Guys my unhooking mat & weigh sling is around

[Basspro]

Guys my unhooking mat & weigh sling is around 15yrs old -- it's weighed a lot of fish & many rested on the un-hooking mat ... my mat is starting to tear and the weigh sling is also wearing thin.......

They Fox brands served me well -

I might want to get a new set soon but haven't really been looking seriously -

Question: Your opinion on what brands are out there from Local to International and what U using and if U made a good buy / happy with your product ... ??

and

Where to get the best possible price ?? don't be shy ... give me your opinions


In fact I think I'll use the old set for barbel fishing when I upgrade !!!

 

[Mariusd]

Jongie, the best unhooking mats and weigh slings are usualy the ones with fish on/in it

I find Fox very good

 

[chris_leon]

Basspro,

I bought the Nash Unhooking Mat, its not like the docks one that has a "bath" like feature however if its good enough for Jim Shelley and the boys from Nash its good enough for me. it was R220 and looks like this....

The docks weigh sling is the one i have and also good value for money with the rubberised mesh in the centre to allow water drainage and the stitching is also one the outside so it cannot damage the fish. it has zips on both sides as well. it was +- R275

 

 

[chris_leon]

This is the gardner unhooking matt but the docks one is exactly the same thing. it is R444.

The Docks Carp Cradle (looks like a bath) is R660.

 

Hop this helps

 

[chris_leon]

The Docks Carp Cradle looks exactly the same as this. R660

 

[kaboem]

Hi Basspro

I have the Gillfox Endurance unhooking mat, it looks alot like the Docs one but it is a bit thicker and has better padding i believe. It Cost R400.

I know Nash is an awesom product but that flimsy thin unhooking mat that i saw in the pics above really doesint make sence to me... There is no handles on it and it is very thin a fish that has not been  played propely will jump and flap around and thats how they injure themselfs and loose scales.

Now im not knocking anyone its just my opinion. And i believe the thicker the the better.

My 2c

 

[Basspro]

My old unhooking mat was one of the very first that was imported - it has padding on both sides which is pretty thick - & U can open it to kneel on as well...

I have a new Nash Monster Weigh Sling I bought years ago & only use it for longer sessions on big lakes ...

I'll go around to some local dealers to view the products ...

 

[kaboem]

Hi Basspro

Need some advice i stay in Alberton and i buy the most of my gear in Pta, and WA. Tell me where can i find a angling shop that sells Nash/Fox/Gardner tackle anywhere in  JHB.

 

[Basspro]

Try African Gold & Hyper Pawn ... they both in Florida, Goldman Street ...

This will be my route: Bens Tackle in Newlands then drive to Anglers Paradise on Ontdekkers Road, from there I'll go to Hyper Pawn and finally to African Gold ....

In fact does any of these local dealers have a website ? If not I think its pretty lame that they don't because one could view the product and even buy on-line & go & collect or they can deliver ...

I know when we started Specimen Angling in South Africa the "then African Gold" used to deliver your products if U don't / can't collect yourself. I got most of what I bought delivered at home and they even go through your purchase with U to make sure U happy & everything is in order...

Now that was service !! 

 

 

[kaboem]

Thanks Basspro

As it is still quiet here at work i think im going to take a drive there tomorrow and go and visit all of the above stores.

Thanks again.

 

[SdB]

kaboem wrote:

I know Nash is an awesom product but that flimsy thin unhooking mat that i saw in the pics above really doesint make sence to me... There is no handles on it and it is very thin a fish that has not been  played propely will jump and flap around and thats how they injure themselfs and loose scales.

My 2c

Ag, please. That mat is more than adequate to unhook fish up to 50 pounds easy. The whole problem is with anglers taking pictures of large fish outside of the water. Unhooking mats is for protecting the fish while being handled while unhooking, which it is is doing.

