The best feeder fishing reels all have the same thing in common, they are strong, durable and built with power in abundance to help with the demanding nature of feeder fishing. Often larger than a standard coarse fishing reel, they are designed to aid casting and constantly retrieving heavier end tackle and powerful fish.
Whether your chosen discipline is casting a method feeder upto an island at 20m, fishing wild, natural venues for lots of silverfish or casting a hybrid to the horizon, the best feeder fishing reels will help make the whole process so much more efficient and far less stressful on your wrist.
The best feeder fishing reels at a glance...
There are lots of options out there to cover every budget and thankfully no matter what you have to spend, you can get a great quality reel. In this guide we look at some of the best feeder fishing reels that are currently available...
Best feeder reel (2023 National Angling Awards Winner)
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Featuring a 25mm spool, the N’ZON Distance 25 Feeder is perfect for both long range and powerful feeder work. Its geared down ratio of 4.6:1 ensures easier winding of heavy loads, but still cranks back 92cm per handle turn.
The shallow-profile aluminium spool will hold up to 150m of 0.28mm mono or 300m of 0.16mm braid, if required. Even with less line loaded, line release remains smooth. There are also twin line clips, allowing you to fix accurate distances to multiple spots you may be fishing.
Pros
- Shallow spool is perfect for braided mainline.
- Loads of cranking power.
Cons
- Not the fastest retrieval rate on the market.
Best Feeder Fishing Reel for big venues
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The Daiwa 24 N'ZON PLUS DISTANCE is a high-performance reel designed specifically for long-distance feeder fishing. It features a 25mm LC Long Cast spool for smooth and efficient line release, Digigear 2 and 4BB for smooth and powerful winding, and a Quick Drag system for easy drag adjustment.
The Air Bail and Air Rotor reduce weight and improve sensitivity, while the HIP High Impact Line Clip increases accuracy. This reel is a great choice for serious feeder anglers who want to add meters to their casts and crank in bigger feeders.
Pros
- Advanced technologies specifically designed for long distance fishing
- Spool geometry is engineered to minimise friction and improve line release when casting
Cons
- Large reel, unsuitable for shorter more compact rods
Best in class feeder fishing reel
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The Daiwa Tournament Feeder 25QD is based on the original Cast’izm, but with refinements and tweaks tailored perfectly to long-range feeder fishing.
The modestly-named LC Long Cast 25mm spool is optimally sized for the longest of friction-free casts but, more than that, the lip is created to control rather than restrict the flow of line, leading to a smoother transition through the guides, greater distances and, ultimately, fewer frap-ups.
Tech-wise, it has a strong and light Zaion Body, DS5 Air Rotor, a quick tightening yet ultra-smooth QD Quick Drag, Air Bail and tough Digigear, as well as Magsealed gearing for a long service-free life.The final cherries on the cake are the twin High Impact line clips, one-touch folding reel handle and ultra-shallow spool that will take 150m of braid with minimal backing.
Read our full review.
Pros
- Ultra smooth.
- Incredible casting performance.
Cons
- You have to pay a higher price for quality like this.
Best feeder fishing reel for long distance casting
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The Shimano Ultegra C14+ XTC reel needs little introduction, as with most things Shimano are responsible for it is super reliable, provides effortless reeling and is a joy to use.
Two Speed Slow Oscillation line lay and an AR-C spool ensure the Shimano Ultegra C14+ XTC boasts exceptional casting potential, while the cold forged HAGAINE gearing and X-Ship give powerful, smooth winding. X-Protect seals from water and harmful impurities, while a set of spool-reducers allows braid to be loaded without backing.
Pros
- Incredibly light.
- Superb line lay.
Cons
- In the higher price range for a feeder reel.
Best Method Feeder reel
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The Preston Innovations Magnitude is the ideal reel for Method feeder fishing thanks to a host of brilliant features and is available in a range of sizes, from 320 to 620, with the 520 being a great choice on big waters.
Loaded up with 6lb or 8lb mainline, this reel holds around 125m, more than enough for most feeder situations. Slow oscillation provides a perfect straight up-and-down line lay allowing for long, smooth casts when called for. Plenty of winding power comes via sturdy Worm Drive gearing.
Other key features ideal for Method feeder work include a quick 5.0:1 gear ratio and a dual line clip. A spare spool is included too.
Pros
- Superb line lay.
- Spare spool supplied for different lines.
Cons
- A slightly deeper spool would be an advantage.
Best all-round feeder reel
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The stunning Daiwa 23 TDR Distance 25QD reel is an improvement on the 19 TDR Distance 25QD, it is an exceptional performing powerhouse of a reel combining the latest technology to improve an anglers ability to reach distances they couldn't. The new model incorporates a new 25mm Long Cast (LC) spool (150m - 0.28) and is also supplied with a spare super shallow spool (135m - 0.12) ideal for low diameter braid.
