Induron vs 7000 vs Saltist Review

[Shoot2Kill]

Trying to get some feedback before I make a decision this afternoon on returning a reel.

I started out this obsession this summer going against advice of some but I just couldn't swing a $300 reel at the time so I got an Okuma Induron 400 and it has been NOTHING but problems - so I'm slowly learning my lesson. It's now on it's way back to Okuma for the 3rd time...it has not had more than 12 total hours on the water (I never burned any lure with it), total POS, maybe it was a lemon, who knows. They just sent me a brand new replacement instead of repairing the old one so we'll see how that one holds up - I'm not too optomistic.

Out of frustration after the 3rd time the Okuma failed this weekend I went on a little spur of the moment shopping spree. I've been using an older Abu 7000 that was on loan until my Okuma returned and that reel has done well so I thought for the $ I'd get myself one so I picked up a 7000C3i (4:1:1) at Gander on Sunday. The friend I was with needed to go to Scheels so we went there next and I got to talking with one of the guys at the fishing counter and somehow he talked me into a Saltist LW 30HA (6:1:1)and said I would have no regrets and that it would handle anything I wanted to do.....so, in under an hour I had 2 new reels and could not wait to see what the Saltist would do that night. (on a side note I can be an impulse buyer at times and this was definetely the case on the Saltist and knew very little about it.)

We fished the next 3 days and I put those 2 new reels to a side by side test and for the life of me I cannot be conviced that the Saltist performs better than the 7000. To me, every aspect of the 7000 is better...very smooth casting, self engaging unlike the Saltist, very smooth retrieve and the double 10s are easier to bring in with the 7000 than the Saltist hands down even thought the guy at Scheels said the Saltist will smoke the double tens with little effort. Even my buddy that doesn't have any experience with muskie baits could tell a noticeable difference in the 2 reels and liked the 7000 better.

I fished both of them for about the same amount of time over the 3 days and now when I cast the Saltist it is making noises inside like you can hear the bearings rolling in there (or whatever it is inside) but it is defintely noticeable and it was progressively getting louder and is the reason I want to return it.

I've read about how much guys like them and how durable/versitile they are but I'm just not seeing it in this reel. Could the guy at scheels been thinking of a Saltist with a lower gear ratio when he said it would smoke the 10s? Thoughts?

[HOT SPOT]

I have both those reels and My Saltist LW 30HA is twice as smooth and bring in the big blades twice as nice as my abu. Could it be the rod that you are useing?

The only thing I dont like about the Saltist is how fast it comes of the reel when casting have to have a trained thum. Who nos maybe I just got lucky for once and got a good orange instead of my typical lime.

[TSchultz]

When he was talking about the Saltist smoking the Abu he was talking about how fast it will bring the lure back in, which can be a major triggering factor when using dbl 10's. Try as you might there is no way the Abu will ever be able to bring in a dbl 10 faster than a saltist. If you were to crank slow enough on that saltist that it was retrieving at the same rate as what the Abu normally comes in at I bet you would find that the saltist is actually easier. Not cranking on the handle at the same RPM, but actual lure retrieval rate.

As far as smoothness while I have not used the levelwind model. I did used to use the non levelwind, and that thing was buttery smooth, much much smoother than any Abu 7000 I've ever seen.

[binsfeldnick]

I would have to say for the money the abu 7000 has been a great overall reel. I have not used a saltist but have had no problems with my 7000. Only bad thing is they are a little bulky. My 7000 has spent many, many, hours on the water this summer and I have used it for everything from burning blades, pulling dawgs, and ripping cranks. Can't complain about the reel one bit for a low end musky reel.

[Shoot2Kill]

When he was talking about the Saltist smoking the Abu he was talking about how fast it will bring the lure back in, which can be a major triggering factor when using dbl 10's. Try as you might there is no way the Abu will ever be able to bring in a dbl 10 faster than a saltist. If you were to crank slow enough on that saltist that it was retrieving at the same rate as what the Abu normally comes in at I bet you would find that the saltist is actually easier. Not cranking on the handle at the same RPM, but actual lure retrieval rate.

