Photos: Daiwa · supplied retailer imagery
Coarse match · Freespool-style drag · Our take
Daiwa 24 TDR QD 4012 Reel
24TDR4012QD
A smart, properly specced coarse-match reel with quick drag, long-cast credentials and a cracking spare spool in the box.
- 4012 QD size with 380g weight and 4.9:1 gearing
- 86cm of line retrieved per handle turn
- LC-ABS long-cast spool with HIP line clip
- Spare spool supplied in the box
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Daiwa 24 TDR QD 4012, model 24TDR4012QD. It’s the 4012 QD version, not a similarly named TDR size or non-QD model.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A versatile, well-equipped coarse reel that earns its higher price through useful extras rather than daft bells and whistles.
- Product Quality9.4/10
- Performance9.2/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.8/10
- Ease of Use9.1/10
- Value for Money8.5/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Feeder anglers fishing at range. The LC-ABS spool, HIP line clip and 86cm retrieve are a useful combination when you’re clipped up and working accurately.
- Match anglers wanting one versatile reel. The spare spool and broad line capacity make it easier to swap between line sizes and approaches without buying another complete reel.
Maybe skip if
- Ultra-light float anglers. At 4012 size, it may feel a touch substantial beside a small float rod, particularly if you’re fishing tiny commercials or canals.
- Anglers shopping purely on price. There’s plenty of kit here, but budget reels can cover basic coarse work for fewer quid.
The lowdown
Introducing the Daiwa 24 TDR QD 4012 Reel
A smart, properly specced coarse-match reel with quick drag, long-cast credentials and a cracking spare spool in the box.
- 4012 QD size with 380g weight and 4.9:1 gearing
- 86cm of line retrieved per handle turn
- LC-ABS long-cast spool with HIP line clip
- Spare spool supplied in the box
Quick verdict
A very tidy match reel with serious versatility
The Daiwa 24 TDR QD 4012 brings together a light 380g build, a shallow long-cast spool, QD drag and a spare spool. That makes it a cracking option for modern feeder and match work where you might switch between lines or tactics during a session.
It isn’t the cheapest reel in the tackle shop, and the 12kg maximum drag is far more than most coarse anglers will ever need. But the package is properly well thought through, easy to fish with and versatile enough to cover a lot of ground.
A versatile, well-equipped coarse reel that earns its higher price through useful extras rather than daft bells and whistles.
- Product Quality
- 9.4/10
- Performance
- 9.2/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.8/10
- Ease of Use
- 9.1/10
- Value for Money
- 8.5/10
The aluminium body, Zaion V rotor, CRBB bearing and tidy Daiwa feature set point to a properly built reel.
The 4.9:1 gearing, 86cm retrieve, long-cast spool and line-management features suit regular feeder and match work.
The HIP clip, QD adjustment and spare spool can improve accuracy, control and tactical flexibility on the bank.
It combines straightforward controls with useful touches such as the QD drag, line clip and spare spool.
It isn’t a bargain-basement reel, but the construction, versatility and included spare spool make the package convincing.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
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 Daiwa 24 TDR QD 4012 Reel
The Daiwa 24 TDR QD 4012 is the sort of reel that’ll make plenty of coarse anglers stop scrolling. It’s not trying to be a tiny, dainty float reel. It’s built around proper versatility, with enough capacity for feeder work, a useful retrieve and a drag system that can change character in a hurry.
At 380g, it’s a nicely manageable size for a 4012 reel. That matters when you’re holding a feeder rod for hours, swinging a method feeder into the same clip or setting up a match outfit that needs to feel balanced rather than nose-heavy. It should sit neatly on a medium feeder or all-round match rod.
The 4.9:1 gear ratio keeps things sensible and controlled. You get 86cm of line back with every handle turn, so winding in after a cast doesn’t become a painfully slow bit of faff. That retrieve is useful when you’re fishing at range or need to get a feeder back quickly before rebaiting.
The spool holds 150m of 0.28mm line, which gives you plenty of room for normal coarse and feeder situations. You’re not looking at a cavernous carp big-pit reel here, and that’s a good thing for the intended job. It’s more compact, more balanced and easier to live with on everyday coarse tackle.
Daiwa’s LC-ABS long-cast spool is a key part of the package. The idea is straightforward: help the line leave the spool cleanly and efficiently. Pair that with the AIRDRIVE bail and AIRDRIVE rotor, and the reel has the right features for anglers who like making accurate, repeatable casts without wrestling with a bulky setup.
The HIP line clip is another proper bank-friendly touch. When you’re clipped up to a feeder line, a clip that’s easy to use and consistent matters a lot. You can find the same spot again and again, whether that’s a far-bank island, a gravel bar or the edge of a shelf. Just remember to protect the line and take care when fishing near snags.
The QD Quick Drag is arguably the reel’s most useful feature once a fish is attached. You can keep things fairly controlled while fishing, then open the drag quickly if a carp turns hard or a barbel starts heading for trouble. It’s not magic, but it can save a hectic moment when the rods are off and a lump has decided to go.
