Daiwa's Free Swimmer BR FRSW10000, reporting for live bait duty.
October 02, 2023
By Florida Sportsman Editor
Fishing big live baits? A dropback is a good technique. That means letting line pull free at the strike so your fish gets its mouth around the bait before you come tight to set the hook.
Spinning reels can be built with a clutch and spool tension system to enable an automatic, controllable line release, and that’s what Daiwa offers in its Free Swimmer series . You flip a lever at the base of the reel, and that puts the spool in free-spool mode. Adjust the tension control knob for the preferred resistance. When a fish bites, the line runs… and after a four or five count, you flip the lever back to engage the main drag, and hopefully you’re on!
A flip of a level and you're in free-spool mode. Simply flip back to engage the main drag. Daiwa also suggests using the Free Swimmer’s Bait N Run system to allow baits themselves to run free, during certain presentations. The Free Swimmer features Daiwa’s Air Rotor design, balanced and arched for smoothness and lighter weight. The drag system is waterproof, with carbon washers and an improved low-viscosity grease. The frame is graphite and sealed with O-rings.
The Free Swimmer BR comes in 8,000 and 10,000 sizes. The FRSW10000 is pictured here. For additional features and upgrades, you can opt for the 23 Free Swimmer EX models in the same sizes. The 8,000 and 10,000 sizes both feature 4+1 ball bearings, a 4.7:1 gear ratio, and a maximum drag of 22 pounds. The FRSW8000 retrieves 36.1 inches of line per handle turn and holds 330 yards of 16-pound-test mono or 40-pound braid. The FRSW10000 cranks 39.6 inches per handle turn while holding 330 yards of 20-pound mono or 50-pound braid. MSRP is $199.99.
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The newly released 23 Free Swimmer comes in 3,000 and 5,000 sizes. The FRSW5000D-C is pictured here. Daiwa recently released the 23 Free Swimmer that comes in 3,000 and 5,000 sizes which both feature 5+1 ball bearings and a 5.2:1 gear ratio and weigh close to 10oz. The FRSW3000D 30.6 inches of line per handle turn and holds 220 yards of 12-pound-test mono or 20-pound braid. The FRSW5000D-C cranks 34.5 inches per handle turn while holding 280 yards of 14-pound mono or 230 yards of 30-pound braid. MSRP for the 23's is $149.99.
