Korda Carp Care Kit

Contents & Coverage

There are two treatments in the pouch, and each has its own job. Ulcer Swab is an antiseptic for cleaning and disinfecting open wounds and ulcers, whether they're in the mouth or on the body, and it's made to help stop bacteria or fungus getting into the damaged area.

That's step one once the hook is out.

Propolis is step two. It's a naturally derived bee product with antibiotic and antimicrobial properties, and it's for hook holds, sores, lifted scales and damaged fins.

Once Ulcer Swab has done its work, Propolis goes over the top to seal the cleaned area, and it's that pairing of a cleaner and a sealant that earns the 9.0 for coverage.

To be fair, the Catfish Pro Fish Care Kit adds hand sanitiser and applicator swabs for the angler as well. For treating the fish itself, though, I think two dedicated 30ml bottles cover pretty much everything you're likely to meet on a carp.

Ease of Use

So, how does it work on the bank? With the fish lying on a wet unhooking mat, you clean the hook hold or damaged area with Ulcer Swab first, then apply Propolis to seal it, and the fish goes straight back into the water.

It's a simple routine to remember, and the order never changes.

Both treatments come in small 30ml bottles that sit comfortably in one hand, which leaves the other free to steady the fish.

Keep the mat and the fish wet throughout, and have the pouch unzipped before the fish is lifted out of the net, and the whole job should take only a moment.

What stops it scoring higher is that it's two steps rather than one, so there's a little more to do than with a single bottle.

A one-liquid treatment like the Korda Propolis Carp Care All In One is quicker again, but I think most anglers will have the routine sorted after a capture or two.

Portability

The zipped pouch keeps both bottles together, so you're not hunting for one of them at the bottom of a rucksack while there's a fish on the mat. It's small and light, and it should drop into a rucksack pocket or the side of a carryall without taking up much room at all.

It's a black mesh pouch with a green zip, a pull tab and a Carp Care patch on the front, which makes it easy to spot in a hurry.

Two 30ml bottles are about as compact as a two-treatment kit gets, and the pouch is small enough to leave in your bag permanently, so it's always with you.

Is it the most compact option? Not quite, as a single bottle or a pack of swabs takes up even less space. For a kit with two full treatments, though, I think it's very easy to carry.

Is it good value for money?

It's a mid-priced kit, and for that you get two full 30ml treatments and a pouch to keep them in.

The Gardner Intensive Carp Care Pack is another mid-priced kit, with a gel, a spray and applicator swabs, so both are fair buys, and the choice comes down to whether you'd rather have a propolis seal or a gel and spray.

Both treatments are also sold on their own, as the Korda Ulcer Swab and the Korda Propolis Carp Care All In One, so you can top up whichever runs out first rather than buying the whole kit again. That's a sensible way to keep the cost down over a few seasons.

Overall, I'd recommend the Korda Carp Care Kit to carp anglers who want a complete clean-and-seal routine in one pouch, from newcomers building their first kit to regulars who want both treatments kept together and ready on the mat.