Best Fishing Seat Boxes under £150
When I first started fishing, the internet was not really a thing, and I relied either on the Angling Times, or a fellow angler down at the local commercial to point me in the direction of tackle they recommended. Yes I'm old, however as Fishing has been my passion for many many years, I wanted to put together a small article for the best seat boxes coming in at under £150 to help others like my younger self decide on a fishing box without breaking the bank.
At the bottom of the article is my choice for a fishing box that comes in way under the 150 mark.
What should you consider when purchasing a fishing seat box?
When shopping for a fishing seat box, there are several important factors to consider to ensure you get the right one for your needs.
First, focus on the seat. It should be comfortable, with enough padding to support you for several hours at a time. Some seats also feature a pole support at the front that can be used to wedge the end of the butt section and take some of the strain off it.
Next, consider the storage options. A seat box with front and side drawers is ideal for storing terminal gear such as line, hooks, shot, disgorgers - or even your mobile phone. The draws should be easy to access and close at hand to not only speed up your match - but quick access to a disgorger is a must for any angler. Additionally, you may want to consider a seat box with units that can be added or removed and pole rig trays that can be stacked for extra storage like what the Tournament 800 from Daiwa offers (over £150).
When looking at boxes you should always consider where you fish. If your commercial lake has perfectly level wooden / concrete pegs then do you need to spend extra money on box with adjustable legs? If your pegs are often very muddy, then choosing a seat box with adjustable legs and "mud feet" is something you should definitely ensure your seat box features.
Seat Boxes under £150
Below are a selection of Fishing Boxes under £150 ascending in price order.
Sea Max Seat Box - £44.99
Sea Max Fishing Box - £44.99
As previously reviewed, it's very obvious that I love this budget fishing seat box. Yes it's probably not the most suitable for anglers who want clip on accessories, tackle trays or rod rests - it is something that every mobile angler should definitely consider.
What I love about the Sea Max Fishing Seat Box
The tackle box is specially designed for anglers who prefer fishing on-the-go or at sea. It offers excellent storage options for small pieces of terminal tackle, ensuring that all the essentials are organized and within reach. The tackle box is capable of supporting up to 20st / 127kg in weight and is equipped with dual padded shoulder straps for comfortable transportation. This makes it an ideal choice for mobile and sea anglers who need to carry the bulk of their fishing gear with ease.
Why you may not want the Sea Max Fishing Box
The Sea Max Fishing Box lacks several important features that are necessary for comfortable and prolonged use. There are no accessory attachments available, which means that users will have to carry any additional items separately (bait trays, rests etc). Additionally, the fishing box does not have adjustable legs or feet to accommodate uneven ground, which is fine for level pegs - but would cause issues in muddy areas. The Sea Max seat also lacks good "bum" padding, which may lead to discomfort during prolonged usage.
Westlake MK1 Fishing Seat Box - £149.99 (updated 9/3/23)
Westlake MK1 Seat Box - £85.00
This little beauty slid under my radar initially, but so glad to have found it whilst browsing Millets. Coming in at only £85, it looks a much more "premium" box that's packed with many features only usually found on "premium" fishing seat boxes.
What I love about the Westlake Seat Box MK1
This seatbox is the perfect solution for anglers who value both comfort and practicality. It features four adjustable legs (30mm) that provide stability on most pegs, ensuring that you have a solid platform to fish from. The seat is a padded cushion, with a pole retention strap that makes it ideal for long pole fishing. The seatbox also comes with a side tray that has dividers, allowing you to keep your smaller items organized and within easy reach. The large storage base provides ample space for your other fishing essentials, and there is also includes a pole winder tray.
Box dimensions: 45cm x 30cm
Base tray dimensions: 45cm x 27cm x 15cm
Weight: 9.5kg (20.9lb)
What's not to like about the MK1 from Westlake
Honestly, for the price this is currently offered at I can't really pick any faults with this seat box. Yes, it doesn't have a footplate, nor does it have the high profile "branding" evident from Daiwa / Preston Innovations - but who needs that?
Update: 9th March 2023
When I originally wrote this guide the price for this box was only £85! I was sad to see the price jump to £149.99.
Shakespeare Fishing Seat Box - £89.99
Shakespeare Seat Box - £89.99
Unlike the Shakespeare Seat box I previously reviewed, this bright blue starter seatbox comes in well under budget and also includes a lovely padded cushion and side bait tray.
What I love about the Shakespeare Seat Box
The Shakespeare "Fully loaded" seat box in blue is a perfect starter fishing seat box for young or old anglers. It comes complete with side tray, padded carrying strap and tiny little feet to ensure the box is slightly raised from the ground.
The lip on the inside of the box is perfect to hold the plastic tackle tray allowing easy access to small terminal tackle such as hooks, weights, and maybe the odd feeder or two.
