There are plenty of weigh slings, so the choice can easily become overwhelming. As per our research, many anglers found the Avid Carp Recovery to be the best carp weigh sling, but it’s quite a tough competition out there.
So, we studied the market’s best weigh slings to bring together this well-composed cheat sheet. Now, let’s jump straight in.
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Best OverallAvid Carp Recovery |
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 | Runner UpTrakker Sanctuary |
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 | Best for Specimen FishSporting Wholesale NGT XPR |
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 | Best Value for MoneyDeluxe Fishing |
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 | Carp Care PickFox STR Floatation |
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 | Best for Accurate WeighingWychwood Floating |
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 | Beginners’ PickJRC – Defender |
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The Top 7 Best Carp Weigh Slings in 2024
Here are the market’s seven best carp weigh slings and everything you need to know about them.
1. Avid Carp Recovery
Best Overall
Rating: 5
Features:
- Lightweight, durable mesh construction
- Ultra-buoyant, full-length foam floats and 100% heat-sealed waterproof bag
- Magnets, double zip closure, and high visibility retaining chord
- Reinforced carry handles with built-in stainless steel rings
The Avid Carp Recovery Sling has multiple features to provide optimized carp care. For starters, the sling is made from fish-friendly soft mesh construction that allows for easy water passage and exchange. This way, your carp will safely recover in a stress-free environment.
Moreover, the sling has a double zip closure and is tapered towards the bottom, ensuring that your fish stays in a supported upright position. It also provides a pocketed yellow fluorescent retaining cord with brass thread and sight ball to safely retain and secure the fish.
Additionally, it features four removable, ultra-buoyant floats that can transform the recovery sling into a weigh sling only. The reinforced carry handles come with built-in stainless steel rings to further enhance weighing. As far as the sizes go, the standard is 115 x 60 cm and the XL 140 x 85 cm. Both sizes will come with a 100% heat-sealed waterproof bag that prevents water leakage during transportation.
Pros
- Floatation feature
- Strong, efficient handles
- Fish safety features
- Two size options
Cons
- Can be costly
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for the best floatation weigh sling, the Avid Carp Recovery is your go-to option. It has all the features you need to retain and weigh your fish while maintaining efficiency and carp safety.
2 . Trakker Sanctuary
Runner Up
Rating: 4.8
Features:
- Poly mesh construction, double zip opening, and a square base
- Four ultra-buoyant sling floats
- Meshed pocket with a 5-meter retaining cord
- Reinforced carry handles and dual weighing straps with fixed weighing loops
The Trakker Sanctuary Retention Sling is one of the best weigh slings you can get your hands on. To begin with, it’s available in three different sizes to accommodate all carps out there.
The sling features a square base, dual zip opening for more carp security and effortless fish release. The mesh also facilitates water drainage, passage, and exchange, providing safe carp recovery and more accurate weighing results.
Due to the four ultra-buoyant floats, the sling can maintain decent floatation. And the double-reinforced carry handles on either side of the bag provide safe lifting. Moreover, the dual weighing straps with fixed loops assist in the weighing process. The sling also comes in a waterproof nylon sleeve with a 5-meter pocketed retaining chord.
Pros
- Three available sizes
- Optimized fish release
- Floatation feature
- Stink bag included
- Strong, efficient handles
Cons
- Can be costly
Final Verdict
The second best option you have is the Trakker Sanctuary. With its fish-friendly material, the sling allows you to retain and weigh your fish with optimal speed and functionality.
3. Sporting Wholesale NGT XPR
Best for Specimen Fish
Rating: 4.8
Features:
- Full-length net float guarantees unconditional floating
- Fish security mechanisms
- Four carry handles, a free carry case, and illuminated strips for night vision
The NGT XPR is a fish-friendly, mesh/PVC floatation sling and retaining system of a relatively large size. At 125 x 35 x 50 cm, the bag has a full-length net float that guarantees the system to stay afloat in the most challenging conditions. Moreover, the system comes with a 2-meter rope and a bank stick adaptor that efficiently secures your system to the bank. Because of this, it’s ideal for specimen fish.
To hold your system open, you can utilize the two removable bars that come with your NGT XPR. Additionally, you can secure your carp in place using the system’s double zip and locking clip mechanism. And there are illuminated strips to enhance night vision.
The fine mesh that runs along the bottom serves as a water drainage facilitator. The system also comes with four carry handles and a carry case, supporting the sling and allowing for more functional handling.
Pros
- Floatation feature
- Bank security system
- Carp security mechanism
Cons
- Can be hard to manage
Final Verdict
If you’re a professional angler who’s out to catch specimen carp, the NGT XPR is a good weigh sling for you. It comes pretty large and has many unique features that support big specimen fish.
4. Deluxe Fishing
Best Value for Money
Rating: 4.5
Features:
- Super soft mesh material
- Drawstring loops
- Stink bag carry case
This super-soft mesh drawstring sling is light, compact, convenient, and provides an awesome performance for its cost. In addition, the soft mesh construction offers the highest level of protection to the fish while providing sufficient support.
