Since I bought my first unhooking mat from years ago,an aqua handmade version I used this for many ,many years without any issue..I always tried to look after the carp as best as I could..
I guess,I'm trying to say,has the flat mat run the course of time,because I like for example the ESP flatmat,as it would go on the porter ,laying flat,less to carry etc,bedchair on top..
I use a cradle,like so many,but it's big,bulky on occasions, plus as everyone should know fish care also comes down to the experience of the angler...
Have flat mats had their time,what do people think,remember I like flat mats..so not digging at them..!
Edit,I just remembered where this mat I had came from,it was Pickerings of Burslem..as we had no shops down here,at the time..
I guess,I'm trying to say,has the flat mat run the course of time,because I like for example the ESP flatmat,as it would go on the porter ,laying flat,less to carry etc,bedchair on top..
I use a cradle,like so many,but it's big,bulky on occasions, plus as everyone should know fish care also comes down to the experience of the angler...
Have flat mats had their time,what do people think,remember I like flat mats..so not digging at them..!
Edit,I just remembered where this mat I had came from,it was Pickerings of Burslem..as we had no shops down here,at the time..
In reply to Post #1
Personally having seen that video of a fish losing it's tail on a cradle type mat, albeit a freak accident, I have gone back to a flat mat, in my case the TA one, so in answer to your question, no
Personally having seen that video of a fish losing it's tail on a cradle type mat, albeit a freak accident, I have gone back to a flat mat, in my case the TA one, so in answer to your question, no
In reply to Post #1
ive got the aqua deluxe matt its bang on got a zipped flap,and plenty of padding,having owned framed cradles and hi sided matts .its like everthing else be organised when weighing your capture.having been carp fishing for 40 years
there a big improvement on the long grass.lol
ive got the aqua deluxe matt its bang on got a zipped flap,and plenty of padding,having owned framed cradles and hi sided matts .its like everthing else be organised when weighing your capture.having been carp fishing for 40 years
there a big improvement on the long grass.lol
I use a trakker combi mat. Ive never used a mat with sides or a cradle, i just don't like the idea of them.
Ive never had a single incident, or even close to make me think the flat mat wasn't as safe as it could be.
I think having a flap that can cover the fishif it starts to get lairy is more important than sides. IMO obviously.
I could however see that for a complete novice, a cradle type mat maybe safer in certain situations.
Ive never had a single incident, or even close to make me think the flat mat wasn't as safe as it could be.
I think having a flap that can cover the fishif it starts to get lairy is more important than sides. IMO obviously.
I could however see that for a complete novice, a cradle type mat maybe safer in certain situations.
In reply to Post #4
Agree with all the comments, yes when I think back ,some people never even used a mat,it was a new thing years ago..
Certainly, the amount of fishing and venues I've fished,yep can't think of a single problem using a flat mat,I never leave a fish unattended, it comes down to experience as already said, even a cradle like the NGT one I currently use,does not garentee anything in a unexperienced person's hands..
Agree with all the comments, yes when I think back ,some people never even used a mat,it was a new thing years ago..
Certainly, the amount of fishing and venues I've fished,yep can't think of a single problem using a flat mat,I never leave a fish unattended, it comes down to experience as already said, even a cradle like the NGT one I currently use,does not garentee anything in a unexperienced person's hands..
I have only ever bought flat mats, a couple of foam folding were the 1st iirc, then a Nash beanie for near 20 years and now I have the Thinking Anglers foam/beanie. I have used the big Fox Carpmaster high sided mat abroad, and I liked it for big fish, I have never used a cradle.
Personally, I find flat mats easier to remove the net/arms from under the fish, I find high sided mats make that awkward, for me. If I can I will try and avoid sliding the fish on the netting especially if they're not often caught, or in the case of Pike because their mucous stinks
Edit, and another reason I like flat mats, quite often abroad I've had to put 2 mats together to fit fish on, long Commons and any decent grassy.
Personally, I find flat mats easier to remove the net/arms from under the fish, I find high sided mats make that awkward, for me. If I can I will try and avoid sliding the fish on the netting especially if they're not often caught, or in the case of Pike because their mucous stinks
Edit, and another reason I like flat mats, quite often abroad I've had to put 2 mats together to fit fish on, long Commons and any decent grassy.
I have loads of mats flat, inflatable, cradle etc
I can't find anything I am 100% happy with
When I finally get out again I'm hoping the esp solves all my problems
I can't find anything I am 100% happy with
When I finally get out again I'm hoping the esp solves all my problems
In reply to Post #7
Is that the ESP quick draw mat ,or the ESP flat mat you like Framey?
Is that the ESP quick draw mat ,or the ESP flat mat you like Framey?
In reply to Post #1
I have the chub xtra protection duo mat
The base is recessed so holds a bit of water and stops
the fish sliding off
I have the chub xtra protection duo mat
The base is recessed so holds a bit of water and stops
the fish sliding off
In reply to Post #9
I have one of those as well, very good mat actually
I have one of those as well, very good mat actually
In reply to Post #1
i prefer a flat mat, one of my local clubs brought in a rule whereby you had to use a cradle or a mat with sides but i don't think they offer anything special, if a fish flips out of your hands it can easily land on the metalwork of the cradle or right on the side of a zipped up mat with sides. Sided mats and cradles might stop a fish sliding off your mat on uneven ground but they are far from perfect and personally i'm more comfortable with everything flat on the deck
i prefer a flat mat, one of my local clubs brought in a rule whereby you had to use a cradle or a mat with sides but i don't think they offer anything special, if a fish flips out of your hands it can easily land on the metalwork of the cradle or right on the side of a zipped up mat with sides. Sided mats and cradles might stop a fish sliding off your mat on uneven ground but they are far from perfect and personally i'm more comfortable with everything flat on the deck
Flat mats and common sense are so last century. I've heard that Nash has a new mat in the pipeline - this is the prototype. The one for sale will be camo
In reply to Post #12
>>>> I've heard that Nash has a new mat in the pipeline - this is the prototype. The one for sale will be camo<<<<<
I hope not, I have ordered 1000 of those from China in Cammo. I was going to sell them and use them upside down as inflatable Bivvies!!!!
>>>> I've heard that Nash has a new mat in the pipeline - this is the prototype. The one for sale will be camo<<<<<
I hope not, I have ordered 1000 of those from China in Cammo. I was going to sell them and use them upside down as inflatable Bivvies!!!!
In reply to Post #8
The quick draw
The quick draw
In reply to Post #12
I like it,two please..lol..
I like it,two please..lol..