Photos: Matrix · supplied retailer imagery
Coarse reels · Float and light feeder · Our take
Matrix Aquos Ultra 4000 Reel
4000 size · GRL035
A light, tidy 4000-size reel for float work and light feeder fishing, with a decent spec sheet and the versatility to cover a lot of coarse angling.
- 4000-size reel with model code GRL035, built for float and light feeder fishing.
- Compact graphite body, machined aluminium spool and a stated weight of 294g.
- 5.2:1 gear ratio with 91cm of line retrieved per handle turn.
- 6+1 stainless-steel ball bearings and a multi-disc drag system.
- Matrix lists line capacity as 0.22mm/150m; spare 4000 spools are available separately and aren’t listed as included.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Matrix Aquos Ultra 4000 Reel, model code GRL035. It’s the 4000-size version designed for float and light feeder work.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A versatile, lightweight coarse reel with a useful retrieve and sensible feature set for float and light feeder fishing.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality8.8/10
- Performance8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.8/10
- Ease of Use9/10
- Value for Money8.6/10
Price alerts are coming soon — we don't track live retailer prices yet, so we'll never guess one.
If you buy through our links, we might get a small kickback, but it won’t cost you a penny extra. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The full story
Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Float anglers using rods from commercials to natural venues. The compact 4000 format, quick line pick-up and sensible capacity give you plenty of control without a clumsy setup.
- Coarse anglers wanting one reel for light feeder and general work. It covers a useful spread of fishing, especially where you’re not launching heavy feeders or fishing extreme distances.
Maybe skip if
- Heavy feeder anglers. This model is designed for light feeder work, so bigger feeders, powerful rods and hard distance fishing aren’t its natural patch.
- Ultra-light float anglers using tiny reels. The 4000 size could feel a touch bulky if your whole game is delicate rigs and very short-range work.
The lowdown
Introducing the Matrix Aquos Ultra 4000 Reel
A light, tidy 4000-size reel for float work and light feeder fishing, with a decent spec sheet and the versatility to cover a lot of coarse angling.
- 4000-size reel with model code GRL035, built for float and light feeder fishing.
- Compact graphite body, machined aluminium spool and a stated weight of 294g.
- 5.2:1 gear ratio with 91cm of line retrieved per handle turn.
- 6+1 stainless-steel ball bearings and a multi-disc drag system.
- Matrix lists line capacity as 0.22mm/150m; spare 4000 spools are available separately and aren’t listed as included.
Quick verdict
A proper useful all-rounder
The Matrix Aquos Ultra 4000 is a smart choice when you want one compact reel for float fishing, commercial carp work and lighter feeder jobs. It’s light, quick on the retrieve and has the spool capacity for normal coarse-fishing situations.
It won’t be the answer for heavy feeder bashing or chucking big leads all day, but for general match-style and pleasure fishing it looks bob on. Add a spare spool later and you’ve got even more flexibility without carrying a load of reels.
A versatile, lightweight coarse reel with a useful retrieve and sensible feature set for float and light feeder fishing.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality
- 8.8/10
- Performance
- 8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.8/10
- Ease of Use
- 9/10
- Value for Money
- 8.6/10
The graphite body, aluminium spool, multi-disc drag and 6+1 bearing layout make it a solid-looking package for its intended use.
The 5.2:1 ratio and 91cm retrieve suit active float fishing and repeated light feeder casts.
Its light weight, quick pick-up and controllable drag can help you stay connected and fish efficiently.
The 4000 format is versatile, the capacity is generous and the reel should slot into common coarse setups without much faff.
It offers a strong spread of useful features, though the separately sold spare spool adds to the overall spend if you want one.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Matrix
Matrix Aquos Ultra 4000 Reel (this one)
Top scorer
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the Matrix Aquos Ultra 4000 Reel
The Matrix Aquos Ultra 4000 is aimed right at that useful bit of coarse fishing where you want one reel to do a few jobs. Float work, light feeder chucking, commercials, canals and general pleasure sessions. No faff. Just a sensible 4000-size package for getting the rods off and fishing.
