Rock Fishing With The Daiwa Free Swimmer

Lobbing big baits down a pumping burley trail is a form of fishing that is close to many kiwi anglers hearts, it's often where teeth are cut and where the lifelong passion for fishing begins. For me it’s hard to beat the adventure to a desolate ledge and the promise of finding the maroon marauders that call these rugged pieces of NZ’s coastline home. These fish will expose any weakness in your tackle, so if you’re investing the time to reach unexplored sections of the coastline, you want to make sure your gear is up to the task.

For me my first impressions of the Free Swimmer are that it was very solidly built for the price-point it sits at. Overall the functionality of the reel in hand is impressive, the drag is smooth and the bite & run mechanism has a good tension range, letting you get the perfect setting for the conditions. Combine the features above with a super comfortable EVA power handle plus a sharp looking cosmetic and you have a reel that means business!

First impressions don’t count for much unless the reel stacks up out in the field. So now after a few solid missions I can confidently report the reel is living up to expectations. Loaded with 30lb mono the Free Swimmer has been perfect for chasing big snapper off the bricks. Being able to transition from the silky-smooth bite & run system to the robust power of the carbon drag system makes for an easy hook up and gives you plenty of power to battle Snapper in rough terrain. Nothing gets the heart pumping more than the sweet sound of line leaving the reel at a rate of knots and a rampaging red attached to the other end!

The Daiwa Free Swimmer is a game changer, go out and get one!