Six of the best sub-£50 feeder reels revealed.
Quality needn’t come at sky-high prices W
ITH so many different types, styles and prices of reel to choose from it can be difficult to pick the right tool for the job, especially if you’re looking for a bargain.
This week Angling Times showcases six of the very best models for under £50, suitable for general-purpose feeder and straight lead tactics.
All-round reliability and durability are essential, and there
DAIWA NINJA MATCH FEEDER 4012A
Price: £49.99 A compact, graphite-bodied reel with a lighteweight, enhanced rotor.
Geared-down retrieve gives higher winding power, and the front drag makes it perfect for use with the braided mainline that is so often required for feeder fishing at range.
The clutch goes from locked up tight to loose with just one full turn, and can be adjusted during the fight with ease, thanks to its ergonomic design.
Winding smoothness comes from four ball-bearings. needs to be enough winding power to cope with the stress of repetitive casting and retrieving.
A good oscillation giving a flat line-lay for long, smooth casts is also key. Ideally, a feeder reel should have a body size of 3000 and upwards, depending on the type of rod and casting weight you intend using. You also need a smooth drag system which is easy to set and can be instantly adjusted when playing a big fish.
DRENNAN SERIES 7 CARP FEEDER
Price: £39.95 A high-spec but affordable reel for all-round feeder fishing, able to tame big fish thanks to its nine ball-bearings and reliable rear drag.
It comes with an alloy spool and two spare composite spools, all holding 100m of 6lb-12lb line without extra backing. Excellent line lay leads to better casting.
Spools have a small recess for the supplied rubber line ID buttons and a small indentation for the initial securing knot on to the inside of the spool, further improving line lay.
KORUM FRONT FORCE 3000
Price: £34.99 Compact body, effortless winding, and a front drag that can be adjusted precisely during the fight.
The 3000-size reel carries 250m of 0.23mm mono and comes with a spare graphite spool.
The main spool boasts a linefriendly aluminium line clip which the majority of reels in this price bracket lack, although the spare spool features the more common plastic clip.
All-black colouring gives the reel a modern ‘on-trend’ look.
SHAKESPEARE AGILITY 35 RD
Price: £44.99 ‘Quality performance at an affordable price’ sums up this latest reel in the Agility family.
You get a classic matt black body and anodised aluminium spools. Within a graphite body and metal side cover are 6 + 1 stainless bearings, multi-disc drag and oneway clutch with instant anti-reverse.
Two shallow spools each hold 242m of 0.18mm (3lb) line and there’s also a deeper spool for thicker lines, capable of holding 178m of 0.28mm (10lb) mono.
MIDDY BAGGIN MACHINE CXR 30
Price: £39.99 A modern, front drag, compact and lightweight reel with folding handle and stainless steel shaft.
Included as standard are FRS, mono-friendly line clip, Free-Flow alloy spool, instant response clutch and additional spool.
The 3000 is ideal for pellet waggler work, running smoothly on five bearings, while a balanced rotor oscillation system keeps everything on the level when the reels are under stress from playing heavyweight fish.
SHIMANO SEDONA FE 3000
Price: £49.99 The front drag Shimano Sedona has the light M-Compact body and Varispeed oscillation system for excellent line-lay and improved casting, even with thicker lines.
High quality bearings are more often associated with hgher-priced reels. Other features include Dyna-Balance and Shimano’s Super Stopper II system which reduces handle play with the anti-reverse activated. The Power Roller on the bail-arm also has a special profile to reduce line twist.