Searching for a kelp cutting rig for a while now, I thought I had a clear picture of what I wanted, a Shimano Trinidad 20 loaded with spectra, with a flourocarbon top shot, then I ran into the Daiwa Saltist Lever Drag Two Speed. (kind of like when I went into the At&t store to buy a new Blackberry, picked up an iphone, five minutes later I own an Iphone)
The Daiwa is a solid tight package. There is a lot of reel packed in the blue and black aluminum frame.
Top it off it is a lever drag, two speed!
Ahh, yeah from the picks you probably can tell I bought one :)
One of my go to reels is a Daiwa Sealine, that I abuse on a regular basis, don't wash , same drags. I'm hard on gear . . . . . and this thing keeps on ticking! So, I am already a Daiwa fan -
The Saltist Two Speed Knocked my socks off - Plus it is less expensive than the Trinidad!
OK, enough about how great it looks , how light it is, how bad ass it feels - How does it work?
One word - AWESOME -
The size is perfect -
The lever drag works flawlessly -
Didn't think I would like the two speed, but I do , it is Bitchen -
High Gear 6.3.1 - Low 3.1.1
Super Easy to switch back and forth
I love this reel!
I picked up the 30w , works perfect for the kind of fishing like to do - White Seabass - Albacore - Blue Fin - Yellow Fin - Etc . . . .
One thing I really like about the Daiwas is their casting ability and the Saltist Two Speed is no exception, it casts beautifully!
There are a lot of good reels on the market, the Daiwa is a great reel above the good reels, with an excellent price point and stellar mechanics.
Compared to my Avet and Trinidads , the Daiwa smokes them both!
Buy one if you get a chance - you will not be disappointed -
Cheers
Dave
