Best Pellet Waggler Reels (Complete Guide)

Best Reels For Pellet Waggler Fishing

The best pellet waggler reels are small and light enough for a balanced setup but strong enough to deal with constant casting and winding in.

To deal with the rigors of pellet waggler fishing, the reel should also contain components that are built to last and that consistently perform.

In this article, I will explain what features to look for in the best pellet waggler reels as well as provide 5 suggestions that I consider some of the best on the market today.

The article is specifically targeting the best reels for pellet waggler fishing. If you are looking for general float fishing reels then please check out my full and comprehensive guide on float reels here.

The 5 Best Pellet Waggler Reels

I’ll start this article by getting straight into the 5 best pellet waggler reels. I have personally used these reels over a number of years and can honestly say they tick all the boxes required in a decent pellet waggler reel.

The reels chosen cater to a variety of different fishing situations and budgets so hopefully, there is something for all:

#1. Preston Magnitude 320

Best pellet waggler fishing reel

Quite simply this is my favourite overall float fishing reel and one that I have used for many years and have never been let down.

For pellet waggler fishing the Magnitude 320 version is ideal.

The body of the reel is extremely compact making it light and comfortable in dealing with constant casting and retrieval.

Despite its small nature the reel still packs a punch with its 5.0:1 gear ratio.

This ratio provides a fantastic balance of power and fast retrieve making it perfect for pellet waggler fishing.

The reel is manufactured from exceptionally high-grade materials, with a 3mm aluminium bail arm which is extremely robust and durable.

The spools on the magnitude range are also machined and feature a dual-line clip as standard.

My experiences with this reel have always left me feeling that it has been researched and constructed with the coarse fishermen in mind and just oozes quality throughout.

It’s not the cheapest on the market but I guess you get what you pay for and what you get with this reel is a perfect option for all your pellet waggler fishing needs.

Check out the following video that shows some of the great features of the Magnitude reels:

Features & Sepcifications:

  • Spare Aluminium spool included
  • Dual-line clip
  • Super slow oscillation
  • CNC Machined Aluminium die-casting body and side cover
  • AI forged fully machined spool
  • Rotor brake system
  • Soft-touch rubber grip single handle
  • 3mm Aluminium bail arm
  • Anti-reverse system

#2. Preston Innovation Centris 320

best pellet waggler reels

Yes, it’s another offering from Preston Innovations next on the list. This is a testament to Preston’s detail in producing quality coarse fishing tackle.

Similar to the Magnitude, this reel is small, lightweight, and perfect for pellet waggler fishing.

The shaft and the rotor on the Centris NT are made from titanium which is a material that allows for longevity.

This absolutely shows within the reel mechanics as I, and many other anglers, have used this reel over many sessions and performance has never been compromised.

The body on the reel is aluminium which allows for strength without adding too much weight to the whole reel.

The gear ratio on the NT 320 is set at 5:0:1 and it has 7 bearings.

This basically means that the reel is super smooth and the action is really responsive.

I find the retrieval rate on this reel is superior to some of its competitors with it boasting 0.75m per turn retrieve.

If I was to have a small criticism of this reel, it would be the price point as it’s on the more expensive side compared to its competitors. If you can afford it, however, it’s worth every penny.

Take a look at the following video that shows the Centris NT in action:

Features & Specifications:

  • Gear Ratio: 5.0:1
  • Weight: 312g
  • Bearings: 7
  • Spool Capacity: 0.23mm/150m
  • Retrieve: 0.75m/Turn

#3. Matrix Aquos Ultra 3000

best pellet waggler reels

Matrix is another brand I use a lot for my coarse fishing needs and they have recently been producing some great reels.

The Aquos 3000 is a great option if you are looking for a decent pellet waggler reel that isn’t going to break the bank.

The retrieval rate is the same as the Centris NT at 75cm per handle turn as is the line capacity of the standard spool.

The Aquos differs with its gear ratio with it coming in at 5:1 and there are 7+1 stainless steel ball bearings.

If I’m honest, at this ratio, the reel doesn’t feel as smooth compared to the Magnitude or the Centris but I guess you would expect this with a reel that costs approximately £70 less.

In summary, this is a great pellet waggler reel and one that would be ideal for beginners or the more casual angler.

Check out the following video that shows and explains some of the features on the reel:

Features & Specifications:
  • Multi-disc front drag for ultra-smooth performance
  • Super lightweight compact body
  • Advanced bail arm shape for quicker line pick-up
  • 7+1 stainless steel ball bearings
  • Gear ratio 5:1
  • Line capacity 0.28mm/150m
  • Weight = 291g
  • Retrieve = 75cm per handle turn

#4. Daiwa Ninja Match Reel 3000

best pellet waggler reels

When you say Daiwa and reels in the same sentence you know you are talking about superior quality.

