SS AIR TWSS AIR TW

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  • 8.5R

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  • 8.5 litres

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  • 8.5 litres

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DAIWA Bait Finesse: Entering New Territory

A Leap Forward in Our 10th Year
The ‘SS AIR TW’, the flagship of bait finesse reels, has been reborn for the first time in a decade. Its compact body retains the bold black-and-red aesthetic, whilst incorporating the ‘SS MAGFORCE’ brake system—born of a completely new concept—and DAIWA technologies that have garnered acclaim in recent years. A revolutionary DAIWA bait finesse reel, in which a decade of evolution is clearly evident, has now been born.
There are two major improvements: unprecedented manoeuvrability thanks to the newly developed ‘SS MAGFORCE’ braking system, and an overall boost in basic performance through the standard fitting of TWS and HYPERDRIVE DESIGN.
The new brake system not only improves castability but also contributes to a more compact body. Mr Yukihiro Sawamura, the ‘father of bait finesse’ and representative of K.T.F., was involved in the body design and brake settings. It achieves a high level of balance between pitching and casting—the two most crucial techniques for bait finesse fishing. Particularly noteworthy is the exceptionally smooth and stable castability delivered by its compact form. This represents a new frontier achieved through the synergy between DAIWA, which has spent many years refining its magnetic brake system, and Mr Sawamura, who observes the front lines of fishing on a daily basis.

Comparison of Induction Rotor Sections

DAIWA Technology

HYPERDRIVE DESIGN
A next-generation design philosophy for Bait (two-axis) reels, which significantly raises the standard of all fundamental performance characteristics with the aim of ensuring that high initial performance is sustained over the long term. The Hyper Drive Design comprises up to four technologies. It requires the incorporation of the HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR, which ensures smooth rotation over the long term, alongside HYPER DOUBLE SUPPORT, which assists gear drive to deliver powerful yet effortless winding. The HYPER ARMED HOUSING provides robust internal structural support, making it resistant to flexing and distortion. The HYPER TOUGH CLUTCH features an insulated structure that ensures continuous operation even in harsh environments, whilst drastically reducing seizure caused by salt build-up. The synergistic effect of these features ensures consistently stable performance across all fishing environments.
HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR
A newly designed gear system engineered to ensure consistently strong and smooth rotation. This is DAIWA’s proprietary technology, which achieves long-lasting initial smoothness by increasing the meshing ratio without reducing the module (size) of the gear teeth—a factor directly linked to durability.
HYPER DOUBLE SUPPORT
A drive support system that ensures sustained smoothness whilst delivering winding power with effortless reeling. By supporting both ends of the pinion gear with two ball bearings to ensure high precision, it does not dampen the input from the handle, enabling powerful yet effortless winding even under load.
HYPER ARMED HOUSING
A case system that firmly supports the internal structure with high rigidity and precision, delivering a smooth winding action and powerful performance. The use of metal for the frame—the core component—is essential; combined with the side plates and set plates, this ensures that the fundamental performance is maintained over the long term.
In this series, the frame and gear-side side plate (handlebar side) are made from die-cast magnesium, whilst the dial-side set plate is made from die-cast aluminium alloy; both are finished with high-precision machining to deliver unrivalled rigidity.
HYPER TOUGH CLUTCH
Not only does it offer crisp on-off performance capable of enduring thousands, even tens of thousands, of sliding cycles, but it is also a clutch system that experiences extremely few problems even in seawater with high salinity. Its cutting-edge insulation structure has already achieved a 99 per cent reduction in the number of repairs for seizing in harsh saltwater environments, compared to our previous models.
TWS (T-WING SYSTEM)
TWS has succeeded in significantly reducing resistance at the line guide closest to the spool—the point where spool rotation speed is at its highest. By minimising resistance that impedes casting distance, it not only improves casting distance and control beyond previous levels, but also enables a faster fall and reduces Backlash. This realises a new level of line winding capability not only during reeling but also during the casting action.
SS MAGFORCE
A revolutionary design for the variable-inductance rotor—pioneering the field of bait finesse.
Developed with the aim of achieving ‘even lower-inertia spools’—a previously unexplored realm—the NEW magnetic brake structure is the SS MAGFORCE. Its casting performance is characterised by resilience in adverse conditions and the versatility to suit a wide range of anglers and diverse situations. Thanks to the spool’s instantaneous rotational response, lures cast with a compact swing trace a low, smooth trajectory to pinpoint the intended spot.
UTD (Ultimate Tournament Drag)
DAIWA’s drag system eliminates the initial hesitation when the drag first engages, delivering smooth, consistent performance without any jerking, whilst also offering maximum Drag Force that increases the tighter it is set.
ZERO ADJUSTER
By first adjusting the ‘ZERO ADJUSTER’ and setting the ‘Spool Play Zero’ function, the evolution of the magnetic brake system now makes it possible to control all lures using the magnet dial alone.
The ‘ZERO ADJUSTER’ is a mechanism designed to ensure you can enjoy a comfortable fishing experience without any malfunctions whilst fishing, by adjusting it to the ‘zero setting’ before you start fishing.
*The ‘Zero Spool Play’ setting refers to the setting at which the spool is held just at the limit of not being pressed, whilst retaining a slight amount of play (approximately 0.2 mm).
ZERO SHAFT
The spool is supported solely by the BB. The shaftless design eliminates all excess resistance, resulting in ideal spool rotation.
In short, it is the cornerstone of a high-output engine designed to prioritise casting performance above all else.

