Photos: Matrix · supplied retailer imagery
Coarse match · Feeder reels · Our take
Matrix Aquos Ultra 5000 Reel
Feeder reel
A proper feeder reel with a smooth drag, sensible retrieve and enough spool for serious coarse fishing — without making your wallet wince.
- Designed specifically for feeder fishing, with a 5000-size body and spool suited to distance and heavier feeder work.
- Features a graphite body, machined aluminium spool, quick-pick-up rotor and bail arm, plus a multi-disc drag.
- The 4.8:1 gear ratio brings in 88 cm of line per handle turn — a useful balance of winding power and speed.
- Manufacturer-listed line capacity is 0.24 mm/150 m; some retailer listings quote 0.26 mm/150 m. Spare 5000 spools are available separately.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Matrix Aquos Ultra 5000 Reel, model GRL036.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A strong-value feeder reel with a useful feature set and only a couple of clear compromises around weight and size.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality8.8/10
- Performance8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.9/10
- Ease of Use8.8/10
- Value for Money9.4/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Feeder anglers fishing medium to longer distances. The 5000-size spool, 88 cm retrieve and useful line capacity make it well suited to casting feeders and winding back regularly.
- Anglers wanting a capable reel around the £60 mark. You get a proper multi-disc drag, aluminium spool and smooth bearing package without pushing into premium-reel money.
Maybe skip if
- Light commercial fishery anglers using short, fine feeder rods. The 416 g body may feel more substantial than you need for close-range skimmers and small carp.
- Anglers chasing the lightest possible distance setup. There are lighter reels available, so this isn’t the one to pick if every gram matters.
The lowdown
Introducing the Matrix Aquos Ultra 5000 Reel
A proper feeder reel with a smooth drag, sensible retrieve and enough spool for serious coarse fishing — without making your wallet wince.
- Designed specifically for feeder fishing, with a 5000-size body and spool suited to distance and heavier feeder work.
- Features a graphite body, machined aluminium spool, quick-pick-up rotor and bail arm, plus a multi-disc drag.
- The 4.8:1 gear ratio brings in 88 cm of line per handle turn — a useful balance of winding power and speed.
- Manufacturer-listed line capacity is 0.24 mm/150 m; some retailer listings quote 0.26 mm/150 m. Spare 5000 spools are available separately.
Quick verdict
A cracking feeder reel for the money
The Matrix Aquos Ultra 5000 is a sensible, well-specced feeder reel for anglers who want smooth operation, useful line capacity and a proper front drag without spending silly money.
It’s not the lightest option around, but that extra size makes sense for method feeder, hybrid feeder and distance work. For a sub-£60 reel, it looks a bob-on bit of kit.
A strong-value feeder reel with a useful feature set and only a couple of clear compromises around weight and size.
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
- 8.9/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.8/10
- Value for Money
- 9.4/10
The graphite body, machined aluminium spool, multi-disc drag and stainless-steel bearing package are all sensible features for the money.
The 4.8:1 ratio, 88 cm retrieve and quick-pick-up rotor suit repeated feeder casting and efficient winding.
Smooth drag control and practical feeder sizing help you fish confidently with lighter hooklinks and varied targets.
It offers straightforward operation, useful line capacity and a retrieve that keeps the feeder routine moving.
At a manufacturer RRP of £59.99, the feature package is properly competitive for a dedicated feeder reel.
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 5000 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 5000 Reel
The Matrix Aquos Ultra 5000 is a proper feeder reel rather than a general-purpose bit of kit with a feeder sticker slapped on it. That matters, mate. Feeder fishing asks a fair bit from a reel: repeated casting, plenty of winding, controlled line release and enough poke when a good fish decides it fancies the far bank.
This one comes in a 5000 size, giving you a useful middle ground for modern feeder work. It’s big enough to hold a decent amount of line and help with distance casting, but it shouldn’t feel like you’ve bolted a beach reel to your feeder rod. Think commercials, canals, rivers and stillwaters where you’re chucking a proper feeder rather than a tiny cage.
