I use a chub cradle, no idea what it's called but the sides are a stiff type foam material. I have never had any problems as I am ultra careful with fish on the bank. I like it as there in no chance of the fish sliding out when on uneven ground.
I wouldn't use one of these metal cradle type things as I am sure accidents can happen.

In reply to Post #16
Accidents can happen in a framed cradle, a non framed cradle, or a flat mat. The tackle isn't the issue, it's the person using it

I personally think the whole mat/cradle phenomenon is a bit crazy. Some are bigger than a bivvy when packed up, its madness. I have a Nash Elevator framed cradle, a Trakker Combi Flat Mat, JRC Euro Zip mat amongst others and I would be happy using any of these ... Comes down to common sense and never leave fish unnatended. I personally think a framed cradle is possibly the safest when fishing alone ... but they are more tricky to move nets etc out of the way .... I dont buy into the claims that frames can damage. Nothing is fool proof 100% and so its just a matter of reducing risk. All have pros and cons

In reply to Post #10
Chuffy a good price too 👍

In reply to Post #11
You're supposed to hold the fish over the cradle . if used properly cradles are fine. User error can make almost anything potentially dangerous.

I've used both mats and cradles. I have had an Aqua combi-mat for over 18 years and it's still going strong. Good foam padding, retaining flap to help restrain flapping fish etc. I can transport it rolled up in its own bag or opened up flat on a barrow, usually at the bottom.

I also bought a cradle when they first hit the scene. Folded up in it's own bag it's not too bad as it fits upright right at the front of the barrow. I agree that any piece of angling equipment is only as good as the idiot using it. The rigid metal framed cradle therefore is potentially more dangerous in a misuse situation. I use a cheap additional padded mat in the bottom of it( one of the fold up EBay £8 jobbies) for a bit of extra padding in the bottom so I guess that says I must have some reservations about it.

My syndicate now provides mats, nets slings etc which must be used same as a lot of French venues so both mat and cradle have had little use over the last few years. If I was to get rid of one ....... It would be the cradle as the flat mat has proved its worth more over the years.

I have a Chub Xtra Protection Mat/Cradle that i tend to only use in France and a Forge tackle compact cradle and weigh sling combi but im going to start using the Chub more in the UK as i feel it has far better padding etc. then the cradle.

In reply to Post #20
I totally agree...and it is...but when was the last time you saw someone mention on a cradle/high mat thread what happens if you catch something else that's in the water that will invariably be bigger than any of the Carp/walled mats and most cradles.

I shudder when I think of big Grassies, Sturgeon or Cats in high walled anythings never mind a big Pike...can't just be me thinking that, especially in Europe.

In reply to Post #23
Most of the walled mats you can just remove the mat from the walls, but it would be a worry with a framed cradle for sure

In reply to Post #24
You could just unzip one end of the mat too

In reply to Post #24
That's just the sort of lateral thinking that escapes me with the way my brain works, best of both worlds in that case

I would like a net mesh that removed itself from underneath the fish.

Remember the old.keepnets that you could use untwist and unclipped at the closed end?

Something like that but padded for the fish

In reply to Post #27
I could be wrong but didn't a company called'fast net 'do this ,I seen one,and remember it had a sliding mechanism, which opened the arms very quickly...

In reply to Post #23
No reason to ever get a cat, grassy or a sturgeon out the water, just unhook it in the net and let it go.

In reply to Post #2
Exactly what I did! Saw that video and though **** that, 1 in a million freak occurence maybe but I don't want to be 2 in a million.

Put my Sonik walled mat up for sale and bought a Thinking Anglers flat mat, it's great.