Guru N-Gauge Pro Reel
5 Things To Know
- It comes in 3000, 4000 and 6000D sizes, covering light running-line work, all-round feeder use and distance feeder fishing.
- It has 7+1 stainless ball bearings and a high-speed drag system with multi-carbon washers for controlled drag pressure.
- The Graphite Carbon body and rotor with a 3K woven carbon rotor cover keep the reel rigid while holding down weight.
- It is featured in our best feeder reels guide as a float, bomb and feeder crossover reel, and is supplied with an aluminium spare spool.
- It is featured in our best feeder fishing reels guide.
Product Information
| Reel Size | Compact (1000-3000), Large / Distance (5500+), Medium (3500-5000) |
Guru N-Gauge Pro Reel Review
The Guru N-Gauge Pro is a modern coarse and match reel, and it comes in three sizes so you can match it to the job. The 3000 is the light size for waggler, bomb and short feeder work, the 4000 is the all-rounder for float and feeder, and the 6000D is the distance feeder model, with worm-shaft slow oscillation for a cleaner line lay.
Every size comes with an aluminium spare spool, and the spec is strong for the money, with 7+1 stainless bearings, a machine-cut aluminium drive gear and a multi-carbon drag. For coarse and match anglers who want one reel family to cover float, bomb and feeder fishing, I think it's a very good choice and a real rival to the Shimano Aero XR.
How well is it built?
Guru have built the N-Gauge Pro on a Graphite Carbon body and rotor, with a 3K woven carbon cover on the rotor, and it looks smart in black with copper trim around the spool and rotor.
The internals are where it earns its price. It has 7+1 stainless ball bearings, a machine-cut aluminium power drive gear, a brass pinion gear and a stainless steel main shaft, and that's the kind of drivetrain I'd want on a reel that's going to be winding feeders back all day.
There's infinite anti-reverse as well, so there's no back-play in the handle when you strike or start winding.
The spool is machine-cut aluminium too, and so is the spare spool that comes in the box, while the screw-off handle is a nice touch at this level. Put together, it's a well specified reel that doesn't feel like it's been built down to a price.
How well does it cast and retrieve?
Choosing the right size is the key to how it casts. The 3000 is the one I'd pick for running-line work with a waggler, a bomb or a short feeder, and the 4000 is the size I'd go for if you want one reel to cover both float and feeder fishing.
If you're feeder fishing at range, the 6000D is the model to look at, because it's the only size in the range with worm-shaft slow oscillation.
That gives you a cleaner line lay, which helps the line peel off evenly when you're punching a feeder out a long way, and it's a good reason not to just buy the 4000 for everything.
The double metal line clips are well suited to clipped-up feeder and bomb fishing, where you're casting to the same spot again and again and the clip takes the strain every time. Having the spare spool means you can carry a second line, so one reel covers more than one method.
How useful is the drag system?
The drag is a high-speed system with multi-carbon washers, and it's designed to give you quick control of the pressure when you're playing fish on lighter lines or method feeder gear.
That's exactly where a match reel's drag earns its keep, because a hard-fighting carp on a light hooklength needs line given smoothly rather than in jerks.
Carbon washers are the right choice for that sort of fishing, and the quick adjustment means you can back the drag off or tighten it up mid-fight without lots of turns of the knob, which for me is worth more than any spec sheet number.
The Preston Centris scores higher for its drag in my ratings, but that's a dearer reel, and this is a well specified drag for the money. I'd be happy relying on it for F1s, carp and skimmers on a commercial.
Is it good value for money?
The N-Gauge Pro costs about the same as the Shimano Aero XR, less than the Preston Centris, and a lot more than budget match reels like the Preston Inertia and Matrix Aquos Ultra.
What you get for the extra is the 7+1 stainless bearings, the machine-cut aluminium drive gear and brass pinion, and an aluminium spare spool in the box.
Against the Aero XR it's a close call. The Shimano has the edge on build in my ratings, while the Guru's strengths are its aluminium spare spool and its three sizes, including a 6000D with worm-shaft slow oscillation for distance feeder work.
It suits coarse and match anglers who want one quality reel family across float, bomb and feeder fishing, and who'd rather buy a well specified reel with a spare spool than step up to the dearer Matrix HX Pro.
Pros
- Three sizes cover float, bomb, feeder and distance feeder work
- Aluminium spare spool comes in the box with every size
- 7+1 stainless bearings with a machine-cut aluminium drive gear
- Multi-carbon drag gives quick pressure control on light lines
- Double metal line clips suit clipped-up feeder and bomb fishing
Cons
- Only the 6000D has worm-shaft slow oscillation for line lay
- Costs over twice as much as the Preston Inertia or Matrix Aquos Ultra
Features and Specifications
| Feature | What this means |
|---|---|
| 3000, 4000 and 6000D sizes | The range covers light running-line work, all-round feeder and float use, and distance feeder fishing. |
| Supplied with aluminium spare spool | The spare spool is part of the reel package rather than a separate accessory page. |
| Graphite Carbon body and rotor | The body and rotor are designed to keep the reel rigid without excessive weight. |
| 3K woven carbon rotor cover | The rotor cover helps stability and keeps rotational weight down. |
| 7+1 stainless ball bearings | The bearing layout is aimed at smooth rotation for regular match use. |
| High Speed drag system | Multi-carbon drag washers are designed for quick and controlled pressure changes. |
| Aluminium power drive gear | The machine-cut drive gear supports cranking power and durability. |
| Worm shaft on 6000D only | The distance size gets slow oscillation for improved long-range line lay. |
| Double metal line clips | Two clips help work accurately at more than one distance. |
| Handle knobs by size | The 3000 has an I-shape knob, while the 4000 and 6000D use a T-shape knob. |
How It Compares
See how the Guru N-Gauge Pro Reel compares with other feeder fishing reels on overall score and current price.
| Name | Price | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Guru N-Gauge Pro Reel | £99.99 | |
| Daiwa 20 Tournament Reel | £299.99 | |
| Daiwa 24 TDR QD Reel | £224.99 | |
| Preston Centris Reel | £132.99 | |
| Shimano Aero XR Reel | £124.99 | |
| Preston Intensity Feeder Reel | £100.74 | |
| Nytro Marvelist Power Feeder Reel | £84.95 | |
| Drennan Vertex Reel | £54.99 | |
| Maver MV-R Commercial Power Reel | £39.99 |
Useful Information
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- Total Fishing Tackle : 5.0/5 from 1 review.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Guru N-Gauge Pro Reel best for?
It is best for coarse and match anglers who want one reel family covering float, bomb, feeder and distance feeder work.
Which sizes are available?
Guru lists 3000, 4000 and 6000D sizes in the N-Gauge Pro reel range.
Does it come with a spare spool?
Yes. Guru lists an aluminium spare spool supplied with the reel.
Which size has worm shaft slow oscillation?
Guru lists worm-shaft slow oscillation on the 6000D only.
Which size should I choose?
The 3000 suits lighter running-line work, the 4000 is the all-round float and feeder size, and the 6000D is the distance feeder option.
Guru A-Class 4000 Float/Feeder Reel
Guru A-Class 3000 Float/Feeder Reel
Guru A-Class 5000 Feeder Reel
Guru A-Class 6000D Distance Reel