New Octbox D36 and D25 seatboxes
Nordik Tackle, the German company behind the Octbox, has come on in leaps and bounds in the eight years since the launch of its original Mk1 seatbox.
The latest incarnation of the legendary Octbox D36 is the most advanced to date, boasting a host of angler-friendly innovations.
With no expense spared on materials or design, the box is superbly stable, even when positioned on soft or silty bottoms, thanks to its 35mm diameter legs and cleverly corrugated mudfeet.
In lab tests the leg block systems were found to support up to 280kg (44 stone) without slipping, which by anyone’s standards is impressive.
The box also features a unique Outrigger bar set that allows it to be used without a platform in up to 5ft of water. The bar is used as a ‘step-up’ when climbing on to or off of the box.
As well as catering for the needs of anglers on natural venues, the feature-packed D25 seatbox system is ideal for the commercial match angler. Extending posts are built into the top of each leg which allows side trays and accessory fittings to be perfectly positioned to any height.
The aluminium box, weighing only 13.5kg in its four-drawer configuration, is one of the lightest seatboxes on the market. It is constructed in such a manner that its side drawers can be opened without the angler having to take his weight off the box. For info see www.nordiktackle.net.
PAY AROUND
Octbox D36 from £695
Octbox D25 from £350
ADDITIONAL OCTBOX ACCESSORIES
The D25 Outrigger Bar Set, fitted with D36 legs, allows the footplate to be placed in the water with the rear legs on the bank. Price: £97.50
XL Bait Waiter with pivoting bait tray. Price: £74.50
Adjustable Feeder Arm.
Price: £27.95
Adjustable Top-kit and Rod Roost that can support up to three rods and six kits. Price: £74.50
LONG TERM TEST: Matrix Superbox 36 seatbox
I’ve been using a lime-coloured Superbox S36 for the past 12 months, having previously owned an original Super 36 and a Superbox 1 too.
As a match angler, when I’m going to be sat on something for five or six hours once or twice a week then I want it to be comfortable. And that’s exactly what the S36 is all about. This is a big box and with the combination of the special padded seat and 36mm legs, it makes this is a very stable set up. If you're comfortable, you're able to concentrate more and also be more patient, which means more fish on the bank.
The only slight drawbag of all this stability is the weight as it’s not the lightest box out there. But I rarely carry my box more than 50 yards or so and if I have a bit of a walk to a peg then I’ll put it on a shuttle-type trolley anyway. A good wheel kit is also available for the S36 range.
I’ve kitted out my S36 with a deep cross drawer and a shallow cross drawer, which takes it to the perfect height for me, keeping my feet and legs level for pole fishing. The draws themselves are very good, they rarely stick and dividers are supplied. I also have a rig stacking system which slides on top of the footplate for transit.
I confess I had a few issues with the original superboxes, namely the footplate cassette 'warping' upwards on the Mark I, and a few of the rubber back plate graphics falling off on the Mark II . I'm pleased to report that these have been more than addressed with all current Matrix Superboxes. The anti-warp footplate in particular is nicely solid so you can stand up on it in complete confidence, without the risk of anything slipping.
Also the back plate is secured in layers with no chance of the logo coming off. There are a few holes in the plate to make for a skeletal design, although a few more of these would have been welcome to further reduce weight, but this is me being very picky here!
The Superbox 36 has loads of useful little features added on too. At the top of each 36mm leg is a screw insert for attachments or leg extensions, plus there's a spirit level and an extended thread on the footplate hand wheels, to adjust how much footplate you want out.
Colour wise I went for the initial lime version over the grey one as it matched my luggage but since then the range has been added to quite a few times. You'll now find blue and black models, which are about to come out, plus some limited edition turquoise and orange versions are already in circulation. The choice is yours!
This brings me nicely onto the cost. Now the price of seatboxes seems to have reached dizzy new heights recently, a bit like the transfer market in football. Not so with the S36 however. Depending on the colour, a full spec S36 will only set you back somewhere in the region of £399 to £499. Now if that's not value for money, given the build quality, I don't know what is!
THE VERDICT
A very solid box and a great all around fishing station with plenty of add ons available.
