BEST Rod Rest for Sea Fishing - Group Test

I’ve got the Ian golds supermatch and I’ve owned it for over 20 years and I reckon it’s got another 20 in it.

was going to buy a shakespear salt in the new year but seeing now flimsy they are i'll keep looking

Great informative video, They all look good to me....because mine was stolen recently along with most of my kit so im looking for a new one. Fingers crossed on the draw!

I have a Shakespeare Salt and have used it for around 6 years or more. I certainly don't get any wobble from the top. I don't try folding down the top rest like you did as it is quite clear it is not designed to be. The splay bars are brilliant in that I can just lift up the whole thing if I I moving in and out with the tides and it is ready to go as soon as I put it down. I take both top and bottom rests off every time I pack it away and and strap them to the unit using NGT rod straps. Works perfect, never had anything drop off doing so and never lost any of the black nuts for doing them up either. I can say the same about the actual unit. 100% reliable and covers every beach situation I need. If I ever managed to break it then I would buy another.

The Shakespeare Salt must be the most used beach rest that I see at the coast but I have never seen anyone who has the issues that you generated it putting it away. It is very easy. You made it quite clear you didn't like it at the start and then took every opportunity to knock it. A very disappointing comparison as I thought they were all good except the very old version of the Ian Gold you used which is not a fair representation of what they are selling now.

Hi Matt .
Yep definitely Tronixpro for me .
Followed by Ian Golds
Happy new year bud from Fife

I was considering treating myself to the akios but after watching this the tronix does look a better build quality 👌🏼 great video, very helpful 👏

Looking for a new tripod ,glad I watched this review, very informative

Interesting to see, I got my first sea fishing rod so been looking at the tripods. Thanks for the insight 🙂

I have the sealegs and I have to say my top rod holders do not move like yours. And the one very big plus what you didn’t mention is when both rods are in place none of the reel handles hit the centre leg.

I'm still using a old Ian Golds stand lol so any of these probably be a upgrade 😂

I could use that lol

Well, you really got me there i am looking for one and you just saved me from buying the sea legs any going advice is good advice thanks

I’ve always had Ian Gold tripod. I’ve got a 6 foot one when I was 14 years old and still going strong and I’ve got a 7 foot which I bought a couple of years ago. The only problem I have with any of them is the 7 foot one is now is the seventh one is so Flexi Because of the material she now made out of look at the 6 foot and the 7 foot trox I’ve got you can see the difference clearly, but I think yes, tronx pro I’ve got it right

Never had any issues with my shakespeare salt! Ive also taken the stabiliser arms off and its alot lighter and easier to fold up!

I have owned the Shakespeare salt for years now , I have 0 movement its solid, I can not fault mine.

Brilliant well timed video, I'm in need of a rod holder for the beach. My 10 year old would love setting this holder up. He's very independent, he loves getting the rods ready. Then gets his food out and waits for the blank 😂😂.

Great review. Thanks.

Totally agree with you on all aspects about the Salt and the Ian Golds. The Evo 3 is interesting because of the accessories it comes with for match angling but at nearly £300 for the original version from whoever it is was extortionate for a tripod.

Ian Golds all day long 🎣

Like your review I need a rod rest and it will be put to good use ,happy new year

I have a Shakespeare Salt never had any trouble with it

nice comparison

Another great review, very informative and easy to follow. Looking forward myself to getting back out

Thanks for the review. Think the Tronix Pro followed by the Ian Gold would be my choice

Very interesting review Matt. I have seen many positive reviews of the Sea Legs but can certainly see why you are not so keen! Ian Golds for me too although I currently have a Leeda rest

Lovely bit of kit that tronix pro 👌

The Tronixpro is really good looking. The cost of the addition parts is a negative

Had the Ian Golds for over 10 years still as good as new but could do with a soft lining to the top rod cups.

With the open face feels becoming more and more popular these days over the multipliers, the wider head stock and butt support makes using the bigger open face reels much more pleasurable they all seem to have there obvious pluses shame they can't get it all in one setup thanks for your video on this keep up the great work I wish a few PBs for 2025 keep the faith m🎉🎉

Hi, love your vids, I think it’s like everything you buy, you can slightly adjust and modify to your needs.

