Gents,

Need an unhooking mat whereby the fish actually sink into it which minimises the risk of them sliding off or bouncing themselves out/off the mat.

I've had cradles, i've had beanies, i've had the pointless easy mats, i've had standard flat mats, but the closest i've seen to what I'd like is the old Aqua Bean Bag type mat, but they are like the rocking horses proverbial.

Thanks

In reply to Post #1
Have a look at the Thinking Anglers jobby mate.

In reply to Post #2
That's definitely the best mat I have owned without sides

In reply to Post #1
Nash inflatable cradle? The fish does sink into it as there is nothing underneath the part you lay the fish on and it has sidewalls and a velcro cover/flap.

In reply to Post #1
"Scotweiler" has 2 Aqua mega mats for sale in classifieds.

In reply to Post #3
Completely agree. Will not think twice about getting another thinking anglers mat when the time comes.

Nash Hi protect Beanie Mat is very good

In reply to Post #2
I will take a look at that one as well, need a new mat, mines like 20odd years old and falling apart

Johnson Ross have a couple of decent aqua mats on their site

Got to be thinking anglers.

In reply to Post #1
Cotswold mk2, had thinking anglers which is slightly smaller version and still think cotswold is the better.

In reply to Post #2
I second that for the TA mat.

In reply to Post #8
I find myself in the same boat, mines the original Nash beanie from around 2000 iirc. I've ummed and ahhed over this for ages but last week finally ordered the TA mat due to cost difference of my ideal mat which is the Cotswold Aquarius Monster Poly and being able to customise it.. I did have a look at the Nash beanie too as it was for sale on Ebay for £50 (may still be).

I asked the same Q as you last year on here, or was it the year before, and the majority said the TA mat, I hope I'll like it when it arrives !

Army andy made me one about 8 years ago... His standard foam one plus I asked for layer of poly balls to go on top of the foam... Superb mat and still going strong... Fish just sink into it 😊

Have a look at cotswold mk2 👌

In reply to Post #15
I want one that folds down really small but you can inflate big, is the Nash one
big when packed away?

I agree with other posters.
I've been using the Cotswold Mk2 for a few years.
It does the job great. Bulky but never had any issues with it.

Has anyone ever proofed their unhooking mat so it doesnt soak up water and dries quicker???
What sort of stuff could we use, fabsil or what else?

In reply to Post #1
Many Many Thanks Gents. Will have a look around.

I may also make my own as a little side project. There's some handy sized offcuts of memory foam on Amazon. Few polyballs on top, bit of Oxford Nylon, 40 quid job done

In reply to Post #18
No, but have often thought about it. I would go for fabsil (and probably will get round it it at some point!).

i think it makes an awful lot of sense.

In reply to Post #18
Yes, last time I used a Fabsil equiv from a local camping shop as we were re proofing our camping tent, it worked but over time the stitching holes open up, to be expected. I'd expect any seam seal to fail to over time with UV.
To throw a 'spanner in the works', back when I bought my Nash beanie the thought did occur to me......
why dont I just buy a silicone sheet to throw over it? Totally waterproof, fish freindly, no more wet whatever's under the sheet.....still thinking about that.

In reply to Post #1
You want the original aqua mega mat...........

In reply to Post #22
Will PM you

In reply to Post #13
Well, maybe it won't be the thinking anglers mat, ordered 25 days ago, 2 weeks overdue last delivery date and I've ordered things inbetween and it's all arrived by now so I can't see it being a covid delay now....not good!

In reply to Post #4