The best feeder fishing reels

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.

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.

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.

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.

The stunning Daiwa TDR Distance 25QD reel should not be seen as a budget Tournament, as it is an exceptional performing powerhouse of a reel in its own right! 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.

Eating up 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.

The Preston Extremity Feeder Reels are definitely some of the best reels the company has ever released and are perfect for feeder fishing, so much so they are Lee Kerry's go to reel, if they are good enough for him, they will be for us too!

The Extremity Feeder reels are designed with Worm Drive gearing, which not only results in compact and powerful reels, but surprisingly light ones too, they have cranking power in abundance and will have no issue reeling heavy end tackle and large fish in from any distance. The 520 reels 84cm per turn with the 620 returning 89cm, the former best for distances up to 80m with the latter best for anything over that.

This top-end extremity is available in 520 and 620 sizes, each with a dual line clip and a Speed Drag System that allows fast tension adjustments when playing fish.

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.

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.

The Guru Aventus Reel is their flagship reel and for good reason, it's a spectacular item of tackle and offers everything you could want in a premium fishing reel and more.

The reels are available in 3000 and 4000 sizes, with the 4000 being the reel designed for feeder fishing. It is a larger bodied reel with a deeper spool and has almost infinite winding power, it makes retrieving feeders and fish effortless.

The reel is made from aluminium and is lovely and lightweight, helping to balance any feeder rod you put it on, helping to reduce fatigue, especially on those very prolific days. The metal body also helps keep the winding power consistent, reducing the chance of losing fish, as you're always in control.

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.

The Matrix Horizon X comes in three sizes with a 3000, 4000 and 500 model in the range, it is, however, the 5000 that is the dedicated feeder reel amongst the trio and it is a great one at that.

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 carbon anti-flex body. Both of these 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 5000 will retrieve 90cm 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 deifnielty land more fish because of it.