Daiwa Tournament BASIA QDX Reel
The original Tournament Basia QD was launched to critical acclaim and has long been a firm favourite with the most dedicated members of the UK’s carp fishing community. When the time came for Daiwa to update the design, the brand was under no illusion of the mountainous task it faced. After all, how to do you improve on a product that so many anglers consider perfect? Somehow, the brand has managed it and this latest version of the Tournament Basia, the QDX, features all the of the top end features of the original, as well as a few extras that really put it head and shoulders above the competition.
If you’re a long time Basia fan then chances are that you’ll have already noticed the most obvious difference between the original and the Tournament Basia QDX. This reel has undergone an ultra-modern facelift! Long gone are the days of traditional silver, this new carp reel is finished with stunning all black cosmetics. This ensures that the reel doesn’t simply perform perfectly but it looks pretty perfect too – ideal for the modern carp angler who likes to look good on the bank, this is one reel with will complement any carp rod setup.
The reel is constructed from the same magnesium alloy as the original Basia, ensuring that the Daiwa Tournament Basia QDX is every bit as weightless as its predecessor. Not only this, but magnesium also ensures that the reel is robust and rigid. Rigidity is one of the most important factors to look out for when you’re investing in a top end carp reel, as the more rigid the reel the better its power output and longevity is going to be. If you want a reel that allows you to retrieve with confidence then you want a reel that boasts this kind of rigidity. However, this is a reel that can go the distance in more ways than one. At its heart, the Daiwa Tournament Basia QDX is a distance casting machine. Built with the same 45mm spool as the original and offering the kind of exquisite line lay that you will have come to expect from a top quality Daiwa reel, the Tournament Basia QDX ensures that you can reach every single one of the features that you desire on all of the biggest venues in the country. After all, we all know how important a top end line lay is to distance casting success and it really can give you those extra few inches that make all the distance when you’re hitting out to the furthest features.
The spool is also fitted with two HIP high impact line clips. These allow you to fish on the button, whether you prefer a monofilament or a braided mainline, with complete confidence that you’re not going to cause damage to your line. This means you can fish accurately and consistently over a long period of time without worrying about the quality of your line. If you want to be able to cast consistently to the same spot then you need the kind of line clip accuracy that only the HIP can provide.
Like the original Tournament, the Basia QDX is fitted with Daiwa’s exceptional Quick Drag function that leaves the original bait runner feature in the dust. Offering a freespool to front drag switch in only half a turn, this reel does away with the need for bulky conversions. The Tournament Basia QDX features an upgraded urethane soft grip handle knob but retains the unique starlight spool holes and vented rotor arms. This reel also comes supplied with a spare spool as standard. If you’re a big fish fan then you cannot go wrong with the Daiwa Tournament Basia QDX – one reel which really is worth every penny.