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Reels · Big-pit carp reels · Our take
Daiwa 21 Crosscast 45 SCW LD QD OT Reel
5000 LD · 21CCC45SCW5000LD-QD-OT
A deep spool, quick-adjust drag and folding wooden-knob handle make this Crosscast an appealing big-water option. Just don’t mistake it for a lightweight all-rounder.
- 5000 LD size with a 45 mm LC Long Cast spool and Slow Cross Wrap line lay.
- Holds 530 m of 0.35 mm line; reel weight is 640 g.
- 4.9:1 gearing with a listed retrieve of 104 cm per handle turn.
- QDM quick drag with a three-quarter-turn adjustment range, plus a one-touch folding handle.
Make sure it’s the right one. This is the 2021 Crosscast 45 SCW LD QD OT in 5000 LD size, with the one-touch folding handle. The drag is listed as QDM despite the QD model name.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
Provisional, feature-led scores rather than bank-tested ratings; value remains dependent on the actual asking price.
- Product Quality8.6/10
- Performance8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching7.9/10
- Ease of Use8.6/10
- Value for Money8.5/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Carpers wanting a deep-spool big-pit setup. The line capacity and long-cast spool suit anglers who have a genuine use for a substantial line reserve.
- Anglers regularly packing multiple made-up rods. The one-touch folding handle is dead handy when fitting reels into a compatible holdall.
Maybe skip if
- Light-tackle and handheld anglers. Its 640 g weight is a lot to carry on a setup used for float fishing, roaming or constant casting.
- Small-water anglers wanting a simple, compact outfit. The deep spool and big-pit format can be more reel than short-range fishing needs.
The lowdown
Introducing the Daiwa 21 Crosscast 45 SCW LD QD OT Reel
A deep spool, quick-adjust drag and folding wooden-knob handle make this Crosscast an appealing big-water option. Just don’t mistake it for a lightweight all-rounder.
- 5000 LD size with a 45 mm LC Long Cast spool and Slow Cross Wrap line lay.
- Holds 530 m of 0.35 mm line; reel weight is 640 g.
- 4.9:1 gearing with a listed retrieve of 104 cm per handle turn.
- QDM quick drag with a three-quarter-turn adjustment range, plus a one-touch folding handle.
Quick verdict
Proper big-pit purpose, with a weight trade-off
The Crosscast makes sense if you want generous line capacity, a long-cast spool and a handle that folds away without a load of fiddling. Its appeal is practical rather than flashy: useful features for a carp setup that spends plenty of time on rests.
The catches are its 640 g weight and a spool that many anglers simply won’t need to fill with working line. We haven’t tested it on the bank, so this is a feature-led judgement, not a promise of silky winding or extra yards.
Provisional, feature-led scores rather than bank-tested ratings; value remains dependent on the actual asking price.
- Product Quality
- 8.6/10
- Performance
- 8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 7.9/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.6/10
- Value for Money
- 8.5/10
The DS4 construction, Digigear II gearing and metal clip make a credible package, though lasting finish and durability remain untested.
The long-cast spool, Slow Cross Wrap and substantial listed line pickup suit its intended big-pit role.
Repeatable casting and accessible drag adjustment can support good fishing, but neither guarantees extra bites.
The folding handle and short drag adjustment range offer convenience, offset by weight and deep-spool filling.
The feature mix looks appealing for a value-minded big-pit shortlist, provided the asking price suits your budget and you need the capacity.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Daiwa
Daiwa 21 Crosscast 45 SCW LD QD OT Reel (this one)
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 21 Crosscast 45 SCW LD QD OT Reel
The Daiwa 21 Crosscast 45 SCW LD QD OT is a reel for anglers who look at a proper stretch of water and want a setup that fits the job. Big spool, plenty of line and a handle that folds away neatly: that’s the basic pitch. It’s firmly in big-pit carp territory, rather than something you’d buy for trotting a float or flicking a feeder round a tiny pond. The important question isn’t whether it looks the part. It’s whether your fishing needs this much reel.