Features of the SS MAGFORCE

The greatest advancement in the SS MAGFORCE can be described as a revolutionary change in the structure of the variable inductor rotor. The environment in which anglers use bait finesse reels—that is, the fishing spot—is akin to a winding, unpaved road. Conventional bait finesse reels, by way of analogy, are like a lightweight sports car (the Spool) fitted with lorry tyres (the inductor rotor) driving along a winding road. When the tyres are too large for the vehicle, it lacks manoeuvrability, and responses to the accelerator and brakes tend to be sluggish.
 In contrast, the SS MAGFORCE gives the impression of being fitted with small-diameter tyres that are well-suited to a lightweight sports car. It handles tight corners with agility and delivers excellent responsiveness to both the accelerator and the brakes. The SS MAGFORCE’s greatest feature is the ‘immediate responsiveness’ of its brakes, which allows the driver to navigate winding roads quickly and confidently.
The characteristics of the SS MAGFORCE can be described as ‘resilient in adverse conditions’ or, alternatively, as possessing ‘versatility’ that suits a wide range of anglers and diverse situations. Traditionally, with bait finesse reels, a highly skilled angler could achieve low-trajectory casts deep into cover by combining the reel with thumb control. However, such high-precision casts are not something that can be achieved consistently every time. They are affected by factors such as the angler’s sudden tension or changes in wind; and if the drag is increased to avoid trouble, that final bit of distance is lost.
When weighing up trouble-free operation against castability, previous models were often set to around level 8 on the 20-step dial. Moving the dial up or down by even one notch would result in a situation where it was neither here nor there, so it is fair to say that the range of dial settings was rather limited.
However, the SS MAGFORCE combines the powerful braking force of conventional models with a responsive spool unit, thereby expanding the range of dial settings that can be used safely and comfortably. For anglers accustomed to conventional bait finesse reels who cast using their usual technique, dial settings 8 to 10 will suit them just as before. On the other hand, for anglers capable of making stable casts without straining, the line is extremely unlikely to lift off the spool even if the dial is set considerably lower. Although this depends on the angler’s skill, with low-drag lures, even when reeling in 45 metres of Fluoro line, settings up to dial 2 should remain within the practical range. Conversely, by increasing the drag to around dial 15, even no-thumbing skipping casts can be executed with ease.
In this way, the SS AIR TW makes it easy to find the optimal setting within the dial range of 2 to 15, depending on your casting style, skill level, the fishing conditions, and the wind resistance experienced by the Lure. This wide range of adjustment also makes it highly suitable for use with fine-diameter PE line, which has a weight entirely different from that of Fluoro or nylon. When using PE line, simply set the dial to approximately 60 per cent of the value you would use for Fluoro, and then fine-tune the setting from there.
Once you’ve got the hang of using this reel, don’t hesitate to turn the dial down. The Φ28mm spool—the lightest and lowest-inertia in DAIWA’s history—is the key to unlocking new possibilities. The SS AIR TW is sure to guide you into the new realm of bait finesse that lies beyond.

