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Reels · Big-pit carp reels · Our take
Daiwa Basia 45 SLD QD Carp Reel
Basia 45 SLD QD — 17BAS45SLDQD
A magnesium body, 45mm long-cast spool and quick-adjusting drag give this Basia plenty of appeal for serious carp fishing. Just don’t expect a posh reel to find the fish for you.
- Exact model code: 17BAS45SLDQD.
- Magnesium body paired with a Zaion rotor.
- 45mm ultra-long-cast spool and QD Quick Drag system.
- HIP high-impact line clip and an included spare spool.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers model 17BAS45SLDQD, rather than other Basia 45 variants. It’s an informed look at its features and fishing role, not a bank-tested verdict.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
Feature-based editorial scores, not bank-test results; value is judged against its premium positioning rather than an unverified current price.
- Product Quality9.4/10
- Performance9/10
- Impact on Fish Catching7.7/10
- Ease of Use8.8/10
- Value for Money8/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Carpers fishing larger waters. The long-cast spool and clipping-up provision fit sessions where reaching and repeatedly hitting a chosen spot matter.
- Regular anglers building a premium carp outfit. The material choices, QD system and spare spool offer a purposeful package beyond the smart finish.
Maybe skip if
- Occasional anglers watching the pennies. A more modest carp reel can cover straightforward fishing without tying up so much of your tackle budget.
- Light-tackle coarse anglers. This is a big-pit carp reel, not the obvious partner for a delicate float rod or compact feeder outfit.
The lowdown
Introducing the Daiwa Basia 45 SLD QD Carp Reel
A magnesium body, 45mm long-cast spool and quick-adjusting drag give this Basia plenty of appeal for serious carp fishing. Just don’t expect a posh reel to find the fish for you.
- Exact model code: 17BAS45SLDQD.
- Magnesium body paired with a Zaion rotor.
- 45mm ultra-long-cast spool and QD Quick Drag system.
- HIP high-impact line clip and an included spare spool.
Quick verdict
Lovely kit for the right sort of fishing
The Basia 45 SLD QD makes a convincing case if your carp fishing regularly involves bigger waters, longer casts and carefully clipped-up spots. The magnesium body, Zaion rotor and spare spool give you more than just a smart-looking reel.
For shorter-range work, it’s a luxury rather than a necessity. We haven’t fished with it, so lasting smoothness and drag behaviour under a proper load remain unproven here.
Feature-based editorial scores, not bank-test results; value is judged against its premium positioning rather than an unverified current price.
- Product Quality
- 9.4/10
- Performance
- 9/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 7.7/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.8/10
- Value for Money
- 8/10
The magnesium body, Zaion rotor and machine-cut aluminium handle make a strong premium package, though long-term durability hasn’t been tested here.
The long-cast spool and QD system offer a purposeful setup for demanding carp fishing without proving real-world casting or drag performance.
Its distance-focused layout and line clip can support accurate fishing, but location and presentation still do the heavy lifting.
Quick drag adjustment and a spare spool add convenience, although the QD control needs familiarisation.
The build and included spare spool help justify premium positioning for regular users, but simpler fishing needs much less reel.
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 Basia 45 SLD QD Carp 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 Basia 45 SLD QD Carp Reel
The Daiwa Basia 45 SLD QD is the sort of reel that gets a carp angler lingering over the tackle counter. Magnesium body, wooden knob, big long-cast spool: there’s plenty to catch your eye before you’ve even thought about the next session. But the useful question isn’t whether it looks cracking beneath a set of rods. It’s whether that package fits your fishing. On bigger waters, there’s a sensible argument for it. For a gentle underarm flick beside the reeds, rather less so.
First, let’s pin down which Basia we’re talking about. This is model 17BAS45SLDQD, with a magnesium body and a Zaion rotor. Those details matter because the Basia name covers different reels, and it’s easy to muddle their features. We haven’t tested this one on the bank, so there’s no tale about a screaming take or a last-minute lump here. What we can do is look at the confirmed features, explain where they’re useful and separate proper practical benefits from tackle-shop temptation.
The 45mm ultra-long-cast spool is central to its appeal. A spool designed around distance makes sense when you’re trying to reach a gravel strip beyond the comfortable range of a smaller outfit. That doesn’t mean fitting this reel suddenly buys you extra yards, mate. Line diameter, sensible spool filling, rod choice and casting technique all remain part of the job. Think of the Basia as a suitable component in a distance setup, not a shortcut around learning how to cast it properly.
Then there’s QD, Daiwa’s Quick Drag system. The attraction is being able to change the drag setting quickly, rather than winding away at the control while you’re trying to sort yourself out. That can be dead handy when moving from a loose waiting setting to one suitable for playing a fish. The flip side is that quick adjustment rewards a calm hand. Learn the feel before you need it, and don’t confuse a convenient drag system with permission to leave fish an unchecked route into snags.
The magnesium body and Zaion rotor make this a more interesting proposition than a reel trading purely on its finish. These are material choices associated with keeping a substantial reel from becoming unnecessarily cumbersome. Still, without a confirmed weight here or time spent fishing it, we’re not going to declare it perfectly balanced on your rods. If possible, try one on the actual rod you’ll use. A setup that feels bob on to one angler can feel awkward to another, particularly across repeated casts.
Some of the less glamorous fittings deserve attention too. You get a hollow tubular stainless-steel AirBail, a machine-cut aluminium handle and a wooden handle knob. There’s also a HIP high-impact line clip, which is relevant when you’re measuring out and repeatedly casting to a chosen spot. Use sound clipping-up technique rather than simply belting a cast into a hard stop. Feather the line and cushion the arrival with the rod. A named clip doesn’t remove the need to look after your line.