The TDR reels are a staple amongst some of the best match and specimen anglers in the country and there is good reason for this, they just never fail! These reels offer incredible performance and are proper workhorses.
It still capable of retrieving 96cm of line per crank of the handle, you will not find a more effortless way of retrieving the heaviest of feeders from extreme ranges of 100m-plus. Decked out in the iconic TDR livery, it has the premium looks to match its high-end performance.
Pros
- Impressive cranking power
- Shallow long cast spool making casting distance more efficient
Cons
- Not the most affordable for pleasure anglers
Best feeder reel for versatility
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The Preston Extremity SD is a high-performance feeder reel that builds on the success of its predecessor. It features a new Speed Drag system that allows for quick and easy adjustment of the drag tension. The Worm Drive system provides smooth and powerful winding, while the aluminium machined spool and extra-wide spool design help to improve casting distance and line capacity.
The Preston Extremity SD is available in two sizes: 520 and 620. Both sizes are suitable for a variety of feeder fishing applications, from light feeder work to heavy feeder fishing.
Pros
- Lee Kerry's go to reel.
- Updated drag with faster adjustment
Cons
- Bail arm is a little heavy.
Best value feeder fishing reel
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Offering quality at an affordable price, the Daiwa Ninja Match and Feeder is an incredibly popular fishing reel choice among serious match anglers and occasional dabblers alike. Designed as a budget reel by Daiwa, they may have underestimated how good these reels are for the money, I know myself from owning them just how good they are for all sorts of angling.
A graphite body and Air Rotor save on weight, while winding smoothness is maintained by four ball-bearings and an infinite anti-reverse. The drag system is super smooth, perfect when feeder fishing for large carp to prevent hook pulls and due to the lightness of these reels, they will balance most rods from 7ft to 12ft. The Ninja comes with a spare spool and is available in five sizes from 1500 to 4000, with the 4000 best for bigger rods and distances and the 3000 just a great all round reel.
Read our full Daiwa Ninja Match and Feeder Reel review here.
Pros
- Incredibly smooth and reliable.
- Supplied with a spare spool.
Cons
- Not the biggest spool sizes.
Best newcomer feeder fishing reel
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Whilst relatively new to the match scene, Nytro have been producing some quality tackle and the Impax Super Feeder Reel is no exception to that, it's a fantastic reel, at an even better price.
It is best to describe the reel as a mini-big pit reel, its a little larger than a standard fixed spool giving it the cranking power for any situation whether you're feeder fishing on a commercial for skimmers or casting large feeders on the Trent for barbel, it really is that versatile.
The reel is designed for distance, the shallow long cast spool and s-curve oscillation system ensure line peels off freely on the cast and the line lay is perfect on retrieval. A twist free line roller will prevent the line twisting to help reduce frap ups and the drag is smooth, with a really satisfying click when it's operating.
Pros
- Versatile, all-round feeder reel.
- Great for distance casting.
Cons
- No spare spool.
10.
Daiwa 24 TDR QD
Best commercial feeder fishing reel
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The Daiwa 24 TDR QD is the pinnacle of Daiwa's reel engineering, the reel just exudes power and performance whilst maintaining the upmost quality and of course the iconic blue livery.
Introducing some new technology in the market including Air Bail which is a hollow bail arm to reduce weight, and the new Long Cast ABS spool improving casting efficiency and line lay. The body is constructed of alluminium and the new Air Rota from Daiwa's Zaion V material keeps the reel extremely lightweight and durable.
The reel also retains some of Daiwa's premium features like the High Impact (HIP) line clip and evolutions of its Digigear and Twistbuster technologies this reel is a pleasure to use.
Pros
- Latest in reel design and technology
- Incredible winding power
Cons
- Because of the colour scratches may appear more obvious
11.
MAP Dual Reel
Best beginner feeder fishing reel
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With its striking black and blue detailing, the MAP Dual Reel is not only lovely to look at, it's lovely to use too. The reel has been designed with feeder fishing in mind and with some of the best anglers in the country having input, you know it's going to be good.
The shallow spool is slightly tapered to allow the line to fly off at a much more controlled pace whilst reducing friction, aiding those long casting situations. It also allows you get away with lighter feeders or helps you hit the spot should the wind pick up. There is also a line guard to stop your line getting trapped under the spool, which is always useful.
The reel is available in a 4500 and 5500 size and features a 5:1 gear ratio to ensure you have plenty of winding power when you need it. The double handle helps increase the momentum when retrieving a feeder, making it much easier on the wrist.
