Due to a change of rules where I fish I will need a mat with walls, I like the look of the Cotswold Aquarius graviers mat but can't find any pictures of it packed/folded up if it even does. Anyone recommend some more walled mats. Thanks
In reply to Post #1
As per my answer on 'knees' thread
The unhooking mat I use is the big Rod Hutchinson Monster Unhooking Mat. It has a dual purpose, making a good barrow carryall as well as mat. There is a fold down knee mat on the side.
As per my answer on 'knees' thread
The unhooking mat I use is the big Rod Hutchinson Monster Unhooking Mat. It has a dual purpose, making a good barrow carryall as well as mat. There is a fold down knee mat on the side.
In reply to Post #1
Les graviers is a brilliant mat but it does not fold down at all. When I had one I put it on the barrow on top of bedchair and put everything else in it !
Les graviers is a brilliant mat but it does not fold down at all. When I had one I put it on the barrow on top of bedchair and put everything else in it !
In reply to Post #3
Exactly the same. Everything goes in it.
It's actually made life so much easier in terms of transporting gear; one big heave ho and it's into the boot of the car, or onto the barrow, and as a fish care product it's pretty much at the top of the tree imo.
Exactly the same. Everything goes in it.
It's actually made life so much easier in terms of transporting gear; one big heave ho and it's into the boot of the car, or onto the barrow, and as a fish care product it's pretty much at the top of the tree imo.
As an option in case you want one that packs down a little, the fox looks similar but has heavy duty velcro at the ends and rolls up. They are very good, big and heavy but may be an worth a look, AD pics show it rolled
https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/fox-carpmaster-deluxe-unhooking-mat
https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/fox-carpmaster-deluxe-unhooking-mat
In reply to Post #5
Yes I would prefer one that packs down, I like the look of that fox one and trakker do a similar one as well
Yes I would prefer one that packs down, I like the look of that fox one and trakker do a similar one as well
In reply to Post #6
I have a trakker one it is huge bigger than my bivvy x 2 in diameter when packed down that is vs a nash hide xl
I have a trakker one it is huge bigger than my bivvy x 2 in diameter when packed down that is vs a nash hide xl
In reply to Post #7
Would you say it's a good mat though?
Would you say it's a good mat though?
In reply to Post #1
I have the wychwood tactical and as above, everything goes in it. Two buckets of bait, coolbag with cooking gear, waterbottle, bivvy table, then the wychwood "bits and bobs" bag which holds my buzz bars and terminal tackle slots in it when i'm loading the van. So much easier to contain everything in one place which then gets chucked on the barrow on top of the bedchair. No faffing around trying to find a place for the water bottle without it falling off mid transit.
I have the wychwood tactical and as above, everything goes in it. Two buckets of bait, coolbag with cooking gear, waterbottle, bivvy table, then the wychwood "bits and bobs" bag which holds my buzz bars and terminal tackle slots in it when i'm loading the van. So much easier to contain everything in one place which then gets chucked on the barrow on top of the bedchair. No faffing around trying to find a place for the water bottle without it falling off mid transit.
In reply to Post #1
I have the Corus one. Superb bit of kit. Good video on YouTube.
I have the Corus one. Superb bit of kit. Good video on YouTube.
In reply to Post #8
Yes the best protection out there IMO
Yes the best protection out there IMO
In reply to Post #1
I'd look at the ESP Matt
I'd look at the ESP Matt
In reply to Post #1
I have a Fox one which is superb for protecting large fish however, it does not fold down well and takes up a lot of space in the van.
I have a Fox one which is superb for protecting large fish however, it does not fold down well and takes up a lot of space in the van.
In reply to Post #13
For foreign trips I now use the Trakker oval crib.
For foreign trips I now use the Trakker oval crib.
My lake requires walled mats but I have an issue with them.
Excellent for fish protection but I can't fit my retainer in it, so I have to lift the fish up higher than the sides to then lower into the retainer.
Not the best idea for fish safety.
Excellent for fish protection but I can't fit my retainer in it, so I have to lift the fish up higher than the sides to then lower into the retainer.
Not the best idea for fish safety.
In reply to Post #1
I am in the market for a new unhooking mat and looked at the CA Les Graviers mat, but also was a bit worried about the size and pack down size. Have you looked at these as another option?
http://www.cotswoldaquarius.co.uk/product/flat-pack-cradle-mat-rigid-mk2/
I am in the market for a new unhooking mat and looked at the CA Les Graviers mat, but also was a bit worried about the size and pack down size. Have you looked at these as another option?
http://www.cotswoldaquarius.co.uk/product/flat-pack-cradle-mat-rigid-mk2/
PROLOGIC
Think they may have the pricing the wrong way around but similar to most mats that have been mentioned in this thread with a bit cheaper price tag, the only thing I can see missing is a kneeling pad stitched on the side.
Think they may have the pricing the wrong way around but similar to most mats that have been mentioned in this thread with a bit cheaper price tag, the only thing I can see missing is a kneeling pad stitched on the side.
I went for the trakker oval crib in the end, it is a bit on the large size when it's packed in the bag
Chub Xtra Protection cradle.
In reply to Post #18
I originally bought the oval crib by trakker but took it back in the end and got the sanctuary cradle. At the end of the day they're all bloody big. I Don regret getting the cradle as its a cracking bit of kit. Is it better than the crib? Not really, both are great to be honest.
I originally bought the oval crib by trakker but took it back in the end and got the sanctuary cradle. At the end of the day they're all bloody big. I Don regret getting the cradle as its a cracking bit of kit. Is it better than the crib? Not really, both are great to be honest.
In reply to Post #20
I have a aqua one that's massive got it from John Ross tackle for half price I can use it to sit on if I'm blanking
I have a aqua one that's massive got it from John Ross tackle for half price I can use it to sit on if I'm blanking
I can recommend one not to get, if that helps narrow your search down. I've got the ESP quickdraw unhooking mat and the sides are pretty useless when you pull the draw string. It's a shame really as it's great quality materials used, well padded, rolls up nice and clips together well. Just lacks that real world practicality versus the marketing photo that shows the sides looking ridged at 90 degrees. Couldn't be any further from that image when using it.
I had the Saber cradle before that and swapped it for the ESP due to it being light weight and easier to transport. Saber cradle was really good value for money at just over £50. Wish I had stuck with it now. If that helps at all.
I had the Saber cradle before that and swapped it for the ESP due to it being light weight and easier to transport. Saber cradle was really good value for money at just over £50. Wish I had stuck with it now. If that helps at all.
In reply to Post #19
Chub extra protection cradle is awesome. packs down nice and flat, loads of protection and very well made. highly recommend if you can get one.
Chub extra protection cradle is awesome. packs down nice and flat, loads of protection and very well made. highly recommend if you can get one.
In reply to Post #23
My mate has one and really rates it dont think they are available anymore?
My mate has one and really rates it dont think they are available anymore?
In reply to Post #24
I have one but don't use it anymore,I like my flat mat too much
I have one but don't use it anymore,I like my flat mat too much
In reply to Post #25
Its not the xl by any chance?
Its not the xl by any chance?
In reply to Post #26
No its not
No its not
In reply to Post #27
No probs, a while back i did have a look for an xl to leave with my french gear but couldn't find one
No probs, a while back i did have a look for an xl to leave with my french gear but couldn't find one
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