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Daiwa QD Reels

Damian Kimmins

Damian Kimmins

Senior Member
Happy new year y'all.
Does anyone have any experience of any of Daiwa's Quick Drag reels in their barbel fishing?
Have been using a baitrunner with the front drag (quite a cheapo), but realised the front drag is wanting quite a bit. Thought that one of the QD's would be just the ticket, but not sure.
 
I’ve got one and find it’s very sensitive on adjusting, there’s little movement between slack and locked up. I wouldn’t use one from my experience for barbel
 
Hi Phil
Interested in your comment re the QD. I some earlier posts I mentioned possibly getting a new Daiwa 24 3012 QD for trotting for chub roach etc
Are you happy with the reel apart from the QD for Barbel?
 
I've recently bought one of these ready for some summer floater fishing and I put one of these on.

Without yet using it, it does seem to be silky smooth. I put the qd on in case I put the rod down for baiting up etc and get a quick take.
 
I have the tdr reels with the quick drag, i've only used the smallest one whilst float fishing for tench etc. Yes I think it is very sensitive if used in the increments but I would definately prefer a baitrunner reel for legering for barbel or pretty much anything else if using more than one rod.
I really can't see the point in having to faff about with the quick drag when you get a run when you can have your drag pre set with a baitrunner reel.....a no brainer for me.
 
You say using a cheap baitrunner your using with front drag is not up to it what reel is that
I use diawa casting br25a reels for barbel on the Trent and find the front drag is very good but they are not a cheap reel
The diawa emblem br25a reels are the same as the castizm but don’t have a sealed mag or spare spool and are a very good front drag reel also and both have good retrieve and line lay
 
I'm not really the one to give you an answer, Damian, as I just can't get on with front drags. I find them fiddley. Messing about at the front of the reel to adjust the clutch. I prefer rear drags, but that's just me. Have a look here, they may have something that could help with your existing reel.

Speed Caps Archives - Weston Developments

westondevelopments.com westondevelopments.com

However, I do have a TDR that has a QD on it that I trot with. It works ok, adjusts fine and does what it should. I've always back wound in my previous fishing career, so moving over to using a clutch has been difficult for me. As Ian says. If I'm ledgering, I'll use a rear drag baitrunner. I find it easier.

As an aside, I thought QD were brought out for the Carp lads as a different option to using a baitrunner on their takes.
 
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I use qd reels and like them they’re low weight biggish spools and hip line clip but as Phil said some are to sensitive but there not all like that
The 24 tdr in 3012 size are superb Mike in the 4012 size I prefer the tournament
The Castizm feeder and whisker 25 are to quick imo with only 2 maybe 3 clicks being useable
 
Like some above; I find Quick drags to be a hindrance. I bought 2 fancy (used) Shimano Ci4 5500 carp reels and sold them on after about 2 trips. They were too sensitive for me. For the same job (and floodwater barbel) I now use basic Okuma 6000 front drag reels and they are great.

I bought a Daiwa 25QD very cheap a while back for Stillwater feeder fishing and I can cope with that drag - but the reel is a bit bulky for barbel fishing.
 
I have a question first. Is the purpose of the QD to replace the baitrunner facility as a free spool function? If so imo it’s a step backwards.
A quarter turn on a front mounted reel can not be as convenient or effective of shutting that free spool down mid run as it is to snap off a baitrunner. It also renders you unable to pre set your clutch to your line strength.

If however you don’t intend to use it as a free spool and wish to try Daiwas quick clutch out just as a fish fighting tool, then you might like it. They tend to separate anglers with the very fact that there isn’t many clicks between zip and bang but they offer instant line release if you get used to them

I’m fine with them and used to it on my match reels the daiwa TDR and TDX both have the feature
 
I love the Quick Drag on my (inferior 🤪 ) 3012 Daiwa TDM's and use them for barbel in preference to 'slow' drag or a baitrunner.

If you're heavy-handed you might not like QD, but (coming from fly fishing) I 'palm' my spool and play the clutch at the same time - feels natural to me - and like the fact that you don't have to turn the drag knob too much during a fight.

In answer to Richard, about shutting down a free spool reel mid run. I'd rather have my hand cupping (or palming) the spool, with finger and thumb on the drag knob, than having to rely on a preset drag setting of a baitrunner for control. A baitrunner preset, to line strength, is all well and good, but how do you know what size the fish will be and how hard it will run?

I guess this is about what you are used to, but I'm relatively new to coarse fishing, so I didn't have any preferences or prejudices that might come with years of being used to any particular type of reel.
.
 
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Kevin Steele said:
my (inferior 🤪 ) 3012 Daiwa TDM's
Click to expand...
What you on about, TDM’s are cracking reels. They ain’t inferior, they just might not have a feature or two that was given to the TDR.
Kevin Steele said:
A baitrunner preset, to line strength, is all well and good, but how do you know what size the fish will be and how hard it will run?
Click to expand...
If it’s pre set to give line before the line breaks then neither the fish size or how hard it runs is remotely relevant.
You wouldn’t give line to a fish unless you need to. Right….?
I don’t touch the drag caps on my bait runners. They are fixed and give line to hard fighting fish only when they need to.
 
Kevin Steele said:
I love the Quick Drag on my (inferior 🤪 ) 3012 Daiwa TDM's and use them for barbel in preference to 'slow' drag or a baitrunner.

If you're heavy-handed you might not like QD, but (coming from fly fishing) I 'palm' my spool and play the clutch at the same time - feels natural to me - and like the fact that you don't have to turn the drag knob too much during a fight.

In answer to Richard, about shutting down a free spool reel mid run. I'd rather have my hand cupping (or palming) the spool, with finger and thumb on the drag knob, than having to rely on a preset drag setting of a baitrunner for control. A baitrunner preset, to line strength, is all well and good, but how do you know what size the fish will be and how hard it will run?

