Reel Opinions

[calebw]

I have the Saltist 40 and a 30T. The 40 is my goto for the AJ's and the 30 is good for lighter stuff IMHO.

The 40 could use some carbotex but that's it.

MacePE6 why the lighter stuff for the 30T, that is the main reel I am considering. Should I step up to a 40? I want to use this to jig medium AJ's and to bait fish grouper. What do you think is a 30T too light.

[Ponce]

Lets talk drags and drag uprgrades I hear everybody talking about carbontex drag washers and the extra 5-6 pounds of drag. I have also heard on the saltist tend to break down over 18 pounds of drag, so then what is the point of the upgrade.

Caleb you also have to consider the rod you plan on using when talking drag, you can overload the rod too much as well. I have not upgrade the drags in my Saltiga 40 and when I put on the scale I pull 23-25 lbs. I think if I plan to jig Blue Fin on the outer banks I may do an upgrade. But, for the AJ and Grouper jigging I do stock is more than enough.

Hopefully Sea Draggin will jump in here I'm pretty sure he upgraded his Saltiga 40 and caught a Blue Fin with it.

[Sea Draggin]

With greased carbontex, your drag curve will smooth out. Not that I fish it maxed out. I do back off one click

[calebw]

Just took a look at the new daiwa saltist lever drag, they look sweet. Does anybody have any experience with them, more drag than the regular saltist.

[Sea Draggin]

Using the alutecnos, I have gotten used to lever drags, although I didn't like it in the beginning. Now, I don't even notice it.

If you get the Saltist lever, you will be one of the first, so we will all be standing by eagerly awaiting a review.

[MacPE6]

I stand corrected I have the 30th. There is no difference between 30t and the 40 with the exception of line cap.

MacePE6 why the lighter stuff for the 30T, that is the main reel I am considering. Should I step up to a 40? I want to use this to jig medium AJ's and to bait fish grouper. What do you think is a 30T too light.

[WhiteLakeBuc]

Fin-Nor OFC16L is a better choice than the Saltist IMHO. 35lbs of drag and the Saltist 30 carbontex will fit this reel. The anti reverse is also a step better than the Saltist as well.

[Taz575]

Second the Fin Nor Offshore!!! I have the 20L, I've pulled 35# of drag and I did the carbontex upgrade using the Saltist discs and an extra Saltist one. The ARB is HUGE compared to the saltist/torium. The 20 holds just over 500 yds of 80# Daiwa Metered braid, no mono backer. And the Saltist/Saltiga handle arm is a direct switch out and the JM handles will also fit, just follow the same procedures as the Saltist since the handle is riveted on.

[merry marlin]

We fish the same waters you do... I've never had a saltist but we have the Torium 30's. We've really hurt them on some big aj's when we lock the drag up.
I wouldn't trade our spheros for the quality price ratio of that shimano. Some of them are 3 years old and have taken over 300 AJ's each. Still running strong. Only problem on them are the srews that hold the drag that are locked up. But that was probably our fault. I'd be ready to bet that Jacky will bring up a 100lb AJ as fast as anyone else that has a $900 reel!!!
If you're thinking bluefin I'd go above saltist grade...
Just my 2 cents!
MM

[Taz575]

He is looking for a conventional reel. Spheros is a spinning reel?? I have the Saltist 40, Saltiga 40 and Offshore 20L. The offshore has the strongest ARB, largest drag surface of the three and still feels pretty smooth. The Saltiga feels more robust and smoother than the Fin Nor, but the Fin Nor puts out more drag and has around 75 yds more of line.