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Quick drying/not absorbing flat unhooking mat (25 posts / 2,384 views)
cameraman cameraman
Posts: 155
Post #16 9 Jul 2026 17:36
0
In reply to Post #1
Fox do a welded mat that you can use flat or with sides.
vossy1 vossy1
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 9,046
Post #17 9 Jul 2026 18:10
0
In reply to Post #1
For many years I stored my stuff in the house and a none absorbing quick drying mat was very much needed. I came to the conclusion a over sheet of some sort, silicone or aquatex or something else was the best idea, come back from a session just hang it on the washing line, a lot easier than a whole mat.. My old Nash beanie mat just wouldn't repel and I'm fearful of my newer Thinking Anglers even with it's sealed poly bag.
I was thinking of asking Army Andy to make me said sheet.

Someone did previously mention those waterproof welded bags divers use, I did look into it but they seemed expensive.
Baitman Baitman
Posts: 5,233
Post #18 9 Jul 2026 19:28
0
The fox easy mat has a non absorbant base that you could use on its own, and with the small frame it makes a really good mat with sides.
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #19 10 Jul 2026 07:36
1
I've had a few mats over the years that don't absorb water. They tend to have a more like plastic coating, which is good for holding water out but not good for placing fish on. One of the worst, as with most of these types, was a Shimano tribal, which i can only describe as like putting a fish on a bar of soap, i had one slide straight off and down the bank. They must be on a completely flat surface, even the smallest incline, if they kick they will slide off.

I have a few mats and like the sling types. I have the scope ops but same as, picked the mat up to put the fish back in the water not long after i bought it and it slid out the back!

You need to be very careful with this plastic coated type of mat in my experiences.

The scope ops in my experiences needs to be fully zipped if you are thinking about returning fish on it. Be very careful because whilst they suit the anglers, quick drying, fish handling ability is poor.
mistercarp
Posts: 1,305
Post #20 13 Jul 2026 14:38
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Thanks for all of your input guys, really helpful comments!
Zack
Posts: 3,205
Post #21 13 Jul 2026 21:17
1
Thinking about this, I am surprised no tackle company has not brought out a waterproof cover for unhooking mats etc, just another way of getting us to fork out a bit of extra "Carp Tax" for their products. It would be ideal for those days, your all prepared for landing a fish, but you don't catch, but its also raining and you end up with a wet unhooking mat, unless your like me and keep it in the bivvy till its needed instead of pegged out all ready to use

A good Shower curtain in green, cut down to size might do?

In fact, just looked on Ebay and you can get them in "Real Tree" pattern. Just what I could have done with about 20 years ago when I had a leaking seam on the top of my overwrap and I used to use one of our lasses shower curtains, with all big yellow pineapples on it laid on the bivvy roof and underneath the overwrap. Basically, it kept the bivvy itself dry, so something else to to have to pack up wet and dry when I got home
akaBennySamways
Posts: 63
Post #22 14 Jul 2026 14:13
0
In reply to Post #1
The TA unhooking mat comes with a cover, I just leave that on and have never really had much problem drying the mat out. Have you tried that?
RKB
Posts: 1,731
Post #23 14 Jul 2026 15:19
0
In reply to Post #22
The offering from Heritage Limited Edition is very similar.
vossy1 vossy1
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 9,046
Post #24 14 Jul 2026 16:19
0
In reply to Post #22
That's exactly what I started doing 👍

Ps, just make sure it overhangs the velcro properly otherwise water can still get inside the mat, been there.
mistercarp
Posts: 1,305
Post #25 14 Jul 2026 20:04
0
In reply to Post #22
Yes, i only used it that way, to be honest. Just like the CarpLife mat.
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