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In reply to Post #28
. . .over time the perimeter foam eventually gets sodden (nicks / cracks in material) then you'll notice the weight! Have seen Fox do a welded Graviers type mat that looks a good albeit expensive solution . .
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In reply to Post #28
The korda mat is superb,I switched from the TA mat which i really rated but the korda mat is better again.The fish sink into it like the TA mat but the edge is slightly raised also so the fish don't move about on it at all.It dries really quickly the only negative is no carrying strap which I do miss,especially if going stalking
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In reply to Post #27
I used the Combi mat for years. First time that a walled mat was “compulsory” anywhere I fished was in 2020. I wanted the ticket, so got the Le Graviers. It’s definitely in a well used state now (no smell or weight differences though!). 2020 co-incides with a lot more noddies appearing on the bank, there must be a connection….
With regards to framed cradles, I definitely agree that in practical terms, it is the easiest for lifting, etc, but there should be no doubt that the risk of damage is heightened in these.
I find most styles compatible with the barrow, but does require different arrangements which is annoying.
I always have the Le Graviers and Thinking Anglers (or the Heritage Limited Edition version which is camo) in the car, and actually, used in combination, they are fairly unbeatable as fish care and angler comfort are both maximised.
I like the look of the Korda mat and will get it when I can’t resist it any longer. I’ll bet someone £5 that Korda bring out an expensive walled mat soon for pushing £150+ aswell.
I’ll end up with an inflatable at some point. Dinghy sounds good flipped over but probably a bit impractical!
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In reply to Post #25
Have always historically been a flat mat advocate (eg Aqua soft beanie / pillow type) - not sure why they fell out of favour other than bulk / drying out and transport agg .
Saying that I have no issue with cradles and still own / use a couple - they are always bigger than the biggest fish in the lake tbf and I have never had, nor witnessed an issue with them (broken tails) etc in many years of their use - I like the increased height these can be set at (as well as the ability to level on uneven ground) and they make lifting big fish a lot easier as the frame can be used to support your forearms whilst still keeping it close to the cradles surface in the event of an angry one . . .
Personally not keen on the thick walled Graviers type mats . . . they are bulky / take ages to dry / get heavier and smellier over time etc - would rather use an inflatable if I had to go down that route . .
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I remember seeing a slightly deflated dingy ,turned upside down ,used as a unhooking mat on my uncles old lakes in France, it was brilliant ,as the dip in the slightly deflated dingy held a lot of water and meant the lucky angler,had good safety control of the fish and was kind to the lower back as well...
One man dingy ,bit big tho for a barrow,but worked fantastic....
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In reply to Post #24
holy ****  - Did you tell the bailiff?
I have found where the walled mats really come into their own is on any bank that isn't completely flat as the fish deffo have a tendency to slide about if you aren't holding them for any amount of time.
I have an ESP mat too & use it flat but on any sloping bank, I prop up the lower edge with empty rod sleeves to make a bit of a well / dip to help support it.
Am not a fan of cradles - I watched a fish start flapping whilst a guy was doing pics & as he bent forward to lower it down it's tail hit one of the hard edges & snapped. I realise they have a bit more padding now but it put me off them for good.
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In reply to Post #15
Common sense? That’s the issue. The amount of times I see anglers with a fish in the net, rushing to get it out and then leaving it on a flat mat flapping about whilst they sort camera, or whatever. For fishery owners, it hedges their bets a bit; the bet being the risk they take letting noddies with inadequate gear get near their lakes.
Just last year - on an Essex syndicate - a member gesticulating to me across the pond because they’d landed a fish and had no mat. Delkims, Basias etc all present and correct of course.
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In reply to Post #22
I stand corrected.. Nash still seem to have faith in the god awfull things.. 
These cradles are nothing new.. I seem to remember seeing cuttle mill Birmingham way in the 80s having these cradles built into each swim. From memory a piece of canvas suspended from four posts.. nothing new in carp fishing.. 
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In reply to Post #20
Nash still have three metal cradles in the range, Hi Protect, Deluxe and Ultralite.
Whilst I dont like framed cradles it's in the rules of two of the lakes I'm fishing I use the Hi Protect by Nash, as a flat mat walled cradle I've owned and still have a few, I had the original Gardner Asylum I didn't like that one the walls easily collapsed if the ground was slightly out of level and reasonably heavy fish slid towards them, I cannot fault the Cotswold style cradles I have by various companies both Fox, JRC, are good ones my old Chub one died a death after a many good years, I'd say stay away from the thinner walled ones they're not up to it in my opinion for proper carp care.
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In reply to Post #20
Blimey, that surprises me, sort of. I remember the discussions on here re cradles and advocates of them. At the time I was fishing regularly in France, never mind cats I had a 53lb grassy and a full 8" must have been sticking out of my XL sling. Imagine that bugger in a cradle thrashing about the way they do, doesn't bare thinking of, and if it's all you took!
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In reply to Post #19
I always remember Kevin nash in one of there early product DVDs banging on about how these metal framed suspended cradles were the future..Don't think nash have one in there range now..
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In reply to Post #18
I agree with you. I've only used beanie flat mats for the last 25 years, but I have used walled as supplied by fisheries but luckily not cradles, I simply don't like cradles, my opinion.
