I was impressed that the low to ground frame that makes it easy to lift the carp, whilst the oval frame also reduces weight and increases stability. A top setup, this is the best carp cradle in our guide – well it is for the added extras and the value for money accessories you get with it! Where this cradle is different to others is mainly due to the frame. The NGT cradle features an X frame design, constructed from lightweight, yet strong aluminium. This makes the cradle lightweight at just 5.5kg.

If you are looking for a carp cradle & sling bundle, we’ve found just the one – the NGT large carp cradle and weigh sling is great for new carp anglers, of those on a tight budget. The best way to transfer a carp to and from the water is in your carp weigh sling. You can collapse your net down in the edge and put the whole thing in the weigh sling for bringing your carp up onto the bank. Features include a mesh base so water can drain away as you keep the fish calm by pouring water over its gill areas. Looking at this mat on the images and you may be forgiven for thinking that it is a super bulky. And guess what, it is. However, we think this is outweighed by the fact that you can get rid of the walled section completely. Borrowing more than you can afford or paying late may negatively impact your financial status and ability to obtain credit.

This cradle is in competition with the likes of the Dwarf Sling Mat and the Scope Flat Unhooking Mat. Neither of these have any side protection for the carp and that’s where the ESP wins hands down.

Carp slings are designed to take weight and usually feature well-positioned handles to make lifting them out of the water a breeze. You can then return the carp to the water in the sling too. Where can I buy a carp cradle? No matter how Wychwood have tried to market it, this cradle is quite cumbersome when folded up. For that reason, it doesn’t work well as a mat for someone who likes to travel light. In the centre of the frame are two hinges which allow you to fold the cradle in half. The legs fold in from either side, therefore it ends up no bigger than a small carp chair. Don’t let Korda’s ‘Basix’ sub brand fool you. This fishing cradle is far from basic, lending itself to use in a variety of carp fishing scenarios. Don’t get me wrong, the walls of this cradle are nowhere near as robust and padded as others we have mentioned on this best carp cradle guide. But that’s the point; they’re not meant to be.

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Whilst the Everlevel isn’t marketed as a very transportable unhooking cradle, it isn’t the bulkiest that we have reviewed. Built on a rectangle frame, the Everlevel is covered in soft material all around the edges too, preventing any hard spots for carp to bash against.

When you’re finished with the mat, you basically fold down the walled section and sit it inside the flat mat. The whole thing is then clipped together into one big bulky square. No need for a pump either, because this cradle inflates in seconds, leaving you with no bulky item to carry along with you on the water or drive home with. The caps can be unscrewed so that the T-bar can be stored inside, making them easy to transport and keep safe.Six height adjustable legs give you complete stability, with mud feet that don’t sink into any boggy ground. Constructed from a fish-friendly 210D PVC material, it provides more than enough support for your carp on the bank. The material feels soft to the touch, however there is a clear difference between the quality used here and that of the Trakker Sanctuary we mentioned above. As standard with NGT, this product situates itself at the lower end of the cradle market. Whilst the material is not as high quality as the Trakker or Avid cradles, there are some features you wouldn’t expect for the price. Padded knee pad Plus, it’s easy to carry with handy carry handles. Folding design makes it easy to store when not in use. This has the benefit of saving massively on space. When you open the cradle up for the first time, it looks like a flat unhooking mat. Pull in the draw strings and the sides come together to make more of a cradle shape. The safest stalking cradle