In reply to Post #30
Good mats them, I wanted to get an esp roll up mat for short sessions but it was like those £10 roll up jobbies in comparison
Good mats them, I wanted to get an esp roll up mat for short sessions but it was like those £10 roll up jobbies in comparison
In reply to Post #28
I still have a Balcombe Fast net Adam, the arms do slide up and down the handle, but the net mesh doesn't open at the bottom.
It's very top heavy as the net arms are made from solid aluminium, haven't used it for many years.
I still have a Balcombe Fast net Adam, the arms do slide up and down the handle, but the net mesh doesn't open at the bottom.
It's very top heavy as the net arms are made from solid aluminium, haven't used it for many years.
In reply to Post #32
That's it Andy..thats the make..👍
That's it Andy..thats the make..👍
In reply to Post #5
I made or 'adapted' my first ever unhooking mat from a baby changing mat by simply covering it with parachute silk. Brilliant job, and much better than laying the fish on the ground; short grass, woodchip or stones.
I still do use a flat mat at times, when fishing for smaller carp, when stalking, or fishing for other species, they get placed on the mat for unhooking, treated with the same respect as the carp, although chub might actually get unhooked without even making it past the net, I still take the mat with me.
The cradles, or mats with sides, do help prevent fish sliding off down the bank, a lively fish or a sloping bank can see a fish going places it shouldn't, and again, even other species get unhooked on mine.
The big RH Cradle I use also doubles as a barrow carryall, putting foodbag, chest waders, lifejacket in it while barrowing to the swim.
Is it better and safer for the carp?
I would have to say yes.
Are flat mats a thing of the past? I think no, because some waters insist all anglers have a mat, even if they are not fishing for carp. 'Match' or silver fish anglers won't need (or want) to spend that money (carptax) on a mat.
Fishing for chub along the river I don't need a cradle, fishing for bream or roach in the reservoir I don't need a cradle.
I made or 'adapted' my first ever unhooking mat from a baby changing mat by simply covering it with parachute silk. Brilliant job, and much better than laying the fish on the ground; short grass, woodchip or stones.
I still do use a flat mat at times, when fishing for smaller carp, when stalking, or fishing for other species, they get placed on the mat for unhooking, treated with the same respect as the carp, although chub might actually get unhooked without even making it past the net, I still take the mat with me.
The cradles, or mats with sides, do help prevent fish sliding off down the bank, a lively fish or a sloping bank can see a fish going places it shouldn't, and again, even other species get unhooked on mine.
The big RH Cradle I use also doubles as a barrow carryall, putting foodbag, chest waders, lifejacket in it while barrowing to the swim.
Is it better and safer for the carp?
I would have to say yes.
Are flat mats a thing of the past? I think no, because some waters insist all anglers have a mat, even if they are not fishing for carp. 'Match' or silver fish anglers won't need (or want) to spend that money (carptax) on a mat.
Fishing for chub along the river I don't need a cradle, fishing for bream or roach in the reservoir I don't need a cradle.