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So, you’ve been and bought yourself a distance feeder rod and now you’re looking for a suitable reel to pair it up with. You need something that’s tough enough for the job, spools up beautifully and, most importantly, is going to help you to hit those distances you need. Well, look no further as the Okuma 6K Feeder reel is here and it’ll tick every box you need for just £78.99.

With a long stroke 30mm spool and super-slow worm shaft transmission, this is a tool designed for ultimate casting performance and plenty of cranking power. It features a compact, corrosion resistant graphite body along with a 5.3:1 retrieve ratio, three ball bearings and one roller bearing. It features a machine cut brass pinion gear and ‘Quick Set’ anti-reverse system, a computer-balanced rotor system and a rotor brake system too. It also features dual line clips, which can be particularly handy at times to help with ultimate accuracy. There’s a heavy-duty one-piece solid aluminium bail wire along with an even flow line roller and a rigid metal handle with a very ergonomic TPV knob.

The spool itself isn’t too deep, so you won’t need to waste hours winding loads of unnecessary backing on first – it’ll hold 180 metres of 0.25mm line and will retrieve 103 centimetres of line per turn, too.

I’ve sat on the dam wall here at the reservoir today and, essentially, this is a venue where you can cast as far as you’re physically able to. I’ve paired the reel up with my favourite 13ft distance feeder rod that I always use here, so I know there’s no shortage of casting power today. I’ve set the rig up with a 45g feeder and loaded it with softened 2mm pellets, soaked in some flavouring, along with an 8mm wafter hook bait presented on a size 10 hook via a bayonet attached to the hair rig. Simple stuff really, but the rig has to be robust for the bigger stamp of fish that live in these sorts of waters. Reel line is 0.25mm and I’m using a really strong, robust 10lb shockleader so I can power the feeder as far as I want without any fear of breakages.

After fishing for around an hour the rod tip flies around with what feels like a really good fish. The power this reel possesses is confidence inspiring and I must say that I am particularly impressed with the beautiful line lay that it delivers. The hooked carp is kiting to the left, but with plenty of pressure we get the fish heading back in the right direction. I must say that when I’m casting the feeder out the line peels off the spool effortlessly and it really does feel like a perfect companion for this strenuous type of fishing. The hooked fish boils on the surface some way out and it looks to be a nice common carp. It dives again, which gives me a chance to try both the drag and the backwind features of the reel more. The longer reel handle really does help when you’re reeling in and the larger T-shaped handle is reassuringly shaped in the hand. The battle with the common draws to a close as it slides over the waiting net ready for some photographs.

I'm going to get the feeder back out and hopefully catch a few more, but all in all this is a reassuringly powerful reel that is just a joy to use. The black and blue colour scheme will suit many anglers and the overall quality and features that it boasts genuinely make it absolutely the perfect tool for the job. I’d have no hesitation in strapping a couple of these to my distance feeder rods and heading off to venues just like this where you need kit that can cope with the heavy demands of this style of angling. And let’s not forget that price either – a great buy! 

Check out the video we shot on the day below.

Features:
Compact, corrosion-resistant graphite body
3 ball bearings + 1 roller bearing
Worm shaft oscillation system
Machined cut brass pinion gear
Quick Set infinite anti-reverse system
RESII: Computer-balanced rotor system
Rotor brake system
Fast progressive drag
Long stroke spool 30mm
Dual round metal line clips
Heavy duty, one-piece solid aluminium bail wire
Even flow line roller
Rigid metal handle with TPV knob

Weight: 486g
Bearings: 3+1
Retrieve ratio: 5.3:1
Max drag capacity: 12kg
Line: 180m/0.25mm
Retrieve: 103cm per turn

RRP: £78.99
WEBSITE: www.okumafishing.com