Just started on a lake where the rules require mats with sides. Have dug out my old JRC Hi Care which is great for putting stuff in on the barrow but is also a bit of a cumbersome lump!!
What can you recommend from what's around now that is similar but maybe not so bulky?
What can you recommend from what's around now that is similar but maybe not so bulky?
In reply to Post #1
All mats with sides are horrible clunky things!!
At least like you say you can carry bits in them
All mats with sides are horrible clunky things!!
At least like you say you can carry bits in them
In reply to Post #1
Fox easy mat.
Makes a decent mat, dries out nice and doesn't retain any excess water, packs away neatly.
Fox easy mat.
Makes a decent mat, dries out nice and doesn't retain any excess water, packs away neatly.
Nash carp corral packs down flat
In reply to Post #4
I have one of those, bought for the same reason the Chuffy mentions, not too bad, I like the look of the Gardner one too. Got the Nash one because the price was right.
I have one of those, bought for the same reason the Chuffy mentions, not too bad, I like the look of the Gardner one too. Got the Nash one because the price was right.
In reply to Post #5
I got a Nash Carp Corral XL because my club changed the rules and banned cradles. It seems to do exactly what i need. So far no negatives on it. It does pack down bigger than the avid xl cradle though, at least its flat.
I got a Nash Carp Corral XL because my club changed the rules and banned cradles. It seems to do exactly what i need. So far no negatives on it. It does pack down bigger than the avid xl cradle though, at least its flat.
Carper tackle do a nice oval cradle that packs down quite compact
In reply to Post #6
I have the standard sized one for similar reasons, and cheaper, tidy bit of kit, surprisingly heavy. If owts too long one side will be left down lol.
The Gardner Asylum one looks decent too, bit more expensive
I have the standard sized one for similar reasons, and cheaper, tidy bit of kit, surprisingly heavy. If owts too long one side will be left down lol.
The Gardner Asylum one looks decent too, bit more expensive
In reply to Post #1
Advanta do one that's quite compact or the Sonik one
Advanta do one that's quite compact or the Sonik one
In reply to Post #1
The Korum Fast Mat XL is very good and packs away neatly, I think Carper tackle do something similar. Not the type to store stuff in like your old one but compact all the same.
The Korum Fast Mat XL is very good and packs away neatly, I think Carper tackle do something similar. Not the type to store stuff in like your old one but compact all the same.
Thanks chaps some good suggestions there! Knowing me I'll just end up using the JRC I already have as I do like to use it as a barrow skip across the handles and fill it with all the last minute jizz that doesn't fit in anything else. Having said that I do like the look of the Gardner Asylum, the prices though!!! 
This looks like good value for money.
https://www.outlawpro.co.uk/black-friday/103118-107028-shakespeare-skp-pop-up-mat.html#/27-size-large
https://www.outlawpro.co.uk/black-friday/103118-107028-shakespeare-skp-pop-up-mat.html#/27-size-large
In reply to Post #1
Consider inflatable? I've been toying with the idea and now I've got a bigger motor will be able to leave it 'inflated' (inflating and deflating is a faff and one more thing to do but does mean lighter / smaller packdown weight). Personally hate the Graviers style mats - whilst they are great for protection they do eventually wet out (and can take ages to dry) and once this inevitably happens they weigh a ton / smell / material perishes etc
Consider inflatable? I've been toying with the idea and now I've got a bigger motor will be able to leave it 'inflated' (inflating and deflating is a faff and one more thing to do but does mean lighter / smaller packdown weight). Personally hate the Graviers style mats - whilst they are great for protection they do eventually wet out (and can take ages to dry) and once this inevitably happens they weigh a ton / smell / material perishes etc
In reply to Post #1
DPtastic
DPtastic
Esp quickdraw mat I recently got, can use flat or with sides up
In reply to Post #13
I wish they would make a decent inflatable unhooking mat
if Kampa made one I know it would be great it could be folded up small and still be solid when inflated. Also inflating and deflating should only take seconds.
