OMG, it's rules, rules, and more rules...
As a large proportion of my local waters are starting to insist on the use of cradles, my hand is being forced in terms of having to make a new purchase. Heck, one of my local venues is even insistent on the use of a retaining/weigh sling to lift all (typically 8lb-12lb) carp out of the water.
It does seem a tad overkill to me. Been fishing for near enough 30 years and have always ensured I have the correct and safe gear for the job. I've felt the use of a large padded and walled safety mat has been more than adequate for waters where I'm likely to land fish to 40lb.
So here's my dilemma...
With so many cradles on the market, all looking and doing roughly the same, but with size difficult to gauge online, is there a cradle out there you can recommend that wouldn't be out of place, too heavy, too big or too obtrusive for your average commercial water where a typical catch is sub-12lb.
I guess what I'm looking for is a nice, lightweight and small cradle.
Does such a thing exist?
As a large proportion of my local waters are starting to insist on the use of cradles, my hand is being forced in terms of having to make a new purchase. Heck, one of my local venues is even insistent on the use of a retaining/weigh sling to lift all (typically 8lb-12lb) carp out of the water.
It does seem a tad overkill to me. Been fishing for near enough 30 years and have always ensured I have the correct and safe gear for the job. I've felt the use of a large padded and walled safety mat has been more than adequate for waters where I'm likely to land fish to 40lb.
So here's my dilemma...
With so many cradles on the market, all looking and doing roughly the same, but with size difficult to gauge online, is there a cradle out there you can recommend that wouldn't be out of place, too heavy, too big or too obtrusive for your average commercial water where a typical catch is sub-12lb.
I guess what I'm looking for is a nice, lightweight and small cradle.
Does such a thing exist?
In reply to Post #1
I have this:- https://www.forgetackledirect.com/collections/carp-care/products/forge-cradle-sling-compact-combo
Very compact and light. Sent from Eastern Europe. Easily fits carp up to 30lb.
I have this:- https://www.forgetackledirect.com/collections/carp-care/products/forge-cradle-sling-compact-combo
Very compact and light. Sent from Eastern Europe. Easily fits carp up to 30lb.
In reply to Post #1
Every place I've fished with a cradle rule includes walled mats under the cradle banner. You might want to check mate.
Every place I've fished with a cradle rule includes walled mats under the cradle banner. You might want to check mate.
I bought an avid stormshield safeguard cradle purely for my barbel fishing on the banks of the trent where its not very level and thats was the best of all the ones i looked at. I got the smaller version which us easily big enough for carp to mid 30's and has really thick padding over the frame on the top of the cradle. i dont use it for carp though as dont really like cradles as there to bulky. I use a aqua self inflating mat for carping as rolls up really compact.
Sonik Sk-tek cradle
In reply to Post #2
Shame, since Brexit, Forge don't post to UK.
Shame, since Brexit, Forge don't post to UK.
Maybe one of those new ESP cradle mats,they look really good..
When they come out,I should say as well..
When they come out,I should say as well..
Think some of those cradles cause more damage to carp than anything else. Those metal bars and fish flapping and landing on them awkwardly is never good. Can't see what they offer from a normal Matt.
In reply to Post #8
Only happens if you have no idea how to treat a fish, have a Cradle for over 10 years, never had a carp that landed on the metal bars, when a carp flips and I can't keep it , it will always falls over on me forearms
Yes there are a lot of **** cradles, but Sonik Sk tek is one of the better ones, well and thickly padded over the metal bars
Only happens if you have no idea how to treat a fish, have a Cradle for over 10 years, never had a carp that landed on the metal bars, when a carp flips and I can't keep it , it will always falls over on me forearms
Yes there are a lot of **** cradles, but Sonik Sk tek is one of the better ones, well and thickly padded over the metal bars
In reply to Post #9
agreed ... ive used a framed cradle on and off since 2007 .... I just dont see how a fish can damage themself if used with common sense
agreed ... ive used a framed cradle on and off since 2007 .... I just dont see how a fish can damage themself if used with common sense
In reply to Post #1
I can sympathise with this - I use an Aqua Combi Mat for most of my carp fishing. Has excellent padding, is big enough to take anything swimming in UK waters ], well made and has a retaining flap - so fish can't get off the mat, no matter how lively they are. Also, it rolls up fairly small. Then... along comes the 'high sided/cradle' rules... the times I have seen carp leap out of a cradle and go crash, bang, wallop down the bank and don't get me started in noddies dropping fish as they lift them out of the cradle... anyway, despite having one of the best unhooking mats money can buy, I was forced to get a fecking cradle mat.
