Beach Fishing set-up part 4 - Beach Shelter - Igloo or Bigaloo 

You can't beat the original john holden beach buddy 😎

I'm a bit late arriving on this one Mark. Informative video on the comparisons of the two . I feel there is a strong market for a lot smaller beach shelter . I still own an original John Holden designed Sundridge Trident shelter. Will never get rid of as it's so bloody light and small to carry on long jaunts. The design is so simplistic to put up, being one cross member and a material flap to pull over the front. I've put it up in conditions that you wouldn't even contemplate getting one of those shelters out. They're only big enough for one person , tackle and bait etc.. But the profile is so low it can withstand storm conditions to a certain degree. Acts as a great sturdy windbreak with very strong onshore winds. When they were discontinued, and I don't know why , they were like gold dust to get hold of. They're also a great crossover for those days when you think , shall I bother taking the shelter today? Well yes, take the Trident because you won't even notice you're carrying it. I think angling manufacturers are missing out on this design , as there's a fair few anglers that will take bare minimum with them, especially those that have to walk a distance. Just some input, and I enjoyed your video btw 👍

I've owned and used both these shelters. I always lay the shelter flat on the ground first, splay it out, then put sand or shingle on the skirt (check out Ian Gold's own instructional video). Only then do you pull up the canopy and fix the poles in place. I've seen so many people struggling to errect them as you have in breezy conditions. The bigaloo is actually the same size as the igloo. The door is what makes it 'bigger' (when used). In practice, I found the door to be cumbersome and unstable in poor weather and restricted the view of my rods too much. I ended up selling the bigaloo and only use the igloo shelter these days. On occasions I use a normal beach windbreaker pegged in front of the igloo for added protection but very rarely do I need that. Great shelters once you know how to erect and take down correctly.

A really useful video Mark, thank you for thinking of this and sharing your thoughts. I use the Shakespeare Salt shelter at present and really like it, easy to assemble and relatively light and robust. However, the Igloo is certainly on my future kit list!

Top video Mark, ive got a Igloo and works for me spot on, cant fault it. well worth the money

Great video mark and for anyone thinking of buying one get one as they are great bits of kit

Brilliant video, just what I needed to see the difference between the two. Thanks 👍 👏

Nice one Mark! Interesting info. Stay safe & well. 👍👍

Good video. Great idea with the drone footage

Hi Mark I'm a new subscriber to your channel just would like to say that your a fantastic host and also a great fisherman hope to see more many thanks . Good fishing 🐟

Nice informative video Mark for anyone looking for one. 👍👏 Due to almost flat beaches in my area, I've never seen anyone use one. Take care and stay safe.😷🙊

They should have put a clear window in the bigaloo so you could have it fully closed and still see your rods

Great vid mark, I currently use an imax fr competition and hate it, putting it up no problem but taking down it takes 2 of us because the poles are always getting stuck,I’ve tried fairy liquid,Vaseline and other things but it’s always the same result stuck poles, think now after watching this I will get a igloo…great content and tight lines

Brilliant vid, as always, getting a beach shelter at some point.....definitely bigaloo for me though...they both though are different league from the other ones on market.. I'd compare them to the aqua of carp family of shelters. Superb interms of quality. And travelling from Milton Keynes as I do....I want something that I know won't fall apart. Excellent work and tight lines.

As always an excellent honest video, not a fish in sight does that count as a blank?😂😂

Like a lot of people at the time I bought the imax storm v2 shelter. These look easier to put up, but now I have one no.point in me changing until it wears out. Good review though and helpful for those deciding on a shelter.

Great demo Mark,I must admit I prefer a brolly or a Beach Buddy,not sure if they still make them though 🎣🐟

I was fishing that same groyne about where you are had only a gunard but other groyne preduced loads

Great vid really helpful, I currently use the imax fr competition and hate it 🤢🤢 going up is ok but coming down is a different story takes usual 2 people to take it down, the poles are dreadful…bigaloo is looking good for me all my beach fishing is usually all nighters…tight lines

I’m actually after a new shelter the imax wasn’t very accommodating for a man of my stature that night on Chesil. Think I’m sold on the bigaloo now with the door

I still prefer the lightweight Salt/Diawa, also you save you a pile of cash! The igloo or it’s bigger brother are fine if you fish close to your car!

Good video mark, only problem is have searched internet and cant find them anywhere. Any chance you could let me know where you got yours from .many thanks.

Alternatively, you could get some little clamps , plastic building clamps/grips, and a blue tarp and make a door, tie a guy rope to the top front poles and pull it taught instead of an extra pole, clip the sheet to the side front pole thread it through the blue tarp holes the other side. Sorted. Make it any shape as the rope can be moved anywhere. You could have a massive front porch if you wanted. For winter.

Hi Mark, a very helpful video, is the bigalloo lined? It's blue outside and black inside. Cheers, John

You could tie a guy rope to the groin , then straight to the tent top, tightish . Throw a big tarp over and it could be 3m wide, with the shelter serving as just the end of the big tent. stones sand on the back of the blue tarp.

grat vid,i have had both BUT i prefer the bigaloo for a bit more shelter

Haven't you got that wrong Mark. The Igloo will set inside the Bigaloo

Well it's personal choice I've got imax beach shelter been ther couple of time the mighty hill chesil beach. Can't complain £$ 119 qued the quality and designed ,actually you can do 1,2,3 turn off the lights.....

if only you had picked a day with the wind blowing 20 odd mph and driving sleet and snow, and then see how easy they are to erect, i have the original beach buddy and im sure it will see me out, i also have the docwra brolly with the side flaps, both must be 30 years old, the buddy has seen much more use, it has the front flaps and i have never undone them, not sure what sort of sea angler wants to get on the beach then sleep in their shelter, we aren't carp anglers, if your baits not in the water then you cant catch fish

I’d love a bigaloo……..can’t buy one for all the tea in china 🤷‍♂️