Review: Sondergaard ECOastal Line Basket – sustainable & featherlight

Sondergaard and Guideline have joined forces to fundamentally revise one of the most popular line baskets on the market - and we have tested it exactly where a line basket really has to work: when fishing for pike and sea trout, in winter on the Baltic Sea coast.

However, the areas of application for the three Sondergaard variants extend far beyond the coast. Whether on Danish floodplains for salmon, on a stream for trout or from a belly boat for predatory fish - inthis video we show you why the new Sondergaard line baskets are definitely worth a second look and have convinced us across the board in practical tests.

Three models for many areas of use

• Sondergaard Creek - the compact version for smaller waters, even better mobility, less wind and for those who like it minimalist. Also ideal for river/stream or floodplain fishing.
• Sondergaard Coastal - the classic and our go-to for sea trout and pike fishing.
• Sondergaard Belly Boat - specially adapted for belly boat fishing. Offers plenty of space for perfect line management

During the test, we mainly used the Coastal continuously - exactly the model whose predecessor many of you will be familiar with from the coast.

What has been revised?

The centrepiece of the update is the new material. The line basket is now made from a super-light, recycled foam material. Sustainably produced, extremely light and with a practical side effect: the basket is buoyant and does not sink in the water. In cold conditions in particular, you immediately notice how comfortable the material is - even if you bump against it with your hand when stripping, it is much more pleasant than with hard plastic baskets.

Another major upgrade are the new spikes on the inside. They are made of flexible silicone material, making them more manoeuvrable but retaining their shape and offering enough rigidity to guide the line cleanly. In practice, this means less mess, fewer line tangles and cleaner shooting of the line when casting. The new design of the spikes is also significantly more robust and therefore more durable.

Ergonomics & practical details that you notice immediately

What has remained - and that's a good thing - is the ergonomic cut of the Sondergaard line baskets. The basket is simply attached to the supplied wading belt with Velcro and sits securely on the body without interfering or constricting. It can be attached and removed in one movement. This makes transport and handling during fishing very convenient.

Further features:

• Integrated rod holder with clearly defined position for the blank
• Open front - the line shoots out freely without having to go over an edge
• Drainage holes so that water drains away quickly
• Extremely low weight for long fishing days

The open front in particular impressed us in the test for pike and sea trout. The line shoots cleanly out of the basket without slowing down - a detail that is immediately noticeable, especially with longer casts. The side walls still shield the line from waves or wind.

Colours & look

The basket also has a modern look. In addition to the classic black version, there is also a black and blue version that looks particularly impressive on the coast. Functionally well thought-out, but also with style - the eye also fishes.

Our conclusion

In our test, the Sondergaard line basket proved to be an inconspicuous but very indispensable companion. Whether pike fishing in the Bodden or on the open coast for sea trout - the line basket does its job perfectly and you hardly notice it. The new, recycled material makes the basket ultra-light, comfortable to handle and even buoyant. The flexible silicone spikes hold the line reliably without losing their shape. They are firmly anchored in the material, an upgrade that we all wanted.

We particularly liked how uncomplicated everything is: put on the wading belt, fix the basket and start fishing. No gimmicks, no unnecessary bells and whistles - just well thought-out practical details that really help. Then there's the open front for clean line shooting and the cleverly integrated rod holder.

Whether creek, coastal or belly boat version - if you're looking for an ultra-light, sustainable and extremely functional line basket, you've come to the right place. We have a clear recommendation from the field. Tight Lines!