I've seen fish flap out of lots of unhooking mats. It's all about how the angler handles the situation. That product adheres to everything it's supposed to. You can drive your fist into that mat while it is laid flat on a concrete slab and still be okay. From where do want to drop the fish?
Angler like Jim Shelly uses these unhooking mats and has landed record UK carp. I do not see the problem.
Lots of angling equipment is designed to catch anglers, not fish.

 

[KUSAF]

I use the fox stalker unhooking mat. It ist the padded one similar to the gardner one posted here but does not have that flap for kneeling. I just wet a carp sack and put that over the fish if need be. Mias still has one and im sure you can pick it up for R450.

JRC has got a nice weighsling that wont cost you an arm and a leg. Check them at WA.

African Gold do not deliver anymore.

Rratlapi angling has a website but none of the others do. Henkor will send you pricelists via e-mail and they will courier at a cost.

 

[KUSAF]

SdB wrote:

kaboem wrote:

I know Nash is an awesom product but that flimsy thin unhooking mat that i saw in the pics above really doesint make sence to me... There is no handles on it and it is very thin a fish that has not been  played propely will jump and flap around and thats how they injure themselfs and loose scales.

My 2c

Ag, please. That mat is more than adequate to unhook fish up to 50 pounds easy. The whole problem is with anglers taking pictures of large fish outside of the water. Unhooking mats is for protecting the fish while being handled while unhooking, which it is is doing.

I've seen fish flap out of lots of unhooking mats. It's all about how the angler handles the situation. That product adheres to everything it's supposed to. You can drive your fist into that mat while it is laid flat on a concrete slab and still be okay. From where do want to drop the fish?
Angler like Jim Shelly uses these unhooking mats and has landed record UK carp. I do not see the problem.
Lots of angling equipment is designed to catch anglers, not fish.

Yes Stefan it will do the job. Unfortunately waters like Rushmere, Klaserie Caravan Park and Donaldson Top Lake you are not allowed to use them. Seeing that Basspro has started fishing Rushmere I would not recommend it.

 

[SdB]

Laurentia's rules states - Compulsory Unhooking Mats (Min 120cm x 70cm x 5cm)

It does meet the requirements.

But now we're just hi-jacking. Please continue.

 

[kaboem]

I still wont buy it, I dont really care who uses it and how hard you can put your fist into it. It looks to thin to me might save some space when  packing your gear but thats about it. My opinion only.

 

[Basspro]

All things being equal my current unhooking mat with tearing & all have seen carp to 50lb on it - well padded I might add. The weigh sling the same.

However please Hi-Jack all U want - this is the stuff carp fishing is made of-HEALTHY ARGUMENTS

I think for the most part all of us want "NAME BRANDS" 'cos we know the product and have been using it for ages similar to terminal tackle i.e Docks, BFA & any other make I see out there .....

I'll never buy the first thing I see 'cos a carp can practically fall asleep on it, no way. I'm the kind of buyer that does his homework before any money exchanges hands.

Here's a story: Maybe some of U know it: A 40lb carp was caught & handled by a "well known local "PRO" Specimen Angler" - after weighing he stood up & held the carp for photo's..now why the hell will U stand up and hold the carp is beyond me - the fish flapped and fell to the ground - a few days later it was found belly up...

Let me tell U it created an outcry & fingers were pointed in this particular guys direction ...

So be careful okes - do the right thing the right way.

 

[schelton]

Well said Basspro!!!!

 

[kaboem]

Hi Basspro

Could this be the same angeler you and i had a healthy argument about a few weeks ago??? If so then i understand your point of view.

 

 

[Basspro]

Kusaf I've looked at that Fox Stalker Unhooking Mat & I like it - might be the one for me !!!

If Gardner or Fox is cheaper than Docks then I'll go for one of those - why is it the "local brands" seem to be more expensive ????

 

[Basspro]

No Kaboem - not the same angler dude ... this was years ago before many guys started Specimen Angling ...

I sound old saying this but my fishing started at an early age.