It’s built around a compact graphite body, which keeps the weight down to 294g. That matters more than it sounds. Spend a full day trotting a float, searching the margins or flicking a small feeder, and a reel that doesn’t feel like a brick is properly welcome. Your wrist will be happier by bite-time.
The size is also a decent middle ground. Go too small and you can run short on spool capacity or retrieve when a fish turns and heads at you. Go too big and the whole float outfit starts feeling a bit daft. This 4000 sits neatly between those extremes, especially on a medium float or light feeder rod.
The 5.2:1 gear ratio gives it a fairly brisk retrieve, while the stated 91cm of line per handle turn is the figure that really matters on the bank. You’ll be able to wind a float rig back in quickly, clear a feeder after a missed bite and get clipped up again without taking all day about it. Dead handy when the fish are on the munch.
That quick pick-up rotor and bail arm should suit anglers who fish actively. If you’re working a line, lifting the float through a swim or making plenty of short casts, fast line recovery keeps things tidy. It also helps when a decent fish comes towards you and you need to keep the line tight rather than watching a belly form on the surface.
At the business end, there’s a multi-disc drag system and 6+1 stainless-steel ball bearings. That gives the reel the right sort of feature set for coarse fishing, where a smooth clutch can be the difference between calmly steering a fish and having a proper panic when it lunges near the net. Set it sensibly for the line and let the drag do its job.
The machined aluminium spool is another good touch. It gives you a crisp platform for laying line and feels more purposeful than the very basic spools found on some cheap reels. Matrix lists capacity at 0.22mm/150m, which is ample for normal float and light feeder situations. You’re not short of room for a decent length of line.
There’s no spare spool listed as included, though spare 4000 spools are available separately. That’s worth keeping in mind if you like swapping between, say, a finer float line and a slightly stronger feeder line. Buy the extra spool and you can turn this into a much more flexible setup, but it does add a few more quid.
In use terms, this reel looks best matched to sensible coarse tackle rather than brute-force fishing. Think pellet waggler, commercial float work, stick float, waggler, light method or small open-end feeder. It’s not the one to pick for huge feeders, long-distance bashing or chucking heavy leads all day. For normal match and pleasure fishing, though, it’s a cracking all-round shape.
The big appeal is that balance of weight, capacity and speed. The Aquos Ultra 4000 isn’t trying to be fancy for the sake of it. It gives you the bits that matter when you’re fishing actively, with enough versatility to cover a stack of swims. If your fishing sits in that float-and-light-feeder lane, it looks a proper bob-on option.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Model
- Matrix Aquos Ultra 4000 Reel · GRL035
- Uses
- Float fishing and light feeder fishing
- Body
- Super-lightweight compact graphite body
- Gear ratio
- 5.2:1
- Bearings
- 6+1 stainless-steel ball bearings
- Capacity / weight
- 0.22mm/150m · 294g
Specs checked with Matrix, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Why the 4000 size makes sense
This is the sweet spot for anglers who want a bit more spool and retrieve than a small float reel, without ending up with a great lump hanging off the rod. The 4000 format suits modern coarse rods nicely.
The 91cm retrieve per handle turn is handy when you’re bringing a float rig or feeder back in repeatedly. That quick pick-up should also help when you need to catch up with a fish swimming towards you.
What you’re buying
A compact 4000 with a useful coarse-fishing brief
The Aquos Ultra 4000 is a 294g reel with a compact graphite body, machined aluminium spool and a 5.2:1 gear ratio. Matrix lists 91cm of retrieve per handle turn, so it’s set up for anglers who make plenty of casts and want line back quickly.
The 6+1 stainless-steel ball bearings and multi-disc drag system give it the right ingredients for controlled coarse fishing. Pair it with a suitable float or light feeder rod, spool it sensibly and it should cover plenty of everyday work.