The body is graphite, while the spool is machined aluminium. That’s a sensible pairing. The graphite keeps the reel’s structure practical and manageable, while the aluminium spool gives you a smooth, hard-wearing surface for line to leave during the cast. When you’re clipped up and firing the same distance all day, that smooth release is dead handy.
Inside, you get 6+1 stainless-steel ball bearings. No, that doesn’t automatically turn it into some mega-bucks tournament reel, but it’s a healthy bearing count for this price bracket. The aim is a smooth wind and a positive feel while you’re retrieving feeders, tightening up or bringing a lively fish back through the water.
The 4.8:1 gear ratio is another sensible choice for feeder fishing. It isn’t ridiculously fast, so you retain a bit of winding power when the feeder is full or a fish is kiting across the swim. At the same time, the reel brings in 88 cm of line per handle turn, so you’re not sat there cranking like a lunatic after every cast.
The drag is a smooth, multi-disc design, giving you useful control when a fish lunges close in. That’s especially welcome on lighter hooklinks, where bullying a surprise carp or barbel can end in a ping and a few choice words. Set it properly and you can let the reel cushion those last-second runs rather than relying entirely on the rod.
A quick-pick-up rotor and bail arm also suit the rhythm of feeder fishing. Cast, clip up, wind down, feed, wait — then repeat it until something has a proper munch. A reel that picks up line positively and closes cleanly helps keep that routine tidy, especially when you’re fishing tight to a feature or trying to keep your line angle consistent.
The 416 g weight is the main thing to think about. It’s not outrageously heavy, but it’s certainly not a featherweight. On a sturdy feeder rod, that extra substance can feel nicely balanced. On a light commercial rod used for short-range silverfish, it may feel a bit much. Horses for courses, as ever on the bank.
Line capacity is listed by the manufacturer as 0.24 mm/150 m, although some retailer listings quote 0.26 mm/150 m. Either way, there’s plenty of room for normal feeder lines and backing arrangements. Spare 5000 spools are available separately too, which is a proper bonus if you like having different lines ready for different venues. Overall, this looks like a capable, no-nonsense reel for anglers who want reliable feeder features without going skint.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Model / article number
- Matrix Aquos Ultra 5000 / GRL036
- Designed for
- Feeder fishing
- Body and spool
- Graphite body with machined aluminium spool
- Bearings and ratio
- 6+1 stainless-steel ball bearings; 4.8:1 gear ratio
- Retrieve and weight
- 88 cm per handle turn; 416 g
- Line capacity
- Manufacturer-listed 0.24 mm/150 m; some listings state 0.26 mm/150 m
Specs checked with Matrix, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Big enough for proper feeder work, tame enough for everyday fishing
The Aquos Ultra 5000 is all about giving you a bit of welcome muscle when you’re casting feeders, fishing at range or dealing with a decent lump in the flow.
The headline features are strong for the price: a machined aluminium spool, multi-disc drag, quick-pick-up rotor and 6+1 stainless-steel ball bearings. That’s the sort of package that makes life easier when the rods are off and a screaming take comes along.
What you’re buying
A sensible feeder package with useful muscle
The Aquos Ultra 5000 combines a graphite body with a machined aluminium spool and a 6+1 stainless-steel bearing setup. The feel you’re after here is smooth, positive and dependable rather than flashy. It’s built around the repeated casting and retrieving that feeder fishing demands.
Its 4.8:1 ratio and 88 cm retrieve strike a useful balance. You get enough winding speed to bring a feeder back without faffing, while retaining the control needed when the feeder is loaded or a fish is putting its head down.
The multi-disc drag is a key feature. It gives you a better chance of cushioning sudden lunges on lighter hooklinks, while the quick-pick-up rotor and bail arm help keep your cast-and-feed routine smooth.
