Airdrive Design- The Next Generation

By Dale Baxter

If you’re serious about light tackle fishing, you know that every component of your gear matters. Being a tech geek and loving my finesse fishing I really enjoy breaking down the benefits of new technology. 

The fishing reel is probably one of the most important pieces of your tackle. Reel design and development is always evolving, and boundaries always being pushed to improve the experience for the angler. 

Daiwa reel design concepts of the past such as Real Four and LT plus technology advancements such as Magseal, Air Bail, ABS, Air Rotor and Digigear ushered in new levels of performance, refinement and strength, and have played pivotal roles in the evolution of Daiwa reel design over the years and decades. 

The latest spin reel design to emerge is Daiwa’s AIRDRIVE DESIGN. A new design concept, AIRDRIVE DESIGN is a cutting-edge reimaging of the front unit (spool, rotor, bail, shaft) in spin reel design.

AIRDRIVE DESIGN is a reworking of the key elements in a reel’s front unit and consists of up to four key AIRDRIVE DESIGN pillars (spool, bail, rotor, shaft). AIRDRIVE DESIGN enhances reel function and feel and does so in a multitude of ways.

Improved Performance

The performance benefits of AIRDRIVE DESIGN are evident from the moment you pick up the reel and first spin the handle. As you would expect from a reel with ‘air’ in its name AIRDRIVE DESIGN reels are lighter. Lighter in physical weight, but also most significantly, lighter in start rotational resistance, balance and feel. Providing a reduction in start-up inertia, and enhancing reel power, operational balance, and structural rigidity, AIRDRIVE DESIGN enhances reel design and performance in many ways. 

These enhancements provide a host of benefits to the angler. The result is a reel that is effortless to use, more powerful, less tiring on the body, and allows the reel to be worked in a more precise manner. For lure casting anglers, AIRDRIVE DESIGN helps create the perfect reel for perfect lure control.

The Fab Four

For those that want to dive a little deeper into AIRDRIVE DESIGN and its four pillars, read on as we dig a little deeper into how they affect reel function, design, and performance.

Airdrive Bail – featuring reduced diameter and weight plus a hollow tubular design, line is delivered smooth and resistance free to the line roller for enhanced trouble-free line control.

Airdrive Spool – lighter and featuring an improved clicking mechanism, Airdrive Spool delivers enhanced balance and improved oscillation.  

Airdrive Rotor– lighter and featuring a rounder design Airdrive Rotor offers low inertia start-up and high response rotation.

Airdrive Shaft– a dual bearing support delivers smooth, quiet rotation and heightens reel torque and power. 

The Range

AIRDRIVE DESIGN features in many models in the Daiwa spin reel range, from the highest designed and performance tuned light-tackle spin reel like the 22 Exist through to the newer and more budget focused Legalis and Exceler, AIRDRIVE DESIGN delivers its benefits to an ever-increasing range of reels. The current range of AIRDRIVE DESIGN powered reels consist of:

* 23 Legalis

* 23 Exceler

* 24 TD Black

* 23 Kix 

* 23 TD Sol HD

* 23 Emeraldas RX LT

* 24 Certate

* 23 Airity

* 22 Exist

* 23 Saltiga

There you have it, a rundown on AIRDRIVE DESIGN. What it is and how it works. With benefits like enhanced sensitivity, easier start-up, increased power, and more refinement in rotation and feel it’s a design concept that has allowed Daiwa spin reels to take another leap forward in design and performance. They are the perfect reel for today’s angler looking to take their fishing to another level.