Worth knowing. The stated line capacity is 0.22mm/150m. A spare 4000 spool is available separately, but there isn’t one listed as included, so don’t assume you’ll get two line setups in the box.
Find your fit
Best when you’re fishing actively, not brutally
Float anglers will get the most obvious benefit. The retrieve speed helps with regular recasts, clearing the line after a missed bite and keeping in touch with a float as it tracks through the swim. The 4000 size also gives you a bit more control when a commercial carp decides to head off.
It’ll also suit light feeder anglers using sensible tackle. Small method feeders, open-end feeders and modest river work are much more its patch than big-distance casts with heavy payloads. For general coarse fishing, that’s a very useful range.
If you fish tiny floats on very light gear, a smaller reel may feel more natural. Likewise, if your standard session involves big feeders or serious distance, look towards a more powerful dedicated model instead.
Quick answers
The bits you’ll want to know before buying
Not necessarily. On a medium float, waggler or pellet-waggler setup, the size can be a useful middle ground. It offers line capacity and quick pick-up without being an enormous reel. For ultra-light float rods, though, it may feel more substantial than needed.
It’s suited to general commercial carp work when matched with sensible float or light feeder tackle. Keep the setup balanced and use the multi-disc drag properly. It isn’t designed as a heavy-duty big-fish or distance-feeder reel.
If you fish different lines, yes, it’s a handy upgrade. You could keep one spool for a finer float line and another for a slightly stronger feeder setup. Just remember the spare spool is sold separately.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Very usable size for float fishing and light feeder work.
- Light 294g body helps keep balanced rods comfortable through a long session.
- Quick 91cm retrieve is handy for repeated casts and fast line pick-up.
- Machined aluminium spool and multi-disc drag give it a more serious feel than a basic budget reel.
- Spare spools are available separately for different lines or rigs.
Worth knowing
- Not aimed at heavy feeder work or serious big-lead fishing.
- No spare spool is listed in the box, so that’s an extra purchase.
- A 4000 body may feel more reel than you need on very light whip or short float rods.
Want one?
Add it to your Wanted list or join a Group Buy — shops see anonymous totals only.
Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01What type of fishing is the Matrix Aquos Ultra 4000 for?
What type of fishing is the Matrix Aquos Ultra 4000 for?
It’s designed for float and light feeder fishing. That makes it a good fit for commercial carp, mixed coarse venues, canals, rivers and general match-style work where you want a versatile 4000-size reel.
02Does the Matrix Aquos Ultra 4000 come with a spare spool?
Does the Matrix Aquos Ultra 4000 come with a spare spool?
A spare 4000 spool is available separately, but none is listed as included with the reel. If you want two line setups, factor that extra spool into the spend.
03What line capacity does it have?
What line capacity does it have?
Matrix lists the capacity as 0.22mm/150m. That’s a useful amount for normal coarse fishing, giving you room for float and light feeder setups without needing a huge reel.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a proper useful all-rounder. The strongest reasons to choose it are very usable size for float fishing and light feeder work. and light 294g body helps keep balanced rods comfortable through a long session.; the main trade-off is not aimed at heavy feeder work or serious big-lead fishing..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Very usable size for float fishing and light feeder work.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Float anglers using rods from commercials to natural venues: The compact 4000 format, quick line pick-up and sensible capacity give you plenty of control without a clumsy setup.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “Not aimed at heavy feeder work or serious big-lead fishing.”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
What our readers rate Matrix Aquos Ultra 4000 Reel
No angler score yet — nobody's reviewed Matrix Aquos Ultra 4000 Reel here. Be the first and get the score started.
Owner reports
Own this? Help the next angler.
Quick multiple-choice reports from people who say they own the Matrix Aquos Ultra 4000 Reel. Not verified purchases, and kept separate from our score.
No owner reports yet.
Alternatives & go-withs
