23 Gekkabijin LT AJING REEL

The flower that blooms at night shines ever brighter.

In 2005, DAIWA introduced a dedicated tackle for light saltwater fishing called "Gekkabijin" (Queen of the Night). Just like the graceful blossoming of this nocturnal flower, Gekkabijin captivates, and anglers are invigorated. This tackle has evolved to meet the needs of anglers targeting nearby yet challenging fish like the highly sensitive horse mackerel or the cautious large rockfish that hide in crevices, waiting patiently for prey while staying alert. Gekkabijin will continue to advance alongside anglers, providing an unparalleled joy and thrill. Its elegant brilliance will keep illuminating the light saltwater fishing scene.

Experience high-sensitivity retrieval and operability with Gekkabijin, designed exclusively for light saltwater fishing.

With its lightweight and high-rigidity design, the Gekkabijin spinning reel is tailored for light saltwater fishing. In every light saltwater fishing scenario requiring precise lure control, AIRDRIVE DESIGN provides a significant advantage. Especially, the lightweight, low-inertia AIRDRIVE ROTOR — a key technology in AIRDRIVE DESIGN — greatly enhances retrieval sensitivity, allowing anglers to detect even the subtlest bites.

The AIRDRIVE ROTOR, with its unique, seamless spherical shape and minimized material, along with the optimally inclined AIRDRIVE BAIL, significantly reduces line troubles, ensuring stress-free fishing even with light lines. Despite its lightweight 165g frame, the monocoque body offers exceptional rigidity.

The drag system employs the ATD TYPE-L, with improved initial response for better follow-through, a major advantage for light saltwater fishing that often requires ultra-fine lines, reducing the risk of missed catches or line breaks.

DAIWA Technology

AIRDRIVE DESIGN
AIRDRIVE DESIGN is a next-generation spinning reel concept focused on allowing anglers precise lure control. It incorporates up to four technologies, starting with the AIRDRIVE ROTOR for effortless, responsive rotation, the lightweight, trouble-free AIRDRIVE BAIL, the slim-walled, lightweight AIRDRIVE SPOOL, and the AIRDRIVE SHAFT with a non-contact structure that minimizes rotational noise even under heavy loads. Together, these features enhance operability and balance, ensuring high-level control.
Note: The 2023 Gekkabijin model includes AIRDRIVE ROTOR, AIRDRIVE BAIL, and AIRDRIVE SPOOL.

AIRDRIVE ROTOR
Based on a unique design philosophy, the AIRDRIVE ROTOR’s spherical shape is crafted to minimize unnecessary material, achieving significant weight reduction without sacrificing rigidity. This results in a substantial improvement in ease of retrieval, enhancing both operability and sensitivity.

AIRDRIVE BAIL
Employing a hollow pipe structure for increased rigidity and reduced weight, the AIRDRIVE BAIL is further refined by reducing its diameter without compromising strength. The bail is set at an ideal angle for smoother line transitions from bail to roller, achieving even greater lightness and trouble-free performance.

AIRDRIVE SPOOL
The thin-walled design of the AIRDRIVE SPOOL minimizes unnecessary material, significantly reducing weight. With a lightweight spool, ease of retrieval and casting are enhanced, while the low-resistance drag sound mechanism improves response during drag operation.

MONOCOQUE BODY
This tough, durable structure removes the traditional body cover, securing the drive gear with a precisely fitted plate directly in the body, enhancing support accuracy and rigidity while improving sealing. It also allows for a larger drive gear within the same body space, increasing power. “Monocoque” means “single shell,” representing the strength of a single-shell structure, breaking traditional reel design norms.

ZAION V
ZAION V is a carbon hybrid resin developed for greater lightness and strength. By precisely controlling carbon content, it achieves high-level lightness surpassing metals and strength comparable to them. This versatile material can be used in a wide range of reels, incorporating the essence of ZAION technology.

TOUGH DIGIGEAR
TOUGH DIGIGEAR is the robust "heart" of the reel, built to withstand harsh conditions and ensuring smooth rotation for a longer duration.

MAGSEALED
MAGSEALED uses magnetic oil to create a barrier between the body and rotor, preventing the entry of saltwater and dust, a unique waterproof structure by DAIWA.

ATD TYPE-L
The ATD TYPE-L drag system operates smoothly and consistently according to the fish’s pull, allowing anglers to focus on the fight without worrying about drag settings, thanks to improved response and follow-through.

LC-ABS (Long Cast ABS)
LC-ABS maintains the friction reduction philosophy of ABS II while projecting the contact point forward, achieving smoother line release and reducing the chance of line catching on the ring, providing approximately 5% more casting distance and reduced line troubles. It represents the next generation of ABS spools for long casts.

Product Details

• Stopper-Free Body:
  For increased lightness and trouble-free performance, the stopper has been removed, simplifying the body structure and reducing entry points for water or foreign objects. This decision enhances waterproofing and lightness, reducing unexpected troubles in challenging environments or during encounters with large fish.

• Perfect Line Stopper:
  The new line stopper design accommodates both fine lines like PE and thicker lines like leaders. The horizontally elongated design reduces space usage in the vertical direction, contributing to spool weight reduction.

• High-Grip I-Type Finesse Knob:
  The “High-Grip I-Type Finesse Knob” is ideal for delicate fishing, offering improved sensitivity. Despite its small size and lightweight design, it provides a firm grip and ease of handling, further enhanced with an integrated knob cap design for weight reduction.
  Note: Use a 2.5mm hex wrench to remove the handle knob.

Model Overview

Ball Bearing Locations

Equipped with 7 ball bearings:

• Pinion Gear: 2 BB (SUS)
• Drive Gear: 2 BB (SUS)
• Line Roller: 2 BB (CRBB)
• Oscillating Gear: 1 BB (SUS)