If the Superbox 36 serves you half as well as it has served me then it's a worthwhile investment. Thumbs up from me!
Ben Fisk
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.
Exclusive first review of Preston Innovations' new carbon seatbox
Preston Innovations has just unveiled its best fishing seatbox ever, the stunning Absolute Carbon which, as its name suggests, is constructed primarily from carbon.
1. OVERVIEW
The box is 25% lighter than Preston's original Absolute seat boxes and even includes a 100% aerospace grade carbon fibre footplate frame, legs and mudfeet. All box legs are 36mm, the same diameter seen on its recently-launched Absolute White 36 edition too.
On the strength front it has strategic carbon fibre reinforcement in all key areas so the reduction in weight hasn't compromised on the stability.
Looks-wise it's a matt black finish all over but we like this as it gives it a subtle yet classy and almost elegant feel. The legs in particular have a highly-attractive carbon type weave look too.
Each carbon seatbox comes with its own unique identification number, a bit like a car chassis, and there's even going to be an owners club too.
So how much will all this set you back? Well it carries an RRP of £2,199.99. Expensive yes but Preston's seatbox game just got a whole lot stronger...
KEY FEATURES
•Re-designed leg blocks and telescopic carbon fibre inner legs, feature a TPE non-marking system
•Spring loaded quick release pins secure the footplate in place and the winder tray cassette
•Spirit level located on the central frame
•ABST units feature brand new ‘Mag Lok’ locking clips (fully compatible with all original Absolute Station Units and SeatBoxes)
•ABST tray is supplied with interchangeable colour tabs to match the colour choice of your winder selection
•Deluxe padded seat with an integrated shallow side drawer
THE PACKAGE
•40mm Concealed Front Drawer Unit
•40mm Compartmented Side Drawer Unit
•Deluxe Padded Seat With Integrated Side Drawer
•13cm Winder Tray (Complete With Winders)
•18cm Winder Tray (Complete With Winders)
•26cm Winder Tray (Complete With Winders)
•Cassette Lid
•Custom Designed Seatbox Cover
•Deluxe Padded Shoulder Strap
•Shuttle Adaptor
•Carbon Fibre “After-Care Kit”
BEST PRICE FOR THE BOX HERE
2. WATCH THE VIDEO
3. WHY CARBON? A DESIGNER'S VIEW
With Preston Product Designer Chris Taylor, one of the driving forces behind the box.
How easy was it to produce?
Tackle such as poles and landing net handles are simple extrusions off a mandrel but with a seatbox you have to do a lot more with the carbon. You need to incorporate curves and reinforced points in key areas to withstand the weight of a large person.
To get the curves in the frame we used a foam core wrapped with a carbon weave, with extra wraps for strength where needed. Getting the correct finish was key too as it had to look as good as it performed.
How does it compare to aluminium?
We’ve put carbon in every place we’ve used aluminium in the past, including the footplate. We could have gone on and used carbon units too but the price would have been significantly more. It’s been three years in the making and compared to the original Absolutes, there’s a 3kg saving on weight.
How come the £2,000-plus price point?
Carbon doesn’t come cheap and it's about attention to detail too. The boxes are hand assembled in our factory, not mass produced, which we’ve never done before. Each one is hand wrapped and treated as an individual with its own identification number, so the carbon weave may differ slightly on each. We also meticulously inspect each one before it goes out, to make sure it meets our check list of quality.
5. OUR VERDICT - THE BUGATTI VEYRON OF FISHING STATIONS
Angling Times Tackle editor Mark Sawyer has five good reasons why you should invest...
1. ITS LIGHTWEIGHT AND TOUGH AS OLD BOOTS
The carbon frame, legs, mud-feet, and footplate combine to make it 25% lighter than a standard seatbox of a comparable size. That’s quite a weight saving, especially if you’re often faced with long walks. The 36mm carbon legs with their cleverly designed carbon mud-feet provide it with a seriously sturdy stature, even if you’ve been on the pies! In tests the carbon frame has been subjected to weights in excess of 20 stone.
