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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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Tackle