Roving Mat

[J-P]

Congrats, a fine specimen.

What are the views on the thickness of landing mats? Is it just to stop them getting cut up by branches/vegetation or more so in case you drop them to avoid bruising. I ask, as I have a landing portable landing mat I carry on my belt for my Perch and Chub fishing (in case I catch a nice one), and want to know if suitable or not. I intend on being mobile whilst I fish.

Aforementioned mat: https://todbermanor.co.uk/mats-measures ... -80cm.html

I'm pretty sure I know the general response, but always good to check for a novice like myself.

[J-P]

Congrats, a fine specimen.

What are the views on the thickness of landing mats? Is it just to stop them getting cut up by branches/vegetation or more so in case you drop them to avoid bruising. I ask, as I have a landing portable landing mat I carry on my belt for my Perch and Chub fishing (in case I catch a nice one), and want to know if suitable or not. I intend on being mobile whilst I fish.

Aforementioned mat: https://todbermanor.co.uk/mats-measures ... -80cm.html

I'm pretty sure I know the general response, but always good to check for a novice like myself.

I wouldn't advise that mat for pike fishing. But it's better than nothing. My mat is one of the fold- in- half beanie style, which my chair fits inside to carry, so it still has its uses when I'm blanking!

I think I will just have to use a standard one, as no suitable "travel" versions seem suitable. I suppose I should just stick it in the net when wandering about.

[Jason Skilton]

There are plenty of mats out there that can be used whilst mobile. We all have our preference but at the end of the day ts pike welfare we taking about.

[J-P]

There are plenty of mats out there that can be used whilst mobile. We all have our preference but at the end of the day ts pike welfare we taking about.

That's exactly why I'm asking, I will purchase a new one and keep it in my net to carry it, as I don't want to have both arms full. Could you recommend the one you use for being mobile? thanks.

[Mike J]

For small fish like chub and perch an oblong section of household carpet works as good as anything made commercially. This is what we all used before mats, well some of us did.
For larger fish I use a Specialist Compact Unhooking Mat made by Drennan, it also makes a good seat.
For my v big fish, they stay in the net and in water as I dont do photographs. My reserve mat is my jacket, and yes its been used on occasions.

Small fish will lie calmly in a plastic net as long as it doesn't touch anything underneath, this is what I use, especially for Grayling, which are like an eel with scales and wriggle five times more. In the net they can be unhooked and released without any touching by hand, with rarely any squiming about at all.
Hope this helps.

[Nige Johns]

Can’t beat a patch of wet lush grass

[J-P]

Thanks for the responses.

For small fish will keep the existing roving roll up mat I have, it's excellent imo for that purpose (we are talking Perch mainly afterall). I have rarely needed it as most fish simply get released while still in the water. I've found the Drennan Mat your referring to Mike and look perfect for my needs, rolls up easily and easy to transport attached to the back of my backpack. I just didn't want the type that simply folds in half and takes tons of rooms. I will however likely need a larger one at some point also, as I really do want to take photos of any larger fish I catch (or at least until the novelty wears of; if it ever does!)

Nige as for a nice piece of lush grass I have mixed feelings. I feel it is often safe for most fish as frankly they get knocked about far more in their natural environment, but for the more rambunctious piscis and more importantly for taking photos where you are holding them off the ground I would feel more comfortable with a mat. Also I'm based in London and often surrounded solely by concrete.

[Nige Johns]

Thanks for the responses.

For small fish will keep the existing roving roll up mat I have, it's excellent imo for that purpose (we are talking Perch mainly afterall). I have rarely needed it as most fish simply get released while still in the water. I've found the Drennan Mat your referring to Mike and look perfect for my needs, rolls up easily and easy to transport attached to the back of my backpack. I just didn't want the type that simply folds in half and takes tons of rooms. I will however likely need a larger one at some point also, as I really do want to take photos of any larger fish I catch (or at least until the novelty wears of; if it ever does!)

Nige as for a nice piece of lush grass I have mixed feelings. I feel it is often safe for most fish as frankly they get knocked about far more in their natural environment, but for the more rambunctious piscis and more importantly for taking photos where you are holding them off the ground I would feel more comfortable with a mat. Also I'm based in London and often surrounded solely by concrete.

No worries JP,that wasn’t a sarcastic comment by the way,sometimes a shiny wet mat on a sloping bank is a recipe for disaster

[Mike J]

Thanks for the responses.

For small fish will keep the existing roving roll up mat I have, it's excellent imo for that purpose (we are talking Perch mainly afterall). I have rarely needed it as most fish simply get released while still in the water. I've found the Drennan Mat your referring to Mike and look perfect for my needs, rolls up easily and easy to transport attached to the back of my backpack. I just didn't want the type that simply folds in half and takes tons of rooms. I will however likely need a larger one at some point also, as I really do want to take photos of any larger fish I catch (or at least until the novelty wears of; if it ever does!)

Nige as for a nice piece of lush grass I have mixed feelings. I feel it is often safe for most fish as frankly they get knocked about far more in their natural environment, but for the more rambunctious piscis and more importantly for taking photos where you are holding them off the ground I would feel more comfortable with a mat. Also I'm based in London and often surrounded solely by concrete.