As they were on offer, I got myself a Trakker Sanctuary Oval, but bought unseen due to lockdown last April... when it turned up, I honestly thought it was April 1st. The size of it! After reading reviews that described it as portable and easy to transport, well, utter crap. I used Godzilla for a season and whilst I will admit that it provided great protection, the bloody thing took up a third of the boot space in my car. Also, the bag it comes in doesn't seal properly and you get water seeping out when transporting... then Trakker give us the Insta-Mat (cradle)... it's a revelation after the other cradle (I sold that) and packs down very small, is light and takes seconds to erect. It's not as big as I'd like, but I have had fish to 39 in it, which surprisingly fitted in just fine. If you want a cradle that's easy to transport and use, that's the one to buy. Had mine six months now and it's been great. I'd still rather use my Aqua mat, but rules is rules, even stupid ones...
I can sympathise with this - I use an Aqua Combi Mat for most of my carp fishing. Has excellent padding, is big enough to take anything swimming in UK waters ], well made and has a retaining flap - so fish can't get off the mat, no matter how lively they are. Also, it rolls up fairly small. Then... along comes the 'high sided/cradle' rules... the times I have seen carp leap out of a cradle and go crash, bang, wallop down the bank and don't get me started in noddies dropping fish as they lift them out of the cradle... anyway, despite having one of the best unhooking mats money can buy, I was forced to get a fecking cradle mat.
As they were on offer, I got myself a Trakker Sanctuary Oval, but bought unseen due to lockdown last April... when it turned up, I honestly thought it was April 1st. The size of it! After reading reviews that described it as portable and easy to transport, well, utter crap. I used Godzilla for a season and whilst I will admit that it provided great protection, the bloody thing took up a third of the boot space in my car. Also, the bag it comes in doesn't seal properly and you get water seeping out when transporting... then Trakker give us the Insta-Mat (cradle)... it's a revelation after the other cradle (I sold that) and packs down very small, is light and takes seconds to erect. It's not as big as I'd like, but I have had fish to 39 in it, which surprisingly fitted in just fine. If you want a cradle that's easy to transport and use, that's the one to buy. Had mine six months now and it's been great. I'd still rather use my Aqua mat, but rules is rules, even stupid ones...
In reply to Post #1
Strange isn't it how different venues have different idea's for carp safety. Cradles are banned on my syndicate, only soft walled mats.
Strange isn't it how different venues have different idea's for carp safety. Cradles are banned on my syndicate, only soft walled mats.
In reply to Post #12
If I ran a fishery they would be banned as well. Seen far more problems with them than with a walled mat.
If I ran a fishery they would be banned as well. Seen far more problems with them than with a walled mat.
In reply to Post #1
I bought a Nash cradle a year ago .... I've never used it or even taken it with me cos when dismantled and in its bag ... it is as big as my packed up bivvy ... there is only so much I want to carry.
I bought a Nash cradle a year ago .... I've never used it or even taken it with me cos when dismantled and in its bag ... it is as big as my packed up bivvy ... there is only so much I want to carry.
I used to own the nash deluxe cradle and the trakker sanctuary one, when set up the trakker one was much better but MASSIVE when packed down, the nash one was good but not in the same league tbh. Either way ive since got rid and got the trakker Insta mat it's so much better and I love it I won't be changing anytime soon.
As for lifting fish out the water in a sling or broken down net I completely agree with it.
As for lifting fish out the water in a sling or broken down net I completely agree with it.