2. IT'S A TACKLE TART'S DREAM
Not only will the carbon curves and lines leave you drooling for more, the legs and mud-feet provide it with superb low-profile look. It also comes with tarty fluoro colour-coded clips that can fit onto the front and back of all draws and cassettes. Add to that a carbon fibre ‘after care kit’ for polishing it with, plus a custom designed seatbox cover, and you have the stand-out seatbox of the past decade.
3. IT'S HIGHLY FUNCTIONAL
Yes it looks good, but it’s also very functional. Preston has fitted the box with its latest Mag Lok magnetic clips- they’re easy to use and will also withstand serious amounts of wear and tear without falling to bits. Underneath, the deluxe padded seat is an integrated side drawer unit, a 40mm concealed front draw unit and a fully compartmented side draw unit. To that you can add 13cm, 18cm and 26cm full winder trays, a Shuttle Adaptor, and fully removable footplate which is handy when using a platform in deep water.
4. IT'S PACKED WITH INNOVATION
The footplate boasts spring loaded clips that are easily and quickly located into two secure locking positions so different lengths of footplate can be used. TPS systems on the leg blocks not only prevent the precious carbon legs from being scratched, they also negate any chance of leg slippage or over-tightening. And as the box is hand assembled here in the UK, you can be assured that it has undergone strident quality control before being allowed to leave the factory.
5. IT'S ALL YOURS AND YOU'RE IN THE CLUB!
Every Absolute Carbon comes with its own unique code number, so you’ll always know it’s yours. There will also be an exclusive owners club, although I can’t imagine the Christmas party will be remembered for much except sitting around together... on carbon! But joking aside, it’s a nice touch from Preston who clearly value their after-sales customer care. Thumbs up from us...
Five reasons why you'll want Guru's new seatbox
It’s one of the worst kept secrets of the year, but Guru’s new ST Limited Edition seatbox – created in collaboration with the lads at box genius Rive – is about to hit the shops.
Keen-eyed match anglers flicking through their social media feeds or bumping into match aces Pemb Wrighting, Matt Godfrey and Adam Rooney on the bank will have spotted early prototypes over the past couple of seasons, but now we can all get our hands on the finished article.
Liveried in the progressive company’s black and orange glory, it’s the result of over two years of work for the Guru team.
Attention to detail is evident in each part, from the hand-made cushion to the solid footplate and metal frontages to the drawers.
This bit of kit is built to serve the most demanding of matchmen, and even with our brief acquaintance of the £1,149 RRP box, we can tell it’s something special.
Trust us, if you’re serious about your fishing, you’ll want one. Here’s why…
1) It’s comfier than a new sofa
Guru wasn’t happy with a standard cushion so it commissioned a new, handcrafted style christened the ‘Dream’ cushion. Built by master saddlers in Strasbourg, it looks the part and is made to last. It also features a tough pole butt rest for those who like to fish hands-free with a front bar.
The cushion is thicker than a doorstep bacon butty and just as satisfying, from the time you first sit on it to when you get off five hours later. Those with longer legs can easily get comfy by adding clip-in trays beneath the seat.
2) It’s solid… as a rock
The box has a wide stance and rides low to the ground on six 36mm diameter legs for total stability. Each leg has 25mm telescopic inserts for easy adjustments and levelling.
The patented HSP (High Stability Footplate) distributes weight across four legs, while unique clips ensures the footplate won’t move.
Each drawer features a metal fascia (and easy-grip knob) so its always easy to open even when you’ve got a big lad sat on the box. Even the paint covering the frame is toughened for a longerlife.
3) You can get a lot of kit in it
Under the seat you’ll find a 3ins deep, front-opening drawer and a shallower, full-length side drawer. There’s also a spare under-box cassette and carry lid, which clips securely into the frame and can be added to from the range of extra trays available for tons of extra storage.
To be fair, if you’re filling it you’re probably taking too much kit!
4) You’ll stand out on the bank!
Just look at it! Guru isn’t noted for its muted choice ofcolours and, let’s be honest, we’re not stalking wild trout on gin-clear chalkstreams here so a bit of colour on the bank will make you stand out from the crowd – in a classy way, of course.
