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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4320 |  | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #8
Had a look at one this afternoon (chap was selling a minter for a good price) and whilst impressive (inflated) looked like a bit of a faff and a lot slower to put up over my XL Sanctuary cradle (even with an electric pump). Only reason for considering was the odd venue I fancy that demands soft-walled cradles. . .no idea why framed cradles get such a bad name - if used safely the height and adjustability are ideal and they dry out easily / don't retain water . . .
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In reply to Post #4
I do, very much so. To put things in context, I mainly fish two waters, the one in the UK has a 1 mile barrow push, through mainly grass (and molehills!) so my kit is bare minimum, the solar mat packs down pretty small compared to the CA Grav mat. I dont use the supplied bag btw, the main 'tub' folds into the fitted barrow bag on the fox transporter barrow perfectly along with plenty of other stuff, and the base pad rolls up and sits across the back of the barrow, nice and light that way. I only use the base pad unless a proper one end's up in the net when I would get the tub out and use the flextail pump ( https://www.flextail.com/products/max-pump-3 ), takes maybe 90 seconds max.
The other water is in France and has rough banks, so protection is paramount, these fish are quite old now and need some care, some are pretty big and I'm often on my own so the quality of the mat is important here. Hasn't let me down at all, I regard it as an essential now.. A couple of mates are after them too now.
No worries about hooks etc, they are very tough, and big enough for real big carp.. 
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In reply to Post #1
There are lots of mats that are similar to the La Graviers, but I’ve not used one as good in that style. It’s light, but very well made.
I now favour the Heritage Limited Edition offering; similar to the TA one mind you.
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In reply to Post #5
I have the trakker and can’t recommend it enough I never collapse it and just have it upturned on the barrow as a rain cover. I would never go back to any mat with a set up as a predominately a day angler and having the rods on the floor thinking if they do go I’ve got to set up the mat again fills me with dread. Very different to session angling but if I’m only fishing a few hours I want to drag the most out of them!
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Thanks all for the thoughts so far. I had looked at the Trakker as it seemed to have the thickest mat at 10cm. However I hadn't considered an inflatable mat, however the presumably smaller pack down and high level of protection is appealing.... having hooks on something inflatable does worry me slightly though.
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4320 | | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #2
Do you rate the Solar? Was thinking of acquiring one myself - do you have a link for the pump?
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Trakker Sanctuary Deluxe Oval Crib.
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My old graviers mat was showing its age so early this year looked into a replacement, either same again or similar, preferably a bit bigger, ended up with the solar inflatable camo one and so far zero regrets. Did get a flextail pocket size pump instead of the foot pump supplied, highly recommend..
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Hi all,
Apologies title should read as 'does anything beat the CA Les Graviers?'
After a period using the TA unhooking mat I have reverted back to my old Chub Xtra Protection in the standard size and whilst great it is a little small. I'm looking for something bigger that'll be more suitable for fish of the size I may/hopefully will encounter.
From old threads the CA Les Graviers was always touted as the top choice. Is this still the case given the plethora of new mats released since such as the new TA, Fox Carp Master, etc?
Cheers,
James.
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