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New ESP Quickdraw Mats

As a carp angler mats have gone from the sublime to the ridiculous - the introduction of metal framed cradles (now compulsory at some venues) means even more weight / bulk to lug . . . . . although I prefer my old Aqua Mega Mat (a giant bean bag affair) flat type mats do have their downsides on uneven banks and the raised height of cradles minimises lifting heavy fish too far from the deck and prevents over zealous fish flipping off/out. This ESP / Drennan product is a good compromise IMHO and can see this being an advantage to all big fish anglers . . .!
 
If anyone is looking for a longer “pop up” mat Angling Direct have an offer on at the moment. £26.99 👍
www.anglingdirect.co.uk

Advanta Protector Quick-Cradle Large

Key Features Extremely light and portable pop-up design Lightweight frame providing a sided cradle design without weight and bulk Extremely quick to set-up Thick foam base Over-flap for fish safety Kneeling section Pegging points Supplied in a carry case Dimensions: 110cm L x 50cm W x 30cm D...
www.anglingdirect.co.uk www.anglingdirect.co.uk
 
Bill Walford said:
If anyone is looking for a longer “pop up” mat Angling Direct have an offer on at the moment. £26.99 👍
www.anglingdirect.co.uk

Advanta Protector Quick-Cradle Large

Key Features Extremely light and portable pop-up design Lightweight frame providing a sided cradle design without weight and bulk Extremely quick to set-up Thick foam base Over-flap for fish safety Kneeling section Pegging points Supplied in a carry case Dimensions: 110cm L x 50cm W x 30cm D...
www.anglingdirect.co.uk www.anglingdirect.co.uk
Click to expand...
Been using the Drennan Specialist (Compact Quickdraw) for a while now and its def a great bit of kit . . .lightweight, plenty big enough for specimen barbel and packs away nicely. I've been using it primarily for carp stalking and floater fishing over the summer but more recently on the Avon for chub . . . .no barbel have graced its sides as of yet! Only downside is the car journey home . . .needs a stinkbag!
 
Chris Belcher said:
Been using the Drennan Specialist (Compact Quickdraw) for a while now and its def a great bit of kit . . .lightweight, plenty big enough for specimen barbel and packs away nicely. I've been using it primarily for carp stalking and floater fishing over the summer but more recently on the Avon for chub . . . .no barbel have graced its sides as of yet! Only downside is the car journey home . . .needs a stinkbag!
Click to expand...
The drennan and esp are identical mats. I had a look at them in the tackle shop. I’ll be brutally honest……. Not impressed with them. I expected them to be more compact rolled up but they are quite bulky.
No loops either so you need a bag compatible with that clip.
Also the walls ain’t very supportive they pull up with the draw string but it doesn’t any real reinforcement there at all.
Korum fast mat and fold a mat leaves it for dead imo
 
Chris Belcher said:
Been using the Drennan Specialist (Compact Quickdraw) for a while now and its def a great bit of kit . . .lightweight, plenty big enough for specimen barbel and packs away nicely. I've been using it primarily for carp stalking and floater fishing over the summer but more recently on the Avon for chub . . . .no barbel have graced its sides as of yet! Only downside is the car journey home . . .needs a stinkbag!
Click to expand...
Chris,
Re stink bag, go on eBay and get yourself either some extra large heavy duty dustbin liners or a survival bag (available in Carpy green or bright orange) and cut down to size. I’ve been using the same cut down survival bag now for about three years, it takes my unhooking mat and landing nets and saves the sink in the car.
Regards
Bill
 
Richard Isaacs said:
The drennan and esp are identical mats. I had a look at them in the tackle shop. I’ll be brutally honest……. Not impressed with them. I expected them to be more compact rolled up but they are quite bulky.
No loops either so you need a bag compatible with that clip.
Also the walls ain’t very supportive they pull up with the draw string but it doesn’t any real reinforcement there at all.
Korum fast mat and fold a mat leaves it for dead imo
Click to expand...
I’ve had a Korum Fast Mat for the past couple of years but have been fortunate to catch three Barbel which pushed it length wise hence me buying the Angling Direct longer model. The AD hasn’t been delivered yet so will keep my powder dry ‘till I’ve used it. My Fast Mat will now get used for Tench.
 
Bill Walford said:
I’ve had a Korum Fast Mat for the past couple of years but have been fortunate to catch three Barbel which pushed it length wise hence me buying the Angling Direct longer model. The AD hasn’t been delivered yet so will keep my powder dry ‘till I’ve used it. My Fast Mat will now get used for Tench.
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That’s exactly the reason I swapped my fast mat out too Bill. Not much room near its trap to get my fat hands in.
Look forward to hearing about your thoughts on the new one.
 
Richard Isaacs said:
It looks a great product and fair play to ESP if that is their first attempt at a “fast Mat” type device then they’ve done what looks like a sterling job of it.
I don’t have any criticisms from what I saw I was just saying that the key differences in that particular Mat are only going to be found useful to specimen carp anglers because of their arrangements and the way carp can deal with things a bit more hardy than barbel. they like to have the Mat sitting behind the bivvy so everyone on the lake can see the catch of the day and they like to get that last photo of the fish sliding head first into the lake as they support it in 3 feet of water in their shorts. 🤣.
unfortunately our desired species wouldn’t tolerate it and shed be pretty hacked off if I was to wonder her around like carrying a tarts handbag and then decided to strip down to the undercrackers, jump in the river nene with her and just turf her down the slide while attempting a selfy.
sounds like very hard work to me let alone the poor fish 🤣
So all in all...... great carp Mat with some useful barbel features too 👍🏻
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i bought one of these when i forgot my korum fast mat and used it for a couple of fish but thats the only time i have used it as its nowhere as good as the fast mat which i use all the time.

you cant keep water in it as there are holes and the sides dont stand up great either its better than a flat mat but never as good as a fast mat
 
Richard Isaacs said:
The drennan and esp are identical mats. I had a look at them in the tackle shop. I’ll be brutally honest……. Not impressed with them. I expected them to be more compact rolled up but they are quite bulky.
No loops either so you need a bag compatible with that clip.
Also the walls ain’t very supportive they pull up with the draw string but it doesn’t any real reinforcement there at all.
Korum fast mat and fold a mat leaves it for dead imo
Click to expand...
Think there is a subtle difference in the clips . . .the drennan fits the drennan specialist rucksack - the esp variant has larger clips for the relevant esp gear . . .Don't find the drennan bulky at all, maybe compared to a Fox Specialist Compact but hardly a beast - clips to my 40l rucksuck perfectly so therefore no faff to carry. Walls are fine for 20lb carp, so should be good for 20lb barbel! (not that I'll be gracing it with one of those . . .)
 
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