Match Craft Fishing Platform Review

[TF_James_H]

I was recently lucky enough to win the Barston Masters match, where Match Craft had sponsored the match. In winning, I managed to win myself a Match Craft platform.

As much as I love my fishing, I also have a thing about fishing tackle and constantly look to improve my gear and ability. When not on the bank, I’m in the garage or fishing room prepping for the next match. I love nothing more than well made, well designed fishing tackle, whether it’s a particular float pattern or a seatbox.
Being fortunate enough to win the Match Craft platform, I was amazed at the quality of the platform and felt it deserved more recognition and coverage. I had never seen a Match Craft product and felt many other anglers would benefit from such an item, considering this particular item in my opinion is far superior to the alternatives currently available on the market. Anglers who regularly use platforms on rivers or large natural venues will certainly be impressed with the stability and quality of the Match Craft platform.

To put the stability of the Match Craft platform into context, I use a Rive D36 seatbox, arguably the most stable and solid of seatbox’s. I often use it for wading into large reservoirs and it is more than stable enough; however I was simply shocked at the stability and strength of the Match Craft platform, which in my opinion, is more stable than standing on a Rive with the legs full extending.
Although I have not yet had chance to use it on the bank, I have had it setup in my garage with my seatbox and me jumping on it. I’m not the biggest of statures, but the strength of the platform is as stable as a permanent peg on a commercial. There is no movement in the legs even when at full length, there isn’t even any swaying or creaking of the frame. To put this into context, I have a Fox platform, and also the new Siwi platform, and the Match Craft platform is better in every way. I appreciate it’s not a true test of the platform until it’s on the bank in the mud etc, so I will therefore update this review once I get chance to use it to its full potential.

The spec of the platform is as below:

• 6No x 25mm diameter legs with welded swivelling mud feet, and internal threaded tops for leg extensions or attachments;
• Overall footprint: 900mm (W) x 890mm (L) which I believe complies with NFA rules;
• Internal platform space: 720mm (W) x 875mm (L), comfortably takes a Rive seatbox which has one of the largest footprints;
• Hand ‘levers’ rather than hand ‘wheels’ which allows the legs to be locked in place extra tight with no risk of slipping or breaking the wheel or fitment;
• Weight: TBC once I find my scales.

Since acquiring the platform, I have ordered and received 250mm leg extensions. The service from Match Craft was excellent, and considering the items came direct from Bram in the Netherlands, I received my package within 4 days and postage cost was comparable to buying in the UK.

For more information, the Match Craft website is as below:

http://www.matchcraft.nl/engproducten.html

For any further information, contact Bram Brandwijk or William Wheeler through FaceBook, or drop me a PM and I’ll do my best to help.

[TF_dunno]

I have the platform for 4 years and to say its first class is an understatement.
I have just got my 4 rod feeder rest which is Rive D36 compatible.
Thanks Bram!!!!1 🙂

[Author]

Posts