That's the exact thing I'm talking about....this 7000 burns the 10s faster and easier than the Saltist and I focused on the speed of the lure vs rpm of the crank...that's why I'm confused and think the saltist is a lemon. I tried it over and over, reels side by side on XH 8' rods, 2 identical DCGs (other than color) and the 7000 burned them faster and easier. Am I out of my mind? haha.

[bronzeback]

seems to me from what little knowledge I have on both of those reels that you either got yourself a lemon, or you're just doing something wrong with that Saltist. Maybe not a completely full spool? Did they do it for you at Scheel's or did you spool it yourself?

[Shoot2Kill]

seems to me from what little knowledge I have on both of those reels that you either got yourself a lemon, or you're just doing something wrong with that Saltist. Maybe not a completely full spool? Did they do it for you at Scheel's or did you spool it yourself?

Both of the spools were completely full...I did it myself. I really want to believe that it's me doing something wrong from all the reviews on it, but regardless, it's going back with the grinding noise it's making inside which very well could be the problem. Even before the noises the 7000 performed better.

[PostFrontal]

I have the Saltist 40HA, Saltist 30Th and Abu 7000c3. Fishing partner has the Saltist 30HA.

I think we have to start treating our rods/reels like we are buying hunting gear and have specialized guns (rods/reels) for the ammo (lures) we're using. It should help so they don't break down as fast.

Saltist 30HA and Abu 7000c3: I feel they are good all purpose reels but not for burning big blades or heavy or heavy pulling lures. Slow rolling big blades, topwater, crankbaits, etc. The Saltist and Shimano reels are better constructed if you pull them apart and look at the guts than the Abu.

The 30HA isn't goint to meet your expectations if you are looking for high spped. If you want a high speed you need to go to the Saltist 40HA for a level wind, Saltist 30TH, or Trindad to see a major difference in speed.

I would say keep the 30HA. Take it apart and grease it up. You can google Daiwa Saltist Repair and there is a site with pictures and text of how to do it. Then move the crank handle to the full extended position. Should be fine.

[setterguy]

As for the self engaging lever on the 7000, abu recommends that you manually engage it, just like the saltist. I didn't heed that warning and now have a reel in the shop.

There must be something wrong if the 7000 retrieves faster...the specs on both reels say different. I'm pretty sure even Abu would agree that the Saltist can pull faster than a 7000.

[urban cowboy]

SHIMANO CALCUTTA TE

[Shoot2Kill]

SHIMANO CALCUTTA TE

Trust me....there will be one of those in my boat for next summer.

[NCLaker]

Originally Posted By: urban cowboy*

SHIMANO CALCUTTA TE

Trust me....there will be one of those in my boat for next summer.

Awesome reel IMO, effortless retrieves with the hardest pulling baits - especially if you put a power handle on it. Probably not the best choice for high speed burning of blades since it is only 25"/crank.

[Cold Front Pooch]

I went with a shimano trinidad and it was unbelieveable compared to my old toro, I fished 9 hours today and feel great compared to how I used to feel after 4 or 5 hours with my toro. The fact of the matter is if you want use the big blades and pounders you have to have the equipment to do it, or else its going to take a giant duece on you... Ive learned it... 5 reels later

[jsondag]

I own and have used all of these reels mentioned in this thread. The Daiwa Saltist is a great reel for burning and tossing baits that require a fast pick up. It is what I use as companion to a Trinidad. I don't like the Trinidad for dawgs and jerk-baits when I use a speedy retrieve the Saltist is great. Okuma's and Abu's just DO NOT stand up to an everyday pounding. If you want a reel comparable to the 7000 - Go with the Shimano Calcutta 700B. Waaaayyyy better. I love Abu 7000's, but I need a box of them. If I get in a mode where I throw mostly Abu 7000's, I go through at least one a week (75-85 hrs).

The Shimano Calcutta 400 TE is hands down the most reliable reel on the market for muskies when it comes to a basic retrieve. However, if you've got the means, upgrade to the Shimano Calcutta TE 400LJV (Lucanus jig version). The casting ability and the smooth retrieve with the power handle is absolutely ridiculous. You will never look back.