Unhooking Mats

[Polly]

Gonna get one for my birthday but which one?????

Seen Epping Fishing Tackle advert in ACF, they're offering JRC High Care Mat for a mere £29.99 which is half price!!!!! sounds and looks like a bargain to be had but being Mr Cautious I thought I'd ask around before ordering one (on wifey's behalf!!!!). Anyone using one of these, the pictures I've seen make them look like the mutz nutz and I was wondering if they perform as good as they look. Think I would prefer to have poly-ball filling rather than foam though but interested to hear from you guys about which mats you prefer.

[johnhere]

Dont have one myself but a mate has one and its a great bit of kit.

[kestrel]

Gonna get one for my birthday but which one?????

Seen Epping Fishing Tackle advert in ACF, they're offering JRC High Care Mat for a mere £29.99 which is half price!!!!! sounds and looks like a bargain to be had but being Mr Cautious I thought I'd ask around before ordering one (on wifey's behalf!!!!). Anyone using one of these, the pictures I've seen make them look like the mutz nutz and I was wondering if they perform as good as they look. Think I would prefer to have poly-ball filling rather than foam though but interested to hear from you guys about which mats you prefer.

 

 

You don't need to spend that much on a decent mat, I bought one, that you've seen, on a popular auction site for less than £20 delivered,filled with poly balls etc. Good strong material will last for years. Nice and soft to lay on.

[chris mc]

I use a pro logic one witch you can inflate by blowing up but is not needed.when fully un wrapt it's a decent size and cost me£15 from taskers angling in Liverpool well worth it as well,.

[Andrew Burgess]

Get yourself a Wychwood Beanie Mat from this shop as it cost around £30

 

http://www.ashfordtackle.co.uk/search_resu...%20BEANIE%20MAT

[RobStubbs]

I have the JRC XL hi care mat (I assume that's the same model you mention). It's a brilliant mat and (IMO) far safer than ordinary mats - if you need to turn your back on a fish in the mat. I used a similar mat in France that I could have slept in - it was that large (well and me that small ). Mats that have high sides mean that a fish cannot slip off(out) of the mat whatever it does.

 

In fact my mate who owns his own lake and syndicate was considering making those sort of mats compulsory because of their inherent fish friendlyness.

 

If that's not too obvious, I'm a fan

 

Rob.

[Polly]

You don't need to spend that much on a decent mat, I bought one, that you've seen, on a popular auction site for less than £20 delivered,filled with poly balls etc. Good strong material will last for years. Nice and soft to lay on.

 

Was only thinking about my comfort !!!! I'll probably never get to put a fish on it anyway. See Roy Stubbs post below, like him I like the idea of sides (and lid!!!!) so that fish (HA HA!!!) can't slide off if y'turn y'back for a second or two. Mostly have my camera set up and ready but sometimes get distracted whilst dealing with the fish.

[Polly]

I have the JRC XL hi care mat (I assume that's the same model you mention). It's a brilliant mat and (IMO) far safer than ordinary mats - if you need to turn your back on a fish in the mat. I used a similar mat in France that I could have slept in - it was that large (well and me that small ). Mats that have high sides mean that a fish cannot slip off(out) of the mat whatever it does.

 

In fact my mate who owns his own lake and syndicate was considering making those sort of mats compulsory because of their inherent fish friendlyness.

 

If that's not too obvious, I'm a fan

 

Rob.

 

Thanks Rob,

other than bulkiness then are there any other faults/problems. Half price is to good-a-bargain to miss I reckon

[RobStubbs]

Thanks Rob,

other than bulkiness then are there any other faults/problems. Half price is to good-a-bargain to miss I reckon

 

There's certainly nothing that springs to mind. They are bulky but not heavy and unlike some mats they don't soak up half a ton of water and take days to dry. I was out in the pouring rain just after christmas and the mat still dried out really quickly and never soaked up any water.

 

Rob.

 

P.S. And with the carrying handles and covered top it's a very safe way of carrying the fish back to the lake, rather than having to put back in the weighsling after doing the pics.

Edited January 5, 2007 by RobStubbs

[poledark]

Chub carp cradle is "the bizz" bit bulky, but best I have used and seen...

 

Den