I wish they would make a decent inflatable unhooking mat
if Kampa made one I know it would be great it could be folded up small and still be solid when inflated. Also inflating and deflating should only take seconds.
In reply to Post #1
Just got the wychwood walled unhooking mat after spending hrs and hrs researching. I liked the tactical one but it looked too small, the walled one is a bit bigger. I haven't used it (or even seen it yet as it's for Xmas but that's what I ended up going with) I don't reckon the sides will be quite so solid as something like the fox one, but it folds up and should be solid enough.
Just got the wychwood walled unhooking mat after spending hrs and hrs researching. I liked the tactical one but it looked too small, the walled one is a bit bigger. I haven't used it (or even seen it yet as it's for Xmas but that's what I ended up going with) I don't reckon the sides will be quite so solid as something like the fox one, but it folds up and should be solid enough.
In reply to Post #17
I've had mine for two years now. Sits perfectly within the frames of my barrow on top of the bedchair with the legs up. All bags go within it. Nice and compact, and I don't have to worry about the fish bouncing themselves out of it during unhooking. I'm also using it Piking. Just chuck it over the shoulder and rods/net are held in the other hand. Personally, I prefer flat mats for Pike but it does the job for now.
I've had mine for two years now. Sits perfectly within the frames of my barrow on top of the bedchair with the legs up. All bags go within it. Nice and compact, and I don't have to worry about the fish bouncing themselves out of it during unhooking. I'm also using it Piking. Just chuck it over the shoulder and rods/net are held in the other hand. Personally, I prefer flat mats for Pike but it does the job for now.
Trakker Sanctuary Oval Crib?
In reply to Post #11
Took the plunge and ordered the Asylum from Invicta Angling for £89.99 free carriage, will let you know once revived how it is but looks bang on.
Have used a Solar inflatable that got on here 2nd hand but doesn't inflate fully and rolls up for storage but doesn't unroll to full reshape again.
The Asylum looks great 👍
Took the plunge and ordered the Asylum from Invicta Angling for £89.99 free carriage, will let you know once revived how it is but looks bang on.
Have used a Solar inflatable that got on here 2nd hand but doesn't inflate fully and rolls up for storage but doesn't unroll to full reshape again.
The Asylum looks great 👍
In reply to Post #20
Nearly bought one myself but got a Nash one for a decent price, expensive the Gardner but usually reliable kit
Nearly bought one myself but got a Nash one for a decent price, expensive the Gardner but usually reliable kit
I had the Gardner Asylum mat when it first came out it was nowhere near the price it is now pretty sure I paid less than 60 for it, fair old pack down size on it to be carting about as well, I certainly wouldn't pay the 80/90 notes they're going for now, I didn't like the sides on it were not that stable and seemed pretty flimsy I could see that being a potential fail so I soon got rid of it.
In reply to Post #22
Was that for the XL, sure I saw them cheaper than that.?
I believe this is a newer version, could be wrong?
Was that for the XL, sure I saw them cheaper than that.?
I believe this is a newer version, could be wrong?
In reply to Post #23
You've done well if you can find the XL for less than 80 most places are advertising the new compact for 90/95 the XL 95/99 notes there are some in the google shopping bar shown at around 80 until you click on them then takes you to the page and they're north of 90 notes.
The new one is either the compact or the XL with the new clips instead still the same thin walls.
You've done well if you can find the XL for less than 80 most places are advertising the new compact for 90/95 the XL 95/99 notes there are some in the google shopping bar shown at around 80 until you click on them then takes you to the page and they're north of 90 notes.
The new one is either the compact or the XL with the new clips instead still the same thin walls.
In reply to Post #24
I'm talking about the older ones mate, and a smaller version
I'm talking about the older ones mate, and a smaller version
NGT do a great matt that's similar to the fox easy Matt. I had a fox easy Matt fall apart and picked up the NGT one as I needed it straight away and got to say it's equivalent and maybe better quality than the fox Matt for £40.
The NGT tags trim off easily enough. 👍🤣
The NGT tags trim off easily enough. 👍🤣
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