Buyer’s Guide to The Best Fishing Seatboxes

This year a new seatbox replaced Matrix’s best-selling S36. The new Matrix XR36 Pro sports not only eye-catching aesthetics, but many innovative design improvements. The main frame now has non-marking leg clamps, and utilises a unique one-piece super-strong tubular hydro-formed frame. The footplate has a textured top and non-slip plastic slides with a single hand release mechanism.

The box comes with one shallow tray, a deep drawer unit and a transport lid. The 36mm non-slip extending legs are fully anodised, and include screw threads for off-box attachments. The seatbox height is fully adjustable via easy-to use large rubber handwheels, while a built-in spirit level will help to take out the guesswork of setting it up level on any terrain. It comes in a choice of two arresting colour schemes – Lime or Shadow.

If you're the kind of angler who doesn't take the kitchen sink on to the bank, a box with a wealth of storage isn't necessarily going to be your cup of tea – and Daiwa has recognised this by adding the Daiwa 90 model box to its new Tournament range.
Although the box can have extra trays and units added to it, as it comes, the 90 features a single 20mm perforated winder tray, two shallow side drawers with adjustable dividers and a removable 140mm deep base unit. That's ample for those who fish venues where a range of different tactics aren't needed.
As with all Tournament boxes, these trays and units are totally interchangeable with the 'ridge/recess' compression seal feature and, of course, the brand-new SYSTEM 36 rotating handwheels on each 36mm telescopic leg.
Supplied with a pole seat and shoulder strap, stability is ensured with a combination of steel and aluminium in the frame.

Weighing just 11kg, the Shakespeare Superteam Seatbox box has a fully padded pole-style seat, a full-width cross drawer, two front drawers, plus spacious under-seat storage, and easy-grip catches.
A 'slide-under' footplate makes this a compact seatbox to both store and transport gear. Easy-to-use handwheels secure the extendable legs in place, while the wide mudfeet help in soft conditions. The screw-threaded tops in the front legs will accommodate pole socks and tulip rests.
This super-lightweight seatbox will find many fans among match and pleasure anglers on a tight budget. Functional and compact, but with plenty of storage room, its design makes it ideal for those with smaller hatchback cars.

The Garbolino Competition 36-31 is a new addition to the D36mm leg range, featuring a 'Monobloc' black arched lightweight frame which reduces the weight of the box while retaining full strength.
You get fixed back legs, four Pinlock extending legs, carrying strap, cushion seat, a 30mm side drawer and a 30mm AIRVENT winder tray. The space-saving 'Spider' leg design brings the legs and attachments closer to the angler. Stability is assured with the Pinlock and Screwlock adjustable leg systems.
The 36mm legs are longer than the norm at 560mm unextended, and the handwheels feature 8mm internal threads to create more torque and minimal slippage. A robust non-slip footplate is oversized for big feet, and built-in spirit levels ensure easy set-up. Drawers and stacker trays have Garbolino's unique locking mechanism.
All latches slide inwards, reducing the chance of damage. Stacker trays fit anywhere on the box, below the frame as a stacker, or below the drawer to raise the box to the required height and provide more storage.

Featuring Mag-Lok clips, footplate locking plungers and soft-touch handwheels, the Preston Innovations Inception Station box is available in either white or graphite.
The deep compartmented side drawer unit is perfect for accessories, while the deep side drawer with removable dividers can be used for hook-length boxes, pole winders or any larger accessories.
An empty, shallow tray between the drawers and the pole seat is again perfect for storing pole rigs.
The cassette under the frame includes a 26mm tray and lid. The box comes with six telescopic legs for fine adjustments.

All the trays and drawers on this top-end Guru RSW Seatbox are 100 per cent waterproof, fully protecting the tackle and rigs within. The new tray, drawer and accessory systems feature built-in catches, meaning lines, rigs and hooks won't get caught up in and around them.
The drawers are made from light, impact-proof plastic and feature a new press-lock system with no handles and catches to break, snap off or get in the way.
The carousel under the box features a storage tray under the stacker, which clicks in securely with a magnetic system and can be removed from the sides of the seatbox rather than the front. This makes inserting the stacker quicker, easier and more versatile – you can access it while sat on the box, through the sides when in vehicles, or on a loaded trolley.
For those anglers that already have a lot of original Rive winder trays, there is also a conversion system, allowing them to use the original trays with the new concept.

The Decathlon CSB Adjust Still Fishing Station is a budget-priced compact fishing box rated to 17 stone, yet one that weighs just 9kg.
It comes supplied with four fixed and two adjustable 25mm legs to take most market-leading accessories and side trays, as well as the included balling arms and keepnet attachment.
Fitted as standard is a full-width side drawer and a deep tray, and the top of one of the legs has a removable bung to take an umbrella pole. The comfy seat includes a pole hook.
If weight and ease of transport are most important, you won't go wrong with this box. Stability and build quality might not be the best, but just look at that price!

The recently revamped MAP Elite MK2 Z36 features a stunning new blue aluminium frame to reduce weight.
A new stacking system allows deep or shallow tray units to be stored beneath the box in any order without the need for a runner on the bottom tray.
MAP has added a fully PU moulded waterproof pole seat with an aluminium base frame, preventing pressure being added to the drawer units below. The footplate now features two removable threads that enable the footplate to be fully detached. The stacker lid has an aluminium skeleton within the mould, which will take as many extra units as you can carry.

Boasting a compact size yet with a surprising amount of storage, the great-value Maver Reality seatbox is ideal for beginners, those on a tight budget or anglers who want a simple, easy-to-use and functional box.
The 25mm legs mean accessories and side trays from most major manufacturers will fit, as well as the specially designed Reality footplate, which can be purchased separately if required for around £80.
All four legs have a height marker stud above the large swivel mudfeet, making lowering the box to its minimum height for transport or storage dead easy.
Key features include a padded seat cushion, single cross drawer, two front drawers, deep base unit, storage beneath the seat, easy-grip handwheels and a padded shoulder strap.