FISHERMANS PARADISE

Matrix XR36 Pro Lime Seatbox Review: Best 36mm Match Box

Our hands-on breakdown of the Fox Matrix XR36 Pro Lime seatbox system. Discover its Hydro-Formed frame stability, 36mm leg system, pros & cons, and key specs.

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase on Amazon or eBay, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The Pinnacle of Match Engineering: The Matrix XR36 Pro Lime

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In modern match fishing, long pole work and commercial carp tactics place immense physical demands on bankside gear. Anglers demand rock-solid stability, swift height adjustments, and high-capacity modular storage. Enter the Matrix XR36 Pro in its head-turning, vibrant Lime finish—a flagship station built specifically to tackle those heavy-duty match requirements.

Building on the pedigree of the original S36 series, Fox Matrix re-engineered the frame geometry to deliver an ultra-sturdy, stylish seatbox engineered for serious match contenders.

Why Choose a 36mm System for Commercial and Match Fishing?

While smaller 25mm and 30mm legs cater to ultra-lightweight setups, the 36mm round leg standard represents the absolute benchmark for maximum stability:

Zero Flex & Rock-Solid Rigidity: The wide 36mm aluminum legs eliminate frame wobble entirely, giving anglers total confidence when sitting out over deep margins or shipping 16-meter poles in heavy crosswinds.

Heavy Accessory Support: Capable of supporting massive side trays, long feeder arms, and multiple keepnet blocks without slipping down or bending under pressure.

Ergonomic Height Management: Quick-release leg clamps allow rapid leveling on steep, uneven commercial banks, natural reservoir margins, or timber platforms.

Key Features & Engineering Upgrades

The XR36 Pro Lime isn’t just about striking cosmetics; Matrix overhauled core structural elements to improve durability and daily usability.

1. Hydro-Formed Aluminum Frame Design

Constructed using single-piece hydro-formed aluminum tube technology, the frame offers exceptional rigidity while maintaining a slick, modern silhouette. The open-frame architecture allows easy access to underneath stacker units and reduces overall bulk without sacrificing strength.

2. Textured 36mm Legs with Anti-Marking Clamps

All six 36mm legs feature textured outer finishes to optimize clamp grip. Coupled with non-marking internal clamping blocks, anglers can secure the legs tightly without scarring or denting the anodized coating. Large, custom-molded swivel mud feet ensure total footing security on wet grass or slippery silt.

3. Quick-Release Footplate Mechanism

The sliding footplate features an intuitive, single-handed spring-pin release mechanism. It glides out smoothly and locks firmly into position, providing a solid platform that won’t flex underfoot during fast-paced netting sessions.

4. Dual-Color Seat Cushion & Integrated Spirit Levels

Equipped with a dense, dual-color padded seat cushion featuring a built-in pole rig retention strap and spirit levels integrated directly into the frame and footplate assembly, ensuring a perfectly level setup every time.

Core Specifications

Feature	Specification
Frame Style	Single-Piece Hydro-Formed Aluminum
Leg Diameter	36mm Round (6x Telescopic Legs)
Feet Type	Heavy-Duty Swivel Mud Feet
Storage Included	Deep Drawer Unit + Shallow Tray Unit
Footplate	Single-Handed Release Sliding Footplate
Leveling	Dual Integrated Spirit Levels
Weight	~18.5 kg

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Unmatched Bankside Stability: Rock-solid 36mm leg platform completely eliminates frame flex during long-pole work.
• Striking Design: Vibrant Lime accents offer one of the most distinctive, stylish profiles on the bank.
• Effortless Leveling: Integrated spirit levels and textured legs make setting up on uneven slopes fast and precise.
• High-Capacity Modular Unit: Fully compatible with all Matrix shallow trays, deep drawers, and winder units.

Cons

• Heavier Frame Mass: At ~18.5kg, it requires a barrow or trolley for long walks to distant pegs.
• Premium Price Point: Positioned as a flagship match box, representing a higher financial investment.

Performance on the Water

Commercial Venues

On high-stocked commercial carp waters, the XR36 Pro shines. The combination of the rigid hydro-formed frame and wide 36mm legs provides total security when leaning out to net double-figure carp or aggressive margin fishing.

Reservoirs & Large Natural Venues

When fishing large natural venues or rivers with steep, rock-strewn banks, the footplate’s single-handed release system and wide swivel mud feet make establishing a level, secure posture fast and simple.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I swap the drawer units on the XR36 Pro?

Yes, the XR36 Pro is fully integrated into the Matrix modular tray system. You can unclip the factory-supplied drawers and stack deep winder units, shallow tray units, or additional side drawers as your tackle setup requires.

Will standard 36mm accessories fit the legs?

Yes, the 36mm round legs fit all standard 36mm accessories from Matrix, Preston, Guru, and other major match tackle manufacturers.

Does the seatbox include a shoulder strap?

Yes, the XR36 Pro Lime comes supplied with a heavy-duty, deluxe padded 4-point shoulder strap for transport over shorter distances.

The Verdict

The Matrix XR36 Pro Lime Seatbox represents an ideal blend of flagship strength, striking visual design, and top-tier match performance. While anglers seeking ultra-light travel gear may look toward 25mm alternatives, serious commercial match anglers and long-pole specialists will find few stations as rigid, reliable, and comfortable for demanding bankside sessions.

