Ian Golds Tripods: The Ultimate Guide to Beach Fishing Stability
If you spend enough time walking the beaches, piers, and rock marks around the UK coastline, you will start to notice a recurring piece of equipment. Standing tall against the crashing surf and winter gales is the undisputed king of rod supports: the Ian Golds Tripod.
Designed by the late, great sea match angler Ian Golds, this iconic piece of tackle has been leading the market for over twenty years. While plenty of competitors have tried to copy the design, very few have ever managed to match its brilliant simplicity, rock-solid stability, and sheer durability.
Whether you are a newcomer looking to upgrade from a basic sand spike or a seasoned tournament angler needing a tripod that won’t blow over in a force 8 gale, here is your ultimate guide to the Ian Golds range.
The Classic: The Standard Supermatch
The original and, for many anglers, still the best. The standard Supermatch is the backbone of the Ian Golds range, offering everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Product Name: Ian Golds Supermatch Tripod 6ft
Product Description: The Ian Golds Supermatch Tripod is an iconic piece of sea fishing equipment that has led the market for over two decades. This 6ft tripod is lightweight yet rock-solid, constructed from tough, corrosion-resistant alloy built to withstand the harshest saltwater environments. While many competitors have attempted to replicate its design, the Supermatch remains the go-to choice for serious beach and shore anglers who demand uncompromising stability and simplicity on the shingle.
Uses:
Beach and Shore Fishing: Provides a secure, elevated platform for your sea rods, keeping your lines high above the crashing surf and minimizing weed drag.
Rough Ground Marks: The spiked feet and adjustable stance allow for secure, customized positioning on uneven rocks, slippery promenades, and steep shingle banks.
Enhanced Bite Indication: By keeping the rods completely stationary, it maximizes visual bite detection, especially in strong winds or heavy tidal pulls.
Specifications:
Length: 6ft
Material: Lightweight, high-grade corrosion-resistant alloy
Included Setup: Supplied standard with a double head and double butt cup
Key Features: Spiked feet for ground grip, integrated “Bucket Hook” for adding stabilizing weight (like a bag of sand), “Trace Clip” for hanging baited rigs, and “Leg Clips” for secure transit.
Customization: Fully compatible with the extensive range of Ian Golds aftermarket spares and accessories.
The Upgrade: The DB1 Fully Loaded
For anglers who want all the bells and whistles straight out of the box, or those who fish in extreme tidal conditions where stability is a matter of saving your expensive rods from taking a dive, the DB1 is the ultimate choice.
Product Name: Ian Golds Super Match DB1 Tripod (6ft & 7ft)
Product Description: The Super Match DB1 takes the legendary design of the original Supermatch and supercharges it with premium, top-of-the-range extras right out of the box. Available in a standard 6ft or an extended 7ft model (which features a heavy-duty V-section front leg for absolute rigidity), the DB1 is designed to lower your center of gravity in fierce tides. It arrives fully loaded with essential upgrades, making it the ultimate tripod package for tournament casters and dedicated winter cod hunters who need their gear to perform flawlessly in storm conditions.
Uses:
Extreme Weather Angling: The included leg lock kit and extenders provide unmatched, locked-in stability during gale-force winds and surging spring tides.
Long Rod Support: The 7ft version perfectly accommodates longer continental-style surf rods (14ft to 16ft+), providing extra height and line clearance.
Night Fishing: Features luminous 13-inch double heads and cups, making rod placement, baiting up, and bite detection effortless in the dark.
Specifications:
Available Lengths: 6ft or 7ft (7ft model features an upgraded V-section alloy front leg)
Included Upgrades: Leg Lock Kit, Trace Bar, Back Leg Extenders
Heads/Cups: Premium 13″ Luminous double head and double butt cups
Standard Features: Bucket hook, foot rest, spiked feet, and secure leg clips for transport.
Build: Premium lightweight alloy, highly resistant to saltwater corrosion and daily abuse.
Essential Spares & Customization
One of the greatest strengths of the Ian Golds brand is the modular nature of the tripods. Because they are built to last a lifetime, you can easily replace parts or upgrade an older model.
Leg Lock Kits: Essential for fishing on hard surfaces like concrete piers or promenades where you can’t push the spikes into the ground. It locks the legs rigidly together so the tripod cannot collapse outwards.
Luminous Cups & Heads: A brilliant upgrade for the winter angler. They glow brightly after a quick flash from a headtorch, helping you locate your rods easily in pitch black.
Trace Bars: Allows you to hang multiple pre-baited rigs, keeping them tangle-free and out of the sand, drastically speeding up your bait-and-cast turnaround times