Unlike most retention sling systems, this one isn’t a bag. Instead, this deluxe system is a drawstring mesh hammock that can be rolled up or folded like fabric. The system also comes with a stink bag carry case to hold your 110 x 50 cm mesh hammock. The hammock is a bargain in the carp retention sling market for what it offers.
Pros
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Functional
- Easy to use
- Good value for money
Cons
- No floatation feature
Final Verdict
Deluxe Fishing is great if you don’t want to spend a lot of money but still need something that sufficiently protects your fish.
5. Fox STR Floatation
Carp Care Pick
Rating: 4.9
Features:
- Lightweight and fish-friendly soft nylon and mesh retention section
- Top mesh panel to view the carp
- Full-length floats and reinforced stitching on all pressure points
- Time-saving weighing features
The Fox STR (Short Term Retention) Flotation Weigh Sling measures 124 x 39 x 75 cm and is sculpted to centrally accommodate and support the carp during weighing. The system is zipped on three sides, which allows it to lay flat on your unhooking mat in preparation for the fish.
Also, the less time it takes to weigh the fish, the better fish care, and that’s exactly what this sling does. The EVA handles to assist in the quick and easy lifting of the fish from the water, and the mesh venting provides fish safety through water drainage, exchange, and passage. Also, zip baffles protect the fish, and full-length dual zips ensure fish security.
Finally, the sling features reinforced stitching on all pressure points to further structure the system.
Pros
- Pro 1
- Pro 2
- Pro 3
- Pro 4
Cons
- Con 1
- Con 2
Final Verdict
If you’re a nature lover, the Fox STR Floatation is for you. This carp sling provides the highest level of protection to the fish during the retention and weighing process.
6. Wychwood Floating
Best for Accurate Weighing
Rating: 4.3
Features:
- Fast drainage mesh construction system and fish-friendly material
- Double-zipped opening for carp security
- Ultra buoyant reflective floats
- Reinforced carry handles and weighing straps
This dual-purpose weigh sling and floatation retainer is supplied with a fast drainage mesh system. This provides accurate weighing and optimal water flow through the system. Additionally, the floatation retainer has four reflective floats that render it ultra buoyant, further enhancing floatation.
The system is made with fish-friendly material to cater to the carp. Also, the double-zipped opening will additionally help secure the carp in place. And you’ll find a meshed pocket within your system that holds a 5 m reflective retaining cord.
Moreover, the handles and straps of this system do a great job with both weighing and lifting. For weighing, the system features dual weighing straps with fixed weighing loops. For safe lifting, you’re provided with double-reinforced carry handles on the sling’s sides. As a bonus point, your system comes with an oversized nylon bag to carry everything together.
Pros
- Fish-friendly material
- Floatation feature
- Carp security features
- Stink bag included
Cons
- Can be costly
7. JRC – Defender
Beginners’ Pick
Rating: 3.8
Features:
- Fish-friendly 210D waterproof polyester
- Sturdy carry handles
- Mesh drainage base section
- Reinforced weight bars to secure the fish
This weigh sling might not be the best in the game, but it definitely provides a great option for beginner anglers. The JRC Defender safety sling is designed to provide a simple and sturdy tool for weighing carp.
In addition, it’s made from 210D polyester, a waterproof material that won’t harm the fish during the weighing process. In addition, to ensure fish security, the sling is reinforced with weighing bars that can keep even the liveliest fish in place.
In addition, two sturdy handles around the bag’s perimeter allow you to safely and securely lift the fish without having to worry about them ripping apart. The sling is also 105 cm x 66 cm and has a mesh drainage section at the base of the waterproof bag to facilitate the drying process.
Pros
- Facilitated drying
- Fish security features
Cons
- The stink bag isn’t included
- No floatation feature
Final Verdict
If you’re still new to carping, you may want to give the JRC-Defender a shot. This tool provides a simple and sturdy means to weigh your carp without the more advanced features.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Carp Weigh Sling
There are a few factors to keep in mind when shopping for a new carp sling. The sling material, size, and features are some examples.
Sling Material
The sling material plays a huge role when choosing your sling. Firstly, you want to opt for a fish-friendly material that doesn’t harm your fish. Additionally, you want to find materials that are lightweight and waterproof.
Sling Size
Depending on the type of carp you’re fishing for, the size of the sling you need will differ. So be sure to take that into account before purchasing your sling.
Sling Features
Different strings come with different features. Find what you need and find slings that have it. For example, if you don’t need to retain your carp before weighing, you might not need the floatation feature.
Weigh Sling vs. Retention Sling
If you’re new to the carp fishing profession, it’s important to set these two terms apart. Weigh slings and retention slings are sometimes used interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same thing.
A weigh sling is a structure used to safely carry the carp while you weigh it. A retention sling does exactly that, but with an added buoyancy element. Essentially, retention slings allow an angler to temporarily retain the carp before weighing it. Doing that enables the fish to recover, minimizes carp handling, and eliminates the need to transfer the fish between the sacks and the weighing slings.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a carp weigh sling, the Avid Carp Recovery Sling is the way to go. This sling has everything you should look for in a quality sling; it has the optimum size, material, and features.
There are also many great alternatives on the market like the fish-friendly Trakker Sanctuary weigh sling.