I'm really not a fan of flat foam only mats for big heavy fish in whatever guise, though I do use them when targeting other species as they're convenient to roll up. Beanies also have one up on flat foam on sloped banks to a degree.
I guess the best of both worlds for me would be a foam beanie with sides, like the TA one I own just with walls.
To the OP I think my father in law has the Wychwood Tactical but the older model that folded in half. He bought it as a fishery stipulated wall mats. It was very well made.
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In reply to Post #16
It's more and more fisheries stipulating walled Mats of a certain size. The club I'm a member of recommends you have a mat with sides. But as yet is not a rule. In my opinion walled mats are not needed. A decent sized flat Mat and a bit of common sense and your good to go.
I personally use a compact ESP roll mat with draw string sides. I use it flat mind. But I bought it incase I fish somewhere I need a walled mat... I'm just waiting for someone to tell me it's not adequate and it's not a walled mat. Though I've not been lucky enough to test it on really large carp as of yet, I'd say it would easily handle fish 45lb plus.
As for them baby travel cot contraptions ( cradle mats ) don't get me started on them..
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In reply to Post #15
If you're fishing a pond with maximum size fish around 20lb then you may be right. Many lakes these days have fish to 50lb. Where I am fishing at present it's 60 + . When fish get big rules have to change. Unfortunately it also means prices go up, and time on bank goes down,
as the world and his wife want to catch a 60.
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In reply to Post #15
The op is on a syndicate, if the kids can afford that ticket they can afford the mat, I can't blame the fishery owner for protecting their stock.
If they are 'kids' and fishing day tickets/clubs, round here the majority don't have rules re walled etc, just the normal ' must be in possession of a suitable unhooking mat type'.
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I know the op was just asking for recommendations.. but why do half the fisheries these days insist on walled mats the size of toddlers paddling pools.. How are the kids able to afford these let alone transport. Its discouraging kids from going, Surely. When half the time a simple medium sized flat Mat and a bit of common sense will do. A lot of these mats are bigger than most of my luggage..
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Shimano Trench unhooking mat. I've had one for years and it's bombproof. I have the euro size one and it's huge. I put it on the barrow first and then put all my kit in it rather than rolling it up.
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In reply to Post #11
I fish a large reservoir where the level can drop up to 25ft by the end of summer and as soon as the level starts to drop in May, you are setting up on what is essentially lake bed. I bought the larger Gardner Asylum mat last year and within 3 months, the zips were knackered where they’d been gritted up by rain splash etc. It was a good mat while it lasted and think the issue was more my choosing it, rather than a design fault. I should have known zips and rain splash debris isn’t a great combo!
I’ve now replaced it with the Avid Revolve as it has no zips.
Others I was looking at was the Wychwood tactical walled one and also the larger Prologic one somebody else mentioned earlier, but can’t remember if that has zipped ends or not?
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I have the trekker self inflate thing and really rate it - but I always keep it fully assembled and goes upside down on top of barrow as a rain cover type thing when not in use. I have not seen nor would I want any kind of pack away mat, fishing mainly days only and leaving rods out to the last minuets I don’t want to unpack in the dark for the sake of a mat.
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In reply to Post #1
Another using the Gardner Asylum mat, had it for 3 seasons, no issues, easy up, easy down, packs flat for barrow use or roll up with additional webbing straps to pop on top of or under ruck sack.
All in all it’s a cracking mat, and fits the bill for what you are looking at.
Tel
👍👍
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In reply to Post #1
I had to get one for the same reason (new ticket). Got the Gardner Asylum. It's ok - does what it says on the tin. Lasted 2 years so far without issues.
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In reply to Post #1
For the last year I've supplied the Fox Carpmaster cradles at my place and have been really impressed with them. They do everything that you'd want a sided mat to do.
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In reply to Post #3
I have the smaller version and hate it!!! Too awkward when packed down. I much prefer my TA beanie matt, but keep it for when sides are stipulated.
If I was buying a 100cm+ matt with sides now it would be Cotswold or the original Gardner Asylum (the new compact is sub 100cm I think). Probably the Gardner as it packs flat so easier for the barrow imo
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Not long bought the new ridgemonkey inflatable mat.
Sadly no carp caught to try it with but impressed with the build quality and certainly big enough!!
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In reply to Post #1
Avid Revolve cradle?
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Trakker Sanctuary Compact Oval Crib?
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You'd be able to get a very good conditioned Les Graviers or Fox Carpmaster for that money, some on Ebay but faceache market place prob better. Both big & relatively heavy (not really a problem with a barrow) but offer great protection and sell very well 2nd hand if you wanted to get rid.
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In reply to Post #1
I got the Prologic Inspire large for the same reason, really like it, easy to assemble and pack down and doesn’t weigh a ton like a lot of those style mats.
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In reply to Post #1
I use the Gardner Asylum mat. Had it a few years now and it offers good protection. I believe they do two sizes, I have the large one.
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I’ve just got a ticket on a new lake and one of the rules is that you require a mat with sides above 100mm so I’m looking to buy one. What would you recommend ? Needs to be big enough for fish to upper 40/50lb. Seen the pro logic inspire xl one that looks decent and well padded for the money, anyone used this or others you would recommend max £80 if possible, cheers 😁
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