The Inside Story of SS AIR TW

‘It fits comfortably in the hand, enabling consistent, high-precision, low-trajectory casts without straining.’
The development of the SS MAGFORCE focused on two key objectives: ‘achieving comfortable casting performance through a compact swing’ and ‘offering broad adaptability to the angler’s skill level and intended use’. In other words, the aim was to deliver the comfortable and smooth casting performance characteristic of bait finesse, without any issues across the full range of casts—from overhead to skipping. Furthermore, the reel features a wide range of brake adjustment options to suit the angler’s skill level, intended use and fishing conditions.
However, to achieve this level of performance with a 28 mm spool—the ‘golden standard’ for AIR-series bait finesse reels—it was no longer possible to rely solely on minor adjustments to the details. The aim was to reduce the weight of the spool unit whilst maintaining strength at 28 mm, thereby achieving even lower Inertia. To accomplish this, there was no alternative but to fundamentally rethink the magnet structure. In developing the SS MAGFORCE, DAIWA therefore decided to focus on these ‘two core components’: the magnet structure and the inductor rotor.
DAIWA’s Induct Rotor, thanks to its unique design, moves in a stroke corresponding to the Spool’s rotation, adjusting the brake pressure for each cast. For low-speed casts such as pitching, it minimises the brake pressure, whilst for full casts it moves through a larger stroke to apply strong braking. It is the operation of this Induct Rotor—which allows the brake to be adjusted via a single dial—that enables the reel to perform both pitching and Casting effectively. Furthermore, during a full cast, when the spool’s rotational speed rises sharply, it applies strong braking to prevent tangles; as the spool’s rotation slows in the latter stages to match the lure’s deceleration, the braking is reduced, allowing you to achieve that final burst of distance. This, too, is a benefit of its variable structure.
Whilst there are such significant benefits, it was in fact the inductor rotor that had been hindering the further evolution of bait finesse reels. Compared to the progress made in reducing the inertia of the spool line-winding mechanism (bobbin), the inductor rotor—which must be sized to fit the magnet assembly—could not be made lighter or reduced in diameter, even though it was recognised that this would lead to lower inertia.
In short, the only way to reduce the inertia of the inductor rotor was to revolutionise its magnet structure. We have miniaturised the magnet structure—whilst maintaining braking performance entirely equivalent to that of conventional designs—to the point where it fits within the Spool winding structure (bobbin). This has enabled us to achieve further miniaturisation and weight reduction of the inductor rotor, which had long been a challenge.
The total weight of the spool unit incorporating this new inductor rotor is just 5.8g.
The result is the lightest and lowest-inertia Φ28mm spool unit in the history of DAIWA baitcasting reels. The unit as a whole is approximately 9 per cent lighter and has 7 per cent lower inertia than its predecessor, enabling DAIWA’s bait finesse reels to take their performance to the next level.
The miniaturised inductor rotor has been housed within the bobbin, in what was previously dead space. Furthermore, the operating stroke of the inductor rotor has been reduced by approximately 20 per cent compared with previous models. Another major achievement resulting from these developments is the reduction in the size of the body.
We have developed a new side plate that maximises internal space-saving, resulting in a body width that is 1.4 mm slimmer than the previous model. The ability to grip the rod more tightly creates a more compact casting form, which in turn stabilises both the swing and the Lure’s trajectory, thereby improving accuracy.
Furthermore, thanks to its palm-fitting design—which allows it to nestle comfortably in the palm without the need to grip it tightly—anglers can hold their tackle in a relaxed manner. By eliminating tension, sensitivity is enhanced, enabling more delicate control of the Lure.
In this way, the innovations centred on the magnetic structure and the inductor rotor spread throughout the reel as a whole, resulting in a significant leap in the overall performance of the SS AIR TW.
*Previous model: STEEZ AIR TW
SS AIR TW Structural Cross-Section
STEEZ AIR TW Cross-sectional Diagram
A: The red section marks the completion of the lightest and lowest-inertia spool unit in the history of DAIWA baitcasting reels.
B: Green section – Revamp of the magnet structure. The size and placement of the magnets have been optimised.
C: Blue section – Work has commenced on reducing the diameter and weight of the inductor rotor. This aims to reduce Inertia and improve the response of the variable stroke.
D: Yellow section – As part of efforts to reduce the space required for the brake mechanism, the side plate has been made as thin as possible. This new design is made possible by the SS MAGFORCE structure.
The pink area: the dead space in the conventional structure.