First, let’s pin down which one we’re talking about, because Daiwa reel names can feel like a tackle-shop spelling test. This is the 5000 LD, model 21CCC45SCW5000LD-QD-OT. You get the 45 mm LC Long Cast spool, Slow Cross Wrap line lay and the one-touch folding handle with a wooden knob. We haven’t used this reel on the bank, so there’s no invented tale about a screaming take or a brace of lumps here. This is a straight look at its features and their practical appeal.
That LD spool is the bit to think about before reaching for your wallet. Its listed capacity is 530 m of 0.35 mm line, which is a substantial amount of mono. Plenty of ordinary carp sessions won’t come close to needing it. That doesn’t make the reel wrong for those trips, but it does mean planning your spool fill. Suitable backing beneath your working line can save wasting fresh mono, provided you leave enough working line for your fishing and keep the joining knot well buried.
The casting side centres on the long-cast spool and Slow Cross Wrap system. The idea is orderly line lay and a spool layout suited to letting line leave efficiently. Lovely in principle, but don’t expect a reel swap alone to put you on a distant spot. Rod choice, line diameter, rig drag and your casting technique still matter enormously. Fill the spool sensibly, keep the line going on under steady tension and work on your cast. Those basics matter more than having a mouthful of initials on the box.
Retrieve is listed at 104 cm per handle turn, paired with a 4.9:1 gear ratio and Digigear II gearing. That gives you a useful indication of line pickup when bringing a rig back from range, though actual pickup changes with how much line remains on the spool. There’s a DS4 body and DS4 Air Rotor, too. What we can’t honestly tell you without using it is how refined the winding feels under load, or how that feel holds up after repeated wet, gritty sessions.
Drag adjustment is another big part of the appeal. Despite QD appearing in the name, the listed system is QDM Quick Drag, with a three-quarter-turn adjustment range. That means relatively little movement at the front knob can make a meaningful change, so familiarise yourself before the rods are out. The quoted maximum drag is 15 kg, but that’s not a target setting for playing carp. Set resistance around your line, hooklink, hookhold and swim, not a big number that sounds impressive over a brew.
Then there’s the little everyday stuff. The one-touch folding handle should make packing made-up rods less of a faff, especially when several reels share a holdall. Check the fit rather than assuming every sleeve will swallow it, though. The wooden knob gives this version a traditional-looking touch, while the metal HIP line clip is useful for returning casts to a measured spot. Feather the cast and cushion the lead’s arrival at the clip with the rod; even a decent clip isn’t permission to hammer into it.
The main compromise is weight: 640 g is a fair lump of reel. On a carp rod sitting on rests, that may bother you much less than it would during constant casting or wandering the margins with the rod in hand. Still, try the balance on your own rod if you can. For an angler who needs the capacity and likes the folding handle, the package makes sense. For short-range work on compact waters, a smaller reel could be the more comfortable, less fussy buy.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Model and size
- 21CCC45SCW5000LD-QD-OT · 5000 LD
- Weight and construction
- 640 g · DS4 body and DS4 Air Rotor
- Spool and capacity
- 45 mm LC Long Cast spool · 530 m of 0.35 mm line
- Gearing and retrieve
- 4.9:1 · 104 cm per handle turn · Digigear II
- Drag
- QDM Quick Drag · three-quarter-turn adjustment range · 15 kg maximum
- Line management and handle
- Slow Cross Wrap · metal HIP line clip · one-touch folding handle with wooden knob
Specs checked with Daiwa, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Buy it for the job, not just the big spool
The LD spool is the defining choice here. That capacity is handy when you genuinely need a substantial line reserve, but it adds filling faff if your fishing is mostly modest casts across a small lake.
The folding handle may be the feature you appreciate most often. Casting room matters at the swim; packing room matters every time you load the car.
The practical bits
Closer look: capacity and convenience lead the way
The Crosscast combines a deep 5000 LD spool with Daiwa’s 45 mm LC Long Cast layout and Slow Cross Wrap. These are relevant features for distance-minded carp fishing, but the capacity is a separate consideration from casting ability. Having room for lots of line doesn’t automatically mean you’ll cast farther.
