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Coarse-match · Big-pit reels · Our take
Daiwa 23 Emblem 45 SCW QD
Daiwa 23 Emblem 45 SCW QD
A serious long-range reel with a 45mm spool, silky line lay and a spare spool. For big reservoirs and distance work, it’s a cracking bit of kit — but it’s not exactly a subtle little float reel.
- 45mm LC Long Cast spool for distance-oriented fishing
- Slow Cross Wrap line lay for a neat, controlled spool
- QDM Quick Drag system with a 300m 0.35mm mono main spool
- One spare spool supplied, holding 530m of 0.35mm mono
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Daiwa 23 Emblem 45 SCW QD, the long-cast reel with QDM drag, 45mm spool and one supplied spare spool.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A high-value distance reel with a strong feature set for serious coarse anglers.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality9.6/10
- Performance9.7/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.9/10
- Ease of Use9/10
- Value for Money9.2/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Distance feeder anglers on large reservoirs. The long-cast spool, fast retrieve and generous line capacity suit clipped-up work where accuracy and recovery speed matter.
- Coarse anglers who fish carp-style, big-water swims. QDM gives quick drag adjustment, while the spare spool makes it easier to keep different line setups ready to go.
Maybe skip if
- Short-range float anglers. It’s a fairly substantial long-cast reel and will feel excessive for close-in roach, skimmers or canal work.
- Anglers wanting the lightest possible match outfit. The big spool and large-water design prioritise casting range and capacity over a featherweight setup.
The lowdown
Introducing the Daiwa 23 Emblem 45 SCW QD
A serious long-range reel with a 45mm spool, silky line lay and a spare spool. For big reservoirs and distance work, it’s a cracking bit of kit — but it’s not exactly a subtle little float reel.
- 45mm LC Long Cast spool for distance-oriented fishing
- Slow Cross Wrap line lay for a neat, controlled spool
- QDM Quick Drag system with a 300m 0.35mm mono main spool
- One spare spool supplied, holding 530m of 0.35mm mono
Quick verdict
The verdict
The Daiwa 23 Emblem 45 SCW QD is a proper distance reel for anglers who need serious line control, dependable gearing and a drag that can be adjusted quickly. The 45mm Long Cast spool and Slow Cross Wrap line lay are the headline acts, helping your line leave the spool cleanly and sit neatly for the next chuck.
It’s a high-value choice for large waters, distance feeder work and carp-style coarse fishing where big casts are part of the game. Just don’t buy one expecting a compact match reel for roach at ten metres — this is a substantial bit of kit, and it earns its keep when the far bank or distant bar is where the fish are.
A high-value distance reel with a strong feature set for serious coarse anglers.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality
- 9.6/10
- Performance
- 9.7/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.9/10
- Ease of Use
- 9/10
- Value for Money
- 9.2/10
The DS4 body, ZAION V Air Rotor, Digigear II gearing and metal line clip give it a well-equipped, purposeful build.
The 45mm spool, SCW line lay and 104cm retrieve are a strong combination for long-range work.
It won’t find the fish for you, but tidy line management, quick drag control and high capacity can make distance fishing more reliable.
QDM and the fast retrieve are dead handy, although the reel’s larger format is less friendly for light, close-range fishing.
The feature package is strong for a high-value distance reel, especially with one spare spool included.
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 23 Emblem 45 SCW QD (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 23 Emblem 45 SCW QD
The Daiwa 23 Emblem 45 SCW QD is built for the angler who looks across a big water and thinks, ‘Yep, that far margin will do nicely.’ This isn’t a dainty little match reel for flicking a waggler under the near-bank rushes. It’s a proper long-range machine, aimed at big reservoir work, distance feeder fishing and coarse sessions where the far side of the swim is where the fish are having it.
The big talking point is that 45mm LC Long Cast spool. That larger spool format is all about helping line leave the reel cleanly, with less of the tight, awkward coil you can get from smaller spool designs. If you’re fishing clipped up and trying to drop a feeder on the same patch, that repeatability matters. No good launching it miles if every other cast lands somewhere in the next postcode.
Daiwa’s Slow Cross Wrap line lay adds another useful layer. Rather than simply piling line on in a hurry, the reel lays it in a slower, more controlled pattern. That gives you a tidy spool to work with and helps reduce the sort of messy line behaviour that can turn a lovely cast into a right old faff. Keep the spool sensibly filled and your line managed, and the whole setup should feel much more predictable.
There’s plenty of capacity here, too. The main spool takes 300 metres of 0.35mm mono, while the supplied spare spool takes 530 metres of the same diameter. That’s a serious amount of line for coarse fishing, but it makes sense on large waters where you might need plenty in reserve, especially if a proper lump decides to head for the horizon. The spare also gives you a handy way to keep a different line choice ready without stripping your only spool.
The QDM Quick Drag system is another bank-friendly feature. When you’re waiting for a bite, you can have the drag set to let line come away sensibly. When the rod hoops over and a fish heads off, a quick adjustment gets you into a more controlled fish-playing setting. It’s a small thing, perhaps, but the best tackle often removes those little moments of panic. Less faff. More focus on keeping the fish on.
That fast 104cm retrieve is spot on for distance fishing. After a feeder has been worked back or a cast has gone wrong, you can get a long length of line in without endless handle turning. It’s also useful when a fish comes towards you. You still need to keep the rod angle and tension right, of course, but a quick retrieve gives you a better chance of staying connected rather than watching your line go all slack and sad.