The Daiwa Ninja is a great little reel that is compact and therefore perfect for pellet waggler fishing.

There are 3 different versions of the Daiwa Ninja range, each suiting different disciplin

For pellet waggler fishing, the 3000 version is the best.

This version comes with a super shallow spool that is perfect for smaller diameter lines that often get used with the tactic.

There is an option as well for either a single or double handle to suit your preference.

With the reel in my hands, I can honestly feel the power that this reel exudes. I believe this to be down to the unique Digigear feature that now comes with all smaller Daiwa reels.

Digigear is basically the process by which Daiwa’s machined, digitally developed gearing creates maximum performance and endurance.

In a nutshell, this means that the reel has a solid build and will last you for years.

Not only is the Daiwa Ninja perfect for pellet waggler fishing it looks stunning and to top it all off, you can get one at a very affordable price.

The following video shows the reel from a users perspective:

Features & Specifications:

  • LT (Light &Tough)
  • 4 ball bearings
  • Air Rotor
  • ATD drag system
  • Infinite Anti-Reverse
  • Cross Wrap system
  • Silent oscillation system
  • ABS aluminium long cast spool
  • One-touch folding handle
  • Twist Buster II line roller

#5. Sonik SKSC 3000 Reel

best pellet waggler reels

The Sonik SKSC is a small, compact, match fishing reel that is featured as my favourite budget pellet waggler reel.

Despite being a budget version, it absolutely does the job it needs to do when pellet waggler fishing.

The graphite body on this reel makes it naturally lightweight and the multi-disc front drag is easy to use.

The feature I really like on this real (other than the price-point!) is the oversized bail arm. The nature of the pellet waggler tactic sees me casting out my float often.

The large bail arm just makes this task so much easier and more efficient.

Another real positive I noticed on this reel is the line lay. The waggler line you use must firstly be of sufficient quality but must also lay on the spool correctly for it to be effective.

With this reel, the line seemed to lay perfectly which I believe is down to the really well-designed balanced rotor on the reel.

[If you wish to find out more on what waggler fishing line to use then check out this full guide here.]

Sonik has only recently started to produce reels and if they carry on with producing solid products like the SKSC then they will be on to a real winner.

Check out the following video of another anglers view of the Sonik SKSC:

Features & Specifications:
  • Designed for commercial waggler/feeder fishing
  • 5+1 Ball bearings
  • Lightweight graphite body
  • Oversize bail arm and balanced rotor
  • Multi-disc front drag
  • Supplied with standard &shallow aluminium spools
  • Compact CNC handle with right/left exchange
  • Gear ratio 5.2:1

FAQs

Here are 2 of the most commonly asked question I get when talking about the best pellet waggler reels:

What Features Should You Look For In The Best Pellet Waggler Reels?

The following features are important traits to look for when choosing a pellet waggler reel:

Small & Compact – Because you are casting often and not at distance then it’s important you go for a small and lightweight reel.

Clutch / Drag – A rear or front drag reel will equally be sufficient in a pellet waggler reel although the clutch must be smooth and easy to get to and use.

Retrieval Rate – Ideally you need to be looking for a pellet waggler reel that retrieves over 0.7m per turn.

Materials – The material used on the reel should be lightweight but also strong and hardwearing. Look for an aluminium or graphite body and ideally a titanium shaft and rotor.

Gear Ratio – The best gear ratio on a pellet waggler reel I find to be 5:0:1 although a 5:1 and a 5:2:1 can also suffice.

Bail Arm – The bail arm should be soft yet strong to cope with constant use.

Spool – The spool must be compact, offer good line lay and be no less than 150m line capacity.

Handle – The handle can be either a single or double handle and ideally be made of a material that is comfortable to use constantly (even when wet).

What Sized Reel Is Best For pellet Waggler Fishing?

The best size reel for pellet waggler fishing is a compact, 300 (sometimes called 3000) sized reel.

Final Thoughts

The best pellet waggler reels are those that can be used constantly and yet never compromise on performance due to excessive use.

The size, materials, inner mechanisms and the clutch are all important features to get right when choosing a pellet waggler reel.

If all these key features are in place, then you can guarantee you will have in your possession a reel that is going to last you many years.

Hopefully, this article has provided some clarity on the best pellet waggler reel for your circumstances and I wish you every success on the bank.

Thanks for reading.

Tight Lines!


All of the fishing tackle featured in this article can be found at one of the following online shops…

Total Fishing Tackle

Fishingtackleandbait.co.uk

Amazon.co.uk

ebay.co.uk

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