Kevin Nash was one of the first within the angling industry to think about suspending carp safely off the ground in a cradle-type structure, radically reducing the risk of damage during unhooking and photography. Well he has pushed the boundaries once more. Supplied with a foot pump, the Air Cradle can be inflated in seconds and deflates to a much smaller size than traditional cradle-type designs. Utilising three robust tubes, both the standard and monster sizes are capable of holding fish to over 60kg without any compromise on the protection offered.
The deluxe version of the hugely popular carp cradle.
A well-padded, large-capacity, unhooking mat that’s raised off the ground by four adjustable legs. Features a padded kneeling mat for angler comfort and a small pocket to store carp-care products such as Medicarp and forceps. £104.
With this test series we take a look at unhooking mats and of course, protection is paramount here. As much as we all love a pocket-friendly product, we honestly believe that this is one product that no angler should scrape on, ever! What we are looking for here is the complete protective package, how much padding is on offer, can the carp be retained for short periods without flapping off or out of the mat and how mobile the entire bundle is. Yes, before you say it, the carp we have used for illustrative purposes is rather large, measuring in at a whopping 84 centimetres long and 56 centimetres from dorsal fin to pelvic fin, hence the tight fit.
Weighs: 2.
Designed for speed and convenience, this new-style unhooking mat is extremely lightweight, transportable, fish-friendly and provides safety for the carp.
Featuring a concertina mechanism, the Commander can be erected in seconds from a miniscule 53 centimetres wide by nine centimetres deep to a more than accommodating 115 by 55 centimetres. With a 4cm-thick padded mattress this is a safe and comfortable unhooking mat with a minimal weight of 2. 1kg.
Combination unhooking mat and stalking bag, which is easy to carry and can be used to take enough tackle for stalking or floater fishing forays around the lake.
Well made and finished in Prologic’s New-Green colour. For more information go to www. prologicfishing.
Reuben Heaton is the most prestigious and highly regarded scales manufacturer in the angling industry.
Offering a broad range of weighing accessories, we are happy to review the fantastic, high-performance digital variety known as the 7000 Series Digital Scale.
There are two varieties available, both weighing in small increments of 25g/1oz divisions, the first covering fish weights of up to 66lb/30kg and the larger variety coping with 132lb/60kg. To ensure durability, these are also waterproof, shockproof and constructed around a high-impact polycarbonate body.
Extremely accurate digital weigh scales Tough polycarbonate body Stainless steel hook and hang point 50 weight memory capacity Weighs in pounds and kilograms Water and dustproof sealing Large, easy to read LCD display
£64. 99
WWW. REUBENHEATON. CO.
Lightweight and compact digital scales
Clear LCD display with power-saving backlight
Shock and water-resistant polycarbonate body
Up to 55lb in 1oz divisions
Complete with stainless-steel fixings and aluminium weigh bar
£39. 95
WWW. REUBENHEATON. CO.
Carp care should always be any angler’s focus when any capture is on the bank; keeping the fish in pristine condition for future anglers to enjoy is paramount, as well as the carp’s welfare.
The Sabre Crib has been designed using a super-soft PVC waterproof material, ensuring that the fish are well protected while in it. The Crib itself has adjustable legs and mudfeet, ideal for those situations when you find yourself in a swim with uneven ground.
The Crib also has a protective cover for keeping your catch safe and well protected while setting up your scales or the camera for those all-important capture shots, and its lightweight and durable folding frame makes the Everlevel Crib perfect for transportation either on the barrow or carrying to a swim.
With carp care being paramount, fish care should always be at the top of any anglers list. The Quick Matt is a great example of fish care. Simple to set up, it has the main body which is a pop up frame that comes in a water proof carryall ideal for keeping all your other fishing gear dry. Once the frame is removed from the carryall it simply pops open and you can then insert the 2” foam base, this padded base offers protection for even the liveliest of carp.
Being a night-themed issue, we thought it would be relevant to cover a suitable unhooking mat that not only offers the carp oodles of protection but is also complete with an array of features that benefit the angler, making for an efficient and, most importantly, safe carp-care experience.
With five centimetres of luxuriously padded base and walls the Oval Mat gives ample protection and is large enough to hold carp in excess of 40lb. A mesh cover allows you to leave the carp for a short period if you need to set your self-timer or grab your headtorch, safe in the knowledge that the carp is safe. The mesh also allows you to pour water over the carp to keep it in a healthy state while trying to keep stress to a minimum.
A versatile, well-padded unhooking mat designed by Dave Lane
Doubles up as a tackle transport solution
Heavy-duty and durable construction
Removable liner for ease of use
Features an oversized lid to ensure your quarry is safe
£74. 99
WWW. TOTALFISHINGGEAR. CO.