The matt black finish is punctuated by a personalised Guru/Rive backplate, unique to the box, while each drawer features a colour-coded fascia.
5) It’s adaptable
Once you’ve got your box sitting perfectly in your peg, it can be a pain shifting it to add attachments or make micro adjustments to the height – but the ST’s patented open leg system allows legs to be removed without moving the box out of position. This also makes it quick and easy to unclip the legs for transport in your car.
We’ve seen this on boxes before, but few have been as solid as on this version – you can’t overtighten these legs either! The Open Cap System on the legs will host various Rive arms and other attachments.
Shakespeare Seatbox
AFTER nearly 30 years away, the classic all-plastic Shakespeare seatbox is back, slightly tweaked for the modern era. Push-in front-locking buttons are replaced by hinged catch locks. Lid width is increased, spreading seated weight better.mThe carry strap is now placed centrally, rather than towards one side.
Price: £49.99
CHOICE OF TWO COLOURS
The new Shakespeare seatbox comes in either blue or black.
SEATBOX CLIP
The box has re-designed catch clips that appear to be hard wearing and easy to use.
SEATBOX SIDE TRAY
The supplied side tray can be clipped to the front, or either side, of the seatbox.
IDEAL FOR SEA ANGLERS TOO!
The seatbox swallows everything from bait boxes to float tubes, catties, reels, even a flask and sandwich box.
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO!
Preston Innovations Absolute 36 White Edition fishing seatbox
Building on the success of its Absolute Station seatboxes, Preston Innovations has added some superb new features to make its next-generation ‘butt rests’ better than ever with this 36 White Edition.
The new design is based around a 36mm profile six-leg system which offers unrivalled stability and looks the part too. Low-profile mudfeet take a couple of inches off the height of the seat, so you can set it up with a very low skyline presence when the need arises.
The weight of the boxes has been trimmed down, and it doesn’t stop there. The footplate is secured in place (two positions to choose from) by spring-loaded quick-release pins which can be precisely locked open or closed, resulting in rock-solid stability.
For convenience, the winder tray cassette uses the same quick-release locking pins, and the clever design of the frame allows the cassette to slide out from the front or rear. A spirit level on the frame means you can easily check that your set-up is not on the wonk.
Mention should also be made of Preston’s new Mag Lok locking clips. These can be colour-coded to match your pole winders, and their positive magnetic catch opens and closes securely without risk of the wear and tear associated with most other plastic catches.
Rather handily, the new Mag Lok units are fully compatible with all original Preston Absolute Station units and seatboxes.
The latest deluxe padded seat now includes a shallow side drawer, which basically makes much better use of the space beneath. It’s perfect for storing winders, general accessories and hooklength boxes.
PAY AROUND
£749.99
Matrix S36 Orange SuperBox
A real eye-popper from Matrix is this limited-edition orange Superbox 36.
Around its lightweight aluminium frame it boasts a host of features including super-stable 36mm legs – all with threaded accessory points – large diameter swivelling mudfeet and 25mm telescopic inserts.
The padded seat has its own spirit level, while an integral anti-warp sliding footplate its tidily away underneath the main frame when not in use. A stylish new backplate is bound to appeal to a cult following.
The box comes with a choice of two configurations – one deep drawer with a 90mm storage unit, or two single tray units, both with lids.
Price: £529.99
Superbox Two-wheel Transporter
A new transporter from Matrix is designed specifically to fit the Superbox. Quick and straightforward to use, the double wheel system can be used with both 36mm and 25mm Superboxes.
It comes supplied with solid puncture-resistant wheels, features a quick-release system for removing the wheels at your peg, and packs away neatly into the supplied carry-bag.
Price: £94.99
MAP Z-36 Carbon and Elite White seatboxes
THE PACKAGE
• Shallow drawer unit
• Deep drawer unit
• Shallow tray unit
• Stacker lid with carry
handle
• Padded carry strap
• Seatbox cover
Z-36 CARBON SEATBOX
It had to happen… go-ahead match brand MAP is the first in the UK to launch a seatbox with a frame made from high-modulus carbon.
