Brian Harding Marine Products - Fishing Tripods
contact: tripods@brianharding.net
Why not take advantage of our end of year special offers
all of our Match/Deluxe Tripod kits have been reduced to only £35.00
Product Information
GENERAL PRODUCT INFORMATION
Unlike most products you buy nowadays, all our rod rests are made entirely within Great Britain
The technical design for all of these products was made by an engineer that fishes, not a fisherman that believes he is an engineer
A number of the Match/Deluxe Tripods are now being used by fresh water fishermen on the River Thames. Where a swim is on the opposite
side of the river and is inaccessible as it is on private land, the fisherman will cast across the river.
A 6ft tripod supporting a fresh water rod
enables
him to position the tip of his rod high enough to keep the line out of the fast flowing water.
I walked numerous matches, and dozens of beaches used by fishermen for fun, talking to hundreds of fishermen in this country and central Europe.
I realised then that you could not please everybody. A fisherman would tell me at the beginning of a conversation that you must use plastic for the cups,
it saved weight. Later in the conversation he complained about a cup shattering when his tripod fell over on a cold night. Another fisherman told me
of the time he
had
driven
over eighty miles to a venue. When he tried to assemble his tripod he found that one of the screws used as a pivot pin for the leg was missing.
The tripod was unusable! Earlier in the conversation he had been praising the manufacture on the design of this tripod. A phrase came to mind.
"You cannot please all of the people all of the time". So what I have tried to do is please most of the people most of the time, and use common sense within our designs.
Plastic tops and cups are a no-go. Plastic when cold becomes brittle, and in the sun become soft. Some plastics are better than others.
Compounds that are more resilient to temperature changes are far more expensive, and rarely, if ever, used in the construction of fishing tripods.
You would not play with a Meccano set on the beach, in the winter, in the middle of the night! No! So why purchase a rod rest held together with small nuts and screws?
OUR CHALLENGE IS FOR YOU TO TAKE A COPY OF THIS WEB PAGE TO ANY SHOP OR MANUFACTURER AND FIND A BETTER COMPARATIVE PRODUCT
U.K. customers. The P&P costs will be shown during the ordering process. When ordering multiple items we combine postage costs and always work hard to minimise them.
Overseas customers - please E-MAIL us with details of your requirements and your address; we will advise you of the cost including carriage.
We will do our best to reduce the tansport costs.
You may incur local taxation charges.
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MATCH / DELUXE TRIPOD
HOW MANY RODS DO YOU FISH?
One only, then buy a single top. If you like fishing two rods, or you share your tripod with a friend then you will require a double.
Do you use a cup assembly? Some fishermen prefer to rest the butt of their rod on the ground.
(You will find useful information on cups within the Cup Assembly Section of this page plus other bespoke aspects of our tripods.)
Do you require a Trace Bar? Our Trace Bar's fit any tripod with a 5/8" (15mm) diameter front leg.
I also market an attachment enabling you to hang a scale on your tripod.
A further attachment is a small bracket that attaches to a front leg enabling you to bait up without
laying
your rod and reel on the sand.
The Match / Deluxe Tripod is now sold in a modular form, so it is only necessary for you to purchase your immediate requirements,
the tripod only
(the three leg construction)
and those accessories
that you need at that time. Add any other accessories as and when required.
We also offer a fixed price for the basic tripod assembly with three options of Top Rests and Cup Assemblies.
These being a Single Top and Cup assembly or
A Double Top "V" Construction with a Double Cup Assembly or
A Double Top "U" Construction with a Double Cup Assembly
All of these options come with a Transport Strap
MATCH / DELUXE TRIPOD BASE
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Basic three leg assembly |
The front two legs of our Match / Deluxe Tripod are made of the same material (5/8” x 16swg aluminium tube) as is most of our competitors.
This is where the similarity ends. My rear leg is 1” x 1” x 1/8” ‘T’ section. This design is far more stable than the more commonly used
1” x 1” x 1/8” ‘V’ section. One of our better known competitors put it about that the ‘T’ section material was far heavier than the ‘V’ section
that he uses. The cross section of the material is exactly the same, so the weight is the same.
