Foothill Ranch, CA – “Our Free Swimmer reel is a great equalizer,” says Marc Mills, Senior Marketing Manager at DAIWA about the new 3000- and 5000-sizes. “It’s designed to be the ultimate saltwater spinning reel for live-lining fish, and can help even intermediate and beginner anglers keep pace with the pros.”
Surprisingly lightweight yet exceptionally powerful, the Free Swimmer features an Automatic Bite N’ Run clutch at the base of the body, allowing anglers to instantly disengage the spool so line can peel off with little or no resistance while the bail is closed. Simply pull down on the lever to place the reel in free-spool mode and flip it back to instantly to reengage when a fish grabs your bait. A small Tension Control Knob at the back of the reel makes it easy to adjust spool tension to control the speed at which line plays out.
DAIWA Free Swimmer (NEW 3000 Size)
DAIWA Free Swimmer (New 5000 Size)
“Let’s face it,” continues Mills, “With the cost of gas, bait, and everything else these days, targeting offshore tuna nearshore bruisers can be expensive. That means you need to maximize your chances whenever heading out – and the Free Swimmer does just that. Plus, it works especially well when using circle hooks or any style that sets better with a steady pull than a jarring strike.”
No one wants to get shut out, notes Mills, but big fish don’t spend much time next to the boat. So, if you have a difficult time casting a conventional reel like the old sharpie standing next to you at the rail, you can be at a significant disadvantage. With the Free Swimmer, though, it’s easy to cast an energetic live-bait away from the vessel, so it can swim freely where you’re most likely to draw a strike.
Live-lining applications abound. The 100% authentic looks and locomotion are unmatched, and, sometimes, the only means to get bit. Offshore and nearshore live-lining is effective for myriad saltwater species, including tuna, mahi-mahi, sailfish, mackerel, striped bass, cobia, and more. Popular baits being mullet, sardines, menhaden, and shad. Inshore, live-lining with pinfish and croaker can do a number on redfish and seatrout. In freshwater, live-lining is a popular technique for thumping stripers and wipers.
Using the tension control, you can moderate the speed your offerings swim, slowing overly energetic live-baits to keep them centered in the strike zone. The ability to free-line with a closed bail also adds an extra degree of safety since you never have to keep a finger to a braided line to hold your bait in the perfect position.
The Free Swimmer also features an Air Rotor that stands out for its balance, toughness, and sensitivity. Its arched profile and 15% weight reduction compared to standard rotors offers optimal winding smoothness while eliminating vibration thanks to a lowered center of gravity. Its waterproof, carbon Automatic Tournament Drag (ATD) system uses an improved drag grease with low viscosity at rest that becomes more viscous immediately after drag start-up. The result is a super-smooth drag with low initial inertia and beast-stopping power.
Now available in four sizes, the Free Swimmer also sports a corrosion resistant lightweight graphite frame and features Digigear technology. Compared to most of the competition, the gears are larger and digitally cut and polished , resulting into better meshing and longer gear life, up to three times that of competitive reels. Add in a Machined Aluminum Screw-In Direct Drive Handle with a Power Round EVA knob for generating extra leverage, plus an O-ring sealing system to ensure high-quality waterproof saltwater performance, and it becomes ever more obvious why the Free Swimmer is sure to show out.
“These reels have the potential to refresh the whole live-lining category,” sums up Mills, “and they’re great for casting lures or drifting out cut baits, too.”
“A lot of new anglers have entered our sport recently,” concludes Mills, “and many have never tried this reel category. Once they see how versatile, easy to use and effective the Free Swimmers are, that’s likely to change.”
The Free Swimmer FRSW3000D spools up 30.6-inches per turn, while the larger FRSW5000D spins up 34.5-inches. Both offer a 5.2:1 gear ratio and 4BB+1 bearing system.
All this at an eye-catching MSRP of $149.99 for either size.
- NEW 3000 and 5000 sizes
- Automatic Bite N’ Run Clutch
- Tension Control Knob
- Automatic Tournament Drag (ATD)
- Air Rotor
- DIGIGEAR Technology
- Machined Aluminum Screw-In Direct Drive Handle
- Power Round EVA Knob
- O-Ring Sealing System
- 5.2:1 Gear Ratio and 4BB+1 Bearing System
MSRP $149.99
About Daiwa Corporation
Daiwa’s first spinning reel rolled off the assembly line in 1955. Since then, the company has grown into one of the largest and most influential tackle companies in the world today. To handle sales and distribution in the United States, Daiwa Corporation first opened its doors on September 26, 1966, operating from a small facility in Culver City, California. Today, based in Foothill Ranch, California, Daiwa Corporation sells tackle throughout the United States, Canada, Central and South America. From the very beginning, Daiwa’s emphasis has been upon innovation and quality. The result is a long list of product features, design and materials that have become standards for the fishing tackle industry. Daiwa’s long-standing record of innovation has left a visible mark on the majority of tackle manufactured today and continues to advance the sport of fishing. Learn more at daiwa.us
