarry will insist that you use an antiseptic after unhooking fish. Check the rules to see if this is required where you intend to fish.