The Z-36 is stunning. Its seamless rounded frame is built and finished almost exclusively by hand, in a dedicated production facility with product testing to ensure it meets stringent quality control.
The benefits of carboninclude, of course, strength and lightness, two big advantages for match anglers. The box’s 36mm rounded legs offer total stability on any terrain.
PAY AROUND
£1,249
TECH SPEC
• Round profile 36mm legs with telescopic inners and threaded screw inserts for accessories
• Lightweight carbon frame
• Sliding footplate with twist-locking pins
• Large footprint swivelling mudfeet
• Padded pole seat with pole support
• Water-resistant seals on all drawer and tray units
• Divided drawer units
Z-36 ELITE WHITE EDITION SEATBOX
The Elite Z-36 White Edition seatbox is similar in many respects to its more expensive stable-mate, with 36mm rounded legs that many anglers insist upon.
The white frame features machined aluminium blocks that make it very light, yet super-strong.
A unique under-frame stacking system allows deep and shallow tray units to be stored in any order without the need of a runner on the bottom tray.
PAY AROUND
£749
Frenzee Match Seatbox
RRP: £649.99(standard package)
This stunning new seatbox is everything a match angler could wish for. The strong, lightweight aluminium frame provides a low centre of gravity and features an easy height-adjust system.
You can also customise the drawer and tray unit configuration to suit your own style. There is even more lockable storage space for additional tray units situated between the footplate and upper frame if required.
A raft of other key features include 36mm legs with threaded end caps, a padded carbon-friendly pole seat, snag-free fittings throughout, two spirit levels and a fail-safe integral footplate incorporating two unique 36mm moulded accessory blocks, which are ideally placed for keepnets.
A padded rear bar stops the box digging into your back while being carried by the shoulder strap.
You can choose from black, white or orange livery and a huge range of additional box accessories are available.
NWAC Seat Boxes
PAY AROUND
Three-drawer box £69.99
Five-drawer box £84.95
North West Angling Centre has introduced this very affordable pair of NWAC-branded seatboxes.
With strong, light aluminium frames, the sturdy compact boxes from the Wigan company come with three or five drawers.
There’s plenty of winder storage space beneath the lid, which is deep enough to hold big-float river rigs. The high-density pole seat feels comfy and stable, and has a built-in rubber pole strap, while the three or five-drawer top section configuration allows for plenty of added storage.
The side-opening drawer is deep enough to hold spools of hooklength line, small hook boxes and rig leads, while the front-opening drawers take accessories such as scissors and disgorgers.
The large base storage area swallows reels, float and feeder boxes and catapults with ease.
Sturdy 26cm x 50cm-long legs ensure a level fishing position, and are compatible with most modern off-box fittings.
Matrix S36 and S25 Superbox
PAY AROUND
S36 Superbox £529.99
S25 Superbox £399.99
Match brand Matrix has thrown its hat into the new seatbox arena with its latest S36 and S25 Superbox models.
The S36 Superbox, available with a choice of an eye-catching green or grey frame, boasts many of the specifications of its hugely popular predecessor.
These include sturdy 36mm round legs with 25mm telescopic inserts, snag-free fittings throughout, and a removable modular drawer and tray unit system beneath the main chassis.
Improvements to the original include a stylish new backplate, threaded inserts in the leg tops, plus a new anti-warp footplate that slides beneath the frame to make the box easy to transport.
Both boxes can be used in conjunction with the latest Matrix Feeder Seat, which is sure to be popular with anglers fishing open-water bream venues.
Preston Innovations Absolute Station Black Edition seatbox
The flagship of the 2016 seatbox range, the Absolute Black Edition is the ultimate box in terms of storage space, functionality, practicality and strength.
The sturdy construction and modular configuration have gained many admirers and it is already the box of choice for top anglers including Des Shipp, and Lee Kerry.
With a lower, more squat profile than many boxes, the Black Edition looks impressive and when you sit on one, it doesn’t take long to work out that you’ve invested in something very special.