The build follows the same big-water brief. There’s a DS4 body, a ZAION V Air Rotor and Digigear II gearing, plus an aluminium machine-cut handle with a T-shaped knob. In plain English, it’s designed to feel purposeful rather than flimsy. The six ball bearings support a smooth-running package, while the metal HIP High Impact line clip is a reassuring touch for anglers who spend plenty of time clipped up and casting repeatedly.
That line clip is especially relevant for feeder anglers. Clipping up is brilliant when you’ve found the spot, but it puts a fair bit of importance on controlled casts and sensible line management. A metal clip gives you a more confidence-inspiring contact point when you’re putting the same feeder back towards the same island, bar or channel edge. Still feather the cast properly, mind. No reel clip makes a wild chuck sensible.
In use terms, this reel makes most sense paired with a rod that can actually use its distance credentials. Put it on a short, light float rod and it’ll feel a bit daft — like fitting a tow bar to a wheelbarrow. Pair it with a suitable distance feeder or big-water rod, spool it carefully, and the package starts to make proper sense. It’s a high-value choice for anglers who want one serious reel with a spare-spool option, not a bargain-basement bit of kit for occasional close-range fishing.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Spool
- 45mm LC Long Cast spool
- Line lay
- Slow Cross Wrap (SCW)
- Drag
- QDM Quick Drag system
- Main spool capacity
- 300m of 0.35mm mono
- Spare spool
- 530m of 0.35mm mono; one supplied
- Retrieve
- 104cm per handle turn
Specs checked with Daiwa, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Big water, big casts, no daft faff
The clever bit here isn’t just the big spool. It’s the way the reel brings together long-cast geometry, tidy line lay, fast retrieval and quick drag control. That combination makes it a cracking option when you’re clipped up, fishing at range and need the tackle to behave properly every time.
The reel itself
A distance setup with the useful bits in the right places
The 45mm LC Long Cast spool is the centre of the design. It’s made for getting line away cleanly, while Slow Cross Wrap keeps the line packed neatly across the spool. That pairing is particularly useful when you’re clipped up and repeating casts to a distant feeder line.
The QDM Quick Drag system gives you fast control when a bite turns lively. Add the 104cm retrieve, Digigear II gearing, six ball bearings and a metal HIP High Impact line clip, and this looks properly equipped for demanding big-water work.
Worth knowing. The main spool holds 300m of 0.35mm mono, while the spare holds 530m. That spare isn’t just a bonus for the tackle cupboard — it gives you a ready alternative for different line requirements and plenty of reserve on expansive venues.
On the bank
Made for distance, not tiny swims
This reel will suit feeder anglers targeting large reservoirs, gravel pits and other venues where the productive line is a long way out. It’s also a sensible option for coarse anglers using heavier tackle and carp-style methods, especially when a screaming take can turn into a long, fast run.
It’s less convincing for intimate fishing. If your normal session involves a light float, a short cast and a net full of silvers, the Emblem 45 SCW QD is more reel than you need. You’ll be carrying size and capacity that never really get used.
Worth knowing. Match the reel to the rod and the venue. Its strengths show up when the outfit is balanced for range, the spool is filled properly and your casting is controlled. On the right setup, it’s bob on; on the wrong one, it’ll feel a bit over the top.
Straight answers
The questions you’ll want answered
Is it only for carp? No. The Emblem 45 SCW QD is very relevant to distance feeder fishing and other serious coarse applications. Its design is about range, capacity and control, not a single species.
Does the spare spool matter? Definitely. Having a second spool supplied gives you more flexibility, particularly if you fish waters that call for different line capacities or want a ready spare rigged and waiting.
Worth knowing. Don’t judge this reel by close-range match standards. Its job is to help you fish confidently at distance, manage plenty of line and control a hard-running fish. That’s where the design earns its keep.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Excellent long-range setup built around a 45mm LC spool
- Slow Cross Wrap keeps line lay neat and helps casting consistency
- Quick drag is handy when switching from fishing to playing a fish
- Spare spool supplied, giving you useful line-capacity flexibility
Worth knowing
- A sizeable reel for lighter coarse and match work
- The distance-focused design may be more reel than you need on short-range venues
- A premium-style purchase, so it won’t suit a skint tackle budget
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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.
01Is the Daiwa 23 Emblem 45 SCW QD suitable for feeder fishing?
Is the Daiwa 23 Emblem 45 SCW QD suitable for feeder fishing?
Yes, particularly on big reservoirs and open venues where you’re casting a long way. The 45mm Long Cast spool, tidy SCW line lay and 104cm retrieve are all useful when fishing clipped up at distance.
02What line capacity does the Daiwa 23 Emblem 45 SCW QD have?
What line capacity does the Daiwa 23 Emblem 45 SCW QD have?
The main spool holds 300m of 0.35mm mono. The supplied spare spool holds 530m of 0.35mm mono, giving you a useful alternative when your fishing calls for more capacity.
03What does QDM mean on this reel?
What does QDM mean on this reel?
QDM is Daiwa’s Quick Drag system. It’s designed to let you move between a relatively free-running drag and a tighter fish-playing setting with minimal adjustment — handy when a bite turns into a screaming take.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: the verdict. The strongest reasons to choose it are excellent long-range setup built around a 45mm lc spool and slow cross wrap keeps line lay neat and helps casting consistency; the main trade-off is a sizeable reel for lighter coarse and match work.
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Excellent long-range setup built around a 45mm LC spool”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Distance feeder anglers on large reservoirs: The long-cast spool, fast retrieve and generous line capacity suit clipped-up work where accuracy and recovery speed matter.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “A sizeable reel for lighter coarse and match 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
What our readers rate Daiwa 23 Emblem 45 SCW QD
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