The DS4 body and Air Rotor sit alongside Digigear II gearing. On paper, that’s a purposeful carp-reel package. The folding handle adds a genuinely practical reason to choose the OT version, beyond liking the wooden knob. Neither the material names nor the gearing label, however, can establish long-term durability without use.
Worth knowing. Don’t treat the 15 kg maximum drag as a fish-playing recommendation. Start with an appropriate setting for your tackle and conditions, then learn how much a small QDM knob movement changes resistance.
Match it to your fishing
Who it suits: big-pit buyers, not every carp angler
This is a sensible reel to shortlist when your fishing genuinely calls for a deep spool and a substantial carp setup. The listed line pickup is useful for retrieving from range, and the clip helps when repeatedly casting to a measured distance. You still need to cushion casts and manage the clip appropriately before leaving a rod fishing.
It’s also an appealing option for someone who values tidy transport. Folding handles can make a multiple-rod outfit easier to pack, though reel-pocket dimensions still matter. The benefit is convenience, not an excuse to force a tight zip over your tackle.
If most of your bites come a short chuck out or right down the edge, be honest about what you need. A 640 g reel with this much capacity may add bulk without solving a problem. Smaller setups can be more pleasant when you’re moving swims, stalking or holding the rod for long spells.
Before you buy
FAQs in full: the handle, spool and drag explained
What does OT mean? It identifies the one-touch folding handle, which has a wooden knob on this version. The useful bit is reducing the handle’s projection when packing away. Make sure it’s properly returned to its fishing position before use, and check that your holdall accommodates the reel body and spool as well.
How much line does it take? The listed capacity is 530 m at 0.35 mm diameter. Different diameters change how much fits, so don’t treat that figure as universal. If you use backing, leave enough working line for your longest intended distance, possible runs and sensible trimming as the line wears.
Is it a baitrunner? No: QDM is a quick-adjust front drag, not a separate lever-operated freespool system. The listed adjustment range is three-quarters of a turn. Practise changing from a suitable resting setting to playing resistance before relying on it during a take, and never leave a dangerously slack setting when fishing near snags.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Long-cast spool and Slow Cross Wrap give it a purposeful distance-fishing layout.
- Deep spool provides a substantial line reserve.
- One-touch folding handle cuts down packing-away faff.
- QDM drag offers a short adjustment range between settings.
- Metal HIP line clip is useful for repeatable casting.
Worth knowing
- At 640 g, it’s a hefty choice for lighter rods or frequent handheld work.
- Deep spool needs plenty of line or backing for ordinary casting distances.
- Quick drag takes familiarisation if you’re used to slower, more gradual adjustment.
Want one?
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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 does OT mean on this Crosscast?
What does OT mean on this Crosscast?
It refers to the one-touch folding handle. This version has a wooden knob, and the folding arrangement helps reduce the reel’s packed width.
02How much line does the 5000 LD spool hold?
How much line does the 5000 LD spool hold?
The listed capacity is 530 m of 0.35 mm line. If you don’t need that much working line, suitable backing can take up the extra space.
03Is the QDM drag a baitrunner system?
Is the QDM drag a baitrunner system?
No. You adjust the front drag rather than switching a separate freespool mechanism. Its three-quarter-turn adjustment range makes changes quick, so get familiar with the settings before fishing.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: proper big-pit purpose, with a weight trade-off. The strongest reasons to choose it are long-cast spool and slow cross wrap give it a purposeful distance-fishing layout. and deep spool provides a substantial line reserve.; the main trade-off is at 640 g, it’s a hefty choice for lighter rods or frequent handheld work..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Long-cast spool and Slow Cross Wrap give it a purposeful distance-fishing layout.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Carpers wanting a deep-spool big-pit setup: The line capacity and long-cast spool suit anglers who have a genuine use for a substantial line reserve.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “At 640 g, it’s a hefty choice for lighter rods or frequent handheld work.”
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
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