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Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase on Amazon or eBay, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Abu Garcia 506 MKII Review: Best Closed-Face Trotting Reel?

Our hands-on breakdown of the Abu Garcia 506 MKII closed-face reel. Discover its Syncro drag, river trotting performance, pros & cons, and key specs.

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The Return of a Legend: The Abu Garcia 506 MKII

Few fishing reels carry as much historical weight among UK coarse anglers as the Abu Garcia closed-face series. Originally introduced decades ago, the original Abu 506 became essential gear for trotting floats down running water or targeting silverfish on match venues.

With the Abu Garcia 506 MKII, Abu Garcia updated this iconic design, blending modern gearing and ceramic line pins with classic closed-face reel performance.

Why Choose a Closed-Face Reel for Float Fishing?

In a tackle market dominated by standard fixed-spool spinning reels and centerpins, closed-face (spincast) reels serve a unique, highly effective purpose:

• One-Touch Line Control: Release line by simply pressing the front cowl with your index finger—no manual bail arm flipping required. Turning the handle immediately engages the pick-up pin.
• Wind Resistance: The enclosed front cone shields lightweight line from gusts, preventing loose coils from blowing off the spool on breezy days along the riverbank.
• Speed & Precision: Casting, feathering line with your index finger, and engaging the drive happen seamlessly with one hand. This creates a fast, comfortable rhythm during intensive match or river sessions.

Key Features & Mechanical Improvements

The 506 MKII isn’t just a cosmetic re-release; Abu engineered several internal updates to address the quirks of original vintage models.

1. Updated Polymeric Body & Aluminium Front Cone

Constructed from an advanced polymeric material with a durable aluminium front cone, the 506 MKII weighs approximately 288g. It strikes a practical balance between heavy-duty river durability and lightweight rod balance.

2. Upgraded Syncro Drag System

A standout feature of Abu’s high-end closed-face reels, the Syncro Drag allows anglers to quickly back-turn the handle roughly a quarter-turn to reduce drag pressure by roughly 50%. This provides immediate line protection when a large chub or barbel lunges, eliminating the need to fumble with the main drag dial mid-fight.

3. Instant Anti-Reverse Switch

Unlike older vintage units that required internal modifications to allow back-winding, the 506 MKII includes an accessible on/off anti-reverse switch. This gives anglers total control over playing fish—whether relying on the drag or back-winding manually.

4. Ceramic Line Pin & Saltwater Protection

Abu updated the line pick-up pin to ultra-durable ceramic to reduce line wear and boost winching power. Upgraded internal components and corrosion-resistant materials also allow the 506 MKII to handle light saltwater applications (such as estuary float fishing) without seizing up.

Core Specifications

Feature	Specification
Reel Type	Closed-Face / Spincast
Gear Ratio	3.9:1 (approx. 65cm retrieve per turn)
Bearings	Shielded Stainless Steel Bearings
Weight	~288 g
Spools Included	3x Shallow Polymeric Spools + 1x Deep Polymeric Spool
Line Capacity	~100 m of 0.18 mm (Shallow Spool)
Saltwater Safe	Yes (Light Estuary Use)

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Unbeatable Trotting Control: Feathering line down river swims with one finger is smooth and fatigue-free.
• Generous Spool Package: Ships with 4 total spools (3 shallow, 1 deep), making line changes effortless.
• Instant Drag Relief: The Syncro drag handles sudden fish lunges exceptionally well.
• Wind Protection: Eliminates wind knots and line spillages on windy days.

Cons

• Slightly Heavier Than Modern Fixed-Spools: At 288g, it is heavier than carbon-bodied open-faced spinning reels.
• Requires Line Care: Overfilling shallow spools with stiff or heavy mono line can lead to internal line wrap. Stick to supple 3lb–5lb float lines for best results.

Performance on the Water

River Trotting

The 506 MKII truly excels when running a stick float or chubber down a river for chub, roach, or dace. Tapping the front cowl allows line to peel smoothly off the spool with zero resistance. Lightly feathering the line rim with your index finger gives fine-tuned control over float speed across varied river currents.

Stillwater Match & Canal Fishing

For short-range float work on canals or commercial fisheries, the instant press-and-release mechanism saves time over hundreds of casts per session.

Frequently Asked Questions

What line should I use on the Abu Garcia 506 MKII?

For optimal performance, use supple, low-memory reel lines between 3lb and 5lb breaking strain on the shallow spools. Avoid using heavy or stiff monofilament, as stiff line can spring off the spool inside the front cone.

Does the 506 MKII come with spare spools?

Yes, the Abu Garcia 506 MKII comes supplied with three shallow polymeric spools and one deep spool, alongside a protective reel case.

Is the Abu 506 MKII suitable for saltwater?

Yes, internal component upgrades and corrosion-resistant materials make it suitable for light saltwater and estuary float fishing, provided it is rinsed with fresh water after use.

The Verdict

The Abu Garcia 506 MKII successfully bridges classic float-fishing heritage with modern component quality. While heavy feeder specialists or lure anglers will look elsewhere, river-trotting enthusiasts and float anglers will find few tools as smooth, effective, and reliable for speed casting and effortless line control.

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Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase on Amazon or eBay, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.