Diawa Saltist

[reel fishy]

Just wondering if anyone has experience with this less expensive cousin of the Saltiga? I have a chance to get a couple of the 50 size reels at a good price. I've used the Saltiga before and it is a great reel but too expensive for just catching snapper and grouper. Thanks.

[paul708]

they are a pretty good reel for the money, it is recommended to upgrade the drags IF, you are doing any serious fishing..i do prefer the saltiga, but then you can use it for tuna also

[EastCapeGuides]

It's a great reel for the price, excellent freespool, less plastic parts than the Torium, good drags, high or low speed versions. I have high speed for jigging and low for bait. The only thing is the 50 is a wide reel for some. I personally don't like wide spooled light tackle bait reels. The 40 is a great little reel. Basically the only difference between the Saltiga and Saltist is a machined alloy frame and a cast alloy frame. We use them on the West Coast for tuna, yellowtail, dorado, etc.

Just wondering if anyone has experience with this less expensive cousin of the Saltiga? I have a chance to get a couple of the 50 size reels at a good price. I've used the Saltiga before and it is a great reel but too expensive for just catching snapper and grouper. Thanks.

[paul708]

Basically the only difference between the Saltiga and Saltist is a machined alloy frame and a cast alloy frame. We use them on the West Coast for tuna, yellowtail, dorado, etc.

i think the drags may be different..in these reels also,,but the saltist is a nice reel

[ahistick]

It's a great reel for the price, excellent freespool, less plastic parts than the Torium, good drags, high or low speed versions. I have high speed for jigging and low for bait. The only thing is the 50 is a wide reel for some. I personally don't like wide spooled light tackle bait reels. The 40 is a great little reel. Basically the only difference between the Saltiga and Saltist is a machined alloy frame and a cast alloy frame. We use them on the West Coast for tuna, yellowtail, dorado, etc.

Like Mark said, Saltist are very popular on the West Coast. I have 2. After a few trips and few fish, I upgraded the drag washers to carbontex. There was no need to, but as the stock drags are very good and smooth, but thin and can be torn easily. The upgrade is pretty easy.

The main issues that people have about the reel is the stock handle is hard on your hands and the first generation clamps on some of the models very thick and chunky.

I'll take it over the Torium any time. Good luck.

[reel fishy]

Thanks for the info everyone! These reels will be for personal use only, clients will never get their hands on them.

[indasan]

Ive got 2 and love them for the money.

[MrPat]

I've fished (Grouper, Snapper, AJs) the Saltist reels for a few years and I love them. The drag is smooth and it will pull up to 20lbs + or minus and few pounds. I don't hammer the star dag down. They do get boat rash quicker than the Saltiga, but they cost 1/3 less than their cousin. One word of caution. Back the star drag off before you go to free spool when you have pressure on the line. I have seen them break when an angler gets rocked up and flips into free spool without backing off the drag.

[John from Madison CT]

Perhaps Alantani can chime in here, but I was told this reel isn't very good above 15lbs of drag pressure. Apparently the roller bearing gives out.

FWIW, 15lbs for a reel this size isn't anything to frown about.