Frabil Cradle

Got a Frabil Cradle with aluminum handles can anyone tell me if these thisngs float. The whole idea of getting it was so that I could land a fish while out by myself.
Zoomer

Cradles are a pain alone, takes 2 hands to operate them right. IMO they are also dangerous due to flying hooks being your right over the fish when landing. Personaly I prefer the Beckman net by myself and the Big Kahuna if theres 2 of us in the boat. Bags are huge on these and allows you to let the fish settle after unhooking while you get things in order before releasing. Just stand on the handle while you do what you need or wedge it under a seat. I like letting fish calm down in the net 2-3 minutes before getting a pic or releasing, hard to leave a fish to settle in a cradle.

The frabil cradles do float but like shaley said they are a hazard to use alone or with others. I would return it and buy the big kahuna net by frabil Less harm to you and the fish

I was using a cradle with clients years ago per a sponsor deal and I took a Depth Raider through my middle finger and two days later a Suick on the side of my head, thankfully not my eyes, that was the end of the cradle deal. Now I run a big Beckman Fin Saver net and love it. Very few tangles and it cuts the water well enough to run with one hand. Just tuck the handle under your arm and hold the net with one hand.

Yeah, like everyone else is saying, the cradle is the worst thing you could use if you’re by your self
I like my beckman, but any of the big nets will do
It’s alot safer for you & fish, and it’ll pay for itself the very first time you use it

Well all I wanted to know is if it floated, but it looks like I will be trying to get the big gut in the red suit to make a u-turn to come back and get the cradle. Thanks for the feedback.
zoomer

zoomer:

Everyone voted against the cradle. I use a net that has a big enough bag to get the fish in, but to let it rest, not so good… I bought the cradle to utilize it to measure/take pics of the fish by myself. The handles do float, I simply unhook the fish and move it from the net to the cradle to do any measuring/picture taking. Its not necessary for me to take a pic with me in the shot, so the fish in the cradle is just fine for me. It was financially a better option for me at the time. I am still looking at upgrading my net to the largest Beckman or Frabill. EVERYTHING is about keeping the fish in the water as much as possible for me. What the guys said above are all very well placed concerns if you are using the cradle to net your fish.

Mark