Worth knowing. Line capacity is listed as 0.24 mm/150 m by the manufacturer, while some listings state 0.26 mm/150 m. If you’re filling the spool precisely, check the spool marking or packaging rather than relying on a retailer description.
On the bank
A good match for proper feeder sessions
This reel makes most sense on medium and heavier feeder rods, especially when you’re fishing at range, using method or hybrid feeders, or dealing with flowing water. The 5000 size gives you useful capacity and a spool that should behave sensibly on longer casts.
It’s also a decent option for anglers moving from basic match reels into something with a more purposeful drag and better feeder credentials. The retrieve is quick enough for regular casting, while the reel still offers enough control for a surprise carp or barbel.
At 416 g, it’s less suited to tiny commercial setups, delicate short rods and anglers who obsess over shaving every gram. For a robust feeder outfit, though, the weight can help the balance feel less twitchy.
Worth knowing. Keep a spare spool loaded with a different line diameter. One can be set up for lighter canal or silverfish work, while the other handles heavier method feeder fishing. Less faff when the venue or target changes.
Quick answers
The bits anglers usually want to know
It has the right sort of ingredients for distance feeder fishing: a 5000-size spool, useful line capacity and an 88 cm retrieve. It’s best viewed as a capable feeder reel for normal club, commercial and river work rather than a specialist extreme-distance tool.
The multi-disc drag is designed to provide smooth control, which is handy when carp turn up on feeder tackle. Match the reel with the rod, line and hooklink properly, and let the drag cushion those lunges rather than trying to stop everything dead.
Yes. Replacement or spare 5000 spools are available separately. That makes it easier to keep different lines ready and switch between feeder approaches without stripping and respooling every time.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Smooth multi-disc drag gives you useful control when a fish changes gear near the net.
- Good feeder-friendly line capacity and an 88 cm retrieve for winding in without endless handle turns.
- 6+1 stainless-steel ball bearings and a quick-pick-up rotor make for a smooth, positive feel.
- Machined aluminium spool and spare 5000 spools available separately add practical value.
Worth knowing
- At 416 g, it’s not a featherweight reel for delicate, all-day short-range work.
- The 5000 size may feel a touch bulky on very light feeder rods or compact commercial fishery setups.
- Line-capacity details vary between listings, so check the spool marking or packaging if exact capacity matters.
Want one?
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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 5000 designed for?
What type of fishing is the Matrix Aquos Ultra 5000 designed for?
It’s designed for feeder fishing, particularly setups where a 5000-size reel, decent line capacity and a smooth front drag are useful.
02What line capacity does the Aquos Ultra 5000 have?
What line capacity does the Aquos Ultra 5000 have?
Matrix lists 0.24 mm line at 150 m. Some retailer listings quote 0.26 mm at 150 m, so check the spool or packaging if you need an exact figure.
03Can I buy another spool for the Matrix Aquos Ultra 5000?
Can I buy another spool for the Matrix Aquos Ultra 5000?
Yes. Replacement or spare 5000 spools are available separately, which is handy for keeping different lines ready for different venues.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a cracking feeder reel for the money. The strongest reasons to choose it are smooth multi-disc drag gives you useful control when a fish changes gear near the net. and good feeder-friendly line capacity and an 88 cm retrieve for winding in without endless handle turns.; the main trade-off is at 416 g, it’s not a featherweight reel for delicate, all-day short-range work..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Smooth multi-disc drag gives you useful control when a fish changes gear near the net.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Feeder anglers fishing medium to longer distances: The 5000-size spool, 88 cm retrieve and useful line capacity make it well suited to casting feeders and winding back regularly.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “At 416 g, it’s not a featherweight reel for delicate, all-day short-range work.”
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 5000 Reel
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Owner reports
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Quick multiple-choice reports from people who say they own the Matrix Aquos Ultra 5000 Reel. Not verified purchases, and kept separate from our score.
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