It’s built around an aluminium frame with 30mm legs (two packing internal threads for accessories), each with ergonomic handwheels. As well as Prestons’ new Captive internal system on the telescopic legs and large flexible mudfeet, there’s a removable covered footplate that can be locked in any position you wish, with Triple Start handwheels for ease of assembly. There’s also a water-resistant seat cover to keep things clean and tidy.
The upper section of the box has a deep side drawer, winder tray with winders and a concealed front drawer on top of three hooklength boxes. Under the box mainframe on runners is a module that comes as standard with two winder trays, supplied with 26cm and 18cm pole winders plus a lid and handle.
Maver UFO X6 Seatbox
After the great success of last year’s four-legged S4 UFO box, Maver got their thinking caps on to produce more boxes in the range but at a price within range of most pleasure, club and open match anglers. The result has been the UFO X6.
Made from the same aircraft-grade aluminium as the S4, the new UFO is surprisingly light (it weighs just 13.5kg when empty) for a box carrying so much storage. The key difference you’ll notice immediately is that the X6 has six, rather than four, legs, making it rock-solid.
Available in Green or the very popular Mango colour, the X6 is missing the bells and whistles of the S4, namely the side tray, bump bar, and umbrella and keepnet arms, but it’s still a highly impressive system that can be added to from the vast range of Maver accessories.
Boasting a free flow industrial-strength sliding cassette beneath the box and fully adjustable mudfeet, the seating position can be set precisely on all terrains thanks to the fully height-adjustable frame and the four round 30mm anodised telescopic legs and two round 30mm anodised accessory legs.
Maver’s state-of-the-art clip system gives you access to the box from both front and back, as well as helping to prevent accidental damage.
In terms of storage, there are two sliding front drawers with partitions, a winder tray for pole rigs and a built-in deep base unit to cater for metalware and other bigger bulky tackle items. To this you can then add extra S4 units for more trays or perhaps a cross drawer, depending on your preference.
The pole seat is anti-memory in two colours with a pole safety strap to help when fishing long in windy conditions.
Matrix Super 36 Seatbox
In a short space of time, Matrix, the match angling arm of Fox International, has built up an impressive portfolio of boxes, including last year’s hugely popular Silver edition of the Super Box. For 2016, two new models will spearhead the New Year, topped by the deluxe Super 36.
Built around a similar lightweight aluminium mainframe, with the same gunmetal finish and tough high-impact back panel as used in the original Matrix Superbox 1, the new 36 retains the same proven Matrix clip system and interchangeable drawer units. These can be added both above and below the mainframe, thus allowing the height of the box, to be tailored to suit your individual needs.
The real innovation, though, comes in the form of the box’s six wide-diameter 36mm legs which have been constructed with 25mm telescopic inners. These give the 36 an impressive rock-solid stability on any type of terrain.
Sliding underneath the chassis is a no-nonsense chunky non-slip footplate, and all fittings are of the new snag-free variety. However, it’s what’s in the mainframe that will be of most interest.
Starting at the top, the 36 features a padded pole seat complete with retaining strap and a padded carry strap, plus a built-in spirit level.
Underneath this is the upper storage module consisting of a deep cross drawer, while below the frame is a 90mm deep unit for big tackle items.
Daiwa Tournament X 250 Seatbox
The Tournament X 250, Daiwa’s new box for 2016, has seen input from top match anglers William Raison and Steve Ringer. They bring the angling public a set-up that’s just as mouth-watering as the eagerly-awaited Tournament 500 was last year – but at a cheaper price.
It’s built around Daiwa’s rock solid ‘X’ bridge support system and aluminium frame, There’s no skimping on trays and drawers to carry all that you need. Every part of the detachable top and bottom modules features the clever OTC (one touch clip) system as standard to allow for ease of access and interchanging to suit your requirements.
In the top module you’ll find a single cross drawer with a shallow winder tray above, and 30 pole winders in two sizes are supplied with the box to get you up and running. This all sits below a comfortable pole seat with retaining strap and an adjustable padded carry strap.
Sliding on a rail beneath is the lower ‘cassette’ module that packs a deep central drawer unit measuring 22cm x 26cm x 4.5cm with side spaces for larger accessories. You’ll also find a trio of 20mm modular trays with an internal depth of 17mm, plus the base layer and lid.
