• Cradle Carp Mat on a Frame - What is it?

• Advantages of the Cradle-Type Carp Mat

• Top Carp Cradle Mats

• TOP 5 Cradle-Type Carp Mats

• Nash Hi-Protect Carp Cradle Camo Mat

• Avid Carp Stormshield Safeguard Cradle Mat

• Trakker Sanctuary Cradle Carp Mat

• Shimano Tribal Carp Cradle Euro Mat

• Fox Carpmaster Cradles Mat

Cradle Carp Mat on a Frame - What is it?

A cradle carp mat on a frame is a type of specialized pad with soft filling where we place the fish after catching and bringing it to the shore. The frame, usually made of steel or aluminum profiles, elevates the pad off the ground, ensuring that the fish in the mat has no contact whatsoever with the ground. Ground surfaces at fishing spots can vary, from grassy to gravel or even covered with large stones with sharp edges. A pad placed on a frame resembles somewhat a baby's cradle, which is why this name has been well adopted in the carp fishing slang.

Advantages of the Cradle-Type Carp Mat

The cradle-type carp mat, thanks to its design, is currently one of the safest solutions when it comes to the subject of keeping fish on the shore. Due to the aforementioned separation of the mat surface on which the fish is laid from the ground, even when it performs vigorous movements, it will not damage its body against the hard elements of the ground. Additionally, this type of mat usually has adjustable legs, which makes it easy to set up on uneven banks - such placement is very important for the safety of the fish, as uneven ground creates the danger of the fish sliding on the mat and, in the worst case, sliding off onto the hard ground, the consequences of which can be dire... The cradle-type mat usually has high sides, which also greatly affects safety. All these advantages, mainly related to the safety of fish, have led to cradle mats being the only permitted type of mats for keeping fish on the shore at many fishing sites.

Top 5 Cradle-Type Carp Mats

Our top 5 compilation of the best cradle-type carp mats includes all models that we can wholeheartedly recommend if you care about the highest level of fish protection. These mats are also convenient for the carp angler to use, as they include features that contribute to this.

Nash Hi-Protect Carp Cradle Camo

The frame mat from Nash is one of the most popular products in this category chosen by carp anglers. A solid and thought-out construction will surely satisfy the needs for high-class equipment in everyone! It certainly takes a place in our compilation of the 5 best frame mats.

What distinguishes the Nash Hi-Protect Carp Cradle Camo mat is the possibility of using it with a filling of soft lining or with a fully permeable net. Such options always allow you to properly care for the fish, as well as facilitate many activities related to handling the fish. The solid frame with adjustable legs used in this mat allows for quick setup on uneven terrain, while the tensioner system ensures always proper tension of the entire construction, as well as its stiffening. The Nash Hi-Protect Carp Cradle Camo mat also includes practical features such as a cover to secure the mat, which protects the fish from the sun or from falling out, and a knee pad - a blessing during a photo session on hard, stony ground. The mat is finished with an excellent Nash CAMO camouflage and is available in two sizes - Monster and Standard.

Avid Carp Stormshield Safeguard Cradle

The frame mat from Avid Carp is another model that can boast high-quality construction and extreme stability. This model, as soon as it appeared in our store's offer, immediately gained our appreciation, so it also found a place in our top picks.

The cradle type mat Avid Carp Stormshield Safeguard Cradle is a model that immediately stands out due to the number of legs - it has as many as 6! Such a number of fully adjustable legs guarantees that, regardless of the terrain on which it is set up, it will always be maximally stable. The thickly padded sides also deserve attention, which will protect the fish's body no matter the situation, e.g., when lifting it for a photo session or transferring to a weighing sack - the fish will never come into contact with the steel frame of the mat. The manufacturer also remembered about drainage outlets for excess water, which affects our comfort of use. The mat from Avid Carp definitely can carry the title of one of the best on the market, which is why it could not be missing in our TOP 5 Cradle Carp Mats on a Frame compilation.

Trakker Sanctuary Cradle

Trakker has long been known for high-quality products. In the case of the Trakker Sanctuary Cradle mat on a frame, it's no different. A model with 6 legs and the ability to adjust the type of substrate on which we place the fish is just two of the many advantages of this mat. It definitely deserves a place in the compilation.

When designing the Trakker Sanctuary Cradle model, it was certainly overseen by individuals who practice carp fishing intensively every day, as it has all the features that a frame mat should have! Starting from its interior, the possibilities of using this mat are two - with an insert that is fully waterproof and will not let even a milliliter of water through, and without an insert, then the fish is laid on a permeable, soft mesh. Such a solution allows for adjusting the mat to the conditions in which we will use it, personal preferences, but also to the regulations of many carp fishing sites. The cradle from Trakker also has six individually adjustable legs, which, regardless of the type of ground, will always allow it to be set up stably. An excellent convenience, not found in other such mats, is the spacious pocket with a flap protecting the interior from water, which easily accommodates a large carp scale or handy accessories needed for fish wound care. The mat is currently available in two sizes - Standard and XL. Definitely a successful design, as confirmed by many satisfied users!

Shimano Tribal Carp Cradle Euro

The Tribal Carp Cradle Euro mat on a frame, offered by Shimano, is a one-of-a-kind design, deviating slightly in shape from traditional 'cradles'. This model has several practical features missing in classic models, which are certainly useful by the water.

Features we mentioned include its rounded shapes and the profile of the rim, which have been achieved. Thanks to these features, the mat is even better adapted to the shapes of the fish and also facilitates maneuvering when transferring the carp to the sack or lifting it for photos. The arrangement of the legs used in this mat is also different than in models with a classic design, but it does not negatively affect the support of the fish above the ground surface. The applied mesh for draining excess water has been placed in the central part of the mat, which is a huge plus, as under the weight of the fish's body, all the water flows precisely to this spot, ensuring that water will always drain maximally, even with intense pouring over the fish. Included with the mat is a mesh cover that secures the fish from falling out when it makes vigorous movements. What's more, the Shimano Tribal Carp Cradle Euro mat is also worth mentioning for its small transport size relative to its large capacity. This was achieved thanks to the rounded shapes it possesses.

Fox Carpmaster Cradles Mat

The Fox brand needs no introduction to anyone who engages in the wonderful hobby of carp fishing. Their products are always well-conceived, which is also true for their Carpmaster Cradles Mat on a frame. This position had to take a place in our compilation!

The mat uses an innovative folding system, which differentiates it from classic models during transport - a longitudinal, thin package with the mat is much easier to fit into a fully packed car. The thickly padded edges, appropriately placed mesh holes for draining excess water, and the easy-to-clean material are noteworthy. Thanks to the camouflage color cover fastened with velcro, the fish kept in the mat is safe and also shielded from excessive sunlight. Together with the mat, we receive a transport cover. This model of the mat on a frame will certainly meet the requirements of every carp angler!