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Drawing that shows that both profiles require exactly the same amount of material |
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TECHNICAL TESTS
Below you can see the photos of the tests that we have carried out. These tests are on the stability of both alternative material designs.
We positioned two knife edge supports 5ft (1524mm) apart. A weight of 4½ lb was placed between the two supports on each extrusion in turn.
The amount of deflection of both materials can be seen on the scale positioned in front of both of the extrusions. It is clear that the 'T' Section
used by myself far exceeds the performance of the 'V' Section used elsewhere. In addition the weight of the two sections is identical.
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Comparative Test Jig |
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'V' Section - no load |
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'V' Section - with load |
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'T' Section - no load |
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'T' Section - with load |
A test that you can do yourself is to support the top of a tripod with one hand. Then press lightly in
the centre
of the
rear leg
with your other hand. Try this on a competitories and then with one of ours
The hinge assembly consists of two identical pressings, one rotated to the right and the second rotated to the left.
These are riveted securely to the ‘T’ section leg.
No screws! Each of the two hinge pressings supports a front leg securely,
the pivot pin is supported at both ends, four saddle washers are fitted, one either side of each leg.
The pivot pin is also riveted in place.
No screws! This procedure gives the construction of the tripod greater overall stability.
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 |
Match Hinge Section |
Match Hinge Section Back View |
Cup Assembly |
Description |
Order Number |
|
Match Leg Assembly |
51-101 |
TOP REST
You now have a choice of three top rest assemblies, a single top, a double ‘V' Section construction and a double ‘U’ Section construction. Photos of all three below.
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Single Tripod Top Rest |
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Double 'V' Section Top Rest |
 |
Double 'U' Section Top Rest |
The single top is mainly used when match fishing. The design for this is based upon information supplied by an experienced
competition fisherman. The double ‘V’ construction is the original design that I have used since the early eighty’s. I have never
had
a rod come adrift from this design of top. I find that the ‘V’ construction is far more flexible. When returning the rod to the
tripod,
as long as you position your rod within 2 inches of the centre line of the ‘V’ your rod will centralise itself. I was asked,
mainly by the tackle dealers, to produce a deep ‘U’ construction top rest. I have tried the double ‘U’ construction and find it
more demanding, you only have a 1.3/4 inch wide slot to locate your rod within. I do take on board that a rod is less likely to be
blown or
pulledout of this design.
The choice is yours!
Cup Assembly |
Description |
Order Number |
|
Single Top Assembly |
51-101 |
|
Double "V" Top Assembly | 51-105 |
|
Double "U" Top Assembly | 51-106 |
CUP ASSEMBLY
You have the choice of two Cup Assemblies, a Single or a Double.
You must make the choice of whether or not to use a cup. You could place the butt of your rod on the sand, a cup
will retain the butt of your rod in
a
secure
and fixed position.
If
the
butt
of your
rod is in a cup, any drag would have to
be sufficient to
upend your tripod. The design of this tripod
enables you to position
the
cup
anywhere throughout
the overall length of the rear leg. One large thumb screw secures the assembly.
With gloves or
mittens on you can still
operate
this locking screw.
Both the Cup and Top Rest assemblies have a bespoke designed extrusion.
The cup assembly is an important accessory, whether a single or a double unit. The first and obvious advantage is keeping
the butt of your rod free from sand. A far more important thing to take into consideration is leverage. If you have a 6ft tripod and a 12ft rod
standing on the sand, and resting on your tripod, there is pivot point halfway up your rod. A 6lb drag on your line and you require 6lb
of
pressure at the bottom of your butt to keep the rod in equilibrium. If you have your rod resting on the sand where is this pressure
going to
come from? A 6lb or more of drag can happen very quickly and very unexpectedly from weed floating in the surf off a beach, or a
branch being carried down stream in a river. A cup assembly will stop the fishing rod from pivoting at the top of the rest.