The included spare spool is arguably one of the most useful parts of the package. You could keep a different line setup ready for another venue rather than stripping and reloading your main spool every time your plans change. Perhaps one water calls for a more abrasion-conscious approach, while another gives you cleaner, open-water fishing. Choose line around the conditions and fishery rules first. Also, check the spool markings before buying line: there’s no sense guessing capacity and ending up with an expensive, half-filled spool.
So where does that leave it? As an appealing premium option for anglers who regularly fish carp waters where a big-pit reel earns its place. The long-cast spool, quick drag adjustment and spare spool all have a clear role, while the finish adds a bit of pride of ownership. Nothing wrong with enjoying lovely tackle. Just keep the priorities straight: finding fish, presenting a rig cleanly and feeding sensibly will do more for your catch rate than upgrading a reel that already handles your fishing.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Model
- 17BAS45SLDQD
- Body and rotor
- Magnesium body; Zaion rotor
- Spool
- 45mm ultra-long-cast spool; spare spool included
- Drag
- QD Quick Drag
- Bail and line clip
- Hollow tubular stainless-steel AirBail; HIP high-impact line clip
- Handle
- Machine-cut aluminium handle with wooden knob
Specs checked with Daiwa, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Buy it for the job, not the badge
The useful bit is the combination of a long-cast spool, QD adjustment and a spare spool for another line setup. That’s practical flexibility when your fishing changes between venues.
If your usual spot is a gentle chuck down the margins, spending more on this reel won’t suddenly turn a blank into a brace.
The hardware
What you’re actually buying
The Basia’s core package is a magnesium body, Zaion rotor and 45mm ultra-long-cast spool. That points towards a premium carp reel built around the demands of bigger-water fishing. It doesn’t let us promise effortless winding under load or years of faultless service; those are things that need proper use to judge.
QD handles quick drag changes, while the HIP line clip supports repeatable casting to a measured distance. The aluminium handle and wooden knob finish things off nicely. The spare spool adds a genuinely practical extra: an alternative line setup without needing a second reel.
Worth knowing. Check the model code, not just the Basia badge. This review is for 17BAS45SLDQD. If buying used, check that the spare spool is actually included and inspect both spool lips for damage that could catch the line.
Your kind of fishing
Big-water appeal, small-water questions
If you regularly measure out wraps, fish defined spots and need a distance-capable outfit, the Basia’s layout makes sense. Pairing the reel with a suitable rod and line matters more than buying it in isolation. Sort your casting technique and line loading before expecting any equipment change to help you reach farther.
It also suits anglers who simply want a well-appointed carp setup and will use it often enough to enjoy the investment. That’s fair enough. But if you mostly fish little waters at modest range, a cheaper reel could leave money for tickets, bait and more time on the bank. Those are proper upgrades too.
For general float fishing or light feeder work, look elsewhere first. This reel’s big-pit role is a different brief. Even for carp fishing, try it on your rod before committing if you prefer a compact outfit or spend a lot of time moving between swims.
Before you buy
Three things to get straight
Which version is this? It’s the Basia 45 SLD QD, model 17BAS45SLDQD. The confirmed build includes the magnesium body, Zaion rotor, stainless-steel AirBail and wooden handle knob. Similar-looking Basia reels shouldn’t automatically be treated as identical.
Does QD work like a separate freespool lever? No. You’re adjusting the spool drag itself, quickly. Before the first session, pull line off against different settings so you understand the change in resistance. Set the tackle for the swim you’re fishing, especially where weed or snags restrict how much line a fish can safely take.
Is there a spare spool? Yes. Keep it loaded and labelled if you’re running another line type or strength, so there’s no bankside guessing. Check capacity markings and inspect the line before swapping it into service; a spare spool is useful, but neglected line is still neglected line.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Long-cast spool layout suits distance-minded carp fishing.
- Magnesium body and Zaion rotor are appealing choices for a premium build.
- QD makes changing drag settings quick and straightforward.
- Included spare spool adds useful flexibility between line setups.
- Machine-cut aluminium handle and wooden knob give it a distinctive finish.
Worth knowing
- Premium-positioned kit that’s hard to justify for occasional short-range fishing.
- Quick drag adjustment needs a measured touch when playing fish.
- A big-pit format isn’t the natural match for compact, light coarse-fishing outfits.
Want one?
Add it to your Wanted list or join a Group Buy — shops see anonymous totals only.
Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01Is this the Basia 45 SLD QD model?
Is this the Basia 45 SLD QD model?
Yes. The model covered here is 17BAS45SLDQD, with a magnesium body, Zaion rotor and 45mm ultra-long-cast spool. Don’t assume every Basia carrying a similar name has the same build.
02Is QD the same as a separate freespool system?
Is QD the same as a separate freespool system?
No. QD lets you change the spool’s drag setting quickly using the drag control. It isn’t a separate rear-lever freespool system, so get familiar with the adjustment before fishing.
03Does it come with a spare spool?
Does it come with a spare spool?
Yes, a spare spool is included. That’s handy for keeping an alternative line setup ready, although you should check the spool’s capacity markings before choosing how much line to load.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: lovely kit for the right sort of fishing. The strongest reasons to choose it are long-cast spool layout suits distance-minded carp fishing. and magnesium body and zaion rotor are appealing choices for a premium build.; the main trade-off is premium-positioned kit that’s hard to justify for occasional short-range fishing..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Long-cast spool layout suits distance-minded carp fishing.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Carpers fishing larger waters: The long-cast spool and clipping-up provision fit sessions where reaching and repeatedly hitting a chosen spot matter.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “Premium-positioned kit that’s hard to justify for occasional short-range fishing.”
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 Basia 45 SLD QD Carp Reel
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Owner reports
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