Daiwa Crosscast BR Reel

How well is it built?

The overall feel of the Crosscast in hand is one of solid craftsmanship. It is clear that Daiwa has put significant thought into the design, balancing weight and durability with performance features.

The frame is built with a graphite construction and despite being slightly heavier than similar reels at 620g, offers a solid base that shouts longevity. The aluminium spool and handle add quality where it matters most.

The gears feature two ball bearings and one roller bearing. Although this is fewer than some models at this price, these components are strategically placed to ensure smooth operation and reduce friction during retrieval and casting.

One feature I really like is the Infinite Anti-Reverse system. It really helps prevent backward movement of the handle, ensuring that you maintain a solid hook set.

It is a detail that might seem minor but makes a big difference when you are playing fish that pull back hard.

How well does it cast and retrieve?

The Crosscast performs admirably on the cast and the retrieve. The solid bearings help with this alongside the Twist Buster and Air Bail features, which reduce line twist and ensure smooth line lay.

With a gear ratio of 4.6:1 and a retrieve rate of 104cm per turn, this reel offers efficient and actually quite a fast line retrieval rate making it suitable for various fishing conditions and tactics.

The compact big pit spool design is the Crosscast BR's main selling point. The wider spool profile lets line come off with less friction, which adds genuine casting distance compared to standard-diameter budget reels.

For anglers who want to fish at 60 to 80 yards on a budget, the Crosscast BR's compact big pit design gives you a casting advantage that standard-spool budget reels cannot match.

How useful is the drag system?

The Crosscast is fairly unique in that it is equipped with a front drag system as well as a Baitrunner. Both performed well in testing with no problems experienced and a nice smooth function throughout different sessions of varying length.

Daiwa does not publish a max drag figure for this model, which makes direct comparison harder. In practice, the drag handles typical UK carp without issue and the adjustment is predictable through the usable range.

The Bite and Run freespool clutch does the job at this price point. Engagement is clean enough, with a positive transition from freespool to main drag when you turn the handle.

For standard stillwater carp fishing, the drag performs reliably. Push it harder with bigger fish at range and you will start to feel the limits.

Is it good value for money?

The Crosscast BR is a medium priced offering from Daiwa that still offers good value for money. It is a quality reel at an affordable price point that will resonate with both beginners and more experienced carp anglers.

The compact big pit spool design is the main differentiator. If casting distance matters but budget is tight, the Crosscast BR offers a genuine compact big pit experience that the Shimano budget reels do not.

The 2+1 bearing count is low for the money, and you give up some smoothness compared to the Fox EOS 10000 which has 5+1 bearings at a lower price. It depends on whether you value casting distance or smooth rotation more.