I guess this is about what you are used to, but I'm relatively new to coarse fishing, so I didn't have any preferences or prejudices that might come with years of being used to any particular type of reel.
.
Click to expand...


I usually have my clutches set medium to light, if I want to slow the drag or slam it on instantly for some reason I simply apply the desired amount of pressure on the spool using my forefinger to slow its rotation or stop it, exactly the same as I do when using a centrepin reel.
I just alter the drag as and when I please.
 
I set my baitrunner drag slightly less than the reel drag, but enough to not give line out to the flow. On a take, I'll pick up the rod and engage the reel drag. If the fish is still taking line I'll apply pressure to the spool with my fingers, then adjust the reel drag to suit. Then play the fish off the reel drag, slowly decreasing the pressure the closer the fish gets to the bank, just in case it goes on a final big run. Works for me.

With a front drag, I find myself turning the spool cap the wrong way at times. I just can't get on with them.
 
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Happy new year all. I much prefer qd reels to bait runners. As I've commented previously. I set the drag by being able to pull line off myself. Turn the drag cap 180 degrees backwards (freespool). When I get a take, turn it forward 180 and bend the rod into the fish. If i need to apply more prssure one click at a time. You can feel the clicks. I like to get so it's giving line grudgingly, slowly.
I find it much more easy to use. E. G. You bring your rod in and the feeder/lead is out of reach. A quick quarter, half turn allows you to pull line off. Without having to turn turn turn your drag cap/knob endlessly. Or open the bail arm and risk a birds net. Qd all the way for me.
I bought some speed caps for my ss2600 reels. There like a different reel.
 
Richard Isaacs said:
What you on about, TDM’s are cracking reels. They ain’t inferior, they just might not have a feature or two that was given to the TDR.
Click to expand...

I know, I love mine, but they generally are described (right here on this forum) as being inferior to the TDR and TDX. It's enough to give a man an inferiority complex. 🥴

Richard Isaacs said:
If it’s pre set to give line before the line breaks then neither the fish size or how hard it runs is remotely relevant.
Click to expand...

You mentioned the ability, with a baitrunner, to preset the clutch (I'm assuming we're both talking about the rear clutch, not the front drag knob) to line strength. Now you're suggesting just setting the clutch to let it run, regardless of the intended quarry, and it sounds like regardless of line strength.

I don't use baitrunners, so I don't know what criteria dictates the setting of the clutch. So I'm a bit confused as to what purpose BR owners think the clutch drag setting actually serves.

As for QD, I set my TDMs loose enough that when I strike there is enough resistance to set the hook, but not enough to snap the line if there's a big'un on the other end, then tweak the drag as the fight dictates. Apart from back winders, I thought, once in the fight, this was what everyone does... I might have it all wrong. :)

Sorry to hijack, but I'm interested in the BR part of the discussion because I need another reel. Rather than just get another TDM, I've toyed with getting a Baitrunner OC to see if I like using one, but to be honest I can't think of a reason why I'd need a baitrunner (even when taking a pee), or how I'd use it, when, in my ignorance, I'm perfectly happy with QD.

.
 
For carp fishing specifically I used to be anti QD but I've been anti bait-runner for a lot longer!. . . the drag range is significantly lessened (2-3 full revolutions vs 1-6 clicks) however like all things you get used to it and I've since QD'd / Carbon washered all my Daiwa reels that were previously standard front drag (SS2600/S5000T/S6000T/X5000A) and use my Whisker 25QD reels more than any of the others in a carp fishing situation. The prob with baitrunners and carp fishing is the aggressiveness / movement in 'sudden' engagement when turning the handle on picking up the rod - it can bump fish off because they're generally already hooked (no striking required). Yes you can mitigate this slightly by getting 'close' to the engaged front drag setting but this mitigates its usefulness - far easier to fish locked up with a QD that you can release on the take with a couple of clicks or conversely if fishing a free'ish spool (margins / very short range) pick up the rod / cup the spool / lift into the fish and stiffen the drag with a couple of clicks / play with finger pressure as and when during the fight . . .

Barbel fishing is a slightly different scenario - most of the time range is minimal (for a carper its akin to margin fishing) so in this instance I find a bait runner convenient if nothing else (Emblem BR25As). Mine are still carbon washered (to alleviate some of the front drag play) but with more frequent rebaiting / casting / mega violent takes and the risk of nodding off without alarms its easier to simply flick on the baitrunner after casting and feel safe in the knowledge that the rod is less likely to go for a swim . . .tbf I could easily use my Whisker 25QD for barbel and use the cup spool & click drag method on the take; however they are permanently attached to my 10' small water set up and with baitrunners you always have a visual representation if you think you've forgotten to engage it . . .
 
A question to those on here that Carp fish with QD reels. How do you set them up for fishing during times when you are asleep ??

I was under the impression they were just a different theme on a freespool system.
 
Same as when you are awake most of the time . . . .mine are set to 'only just' give line . . .but then I'm fishing with rods locked down (alarms/snag ears/rod lockers) and usually with very heavy leads and heavy fluorocarbon main line (no stretch) fished mega slack. Based on this when we get an indication the fish is already hooked 90% of the time - its simply a case of picking up the rod and winding in any excess slack then bending into the fish. Big fish rarely give screaming runs and are sometimes sitting there trying to get rid of the hook - why anyone wants a run to spool off at 100miles an hour by design is daft - unless its a massive area of open water you're just giving them a chance to head for a snag. Most takes are a couple of bleeps and then I'm watching the rod tip - much like barbel fishing - if they do take more line then you know about it - securing rods down is key!
 
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