Sanctuary Collection
What happens when you mix all of Trakker’s consultants carp-catching years’ of experience with new tech, fabrics and manufacturing processes? Well, this: the most eye-pleasing to us and the safest and most friendly to the carp collection of nets, mats and carp care-related products
Carp of the world, bounce (okay, sort of flap) with joy. As part of their SS collection, Trakker have a new line-up of carp care products, all designed to be more functional to you and more softer and delicate to the carp whilst they’re bankside. If The Parrot had the choice, he’d clearly opt to eat the food of the guy who owns some of this kit…
EQ Two-Piece Carbon Landing Net
It’s beautiful and you will want one. Constructing it is easy (even if you’ve got feeble arms), and the minimal spreader block, which is machined from stainless steel, creates a lovely ‘bow’ in the arms. And talking of those, they’re made from carbon and feature reinforced net top corners. What makes it even more perfect is the weed green mesh and new two-piece 6ft high modular carbon pole – making it ideal for (a) normal day-to-day angling situations, (b) boat use or (c), add the Hydro Landing Net Extension Handle (£49.99) and it’s perfect for Zig Rig fishing. Subsequently, the makers won’t be getting this back. Sorry.
“GIMME”: Look to pay around £89.99; trakkerproducts.com
Hydro Two-Piece Landing Net
This gorgeous creature is faultless in everyway. Produced in super high-modulus carbon, the new two-piece 6ft handle is lightweight, strong and (most importantly) exceptionally rigid – like that’s why this net has such a high-end price tag. The 42” arms are made from the same carbon material with strengthening at the spigots, reinforced net top corners, understated styling and graphics on the pole and a very funky large Trakker icon woven into the mesh. It’s eye-pleasing, functional – and at £219.99 – pretty darn exclusive too.
Net Extras
Retention Welded Stinkbag
The aroma you get after leaving your carp-catching landing net in the car is enough to make a priest doubt the existence of God. Thankfully, Trakker’s Retention Welded Stinkbag is designed to prevent all those nasty, unwanted moisture and odours from escaping and it does a sterling job of doing that thanks to its welded construction to retain water and smells. The Standard sized model will accommodate 42 and 46” nets, whilst the XL up to 50”.
“GIMME”: Prices start from around £9.99
42'' Landing Net - Spare Olive Mesh
Ripped your mesh? No problem! Trakker have a cheap-as-chips solution: it retails for around £14.99, it fits 42” arms, it has a mesh depth of 95cm, and it’s been specifically designed for the brand’s EQ and CR-42 landing nets.
Sanctuary Oval Crib
Not content with supplying the angling world with some of the best bivvies, bedchairs and bucket hats (have you checked out their new clothing line for this spring? Ooh, we would), Trakker have now focused their attention to reinventing the unhooking mat – and the result is something which isn’t just lightweight and compact when in transport, but is the most fish-friendly CARPology.net has ever reviewed.
In terms of fish security, the combination of the new oval shape and high-sided stuff outer walls means no matter how much your latest result plays up, it can’t go anywhere. Along with the new sculpted shape and sides, Trakker have added in a thick, soft, padded foam base with screams out “total carp protection”, and unlike their competitors’ efforts at ‘high-walled mats’ which often get bogged down with trapped water, Trakker have ensured this doesn’t happen by including mesh vents at either end.
However, the real clever feature tweak on this spring-launched product is the fish-retaining flat. Where everyone else stitches it to the top of the walls, making it as much use as an inflatable dartboard, Trakker have fixed it at the padded base height. This means it’s actually resting on top of the carp, so it’s reducing the amount the carp can flap and move. Such a simple adjustment but one which makes so much sense.
On top of all these carp/you-friendly features, the other real beaut about this mat is how compact it is when packed away. First off, there’s no Velcro straps – that extra thick padded base keeps the sides upright when it’s pushed into position – and by removing that you’ll turn this 115 x 55cm sized mat (capably of handling carp to 60lbs) into something that folds in on itself and into a carry bag for easy transportation. Our Product of the Year and is out now.
“GIMME”: Look to pay around £89.99
Retention Sling Cord
At the end of the day, it’s a sling cord, so on paper it’s nothing revolutionary. However, in terms of functionality and price, it ticks both boxes. This 5m replacement cord will fit all retention slings/carp sacks, comes in a super bright orange pantone, has a thread and ring bankstick attachment for improved security and a heavy-duty clip for easy attachment.
“GIMME”: Look to pay around £4.99