Why you may not want the Shakespeare Fishing Box
I personally think the price for this box is a little steep when compared to other beginner seat boxes such as the Koala box I recently reviewed (which is £20-30 cheaper for a very similar product).
DAIWA D-Vec Fishing Box with back rest - £107.99
DAIWA D-VEC Fishing Box - £107.99
Small and Light weight, the Daiwa D-VEC is a black and red fishing seat box with an additional back rest. The 4 36mm (with screw caps) can easily ensure your seating position is level for even the most uneven pegs.
What I love about the Daiwa D-VEC Seat Box
This D-VEC from Daiwa is perfect for anglers who require a mobile and easy-to-carry fishing box. It features ultra-secure, 50cm adjustable legs with tilting mud feet to provide stability on unmaintained fishing pegs. The padded seat provides comfort even on longer fishing sessions - especially during matches, with the wonderful addition of the fold down back rest which will improve your posture whilst sat waiting for bites.
The seat box has front and rear opening compartments allowing easy access to your tackle, bait, and mobile phone for snapping pictures of the monster carp you just pulled from the margins.
Included in the package is a removable padded shoulder strap which makes carrying your 6kg box to and from pegs a breeze.
Why you may not want the Daiwa D-VEC Fishing Box
My major concern with such a lightweight "small" seat box is the lack of storage space. Yes, it's perfect for mobile Anglers, but with a 10cm depth compartment, it's not going to be ideal if you're looking to store bulkier items.
The entire "seating area" of the box seems rather small for a larger Angler like myself, at only 4cm x 28cm I would expect some considerable "overhang" making long term sessions quite uncomfortable.
Maver R100 (Reality) Fishing Seat Box - £144.99
Maver R100 Reality Seat Box - £144.99
Having recently reviewed this box, I was delighted to see that the price has somewhat dropped coming in at less than £150.00. As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Maver products - but being our most expensive box under £150 - is it really worth the extra pounds?
What I love about the Maver R100 Reality Seat Box
The Maver REALITY R100 Seat Box was once regarded as a top-of-the-line seat box designed by anglers for anglers. The padded seat cushion and round 30mm legs (with mud feet) add extra stability ensure once tightened your setup will be level and comfortable to fish for long periods.
The 3 drawers provide ample storage for all your fishing tackle (rigs / winders / terminal tackle) with the base deep enough for ground bait, pellets or even a spare small reel.
The padded shoulder strap and ergonomically designed easy grip hand wheels make it easy to transport and set up your seatbox - even on those wintery mornings whilst wearing gloves.
Why you may not want the Maver R100 Reality Fishing Box
Having owned this seat box and spent many hours at the commercials, I never really found any major issues other than small annoyances which I feel should not be a reason "not" to purchase.
The commercials I fish are often quite muddy, and even though the box could be levelled without issue, the small clips to secure the trays and other compartments would often become quite stiff and difficult open if they became dirty.
Should I pay more than £150 for a fishing seat box?
The golden question for anybody participating in hobbies is how much should you actually spend on product. Fishing for me is an escape from the real world, so it all boils down to budget & required features.
If money is no object, the go ahead and buy the top of the range of fishing box - it may even be able to pull the fish in for you if you pay enough.
Fishing for me is not about what brand I have, it's more about the long term investment into something I am passionate about and enjoy doing.
Something one Angler said to me many years ago was:
"If you buy half price products, expect them to last half the time"
and to be honest this really stuck with me. There is always a general consensus that expensive products will be more durable when compared to much cheaper "similar" items.
I don't believe that spending less on a seat box that has the same (or more) features compared to a well known brand should be something to put you off purchasing - unless you are looking to eventually add accessories which are likely not to fit.
Large brands like Maver, Daiwa, Preston Innovations will often release "add on" accessories to their products which will not fit the cheaper "non brand" boxes adding longevity and support to older boxes.
Which Fishing Box under £150?
Which would I choose if I had £150 to spend on a fishing seat box?
If I had £150 burning a hole in my bank account and I needed a fishing seat box, I would personally choose either the Westlake MK1 Fishing Seat Box, For me, it checks a lot of boxes:
- Comfortably sized seat (45cm x 30cm)
- Fairly Lightweight (9.5kg)
- Adjustable 30mm Legs (will fit 'most' other brand accessories eg Maver)
- Pole Butt Rest
- Great Storage
For only £85 this not only comes massively under budget, but would allow me to purchase additional seat box accessories such as a second hand foot plate, bait tray attachment and obviously more hooks.
I hope you found this article interesting, I had a great amount of fun writing about the different boxes under £150. If you feel I've missed a box, or not quite got something correct please drop me an email.
All the best,
Davo
