Rigger Plus Platform Barrow System Test

Seatbox platforms can transform your fishing. There are dozens of platform and barrow/trolley systems on the market but which one do you go for?

Dave Harrell using a Rigger Plus Platform on the RIver Wye.

If you regularly fish natural venues like rivers or big reservoirs then youll know all about fishing on spots where you don’t get the luxury of a gravel path to help you get to your peg or a wooden platform to put your box on. You may also be faced with the issue of having to cast across yards of shallow fishless water just to get your tackle out to the area where the fish are found.

Normally in this instance you will either avoid the venue or if you're on a river you are forced to fish the feeder or a large waggler when everyone else is bagging up on the stick.

A platform is what is needed in these instances and one of the strongest and reliable on the market are the ever popular, Rigger barrow platforms. The British firm have no less than three different platform systems in their range used by some of the sport’s biggest names including the likes of Angling Times columnist and river maestro Dave Harrell.

The Rigger Plus Platform is strong, sturdy and big enough for any seatbox.

Each of the platforms six legs have mudfeet

Their newest and largest of the range is the Rigger Plus. Measuring 950mm long by 750mm wide this platform is more than capable of supporting the largest of modern seatboxes and with two 900mm long legs, two 670mm legs in the middle and two 470mm at the end, its capable of positioning yourself further out in the water than many other systems on the market, making for a comfortable days fishing.

Rigger Plus Platforms have 17 attachment options and large hand wheels for tightening.

The platform which RRP’s at £279.99 on its own or £284.99 with the wheel kit, also has a staggering 17 location sockets for attaching things like keepnets and bait trays while youre out in the water.

To test out its capabilities Angling Times took it out for a live test on the River Trent.

We took the platform to the banks of the Midlands waterway on Worksop DAA's stretch at Holme Marsh.

This is the ideal location to test the platform with yards of shallow water on the nearside and the deep channel to cast to on the far bank.

Arriving at the venue we were unable to park right at the back of the peg so the barrow system which you can buy with the platform for a small fee was put to good use. Two handles and a super tough wheel make it easy to convert to a barrow for when your carrying your gear to and from the car. The solid hand wheels made it easy for cold hands to tighten the legs

The Rigger Plus Platform system comes with a barrow facility for carrying your gear.

We tried the platform with the large Preston Absolute seatboxes around 20 yards out in the water to fish the feeder into the far channel. It held everything nice and level including the angler and was super sturdy throughtout the test.

If you fish rivers a lot and want a product you can rely on. The Rigger systems really are worth a look at. Take a look on their website for more details.

Fox Explorer Barrow

- Ergonomically shaped removable handles

- Robust, hi-tensile steel frame 

- Quick-release wheel system with pneumatic tyre

- Swivelling mudfeet with spiked bases

- Compact pack-down design to fit in the smallest of car boots 

- Two FX Universal Barrow Straps with looped attachments to the frame

- Camo storage bag 

- Two mesh storage pockets (with side access) either side of the wheel 

- Compatible with the new Fox Camolite luggage range

Also available is an extendable front bag rack, which allows the Camolite Barrow Bag to sit right at the front of the barrow in ‘session mode’ when carrying a bedchair.

When fishing days without a bed, simply retract the front rack and turn the Barrow Bag round to face you.

This unique new Fox Explorer barrow for the day session angler is designed with versatility in mind – it can be tweaked for use on longer sessions where bedchairs and extra tackle are needed.

The idea is that the angler leaves most of his tackle in situ on the barrow while he fishes, so that packing up and moving swims can be done quickly with little hassle.

Thanks to an extendable front barrow bag rack, more space is made available for carrying extra kit. When these items are added the barrow remains well balanced.

The feature-packed Explorer comes with a drop-in, central storage bag in the Fox Camo pattern, along with two mesh storage pockets, one either side of the wheel, that are perfect for storing items such as a 5-litre water bottle and bait.

Bag and pockets have zipped sides for quick and easy access, with no need to take any items off of the barrow. 

Chub Transporter Barrow

The Chub Transporter barrow provides excellent load carrying capacity. The large pneumatic wheel is quick and easy to attach and will cope with rough and uneven ground. The adjustable front bar allows you to place heavy items over the wheel which provides greater stability and makes it much easier to push. The barrow is more than large enough to carry all your tackle and comes supplied with an under barrow bag and two elastic straps to hold everything in place.

RRP: £109.99