Pros
- Tapered spool to aid casting.
- Line guard to prevent line getting trapped.
Cons
- Double handle might not be to everyone's liking.
Best compact feeder reel for distance casting
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The Matrix Ethos XR reel is available in 3000 & 3500 sizes. The reel offers a good balance of performance and features at a reasonable price point.
There are lots of features on this reel to aid the angler when casting and reeling in from distance such as the rotor brake and graphite anti-flex body. Both features are there to prevent the reel moving or twisting during the cast or when under pressure, making the reel perform far more smoothly.
The 3500 will retrieve 94cm of line with each turn of the handle, allowing for super quick retrieval of end tackle and the angler has the choice of a double or single handle depending on their preference. The multi-disc front drag on this reel is superb, it is so smooth and consistent that you will land more fish because of it.
Pros
- Super smooth drag system
- Anti-Flex body construction
Cons
- Only available in single handle
What to look for in a feeder fishing reel
When trying to choose the best feeder fishing reel it can be quite confusing with so many different designs and sizes out there. To keep it simple, any reel that is size 400/4000 or above will be ideal for feeder fishing. If you need to cast a long way for big fish go for a larger reel, but for most UK angling a 4000 or 5000 size reel would be perfect.
The best feeder fishing reels need some serious cranking power, capable of retrieving and delivering heavy feeder loads at long-range. The better the cranking power the easier the reel will be to turn, which will help reduce the fatigue and stress on your wrist, which is paramount when a busy day of casting and reeling is required.
A high loading capacity for mono or braided mainlines is also essential if big distances are required. Smoothness is highly desirable too, as any friction on the reel will significantly reduce casting range and even cause unwanted crack-offs or breakages.
Glossary
Spool: The cylinder at the front of a reel which holds the line.
Big pit: A reel with a long spool designed for extreme long-range casting by reducing the resistance of the line.
Frap up: A tangle during a cast where a ball of line catches in the guides of the rod, typically causing a crack off.
Line clip: A small clip on the spool that line can be placed under, stopping it from leaving the reel. Originally designed to stop lines from falling off in transit, they are now commonly used to repeatedly cast a set distance.
Cranking power: The ability of the reel to wind against pressure, the better the cranking power, the easier the reel will be to turn under pressure.
Drag system: This is a setting adjusted by a knob at the front of the spool or at the rear which allows the fish to take line. Depending how tight the drag is will dictate how much line can be taken and what amount of force is needed to remove line from the spool. Its purpose is to prevent the line breaking by giving the fish line when nearing its breaking point.
Feeder fishing: A discipline that involves using a feeder to catch fish. A feeder is constructed using plastic, metal or combination of the two to create somewhere for bait to be packed in, which will release when on the lakebed. It is designed to get bait into the lake accurately and attract fish to the area.
Frequently asked questions on feeder reels
What size reel should I use for feeder fishing?
A 3000 size suits rods of 10ft or less, whilst a 5000 or bigger will be needed on 13ft or 14ft rods designed for long distances. A 4000, however, is a great ‘go to’ size for all general mid-range feeder fishing. Be aware that sizes vary between manufacturers, so take a look or ask in a tackle shop before you buy.
Should I use braid or monofilament line?
This all depends on how sensitive you want the setup to be. Braid transmits all of the indications or movements at the hook end directly to the rod tip, allowing you to feel everything that's going on. It is also stronger for diameter than mono but does break easier if it rubs over a snag. Mono is great for beginners as it is more forgiving and won't tangle up as easily as braid can. Braid is also banned on a lot of venues, we recommend braid for small, shy biting fish and mono for large fish like carp.
What breaking strain line should I use for feeder fishing?
When feeder fishing most anglers opt for a line between 0.20 and 0.26 which is generally around the 6-8lb bracket. This will cover you for most situations from carp to silvers, as long as the line is durable and can stand upto casting feeders and rubbing over the net head, you will be fine to use it. The higher the diameter the less easily it will cast, so it is worth keeping that in mind too, however, don't be irresponsible fishing really light just to hit a distance if the fish will snap your line easily.
What is a shock leader and how do I use one?
A shock leader is a length of braid or mono heavier than your mainline that absorbs the pressure of the cast preventing crack offs and it is attached to the mainline via various knots like the Albright knot. Whatever knot you choose, it's vital to ensure the smallest knot possible so it flies through the rings easier. The length of the shockleader is down to preference but we recommend enough line to hold on your hand, back down the rod and 3-4 turns on the reel. This length gives you some versatility to play around with and some extra if the feeder snaps off, saving you setting the shock leader up again.
_Author Mark Sawyer holds the position of Tackle Editor at Angling Times, boasting more than thirty years of experience working within different fields of the angling industry._