NGT Fish Aid Antibacterial 50ml Spray

Contents & Coverage

It's a single antiseptic spray and nothing more. That covers hook wounds and damaged scales after unhooking, along with general wounds and sores, but there's no gel, sealant, swab or separate mouth treatment to go with it.

That's the reason for the 7.0.

Next to the Gardner Intensive Care Carp Spray, a medicated antibacterial and antifungal spray that also covers ulcers, predatory wounds and spawning damage, it's a much more basic product, with one job rather than several, and it's a long way from a phased routine like the Carp Care UK system.

Is that a problem? Not for everyday hook holds, which are what most carp anglers treat most often.

For bigger wounds or ulcers, I'd want something with a sealing step on top, but as a basic antiseptic for routine unhooking, it covers the essentials, and that's all a lot of anglers want from it.

Ease of Use

The one-touch pump spray is the main reason it scores well. Point it at the hook hold or damaged scales, give it a press, and the job's done, with no order to follow, no dropper to aim and no lake water to add.

It's a spray, though, so it needs a bit of care around the head. I'd keep it well clear of the eyes and gills and aim it at the damaged area only, and that need for care is the one thing stopping it scoring higher for ease.

A swab gives more control in tight spots, but on a hook hold or a patch of damaged scales, a quick spray is very hard to beat for speed.

Do it on a wet unhooking mat, keep the fish wet, and get it back in the water quickly. For me, that's exactly what a budget spray should offer, because it's quick, it's simple and there's nothing to get wrong when you've got a fish on the mat and want it returned.

Portability

At 50ml, it's a little bigger than the 30ml bottles most carp care treatments come in, but it's still a pocket-sized spray. It fits easily in a rucksack side pocket, a bait bag or a carryall, and it's light enough that you won't notice it's there.

Why does the bigger bottle help? It means more treatments before it runs out, so you're less likely to find it empty at the start of a session. There's a clear cap over the pump too, which keeps the nozzle covered in a bag.

Because it's so cheap, there's no harm in keeping one in the rucksack and another with the unhooking mat, so it's always to hand.

I think it's a sensible size for a spray you'll reach for after most fish, and at the price it's easy to keep one in every bag you own.

Is it good value for money?

This is where it really scores, and it's the reason for the 9.0. It's one of the cheapest carp care treatments you can buy, and you get 50ml rather than 30ml, so the cost per treatment is very low.

The trade-off is the basic contents. You're paying for a simple antiseptic spray, not a system, and if you want a gel, a sealant or a phased routine, you'll need to spend more on something like the Gardner Intensive Carp Care Pack or the Carp Care UK phases.

For many anglers that's a fair trade, as a simple spray covers most of what happens on a normal session.

Overall, I'd recommend NGT Fish Aid to newer carp anglers, anyone on a tight budget and anyone who wants a cheap spare spray for a second bag. It covers the basics of hook-hold care after unhooking for very little money.