DAIWA 2023 Gekkabijin

AIRDRIVE DESIGN is the next-generation spinning reel concept, developed to allow anglers to control lures with precision and ease. This design is composed of up to four advanced technologies. At its core is the AIRDRIVE ROTOR, which ensures smooth and highly responsive rotation, making it an essential component. Supporting this performance are the AIRDRIVE BAIL, which is lightweight and trouble-free, and the AIRDRIVE SPOOL, which has been meticulously engineered to reduce unnecessary material to the absolute minimum, achieving an extremely lightweight design. Finally, the AIRDRIVE SHAFT, supported by high-precision collars and featuring a non-contact structure with the pinion gear, enables exceptionally smooth winding with minimal noise, even under heavy loads. The synergy of these elements, along with improved reel balance, delivers superior operability at a high level.

For many years, DAIWA's spinning reels have featured the Air Bail, utilizing a hollow pipe structure that provides both lightness and rigidity. This design, along with its unique shape, ensures that the line is smoothly guided to the line roller, minimizing trouble during retrieval. The AIRDRIVE BAIL further enhances this by achieving even greater weight reduction while maintaining necessary strength through a slimmer design. Additionally, the bail is angled optimally to allow the line to transition more smoothly from the bail to the line roller, supporting the performance of the AIRDRIVE ROTOR while becoming even lighter and more trouble-free.

To achieve effortless line pickup, where the line is automatically set on the line roller via the bail, the bail's tilt angle is meticulously adjusted. The angle is made more obtuse as the line approaches the line roller, making it easier to guide the line to the roller.

In the AIRDRIVE BAIL, DAIWA offers a wire-type option that adopts a solid structure instead of adhering to the hollow pipe design. This wire type maintains sufficient strength for practical fishing while also achieving significant weight reduction and greatly reducing line troubles compared to conventional wire bails. The wire-type bail features an adjusted tilt angle, redesigned arm lever and line slider shapes, and an "anti-tangle roof" installed above the line roller, effectively preventing line tangles.

DAIWA's MAGSEALED technology is designed to prevent water, salt, and debris from entering the reel, using magnetic fluid to form a barrier that protects critical components like bearings, line rollers, and gears from saltwater. DAIWA adapted magnetic fluid technology initially developed by NASA for dust protection in hard drives used in space. Unlike traditional rubber seals that increase handle rotation friction, the magnetic fluid is held in place by a magnetic field, reducing friction and enabling smooth operation. This technology enhances the reel's durability and performance, significantly improving reliability in harsh fishing environments without requiring meticulous maintenance.

The MONOCOQUE BODY in DAIWA reels refers to a single-piece body structure. Traditional spinning reels covered the drive gear with a body and body cover, secured by several screws, which posed strength issues. The MONOCOQUE BODY eliminates the body cover, directly setting a high-precision plate into the body. This change supports the body with the entire plate surface instead of just screw points, significantly enhancing precision, rigidity, and sealing. Also, because the fixed part of the screw that occupied space inside the body has been removed, It allows for larger drive gears, providing more powerful retrieves and smoother fights with big fish.

DAIWA’'s ATD (Automatic Drag) technology is an innovative system designed to address the issues found in traditional drag systems. Previously, the main problem was the lack of smoothness when the drag first engaged. ATD ensures a smooth initial drag, releasing lines with consistent tension under strong pressure, and offering gradual resistance under lighter pressure. This adaptability reduces the need for frequent adjustments of drag force and also improves hooking rates. Enhanced drag washers maintain drag strength during long fights, giving anglers an advantage against large fish. ATD provides a stress-free and efficient fishing experience.

ATD TYPE-L is designed to reduce the sudden spike in drag pressure when the line is pulled quickly, such as during a hookset, compared to the standard ATD. While maintaining the characteristics of ATD, ATD TYPE-L further improves the initial drag response, making it ideal for preventing line breaks when using light lines.