I've got a shakespeare salt. Hasn't let me down yet

Good honest test. My Ian Gold Match is 20yrs+ and Everything is original on it. I would trust a couple of those a winter? One looked like the Tesla of rod rests. Bit shaky and sometimes bits fall off. Lol

from what I noticed, you like simple things because you can't handle the more complicated ones

My Ian Golds tripod has served me well for over 20 years now but maybe time for some new attachments. Winner.

Not sure what’s going on with that Shakespeare salt,but I have had one for a good few years and the top doesn’t move about like the one you are reviewing,it’s solid??? In fact it’s probably the best all round pod of the lot you are featuring and I’ll try explain why…

of the featured pods the non adjustable variants are only really any good for flat level ground(as long as you fit leg locks to stop the legs moving out when you get a good pull and as long as you hang some weight on the hook to hold them down…having one piece legs and upright(non adjustable) you will fail to push them into sand solid as the angle of the legs changes(gets closer between them the further you push them in) so they cut through the sand to compensate as the distance between them reduces and the angle changes leaving them loose in the ground(or the legs will bend on pods made of cheap material as the angle/distance changes between them if trying to push them in more solid ground,also having no adjustment on tap they are a lot harder to level up on uneven ground and rock marks…a simple fact over looked by many tripod designers🤷‍♂️

the salt however you can level up solidly on pretty much any ground due to the leg locks stopping the legs splaying out and independently adjustable legs(you ideally still need weight on the hook on solid ground/rocks to hold the pod down if fishing for bigger stuff),but having adjustable legs you can get them a lot more solid in the sand as you can push the upright in first at your preferred angle and then simple feed the legs into the ground dead straight without cutting through the sand or bending them as you extend them into the ground…because of the simple fact the distance or angle between them is not going to change as you extend them as it would when trying to push 3 non extendable legs into the ground👍

I was wondering what to do when the Seabass season is over. As i am in the North Netherlands (IJmuiden), i would like to got for other fish until season for Seabass is back. Looking forward for your videos about other type of fishing and how to prepare rigs as i'm all new into sea fishing :)

Pointless to review an old non std Golds against new out of the box from other manufacturers.
My Golds match rest is 20+ years old & superb, but when you look at the new ones & new replacement parts they're rubbish by comparison.

No non off those I love the IMAX FR PACKDOWN TRIPOD 6 ' 183 CM 2 ROD TELE 93 X 10 X 10 CM an my Mitchell Suprema S Tripod

I like the steady Tronix Pro

Great video just ordered some anglex stuff never heard o& them before so thank you

Great review, canceled my Shakespeare Salt Beach Rest online order after watching this video! Thanks!

Nice one.

Hi Matt.. we see it time and time again… manufacturers just don’t get it right… listen to anglers. The price may also discourage people from buying some of the smart looking ones.
The bars were floppy … so use a higher gauge Ali… that’s so simple! Fold down foot rest so you can push the spike rod end in the sand. Attachments that can be bought as extra, and even a sleeve so you don’t get sand in the car. And that’s ideas while I type. Who engineers this crap they try to sell us?
Oh hope to see you on the beach, kayak or with Manic one day.
Keep the vids going.
Brownie🤓

Important bit of kit I love a simple rest & light

Good review 👍

Ian golds all the way that's what I have. I was thinking of getting the Shakespeare salt, but I'm so glad I haven't impressed at all. It looked so cheep and flimsy mate. I'm a bit shocked tbh. Thorght it was going to be a lot better quality then that. Fantastic review mat thanks for taking the time out to do that. Was spot on bud. Tight lines 🎣🎣

You clearly didn’t like the salt. One of its best features is moving across the sand. You can have two rods in there and move about quite easily especially when walking back. On the rocks aswell you can adjust each leg so it sits perfectly level, that’s a feature you didn’t even look at and that once again is one of its best and more unique features

Thanks for this, Matt. Buying a tripod is a bit of a minefield. I've been disappointed with a few bits I've bought from Shakespeare. They used to be known for quality, but it doesn't appear to be the case anymore.

I don't think Akios actually make anything themselves, they just re-brand things from other manufacturers.
I gave them a chance and bought a rod once and WOW what a cheap and nasty thing it was.
Reel seat came loose after 6 months, excess glue all over the rod rings and the rod quickly became shorter by a couple of inches as the spigot joint quickly eroded away making it thinner and slide into the rod section further.
I'm not surprised the Sea Legs is garbage.
I did contact Akios UK about the rod and they were awful about it and I quote " A small amount of defective goods will slip through the net"!
Never buying that trash again.

where do you get your accessories for the ian golds rod rest