The spread
of the legs will give the tripod assembly a great deal of stability. There is also a hook just below the hinge assembly. This hook is there to
support a weight to further stabilise your tripod. I recommend you always carry a canvas bag with you, this can be filled with sand or stones
and secured to the hook, giving your tripod extra stability. DO NOT HANG A PARAFFIN LANTERN FROM THIS HOOK.
The heat from the lantern could reduce the breaking strain of your fishing line by as much as 75%. It could also damage your rod.
A round bar is situated in the bottom of the 2" aluminium tubes that form the cups. This stops the fishing rod from sliding through the tube.
A second usage for this bar is to retain the rod at a bespoke angle. Boat fishermen used this technique all the time. You will need to have
a gimbal fitted to the end of your butt. This is a small metallic component with two slots running through it at right angles to one another.
(For a small charge. Any tackle dealer that manufactors or repairs rods can fit a gimbal for you). By positioning the slot over the bar you
can secure your fishing real at the angle of your choices. Below you can see two photos, both displaying two tripods. Both rods on one
tripod have gimbals fitted, on the second tripod they do not. You will see that on the tripod where gimbals are fitted to the rods, the reels
are standing up allowing the fishing line from the reel to clear the top rest. On the tripod where the rods do not have gimbals fitted,
the reel is hanging down trapping the fishing line between the rod and the top rest. When some reels hangs down (fixed spools)
they could get caught on the rear leg when removing the rod to strike into a fish.
 |
 |
Single Cup |
Double Cup |
Both cup assemblies have a round bar in the cup to accommodate a gimbal.
Have a gimbal fitted
to
your rod and you have a choice in positioning the angle of your fishing reel on the tripod.
 |
 |
Match/Deluxe, back view, rods in place |
Match/Deluxe, side view, rods in place |
Cup Assembly |
Description |
Order Number |
 |
Single Cup |
51-104 |
 |
Double Cup |
51-108 |
SCALE ADAPTOR KIT
The scale attachment will fit all of our previous Match/Deluxe Tripods produced over the last
25 years.
Remove the hook just below the hinge and if required open the hole up to 4mm
diameter then fit as
per the instructions.
On all new tripods this hole is now 4mm diameter.
Please Note this attachment does not fit the Standard or Telescopic Tripods
 |
 |
Scale Adaptor Kit |
|
Item |
Description |
Order Number |
 |
Tripod Scale Adaptor Kit |
51-111 |
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The trace bar has an obvious purpose, to retain your traces at a location that is easily accessible. Our trace bars have a second very important function.
It doubles
up as
a brace.
The
rigid construction of all of our tripods means that if the front two legs are secured at a bespoke angle the tripod cannot close or open further.
You will see from
the photos
and drawing
below
that
the clips I use are marine components used on racing yachts,
not the plumber’s pipe clips that most of our competitors use.
 |
Fully loaded Match/Deluxe Tripod with Trace Bar giving complete control to the angler |
The overall rigid construction of both the tripod and the Trace Bar / Brace makes it possible to manoeuvre your tripod as illustrated
in the photo above. Very helpful if you are being chased backwards up a beach that has a shallow angle therefore a fast tide run.
It also means that the stability of your Tripod is greatly improved.
Below is a drawing and a photo of a Trace Bar / Brace. The clips we used in the construction are marine components designed
for tiller extensions on racing yachts. They are therefore robust and will not easily break. Most of our competitors use plumbers
pipe clips,
these are designed to be screwed to a wall, have a water pipe pressed in to them and left undisturbed for many years.
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Trace Bar Fitted |
This Trace Bar can also be used on the Standard and Telescopic Tripods as a stabilizer.
