When it comes to feeder fishing at range, the first thing everyone looks at is the distance feeder rod. Will it go the distance?
Well, the rod is quite rightly the first port of call, but to chuck a feeder over the horizon you need the full balanced set-up. And that includes the reel!
Most people think that as long as the spool is large enough to hold plenty of line and provide a friction-free release, little else matters – I was very much of the same opinion when I started on my long-range feeder fishing journey many moons ago.
My first attempts at distance casting were around 15 years ago, at the same venue we are on today, Barston Lakes near Solihull. This was, of course, before the World Feeder Fishing Championships and the resulting tackle revolution that saw all manner of dedicated long-range feeder equipment becoming available. My reel of choice at the time was a cheap freespool job, designed for carp fishing. It was a disaster!
After just a couple of casts, the line ended up with so much twist that every time I tried to give it the big one I’d end up with an almighty ball of nylon at the first butt guide and an even more almighty crack-off! That reel soon ended up in the bin and I bought a good quality mini pit model to replace it.
As time moved on, my appreciation of having a decent reel grew, but I still hadn’t fully learned my lesson. I’d found a pair of reels for around £180 each which took a regular hammering on my local big lakes and reservoirs. I did, however, need dedicated baiting-up gear, so I dug an old carp rod out of the garage and teamed it with a cheap spod reel. The thing was huge, and everything about it looked right, even the line lay. But try as I might, I couldn’t hit the 50m-60m distances I needed.
Frustrated, I switched to my more expensive and trusted reels. After clipping up on distance sticks, my first cast smashed the clip so hard that both the rod and I almost followed the feeder into the lake! I now finally understood that just because a reel looked the part and the line lay looked right, it didn’t mean it would do a good job!
Verdict
This design is full of little tweaks and improvements over the TDR Distance, with its dual HIP line clips, one-touch folding handle and fully furnished spare spool but, most notably, Magseal!
This is top-end technology uses a magnetic oil developed by NASA that fully seals and lubricates the reel, protecting it from water ingress and impurities. In simple terms, Magsealed reels run smoother for longer than reels with basic rubber seals.
In use, teamed up with an older 12ft 6ins Tournament rod, the Tournament Feeder was everything I thought it would be, and then more! It felt very familiar, thanks to my extensive use of its predecessor, yet not only had its features been enhanced, but so had its looks. With its exquisite red detailing, it doesn’t just perform like the best distance feeder reel in the world, it looks the part too!
Despite a very strong head wind, no matter how hard I cast, my 40g Method feeder hit its 70m target without a problem.
It’s very rare with fishing tackle that extra expenditure leads directly to improved results, but on venues where metres matter, this is one of them.
Now, I fully understand that £400 is well beyond the budget of many anglers, but if you want the very best reel possible for casting long distances, look no further – this is it!
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS PRODUCT AND OTHERS FROM DAIWA HERE.
Tech Spec
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Magsealed
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Zaion Body
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DS5 Air Rotor
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QD Quick Drag
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Twin HIP Line Clip
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One-Touch Folding Handle
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Air Bail
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Tough Digigear
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Twistbuster 2
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Spare Spool Supplied
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
This is as good as it gets in Daiwa’s world of distance feeder reels. The 21 Tournament Feeder QD isn’t just an upgrade, it’s the final form. Born from the same 25mm spool format as the legendary Cast’izm and the 18 TDR Distance, it’s been fine-tuned for anglers who fish long and want every bit of help getting there.
It’s a reel that knows what it's for. Long casts, smooth retrieves, and no surprises. You’ve got the speed and accuracy to clip up and hit the mark time after time, thanks to a shallow LC spool that’s built for big casts, and two HIP line clips that’ll ensure you can clip up at more than one distance.
With Magsealed internals, keeping water and muck out, and the QD quick drag, and it’ll go from locked up to loose in half a turn.
With all that power and ability you would expect it to be weighty but it isn't. The Zaion body and DS5 Air Rotor shave off the grams without losing any guts. Pair that with Tough Digigear and Twistbuster 2, it’s got the winding power and line control you need when hauling feeders 70 meters+ all day.
The One-Touch folding handle means ready made storage is quick and easy, and there’s a spare spool in the box giving you an option for braid and mono.
Pros
- Ultra smooth.
- Incredible casting performance.
Cons
- You have to pay a higher price for quality like this.
Our pick of the alternatives
The Shimano Ultegra C14+ XTC reel needs little introduction, as with most things Shimano are responsible for it is super reliable, provides effortless reeling and is a joy to use.
Two Speed Slow Oscillation line lay and an AR-C spool ensure the Shimano Ultegra C14+ XTC boasts exceptional casting potential, while the cold forged HAGAINE gearing and X-Ship give powerful, smooth winding. X-Protect seals from water and harmful impurities, while a set of spool-reducers allows braid to be loaded without backing.
Pros
- Incredibly light.
- Superb line lay.
Cons
- Might be a little oversized for some anglers prefernces
The stunning Daiwa 23 TDR Distance 25QD reel is an improvement on the 19 TDR Distance 25QD, it is an exceptional performing powerhouse of a reel combining the latest technology to improve an anglers ability to reach distances they couldn't. The new model incorporates a new 25mm Long Cast (LC) spool (150m - 0.28) and is also supplied with a spare super shallow spool (135m - 0.12) ideal for low diameter braid.
The TDR reels are a staple amongst some of the best match and specimen anglers in the country and there is good reason for this, they just never fail! These reels offer incredible performance and are proper workhorses.
It still capable of retrieving 96cm of line per crank of the handle, you will not find a more effortless way of retrieving the heaviest of feeders from extreme ranges of 100m-plus. Decked out in the iconic TDR livery, it has the premium looks to match its high-end performance.
Pros
- Impressive cranking power
- Shallow long cast spool making casting distance more efficient
Cons
- Not the most affordable for pleasure anglers
If you’ve fished the original N’Zon Distance reel and thought, “This is pretty good,” then get ready because this one raises the bar. The 24 N’Zon Plus Distance 25QD takes the bones of that trusted workhorse and adds in tech you'd usually only find in Daiwa’s top-end models. It’s a serious bit of kit, built for anglers who demand more when fishing at range.
At the heart of it is the 25mm LC Long Cast spool, a smart two-edged lip design, and along with superior line lay, the line release smoothly ensuring you get those extra meters.
Cranking power isn’t an afterthought either. The geared-down 4.7:1 ratio gives you serious torque and smooth retrieval, pulling in nearly a metre of line with each turn of the handle. That’s thanks to Digigear II.
The QD drag system gives you control, a 1/4 turn gives line mid-fight to ensure you don't get broken, and the spring-loaded HIP line clip lets you hit the same spot, cast after cast, without trashing your mainline.
Pros
- Advanced technologies specifically designed for long distance fishing
- Spool geometry is engineered to minimise friction and improve line release when casting
Cons
- Large reel, unsuitable for shorter more compact rods
Author Dan Webb first became involved in angling journalism in 2015 and has worked as Tackle Tester at Angling Times since April 2021. He is a fanatical all-round match angler and former England Youth International.