Salmo Freediver Super Deep Runner 12cm 24g

## Salmo Freediver Super Deep Runner 12cm 24g

When hot summer conditions or freezing mid-winter cold fronts push massive predatory fish down into the deepest, most unreachable thermal layers of large reservoirs and lakes, standard crankbaits simply cannot reach them. Anglers waste hours running shallow-diving lures over fish holding twenty or thirty feet beneath the surface. The **Salmo Freediver Super Deep Runner (SDR) 12cm 24g** completely rewrites the playbook. Standing as the undisputed world champion of deep-water trolling lures, this absolute machine is engineered to plunge straight down to extreme depths where the true monsters live and feed.

The engineering behind the Freediver 12 SDR is a masterclass in modern hydrodynamic design. Utilizing cutting-edge 3D printing and prototyping techniques, Salmo has sculpted a unique, elongated body profile paired with an oversized, custom-angled polycarbonate diving lip unlike anything else on the market today. This combination allows the lure to plunge instantly down to depths of 5 meters (17 feet) on a standard cast, and an absolute mind-blowing 9 to 12+ meters (30 to 40+ feet) when trolled on a long line. It achieves these depths cleanly and stays completely stable without spinning out or rolling, even at high trolling speeds.

At Gerry’s Fishing, we know that hitting the depth is only half the battle—you need the structural integrity to back it up when a trophy fish strikes. Constructed from high-impact plastic with an ultra-sonic welded body, the Freediver boasts an incredible laboratory-certified tear strength of 30kg (66 lbs). Combined with premium hardware and two acoustic frequency chambers, it represents the ultimate tool for serious apex predator hunters.

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### Technical Specifications

| Feature | Details |
| — | — |
| **Brand** | Salmo |
| **Model** | Freediver 12 SDR (Super Deep Runner) |
| **Length** | 12cm / 4.75 Inches |
| **Weight** | 24g / 7/8 Ounce |
| **Type** | Floating Crankbait |
| **Diving Depth (Casting)** | Up to 5 meters / 17 feet |
| **Diving Depth (Trolling)** | 9 to 12+ meters / 30 to 40+ feet |
| **Tear Strength Rating** | Certified up to 30kg / 66 lbs |
| **Hooks** | 2x Premium Mustad KVD Elite Triple Grip Trebles |
| **Acoustic System** | Dual Glass Bead Rattle Chambers (High & Low Frequency) |
| **Casting System** | Long Cast (LC) Weight Transfer / Salmo Infinity Cast System |
| **Quality Control** | 100% Individually Hand-Tuned & Tank-Tested |

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### Key Features & Construction

* **Extreme Depth Polycarbonate Lip:** Custom-contoured and extended to drive the lure down rapidly into the aquatic abyss. It establishes a quick, aggressive diving angle the second you start retrieving or trolling, achieving depths previously only accessible via downriggers or heavy lead-core lines.
* **Dual Frequency Acoustic Chambers:** Houses two independent glass bead rattle chambers that broadcast contrasting low and high-pitch acoustic frequencies simultaneously. This dual-tonal resonance maps beautifully through heavy thermoclines and dark, deep water, calling in predators from extreme distances.
* **Long Cast (LC) Weight Transfer System:** Features an internal sliding weight track that locks into the tail during the cast to maximize distance and eliminate mid-air tumbling or tangling, then snaps forward on the retrieve to stabilize the aggressive nose-down swimming action.
* **Ultra-Sonic Welded High-Impact Plastic:** The heavy-duty polymer body is fused together using state-of-the-art ultrasonic welding. This seamless construction creates an indestructible hull that can withstand crushing jaw pressure and tooth scratches from giant pike and zander.
* **Mustad KVD Elite Triple Grip Trebles:** Armed out of the box with tournament-grade Mustad hooks. The unique inward-facing Triple Grip bend locks fish into place automatically, ensuring they cannot throw the hook during intense vertical battles.

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### Where to Use: Recommended Scenarios

* **Deep Reservoir Trolling for Specimen Pike:** The definitive weapon for expansive UK and European reservoirs. Trolling the Freediver 12 SDR along deep underwater drop-offs, original river channels, and submerged structures during autumn and winter will intercept massive, suspended pike feeding on deep schools of prey fish.
* **Great Lakes & Deep Loch Zander Hunting:** Specifically optimized to target large, light-sensitive zander holding tight to bottom gravel beds or structures in 30+ feet of water. The tight, hyper-vibrational wobble combined with dual rattles drives deep-dwelling zander absolutely frantic.
* **Open-Water Suspended Predator Tracking:** Perfect during the dog days of summer when high water temperatures force prize trout, salmon, and apex predators down beneath the thermocline into deep, cool water pockets. Running this lure on a flatline troll places your bait perfectly inside the strike zone without needing cumbersome diving weights.

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### The Gerry’s Fishing Verdict

> The Salmo Freediver 12 SDR is an absolute revelation for deep-water trolling and casting tactics. For years, hitting depths past 25 feet meant resorting to expensive downriggers or clumsy lead-line configurations that ruin the joy of the fight. Salmo has completely ironed out that limitation. The sheer diving angle of this lure is spectacular, and its structural build is bulletproof. It is an exceptionally stable, highly aggressive, and beautifully finished lure that opens up entirely new frontiers for predator anglers.

**Gerry’s Pro Tip:** To unlock the absolute maximum diving depth when trolling the Freediver 12 SDR, **your choice of mainline diameter and material is critical**. While many anglers default to thick braided lines for security, the physical water resistance (drag) of a thick line will actually lift a deep-diving lure higher in the water column. Pair this lure with a high-performance, low-diameter 20lb to 30lb braid or a specialized 10lb to 12lb fluorocarbon mainline. Drop the lure back roughly 40 to 50 meters behind your boat, and keep your trolling speed steady between 2 to 3 mph. The thinner line profile cuts cleanly through the current, allowing the massive polycarbonate lip to work at 100% mechanical efficiency and drag the lure down past the 40-foot mark!

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### Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

#### Does this lure float or sink when you stop retrieving?

The Salmo Freediver 12 SDR is a **floating lure**. When you pause your retrieve or stop the boat’s engine, the lure will slowly back up and rise toward the surface. This is a massive tactical asset when fishing deep water; if you feel the massive lip bump into a deep boulder or underwater tree trunk, simply pause the retrieve for a few seconds to let the lure float cleanly up and over the obstruction before resuming your crank, completely avoiding costly snags.

#### Can I comfortably cast this lure from the bank, or is it strictly for trolling?

While explicitly designed as an elite deep-water trolling machine, the integration of Salmo’s Long Cast internal weight transfer system means the Freediver 12 SDR casts remarkably well. If you are casting from a steep bank, a pier, or a boat into deep quarries or volcanic lakes, a long, smooth cast will easily send the 24g body flying, giving you plenty of running room to crank the lure down to its 5-meter casting depth limit.

#### Are the Mustad hooks suitable for saltwater applications?

The factory-fitted Mustad KVD Elite Triple Grip trebles are incredibly strong and heavily coated for immense freshwater durability. However, if you intend to use the Freediver for deep saltwater trolling for species like big bass, pollock, or cod over deep reefs, we always recommend thoroughly rinsing the lure and hooks in fresh water after your session to prevent any long-term salt tarnishing.