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Drawing of the Trace Bar |
Top of Page
Item |
Description |
Order Number |
 |
Trace Bar |
51-109 |
ROD SUPPORT
This is a revolutionary approach
It is recommended that when fishing the beach you should change your bait every 10 minutes. Before retrieving your tackle you will have
prepared in advance freshly baited traces. We have a small Rod Baiting Bracket that clips onto a front leg of your tripod, enabling
you to support your rod, with the tip of the rod at a convenient height and facing towards you. If you now get a bite on your second rod you can
strike into the fish without firstly having to park the rod you are working on.
 |
Rod Support in detail |
 |
Standard Tripod with two Rod Supports fitted |
 |
Close up of Rod Support |
A very useful attachment that enables you to tackle up your second rod, and still be in a physical position to strike if you get a bite on your first rod.
Item |
Description |
Order Number |
|
Baiting Bracket |
51-110 |
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TRANSPORT STRAP
There is a slot at the bottom of the ‘T’ section rear leg to accommodate a Velcro strap. This strap will enable you to secure the two front legs
to the ‘T’ section
rear leg whilst the tripod is in transit. The strap is included with our tripods. You may prefer to keep it in your tackle box,
or you may like to secure the strap as a permanent fixture to the bottom of the rear leg.
I transport my tripod within my rod bag, so a strap at the
bottom of the rear leg is an annoyance to me. Another point to consider is that when
fitting or
removing the cup assembly from the rear leg the
strap is situated just behind it. If you still wish to secure the strap in place
just push the strap through the slot,
and then through itself.
By reversing this operation you will be able to remove the strap at any time. We do sell the straps for anglers wishing to use them on tripods they
already own.
We supply these straps in black but have used alternative colours below to aid clarity.
 |
Tripod Strap, these are supplied black |
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Strap fitted to Match Tripod * |
 |
Strap in use with Match Tripod * |
* Please note that different feet are now used on the Match Tripod |
|
This VELCRO STRAP can also be used on all Tripods. Below are two photographs of the strap being used on our 6ft Standard Tripods.
Place
it around the front leg and thread it through itself pulling it tight. When you pack your fishing equipment just wind the strap around the two rear legs.
 |
Strap fitted to Standard Tripod |
 |
Strap in use with Standard Tripod |
A useful addition, better than the elastic band used by a number of fishermen.
Item |
Description |
Order Number |
|
Transport Strap |
51-114 |
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When fishing from the rocks the two front legs of your tripod need to be longer than the rear leg to accommodate the angle of the rock face.
We can supply you with two extension legs that you can slide over the existing front legs of your tripod. No fitting required, just slide the
tripod legs into the extensions. When you fish the beach again just remove the extensions.
Tripod Leg Extension |
An essential extra when fishing the rocks. Two four foot extension legs that enable you to use your tripod in difficult terrain.
Easily fitted and removed.
They slide over the front legs, no alteration or modification required to your existing tripod.
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SCALE TRIPOD
 |
Tripod with Scale Fitted |
This product is designed for clubs and organizations that run matches and competitions, lakes and fisheries for weighing personal catches and specimen fish.
The construction is almost identical to the match / deluxe tripod. A 1” x 1” x 1/8” ‘T’ section aluminium front leg, the two other legs are made from 5/8” x 16swg aluminium tube.
This tripod is used with the single leg to the front. As there is no requirement for a top rest the hinge has been taken to the top of the front leg. The bespoke brace for the
scale tripod is longer than the one used on fishing tripods, this allows it to be positioned below the face of scale. All of the technical specifications are the same as the
Match / Deluxe tripod including the facility for a Transport Strap. On our tripod we use a Salter Model 235 10S scale. We can pull 50 Kg without the brace being fitted and there
is no visible flexing of the legs.
 |
 |
ScaleTtripod - Side View |
Scale Tripod - Front View |
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STANDARD TRIPOD
This tripod is available at 6ft and 4ft
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The 6' and 4' Standard Tripods in use |
-
The Standard Tripod is manufactured to the same very high standard as the rest of our product range.