Hi J-P
Dont spend any money just yet.
I have a couple you can have a free choice of.

[J-P]

Thanks for the responses.

For small fish will keep the existing roving roll up mat I have, it's excellent imo for that purpose (we are talking Perch mainly afterall). I have rarely needed it as most fish simply get released while still in the water. I've found the Drennan Mat your referring to Mike and look perfect for my needs, rolls up easily and easy to transport attached to the back of my backpack. I just didn't want the type that simply folds in half and takes tons of rooms. I will however likely need a larger one at some point also, as I really do want to take photos of any larger fish I catch (or at least until the novelty wears of; if it ever does!)

Nige as for a nice piece of lush grass I have mixed feelings. I feel it is often safe for most fish as frankly they get knocked about far more in their natural environment, but for the more rambunctious piscis and more importantly for taking photos where you are holding them off the ground I would feel more comfortable with a mat. Also I'm based in London and often surrounded solely by concrete.

No worries JP,that wasn’t a sarcastic comment by the way,sometimes a shiny wet mat on a sloping bank is a recipe for disaster

No worries Nige I didn't take it that way! Sometimes typing stuff it can come across the wrong way. Frankly I have much to learn anyhow. I've yet to catch those big fish

[J-P]

Thanks for the responses.

For small fish will keep the existing roving roll up mat I have, it's excellent imo for that purpose (we are talking Perch mainly afterall). I have rarely needed it as most fish simply get released while still in the water. I've found the Drennan Mat your referring to Mike and look perfect for my needs, rolls up easily and easy to transport attached to the back of my backpack. I just didn't want the type that simply folds in half and takes tons of rooms. I will however likely need a larger one at some point also, as I really do want to take photos of any larger fish I catch (or at least until the novelty wears of; if it ever does!)

Nige as for a nice piece of lush grass I have mixed feelings. I feel it is often safe for most fish as frankly they get knocked about far more in their natural environment, but for the more rambunctious piscis and more importantly for taking photos where you are holding them off the ground I would feel more comfortable with a mat. Also I'm based in London and often surrounded solely by concrete.

Hi J-P
Dont spend any money just yet.
I have a couple you can have a free choice of.

That's great Mike. Took your advise and making use of Veals. Spoke to them on the phone and they were amazingly helpful and knowledgeable. Decided to buy my braid from them. I rather pay a little more for the level of service I feel they offer.

[Monts]

Thanks for the responses.

For small fish will keep the existing roving roll up mat I have, it's excellent imo for that purpose (we are talking Perch mainly afterall). I have rarely needed it as most fish simply get released while still in the water. I've found the Drennan Mat your referring to Mike and look perfect for my needs, rolls up easily and easy to transport attached to the back of my backpack. I just didn't want the type that simply folds in half and takes tons of rooms. I will however likely need a larger one at some point also, as I really do want to take photos of any larger fish I catch (or at least until the novelty wears of; if it ever does!)

Nige as for a nice piece of lush grass I have mixed feelings. I feel it is often safe for most fish as frankly they get knocked about far more in their natural environment, but for the more rambunctious piscis and more importantly for taking photos where you are holding them off the ground I would feel more comfortable with a mat. Also I'm based in London and often surrounded solely by concrete.

No worries JP,that wasn’t a sarcastic comment by the way,sometimes a shiny wet mat on a sloping bank is a recipe for disaster

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has stepped on a wet mate, on a wet slopping bank and ended up in the river, it shifts like fook

[Nige Johns]

Thanks for the responses.

For small fish will keep the existing roving roll up mat I have, it's excellent imo for that purpose (we are talking Perch mainly afterall). I have rarely needed it as most fish simply get released while still in the water. I've found the Drennan Mat your referring to Mike and look perfect for my needs, rolls up easily and easy to transport attached to the back of my backpack. I just didn't want the type that simply folds in half and takes tons of rooms. I will however likely need a larger one at some point also, as I really do want to take photos of any larger fish I catch (or at least until the novelty wears of; if it ever does!)

Nige as for a nice piece of lush grass I have mixed feelings. I feel it is often safe for most fish as frankly they get knocked about far more in their natural environment, but for the more rambunctious piscis and more importantly for taking photos where you are holding them off the ground I would feel more comfortable with a mat. Also I'm based in London and often surrounded solely by concrete.

No worries JP,that wasn’t a sarcastic comment by the way,sometimes a shiny wet mat on a sloping bank is a recipe for disaster

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has stepped on a wet mate, on a wet slopping bank and ended up in the river, it shifts like fook

Yeah it’s a bit like being a young kid sat in a carrier bag tobogganing down a snowy hill,

[John Milford]

Exercise mats are worth looking at and come in a good range of sizes. Colours can be a bit lairy, but it is usually possible to find a predominantly black one.

They're often much cheaper than the very similar things sold as unhooking mats.

[Woolley bully]

I use a bean bag type one that has a velcro loop on it hooked to my rucksack and if I need it I just pull it and it just comes off. And when I'm done just hook it back on.
Was only a cheap one too but works a treat