Hi just wanting to get ideas off people which ones use would recommend
In reply to Post #1
fox carpmaster or trakker sanctuary both in xl versions
fox carpmaster or trakker sanctuary both in xl versions
The Cotswold Aquarius Le Graviers Mat was always “the one” although there are many variants on the market now.
If you're looking at flat mats then the Korda one is huge, and well thought out.
If you're looking at flat mats then the Korda one is huge, and well thought out.
In reply to Post #3
Cotswolds flat mats are also worth a look, they can be connected together to make a bugger mat too. I contacted them must be in the late teens to have a mat custom made connecting wise with pockets etc as I was fishing a water with 60lb grassies.
Les Graviers as mentioned second to none, the Fox Carpmaster is great too, but both very bulky.
Cotswolds flat mats are also worth a look, they can be connected together to make a bugger mat too. I contacted them must be in the late teens to have a mat custom made connecting wise with pockets etc as I was fishing a water with 60lb grassies.
Les Graviers as mentioned second to none, the Fox Carpmaster is great too, but both very bulky.
I had the Fox Carpmaster XL as it was a requirement for my last syndicate. For padding and protection it is very hard to beat but it's bloody huge! Luckily no barrowing at that syndi, you could drive up, unload at your swim then park, if I had to load it on a barrow there wouldn't be much room left for owt else!
Getting a mat with that combination of a compact pack down but with decent size/protection is difficult.
I had the Cotswold Flat Pack Cradle Mat Rigid MK2 which folded up really nicely but the actual mat part was/is far too thin IMO. I tested it myself, put the mat on a stony swim, took my trainer off and stood on it, I could feel the sharpness of the stones on my foot so if I could, the fish probably could!
I currently have the Trakker Sanctuary which is good in terms of padding but again, not the most compact of mats. Seriously considering the Trakker self-inflating crib, collapses to next to nothing but even the standard size has good dimensions when inflated, (120x64x25), which is bigger then my existing Sanctuary. The XL version is a huge 132x74x25 so more than ample for any Carp that swims in the UK and no doubt most of the continent as well!
Getting a mat with that combination of a compact pack down but with decent size/protection is difficult.
I had the Cotswold Flat Pack Cradle Mat Rigid MK2 which folded up really nicely but the actual mat part was/is far too thin IMO. I tested it myself, put the mat on a stony swim, took my trainer off and stood on it, I could feel the sharpness of the stones on my foot so if I could, the fish probably could!
I currently have the Trakker Sanctuary which is good in terms of padding but again, not the most compact of mats. Seriously considering the Trakker self-inflating crib, collapses to next to nothing but even the standard size has good dimensions when inflated, (120x64x25), which is bigger then my existing Sanctuary. The XL version is a huge 132x74x25 so more than ample for any Carp that swims in the UK and no doubt most of the continent as well!
Shimano Trench unhooking mat in the Euro size. Its huge well padded bottom and sides floats in water and well made. I've had mine for about 5yrs and it is still going strong. On the barrow I load it like a tray - works a treat.
In reply to Post #6
Does the trakker sim crib have pegging points as it looks like it dosent have any which is madness and has always put me off it.
Does the trakker sim crib have pegging points as it looks like it dosent have any which is madness and has always put me off it.
In reply to Post #8
Don't think it does to be honest. Never bothered me, i can't remember ever pegging a Mat down anyway!
Don't think it does to be honest. Never bothered me, i can't remember ever pegging a Mat down anyway!
In reply to Post #6
I've got the standard sized Trakker SI Crib, like you say it's pack down size is superb and what sold it to me, down side is the walls don't inflate well on their own and generally need a puff to get them stood up properly.
I'm not a session angler and fish single night sessions for bites, therefore my mat stays packed away until needed, this mat isn't the best for that IMO, you have to faff setting it up etc, however, if you set up for a weekend then you'd probably find it spot on as you'd just set it up from the off. I know that's a bit picky but just a downside for me.
I'll keep mine but probably better off going back to a flat mat for my style of fishing.
I did also own a Les Gravier mat several years ago, superb mat for big carp but huge and doesn't pack down.
I've got the standard sized Trakker SI Crib, like you say it's pack down size is superb and what sold it to me, down side is the walls don't inflate well on their own and generally need a puff to get them stood up properly.
I'm not a session angler and fish single night sessions for bites, therefore my mat stays packed away until needed, this mat isn't the best for that IMO, you have to faff setting it up etc, however, if you set up for a weekend then you'd probably find it spot on as you'd just set it up from the off. I know that's a bit picky but just a downside for me.
I'll keep mine but probably better off going back to a flat mat for my style of fishing.
I did also own a Les Gravier mat several years ago, superb mat for big carp but huge and doesn't pack down.
In reply to Post #9
The lack of pegging points always put me off it as had visions of it not being there in the morning or blown across the lake. No idea why they didnt put some on.
The lack of pegging points always put me off it as had visions of it not being there in the morning or blown across the lake. No idea why they didnt put some on.
In reply to Post #11
I don't think I've ever used a pegging point on an unhooking mat, would never be a consideration for me, even on the days of open pits. It's either under my bedchair or drying in a tree/bush.
I don't think I've ever used a pegging point on an unhooking mat, would never be a consideration for me, even on the days of open pits. It's either under my bedchair or drying in a tree/bush.
In reply to Post #12
What I would like to see is a little less Velcro on them, especially the retaining flaps, some of us like to keep our captures quiet on intimate venues, ripping a stupid bit of Velcro all around the top of a mat to use it at 3 in the morning is like raising a bloody fog horn 🤣🤣
What I would like to see is a little less Velcro on them, especially the retaining flaps, some of us like to keep our captures quiet on intimate venues, ripping a stupid bit of Velcro all around the top of a mat to use it at 3 in the morning is like raising a bloody fog horn 🤣🤣
In reply to Post #12
I always peg mine down as they stay outside and ive had them blow away before. Never brought it into my bivvy before. My aqua sim mat is very light when its inflated.
I always peg mine down as they stay outside and ive had them blow away before. Never brought it into my bivvy before. My aqua sim mat is very light when its inflated.
In reply to Post #13
Put some tape over one/ both sides on the less important areas of velcro - job done. as long as the fish cant fall out !
Easier to open general luggage pockets as well with out making so much noise
Put some tape over one/ both sides on the less important areas of velcro - job done. as long as the fish cant fall out !
Easier to open general luggage pockets as well with out making so much noise
In reply to Post #6
I bought the Fox Carpmaster XL too, as I'm fishing a lake with a biggun in it, more out of hope than expectation tbh. When it arrived I couldn't believe how massive it is. Most fish i catch will look like minnows in the mat shots I usually take I live in hope, better to be prepared.
I bought the Fox Carpmaster XL too, as I'm fishing a lake with a biggun in it, more out of hope than expectation tbh. When it arrived I couldn't believe how massive it is. Most fish i catch will look like minnows in the mat shots I usually take I live in hope, better to be prepared.