Saltist ?

[HooknHorns]

Ive used mt saltist 20 levelwind for about a year and i hate the way it performs when casting bucktails. It backlashes or if I adjust the spool pressure down tighter it barely casts a DCG 25 yrds. Im talking micro adjustments. Ive tried to find a happy medium but feel its not there. Too loose or too tight. I made sure all the parts are there and tried reel grease and oil after seeing it was a little dry new.

I have a cheaper Gander series reel that would cast circles around the Diawa. So ive only used it a handful of times because of this. Even tried different rods. Im using 80lb power pro spooled up almost full but with a few back backlashes its about and eighth below norm. Is there something wrong with this setup or is there others having casting problems with this reel. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[50inchpig]

i think if you put 100# test on there it will solve a lot of your problems

[HooknHorns]

Any brand or type like spectra braid or suffix 832? Whats the best? Spooled full?

[tonkapat]

your spool is to full. Take some line off and try it. You will need to thumb the spool more than other reels. If you are used to setting the spool tension and not thumbing the spool its not the reel for you. I have tried many reels and can't come close to the distance I get casting the saltist. Good luck its a great reel

[HooknHorns]

I do thumb the spool and usually no need for the tensioner but, ill try some less on the spool then go with heavier line. Besides this i like the reel, thats why i want to make this work. Thanks guys

[cjac]

your spool is to full. Take some line off and try it. You will need to thumb the spool more than other reels. If you are used to setting the spool tension and not thumbing the spool its not the reel for you. I have tried many reels and can't come close to the distance I get casting the saltist. Good luck its a great reel

Agreed on the spool being too full and needing an "educated thumb". Plus, you can't really lean into a cast and power through it like other combos, you need to cast a bit easier and let the rod do the work for you. Think of it like a golf swing, don't try to kill it and let the club head <insert "rod" here> do the work.

Backlash = too much line coming off the spool too fast, so less line and a slower and smoother cast will help.

Get the hang of it and you'll like the reel and build up Popeye forearms in the process.

[HooknHorns]

Ya maybe I do need to tone a bit instead of casting like a monster all day. I do tend to cast like my golf swing and just want to kill the ball.

The original rod was a extra heavy 2oz to 6oz so my first thought was that it was too stiff for casting bucktails. The combo works well for dogs.

One of the reason I wanted a full spool was to have as much speed as possible. The faster I crank though, I have to fight harder to keep the rod down. Just nice and easy from now on.

[gunnr]

I haven't had any problems with mine, but there is a place that will install a custom magnetic brake on them. I believe it cost $55 and turnaround is about a week.

[PostFrontal]

I have the same reel. Even though it isn't the highest speed reel out there, it is pretty fast. This combined with the small spool makes the line come off it fast so it can result in easier backlashes.

I spool it only a little over half full. Use a longer, softer rod (I use a 8' St Croix Premier). Tuf Line and Sufix 832 both work.

I use it for my topwater and jerkbait reel that are a little heavier than a bucktail. But you may want to use it for your bucktails that have a minimum 1/2 oz weight on them. Cowgirls are 3/8 oz.

Take it for what you want, but I wouldn't use that reel for #10s or heavier weighted or pulling lures. While the gears are same as the Saltist 30HA, 40HA, and 30Th, they are smaller including the drag system that is usually the first to go out when pulling heavy lures.

[PropsterII]

Nate, a cowgirl is a lot heavier than 3/8 oz. Almost 3 oz. Must be a typo!

[nater]

He's talking the weight of the lead on them, not the combined weight. The extra weight does help quite a bit...or just use marabou

[PostFrontal]

Yep, meant the lead. I have made an exact "cowgirl" with 1/2 oz lead instead of their 3/8 oz. Makes a huge difference.

The most common bucktails out there use the same lure bodies, hooks, and an extra beed more or less doesn't make much of a difference. So lead...

[PropsterII]

Gotcha. I have mine made with a a little more weight to get 'em down a bit.

[urban cowboy]

You might want to try packing your reel. Get in your boat and drive out to the center of the lake.. put on a crank bait that pulls like a mother.. let all your line out, all the way to the mono backing.. put your boat in gear at like 3mph and reel the bait in. This will pack your spool as hard as concrete and prevent line dig and minimize back lashing. When casting, your line will spool off like butter. Its also a great forearm workout

[MUSKY18]

Urban is right.....get the line packed on the spool as tight as possible. I usually spool up and then tie the end of the line to my truck hitch, walk the line out and then crank it back in. Make the reel pull you. Forearm work out but line is on tight.

[urban cowboy]

You can pack your spool in a number of different ways but in my opinion, getting the line wet makes a big difference in how tight the line actually packs on the reel. When you let your line out it takes on water while you are reeling it in. It wets the line from the inside out all the way down to the backing and the spool. When the line drys it hardens down on itself even tighter. Make sense?