AS5 Match Station Review Fishing Box Seat
Sitting on the bank sipping my cup of Bovril whilst enjoying the cooler weather, I glanced across water to see Fred W who had a grin the size of dog bowl on his face. Something looked different from his usual black/green setup he had last week. I pulled my line in and took a slow wander across to his peg...there he sat with this brand new AS5 Match Station seat box, and boy did he look proud!
He then began to talk about this new gift his kids got him for his Birthday, it was a brand new Match Station seat box. The model "AS5" really did stand very proud and I would be lying if I didn't feel a slight bit of jealousy.
Specifications of the Match Station Seatbox (Model: AS5)
Coming in at 57cm width / 37cm depth and 48cm height, the Match Station AS5 seat box really is an Anglers dream. Available in 2 colour variations (Red/Black | Blue/Black), each are made from a strong aluminium frame and comes with 5 (yes 5) drawers to store every bit of terminal tackle you ever need.
Included in the box (well, not inside) is a lovely well padded seat cushion (attached) and a very sturdy allow foot plate to rest your boots off the ground.
The square 20mm adjustable legs with swivel circular feet allow you to position your box perfectly on the peg ensuring complete comfort without the "I'm sliding off" feeling whilst pulling in a monster Bream - an absolute must for uneven pegs.
Attached to the rear of the seat box is a colour coded carrying strap (which is not that padded compared to Diawa TDSB1 entry level box) making the 7kg box easy to carry to and from your peg.
Generally aimed at Pole anglers (like Fred!) the package comes complete with a detachable pole bar (like a rod rest) to save your aching arms after a long day at the bank. The bar attaches to the footplate bar.
Also included in the package is large detachable side tray... it's pretty large!
Storage... 5 Drawers - You Crazy!
Yes, you read that right! The AS5 comes complete with 5 aluminium drawers, with 4 in the front and 1 at the side giving you incredibly easy access all the terminal tackle you need. Each of the drawers open independently (as Fred was showing me) and even pulled out an old iPhone 6 from under his backside - nice trick Fred!
Like most match fishing boxes, I really like how Match Station didn't use Plastic Drawers which are prone to cracking especially in the frosty weather.
The draws are quite slim (40mm / 4cm / 1.5") meaning you're not going to get fishing reel in there, but more than enough room for hooks, rigs, feeders, floats etc.
Unclipping the front clasps and opening the box reveals a a much deeper storage area which Fred was using for a couple of Reels along with brand new pellets dubbed "My secret white chocolate weapon" - if anybody has any clue what these are please tell me in the comments.
I felt one of the best features of this box was the bottom detachable box making it great for
Is it sturdy?
Fred is no small guy, he's about the same height and weight as myself, and sitting at just under 18st - the match station seat box more than coped as he rocked back and forth whilst showing me his new fishing gift.
One thing I wanted to find out was how durable the AS5 matchbox is and will it stand the test of time being loaded and unloaded into your car/van. It's a well known fact that round metal tubing is stronger than square (source), so I began my journey trawling through customer reviews.
I feel Fred's kids did him proud, as all I could find were very positive statements from satisfied customers loving their new seat box, with one customer stating "solid and well made".
One thing I love about the angling community is how honest people are. It differs greatly from software / tech related products - people often seem to go out of their way to tell you the downfalls of each product and generally what you can do resolve issues - this "helping" nature seems not to apply to Fred who still refuses to tell me what his "White Chocolate secret weapons" were.
Accessories for the Match Station AS5
As previously mentioned, your new box should really come with everything the average (and pro) fisherman really needs, but if you're anything like me - adding "extras" to your seat box is a great Christmas Present choice you can share with your family (Son if you're reading this, help an old guy out).
- Super Large Side Tray
The AS5 does come with a very large side tray which fits both round or square legs (25mm round / 20mm square), however you can still add another 42cm x 38cm (who doesn't want more side trays) for as little as £25.
- Umbrella Arm Attachment
Any Angler in the UK will tell you how important it is to keep your tackle dry, and with that notion, I present to you the trust umbrella AS5 umbrella attachment. It might not be much to look at, but it fits directly on the adjustable legs of your seat box and can swivel to perfectly seat your fishing umbrella.
Available Colours
So Fred's AS5 was the "Ferrari looking" shiny Red, however if red just isn't your colour, you can also choose "Blue". Each colour is the same specification, weight, dimensions & accessories, however the blue box does have a few more "colour matching accessories" which does slightly set it apart.
Colour Matching Accessories
- Side Bait Tray (Blue)
- Pole Arm (Black and Blue)
For me personally, I much prefer the Red version - not that it really matters.
Where to buy?
As many of you know, I really love Amazon - their returns process and customer support is generally unrivalled. At the time of writing this review, the Red comes in at £30 cheaper than blue (#TeamRed).
