Are those walls of the mat, just a token gesture of a way round a ruling 🤔
In reply to Post #107
Thanks mate
Thanks mate
In reply to Post #106
That was my next port of call
That was my next port of call
In reply to Post #105
Plenty thick enough in my opinion although obviously there is always a trade off with weight/packdown size and padding.
I own a trakker sanctuary cradle and it's as big as my bivvy and I'm over carry it about. I'll probably keep it for when fishing out the back of the car or French trips but when I think what we used to use with no problems then I think the esp one is more than upto the job.
Plenty thick enough in my opinion although obviously there is always a trade off with weight/packdown size and padding.
I own a trakker sanctuary cradle and it's as big as my bivvy and I'm over carry it about. I'll probably keep it for when fishing out the back of the car or French trips but when I think what we used to use with no problems then I think the esp one is more than upto the job.
In reply to Post #1
. . I bought the Drennan Version for rivers mainly and as it fixes to the buckles on my Specialist rucksack . . .nice bit of kit, plenty big enough for pike / carp to 30's . .
May be worth checking the ESP version of the Compact (which it the same size) as according to local tackle shop the buckles are a different size to fix to ESP rucksacks . . .
. . I bought the Drennan Version for rivers mainly and as it fixes to the buckles on my Specialist rucksack . . .nice bit of kit, plenty big enough for pike / carp to 30's . .
May be worth checking the ESP version of the Compact (which it the same size) as according to local tackle shop the buckles are a different size to fix to ESP rucksacks . . .
In reply to Post #112
The buckles on my large one fit my esp rucksack. Also had a good few weeks fishing with a number of 30's up to just shy of 40 and I'd say the mat is plenty big enough. Couple of small gripes, eyelets that let the water out rusted slightly- just on service and rubbed off, not sure it will be a problem or not in the future, and the toggles struggle to hold the sides up as high as I'd like, especially when wet (the cord slips)
The buckles on my large one fit my esp rucksack. Also had a good few weeks fishing with a number of 30's up to just shy of 40 and I'd say the mat is plenty big enough. Couple of small gripes, eyelets that let the water out rusted slightly- just on service and rubbed off, not sure it will be a problem or not in the future, and the toggles struggle to hold the sides up as high as I'd like, especially when wet (the cord slips)
In reply to Post #108
They very well could be but are also strong enough to stop a fish sliding off a flat mat on a sloping bank....in addition, the sides are not rigid therefore there's no danger of doing any damage like a walled or framed cradle...
They very well could be but are also strong enough to stop a fish sliding off a flat mat on a sloping bank....in addition, the sides are not rigid therefore there's no danger of doing any damage like a walled or framed cradle...
In reply to Post #113
. ..that's my point - the buckles on both the ESP models fit the ESP rucksack . . .the Specialist Compact (which is the same albeit green not camo as the ESP Compact) has smaller, different buckles that only fit the Specialist Rucksack . . .
Just sayin if you want a green only compact but have an ESP rucksack . . .you'll have to live with the camo if you want to attach it . . .
. ..that's my point - the buckles on both the ESP models fit the ESP rucksack . . .the Specialist Compact (which is the same albeit green not camo as the ESP Compact) has smaller, different buckles that only fit the Specialist Rucksack . . .
Just sayin if you want a green only compact but have an ESP rucksack . . .you'll have to live with the camo if you want to attach it . . .
In reply to Post #108
. . .for big carp I agree . . wouldn't use it on anything other than a flat bank. For rivers / barbel / smaller specimens the wall is fine . . .
. . .for big carp I agree . . wouldn't use it on anything other than a flat bank. For rivers / barbel / smaller specimens the wall is fine . . .
Looks a nice compact mat that rolls up well. Personally those sides don't look up to much. Don't look
Like they'd keep a turd in let alone a fish
Like they'd keep a turd in let alone a fish
In reply to Post #117
Having used one I disagree, the sides are plenty good enough and certainly better than a flat mat...
Having used one I disagree, the sides are plenty good enough and certainly better than a flat mat...
118 posts on an unhooking mat 😳 I cant see what all the hype is about. Its just another mat with a drawer cord. The padding looks very thin. Not that long ago everyone wanted the thickest mats going now its one with hardly any padding at all. Surely its inadequate for lying on anything but soft grass.
In reply to Post #117
I have the compact mat. I do agree that if a fish really kicks off it could go over the sides, obviously covering and not leaving the fish is a help here. However I've found on flat ground and slightly uneven ground they do work fairly well to keep the fish on the mat. I normally peg the handles to help keep the sides more rigid. The compact is decptively big as a flat mat as well and adequately padded I would say. It's really designed for mobile anglers in my opinion, if I was taking the barrow I would probably opt for my JRC hi care instead.
I have the compact mat. I do agree that if a fish really kicks off it could go over the sides, obviously covering and not leaving the fish is a help here. However I've found on flat ground and slightly uneven ground they do work fairly well to keep the fish on the mat. I normally peg the handles to help keep the sides more rigid. The compact is decptively big as a flat mat as well and adequately padded I would say. It's really designed for mobile anglers in my opinion, if I was taking the barrow I would probably opt for my JRC hi care instead.
In reply to Post #119
Make that 120!
Make that 120!
Cant comment as to whether its any good, but at a minimum it should have a fish retaining flap