A simplified design has enabled us to produce a
top class tripod at a realistic price. First designed as a 4ft unit to satisfy the needs of a tackle dealer in North Wales. Holiday makers wanted a tripod that
they could use solely for the duration of their holiday. The two piece hinge is secured to the front leg using heavy duty stainless steel pop rivets. The hinge
supports both of the two moveable legs. As with all our tripods the pivot pins are supported at both ends. Four saddle washers are fitted to the assembly,
one either side of each leg. The pivot pins are riveted in place. No screws and nuts. A brass bush with a 3/8” BSF thread (standard for fishing tackle
accessories) is fitted to the top of the front leg. This bush will accommodate a range of fittings, all available from your local tackle shop. We supply a single
top plus a locking ring. The locking ring enables you to secure the top rest at the required angle.
 |
 |
The Hinge in detail |
|
 |
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6ft Standard Tripod in use |
6ft Standard Tripod with Trace Bar |
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4ft Standard Tripod |
4ft Standard Tripod with fishing rod fitted |
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TELESCOPIC TRIPOD
This tripod is available at 2ft, 4ft and 6ft
 |
6ft, 4ft and 2ft Telescopic Tripods fully extended |
 |
6ft, 4ft and 2ft Telescopic Tripods fully extended with rods attached |
The Telescopic Tripods are manufactured to the same high standard as the rest of our products. Based on the Standard Tripod, I was asked if I could telescope the
4ft unit enabling the owner to fit it into a suitcase. We now have a unit that reduces to 26.3/4” (680mm) in length. The 6ft Tripod reduces enabling you to
fit it into the
boot of a small car. At 38.7/8” (987.5mm) this tripod is easily transported. The birth of the 3ft Telescopic tripod differs somewhat. Local to our manufacturing base
we have the Basingstoke Canal. This water is regularly fished and a problem encountered is the concrete banks which often make it impossible to use a
conventional
bank stick. As they use their tackle box as a seat they are close to the ground. A small Telescopic Tripod allows them to adjust the legs to compensate for the
uneven
surface, also they can reach their rod whilst sitting on their tackle box.
The two piece hinge is secured to the front leg using heavy duty stainless steel pop rivets. The hinge supports both of the moveable legs. As with all our tripod
the pivot pins are supported at both ends. Four saddle washers are fitted to the assembly, one either side of each leg. The pivot pins are riveted in place.
No screws and nuts. A brass bush with a 3/8” BSF thread (standard for fishing tackle accessories) is fitted to the top of the front leg. This bush will
accommodate
a range of fittings, all available from your local tackle shop. We supply a single top plus a locking ring, this allows you to secure the top rest to always face the water.
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The Hinge in detail |
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 |
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The 2ft and 4ft Telescopic Tripods in use |
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GUARANTEE
BHMP Ltd. Guarantee Terms
In summary we will do whatever we can to ensure that all of our customers are satisfied with whichever of our products they purchase.
It is our policy to not quibble at any request for service made in good faith. The restrictive terms are largely to protect us from unreasonable or fraudulent demands.
Guarantee
This Guarantee is in addition to and does not limit your statutory rights. Our products are guaranteed against any defect in material and workmanship for a
period of twelve months from the date of purchase. Within this period we undertake, subject to the following conditions, to repair or at our option replace the
defective part free of charge for labour and for materials.
| 1 | The unit has been used correctly and has only been used for the purpose for which it has been manufactured. |
| 2 | The unit has not been tampered with or otherwise been subject to misuse, fire, accident, lightning, or negligence. |
| 3 | The unit has not been taken apart, modified or repaired except Brian Harding Marine Products Ltd. |
| 4 | The unit, if replaced, shall become our property, as shall any defective part replaced by us or on our behalf. |
| 5 | The unit is returned to us in suitable packing together with proof of date of purchase (in the form of a receipt or invoice. |
| 6 | The unit is returned promptly on being found defective. |
| 7 | Any guarantee claim outside the United Kingdom is to include a prepayment of postal or shipping charges to and from the owner. |
| 8 | The sole and exclusive remedy under this guarantee is for the repair or replacement of the unit and no other remedy, including but not limited to incidental or consequential damage or loss of whatsoever nature, shall be available. |
| 9 | Our decision on all matters relating to guarantee claims shall be final. |
© 2008 Brian Harding