Three carp weigh slings worth buying at each budget, from a simple weigh-only sling to a full-mesh floating retainer, plus what matters when you choose one.
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On a budget, the Korda Basix Weigh Sling is a plain nylon weigh sling with metal bars for about £30. The Trakker Sanctuary Retention Sling V2 adds a fast-drain mesh, four floats and a 5m retaining cord for around £45. For a premium retainer, the Korda Compac Retainer Sling uses a full soft mesh with tempered aluminium bars and buoyant supports.
BudgetBest budget weigh sling
Korda
A traditional weigh sling in durable nylon with powder-coated two-piece metal bars, long and deep enough for any UK carp, at a price that suits newcomers and occasional anglers.
Mid-rangeBest mid-range retainer sling
Trakker
A full fast-drain mesh sling that weighs accurately and doubles as a short-term retainer, with four floats, a double-zipped opening and a mesh pocket for its 5m retaining cord.
PremiumBest premium retainer sling
Korda
Four years in development, with a full soft mesh that removes pinch points, tempered aluminium bars and low-profile buoyant supports with reflective markers.
Every price from £9.99 to £89.99, cheapest first. In stock at Total Fishing Tackle when we last checked.
A weigh sling does two jobs: it carries a carp safely between water and mat, and it supports the fish while it's on the scales. Some also double as a retainer for a short rest before photos. These picks are chosen on construction, fish care features and price, judged on the listings rather than hands-on testing.
| Product | Price | Type | Material | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Korda - Basix Weigh Sling | £29.99 | Weigh sling only | Nylon | – | Powder-coated two-piece metal bars |
| Trakker - Sanctuary T1 Retention Sling | £29.99 | Retention sling | Full soft mesh, polyester | 120 x 22 x 50cm | Slim floats; cord, bankstick attachment and clip included |
| Avid - Revolve Weigh Sling | £31.99 | Weigh sling | Fast-drying fabric | 108 x 57.5cm | 650g, anti-snag zips, central metal eyelets |
| Trakker - Sanctuary Retention Sling V2 Standard | £44.99 | Retention sling | Fast-drain mesh | – | Four floats, 5m retaining cord |
| Nash - Carp Care Weigh Sling Camo | £49.99 | Weigh sling | Soft PVC | 116 x 65cm | 945g, aluminium bar, enlarged drainage holes |
| Korda - Compac Retainer Sling | £69.99 | Retainer sling | Full soft mesh | – | Tempered aluminium bars, buoyant arms |
| Trakker - Sanctuary Welded Sling-Standard | £89.99 | Weigh and retention sling | Welded PVC, rubberised mesh panels | – | TPU webbing straps that resist water absorption |
A plain weigh sling is for weighing and carrying only. A retainer sling has floats, a zipped opening and a cord so you can rest a fish in the margins for a few minutes while you set up the camera. Never retain a carp in a sling that isn't designed for it, keep retention as short as possible (manufacturers typically say no more than 30 minutes, and far less in warm weather when oxygen is low), and check your fishery's rules: some ban retaining fish altogether.
Mesh drains quickly, which gives a more accurate weight and lets water flow over the fish when it's retained. PVC and welded slings are tough, wipe clean and protect the slime layer, but hold more water, so always zero the scales with the wet sling first. Plain nylon is cheap and fine for weighing.
Rigid bars along the top keep the sling open and spread the fish's weight so it isn't folded in half. Wider bars make it easier to slide a fish in and out. Strong carry handles at both ends make the walk from mat to water safer.
The sling should take the whole length of the biggest fish you expect, with room to spare. Standard slings cover most UK carp; XL versions are for bigger waters and abroad.
Wet the sling before the fish goes in, keep the fish low over the mat while it's weighed, and get it back quickly. Dry the sling fully at home to avoid spreading disease between waters. For the full routine, see carp care on the bank.
Wet the sling, zero the scales with the wet sling hanging on them, then put the fish in and lift it only just off the mat. Keep low, read the weight quickly and get the fish back on the mat or into the water.
Only if it's designed as a retainer, with floats, a secure zip and a cord. A plain weigh sling isn't safe for retaining fish. Some fisheries don't allow retaining at all, so check first.
As short a time as possible. Manufacturers typically quote 30 minutes as a maximum, and less in warm weather when there's little oxygen in the water. If you need longer, a carp sack is the safer option, where allowed.
Yes, and always with the sling already wet. A wet sling can weigh noticeably more than a dry one, which will throw your weight out if you don't zero it.
Only if you fish for very big carp, in the UK or abroad. A standard sling suits most UK fish; the sling just needs to hold the whole fish without it being bent.