There’s a super strong, non-slip sliding footplate that retracts underneath the box body. The six 25mm telescopic legs feature large mudfeet and compact handwheels with Daiwa’s no mark function.
You can also take your pick of colours, as the box is available in blue-and-black or red-and-black.
Preston Innovations Absolute Black Seatbox
Features:
Integral spirit level, light aluminium construction, carbon-friendly pole-retaining strap, under seat storage for hooklength boxes, removable quick-lock footplate, detachable shoulder strap, concealed front drawer, captive internal telescopic legs, 30mm profile legs (two with threaded inserts), anti-snag handwheels.
Includes:
Deep side drawer unit (ready partitioned), concealed front drawer unit (ready partitioned), winder tray with 26cm winders, winder tray with 18mm winders, two Off Box Pro-Snap short keepnet arms, shuttle adaptor, three hooklength boxes, seatbox cover.
Dimensions:
Maximum height setting (top of legs) 53mm Maximum width 720mm Maximum depth (footplate closed) 560mm
Maximum depth (footplate open) 850mm
This stunning new all-black Absolute seatbox is probably the best yet from Preston Innovations. The Absolute Black (also available in white and blue versions!) takes over from the earlier flagship Absolute Station, and brings with it all the features that made its predecessor the ‘must have’ seatbox for all match anglers.
Sturdy construction and modular cassette-style configuration ensure that the box is not only practical and durable, but hugely adaptable to any angling situation thrown at it.
It retains the 30mm leg size, ergonomic handwheel design and solid covered footplate, although this latest version is lockable in any position, and now utilises handy ‘triple start’ knobs for ease of assembly.
As if all that wasn’t enough, there’s a redesigned carbon-friendly pole-retaining strap, new captive internal leg design and an improved detachable shoulder strap.
There are threaded inserts on two legs, and it comes complete with two fully loaded winder trays.
Matrix Superbox 25
PAY AROUND
£359.99; Frame and seat-only option £299.99
Package: Frame and seat come supplied with one deep drawer unit, one shallow tray and one transport lid
Forward-thinking match brand Matrix has unveiled its latest Superbox 25 that will supersede the firm¹s old Superbox 1 model.
Since it was introduced three years ago, the original Superbox, with its distinctive black finish, rounded alloy frame and low profile sliding footplate, has become a firm favourite with match anglers across Europe.
Although it is quite similar in design and looks, this latest version benefits from a new seat design, as well as an upgraded finish on the frame. All of the moulded leg blocks as well as the footplate are said to have an improved performance and reliability.
The new box also boasts plenty of storage space for winders and accessory items, making it the ideal companion for the modern commercial match or pleasure angler. The seating position isn¹t too high, even when the legs and footplate are adjusted to level on top of a permanent fixed platform - helping the angler keep a lower skyline profile.
As its name suggests this box features sturdy 25mm round legs that are compatible with the vast range of Matrix 3D accessories.
Maver Signature seatboxes
With retail prices starting at a very modest £299.99 for the introductory 200 model, Maver’s stylish Signature seatboxes really do cater for every angler’s pocket.
All four in the range are packed with practical features such as sturdy 30mm round telescopic legs, anti-memory seat cushion with pole safety strap, and a huge range of modular units compatible with the top-selling Mxi range.
Maver’s patented and trusted lock and slide hinge system is used on all drawers and box units, and the Signature 800 and 1000 versions have wheel kits as part of the package.
As you may well have come to expect from Maver, the graphics and cosmetics of the new seatboxes are stylishly impressive, but it is their practicality and flexibility that really sets them apart.
There are many things about this new series that I like, but if asked to highlight just a couple I would have to say the 30mm legs – which provide such brilliant stability – and the fact the seat height can be easily adjusted to suit all heights. These two alone set it apart from many on the market.
Thus is a truly multi-discipline seatbox well able to cope with any type of venue.
Price: £499.99 (Signature 1000)
VERDICT
Sure to prove hugely popular with the commercial fishery match angler, the new Signatures’ 30mm legs provide superb stability on any terrain.
Mark Sawyer