Inside, Daiwa has used an aluminium body with a Zaion V rotor, alongside Digigear II, Twistbuster 3 and Cross Wrap. In plain English, that’s a feature list aimed at solid gearing, tidy line lay and reduced line twist. Those are exactly the boring-but-important details that help a reel behave properly across a long season.
There are eight ball bearings, including one CRBB, and the reel comes with a spare spool. That second spool is a big part of the appeal. Load one with a sensible feeder line and the other with a different diameter for lighter work, then swap setups instead of carrying another complete reel. Less kit to lug, less faff on the bank and more options when conditions change.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Model
- 24TDR4012QD
- Weight
- 380g
- Gear ratio
- 4.9:1
- Retrieve
- 86cm per handle turn
- Line capacity
- 150m of 0.28mm line
- Drag / bearings
- 12kg maximum drag; 8 bearings including 1 CRBB
Specs checked with Daiwa, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Why this reel stands out
The big draw here is how neatly it covers both distance work and close-range fishing. The 4012 size gives you a useful line capacity without feeling like a great lump on a match rod, while the LC-ABS spool and AIRDRIVE rotor are aimed at smooth, tidy line handling.
The QD Quick Drag is especially handy when you need to move from a controlled fishing drag to a more open setting quickly. Add the HIP line clip and spare spool, and you’ve got a reel that can adapt from clipped-up feeder work to lighter float or commercial carp duties without a load of faff.
The reel itself
A tidy all-rounder with proper feeder intent
The 4012 format strikes a useful middle ground. It has enough capacity and retrieve for distance work, but it doesn’t have the oversized feel of a dedicated carp big-pit reel. The 380g weight should also help keep a medium feeder outfit feeling balanced.
The LC-ABS spool, AIRDRIVE bail and AIRDRIVE rotor give it a clear long-cast and line-management focus. Digigear II, Twistbuster 3 and Cross Wrap round out the practical side, helping the reel suit regular casting, retrieving and rebaiting rather than just looking flash on a tackle-shop shelf.
Worth knowing. The 12kg maximum drag figure is huge for normal coarse fishing. You won’t need to use all of it for roach, bream or commercial carp, but the QD adjustment can still be very handy when a fish changes direction beside the net.
On the bank
Best with feeder rods and versatile match setups
This reel makes most sense on medium feeder rods, especially when you’re fishing clipped-up lines to islands, bars or far-bank features. The HIP clip helps repeat the cast, while the 86cm retrieve gets the rig back smartly between casts.
It also suits anglers who fish different venues and don’t want a separate reel for every job. Keep one spool for a lighter line and the spare spool for a heavier or more distance-focused setup. That flexibility is dead handy when the weather, peg or swim changes.
For delicate float fishing on tiny waters, a smaller reel may feel more natural. The 4012 is better viewed as a capable all-round coarse reel with feeder strength, rather than a dainty match reel built solely for margin roach.
Quick answers
The bits you’ll want to know before buying
Does the reel suit carp? Yes, within sensible coarse and commercial carp use. The QD drag gives quick adjustment and the aluminium body adds confidence, but this isn’t intended as a dedicated big-water carp reel with huge line capacity.
Is the spare spool useful? Very much so. You can set up different line diameters before leaving home, then change tactics without stripping and respooling on the bank. That’s a proper time-saver during a match or a busy bite-time.
Is 150m of 0.28mm enough? For normal feeder and match situations, it gives useful working capacity. Your actual backing and filled spool setup will depend on line diameter and how you load it, so avoid piling line right to the lip.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Light 380g body for a 4012-size reel
- QD drag gives quick, useful adjustment
- Long-cast spool and HIP clip suit feeder work
- Spare spool adds genuine versatility
- Strong, sensible feature set for coarse and match fishing
Worth knowing
- Not the most budget-friendly choice
- 12kg maximum drag is overkill for most coarse situations
- The larger 4012 format may feel more reel than you need for delicate float work
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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 sort of fishing is the Daiwa 24 TDR QD 4012 suited to?
What sort of fishing is the Daiwa 24 TDR QD 4012 suited to?
It’s aimed at coarse and match anglers, with feeder fishing, distance work and general commercial carp duties all making sense. The 4012 size offers useful capacity without being a massive big-pit reel.
02What does QD mean on this reel?
What does QD mean on this reel?
QD means Quick Drag. It lets you move between a tighter and more open drag setting with a small adjustment, which is handy when a fish suddenly changes direction or powers off.
03Is a spare spool included?
Is a spare spool included?
Yes. A spare spool is supplied, giving you a practical way to carry a second line setup for different distances, methods or swims.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a very tidy match reel with serious versatility. The strongest reasons to choose it are light 380g body for a 4012-size reel and qd drag gives quick, useful adjustment; the main trade-off is not the most budget-friendly choice.
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Light 380g body for a 4012-size reel”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Feeder anglers fishing at range: The LC-ABS spool, HIP line clip and 86cm retrieve are a useful combination when you’re clipped up and working accurately.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “Not the most budget-friendly choice”
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 Daiwa 24 TDR QD 4012 Reel
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Owner reports
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