Enhancing core performance
DAIWA Technology: The industry standard over the past decade

TWS is designed to capitalise on the unprecedented castability offered by the SS MAGFORCE. The Φ28mm bait finesse spool rotates at over 40,000 rpm, reaching the highest level ever recorded in our company’s comparisons. As a unique technology that smoothly feeds line from this high-speed spool, TWS plays a key role in both increasing casting distance and ensuring trouble-free fishing.
Furthermore, whilst this is a finesse reel, the essence of a baitcasting reel—which is always designed to target big fish—remains unchanged. The incorporation of ‘HYPERDRIVE DESIGN’, which ensures high initial performance is sustained over the long term, has been specifically engineered with both fresh water and Salt use in mind. The all-metal body combines a magnesium frame and gear side plate with an aluminium set plate, achieving a balance of lightness and rigidity. Furthermore, thanks to ‘HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR’, it delivers powerful yet smooth rotation despite its 8.5 extra-high gear ratio, whilst ensuring a reeling length of 74 cm per handle rotation. These specifications enable it to handle both reeling and casting techniques with equal proficiency.
Furthermore, the drag system features the tried-and-tested UTD with a line-release click. Whilst the functionality of being able to hear when the drag engages is a key feature, the thrill it adds to the fight with a fish that’s pulling line out is also not to be missed.
The new ‘SS AIR TW’ has been designed as a reel that allows anglers to enjoy bait finesse fishing across a wide range of targets, regardless of species—from Bass, of course, to light Saltwater fishing and Trout fishing in mountain streams and headwaters.

Product Details

G1 Duralumin Φ28mm AIR Spool
Equipped with a dedicated AIR spool designed to maximise finesse performance.
We have developed an AIR spool specifically for the SS MAGFORCE, achieving ‘lower Inertia’ than conventional AIR spools.
It is fitted with ultra-lightweight micro ball bearings to accommodate ultra-light lures.
Not only can anglers handle smaller rigs with greater ease, but they can now also achieve ‘longer casts and a softer landing’.
A powerful weapon for ensuring you never let another fish slip away, even in the toughest of conditions.
Drag-and-drop click
A ‘drag click’ is a mechanism that emits a clicking sound to allow the angler to hear when the drag engages as the line is pulled out during a fight with a fish.
This is one of the essential mechanisms for using fine line to steer the game in your favour.
K.T.F. Development Partnership

Feature Comparison

Function Name 23SS AIR TW 20STEEZ AIR TW 20ALPHAS AIR TW
Design Philosophy HYPERDRIVE DESIGN - -
Level Wind TWS TWS TWS
Drag UTD UTD UTD
Brake SS MAGFORCE AIR Brake AIR Brake
Spool diameter Φ28 Φ28 Φ28
Spool material G1 duralumin Made from G1 duralumin Made from G1 duralumin
Weight 145g 135g 160g
Handle knob High-Grip I-Shape Light Knob High-Grip I-Shape Finesse Knob High-Grip I-Shape Light Knob
Number of pairings 8/1 12/1 6/1
Drag release clicks ○ - -
Spool compatibility - - -
Saltwater-compatible ○ - (Fresh water only) ○
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Accessories

User Manual
Notes on Product Characteristics
Survey Registration ID Card
Protective sticker

VIDEO

Product Specifications

DESCRIPTION Standard weight (g) Line per handle turn (cm) Gear ratio Standard reel capacity (Fluoro, lb-m) Handle arm length (mm) Bearings (BB/RB) Maximum Drag Force (kg) Handle Knob Handle Knob Replacement Sizes Operating Environment
SS AIR TW 8.5R 145 74 8.5 8-45 80 8 3.5 High-Grip I-Shape Rinotobu S Salt-resistant
SS AIR TW 8.5L 145 74 8.5 8-45 80 8 3.5 High-Grip I-Shape Rinotobu S Salt-resistant
  • The manufacturer's suggested retail price is listed excluding tax.
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*The reel capacity shown in this table is the maximum value. We recommend that you do not reel more than 45 metres of any line onto the spool before use.
*The reel capacity is a guide only and may vary depending on the manufacturer, items and line tension.
*The retrieve length is the amount of line wound in with each handle rotation.