Daiwa Saltist

[gooty]

Looking at buying a new reel, thinking about getting the Saltist. I want to use the reel for throwing anything. Any suggestions/Experiences with this reel? 20 or 30?

Thanks

[Jmeyers]

Great Reels in my experience... I have 3 as of now (2-30H 1-20H) I tend to like the 20 better due to size, the 30HA spool is a little bigger which is ok but to me the 20HA is just a little easier to control.

Have had the two bigger ones for 3 seasons and the samller one for 2. I've popped a spring inside one of them I guess and had to send it in to get fixed but other than that I have not had any problems. I use them for everything. The larber ones to burn blades and and some jerkbaits. The smaller one for smaller jerkbaits, topwaters, smaller blades...

For the money I would recommend them. Fairly cheap, work great, not many maintenace problems. Make sure to ask the dealer when you go into buy one more about them, that should help you make a better decision...Good Luck

[urban cowboy]

I own a 20 and my bro owns a 30. If you palm the reel for comfort I would go with the 20. They are heavy/bulky reels. The only thing I use mine for is heavy plastics and 13's.

[muskieaddict]

I got the saltist 40 for christmas this year and tried it out for the first time this weekend. Had trouble adjusting the spool speed and had a few backlash cast offs. Luckily i was using mostly floaters and only donated one lure. didnt get to fish nearly as much as i wanted to, but thats life i guess.

Anyway, with the 40 i was able to burn double 10's very easily, 13's were no problem, and the newly added double 15s i could burn quick, but it was a little more work. and yes, the spool is very large, i have a lot of line on it.

i wont be fishing for a couple of weeks, so cant give you much more information on the 40 for a while...

[Mike Wallace]

Upgraded my two most used rods to a 20ha and a 30ha (levelwinds) from Abu 6600's.

I like both, but you can probably get everything with the 20 you can with the 30, the spool is just narrower.

I use them for everything from 10's to #5 Mepps. Just have to get the spool tension adjusted.

[Shawn Kellett]

Backlash machines. Sold mine and replaced it with a Curado EJ and am laughing all the way to the bank with how much better it is. It's not a 10 burner, but for everything else it's perfect.

[hunterjoe]

Backlash machines. Sold mine and replaced it with a Curado EJ and am laughing all the way to the bank with how much better it is. It's not a 10 burner, but for everything else it's perfect.

+1 I did the exact thing. Hated the Saltist, love the EJ. But I move 10s pretty decent with the EJ. Fast.... no, but a good clip.

[urban cowboy]

I am going to +1 all of the above comments. Its really not a versatile reel in my opinion. I was really pumped to get mine and after I used it for a few days it became pretty obvious that its not the best reel for casting lighter baits. Thats why I use mine for heavy baits. I fish tens with a calcuta. I also own a curado which has probably been the best muskie fishing investment I have made.

[gooty]

Well I picked up the Curado today, excited to try it out! Man o man, the low profile feels sweet

[Shawn Kellett]

You'll love it Gooty. I have mine on an XH Preditor and it's crazy how light that combo is for throwing big stuff. I have a bad back and an arm nerve injury and I can fish again!

Just take care of it and it'll serve you for many, many years to come.

[urban cowboy]

Well I picked up the Curado today, excited to try it out! Man o man, the low profile feels sweet

Did you buy the E or the EJ?

[Whopper Stopper]

You made a good move. The Saltist only made it on three trips before I put it on list. I bet I had six responses from people wanting it.

WS

[tonkapat]

Backlash machines. Sold mine and replaced it with a Curado EJ and am laughing all the way to the bank with how much better it is. It's not a 10 burner, but for everything else it's perfect.

My buddy can't cast his either. If you have a whippy not so smooth cast don't buy a saltist. If your used to setting the spool tension and not thumbing the spool until your lure hits the water don't get a saltist. I run all my reels with no to very little spool tension. I've tried almost every reel and nothing cast further or handles blades better than a saltist. Great price also, better than some reels at twice the price.

[gooty]

Did you buy the E or the EJ?

I bought the 300E

[muskieaddict]

[Rebel9921]

Have the non-levelwind Saltist 20TH... It got regulated to sucker duty... Works great in October and November... It'll stay in that duty til it blows up...

[bisonthunder]

Whats the difference between a 300e and a 300ej?

[gooty]

300E is 6.2:1, 300EJ is 6.9:1.

Also, the EJ comes with Shimano's Powerhandle.

Got to fish the 300E last night, smooth, comfortable, and pulled #8's just fine. Hooked up with it too...too bad the reel casts so far, and I didn't get a good hookset.

[10,000 Casts]

I haven't tried the Curado 300E but I have the Saltist 20 and I don't have a problem with it like the guys above. Did any of you guys try 100lb test or a different line??? It probably has alot to do with the rod and the casting motion like mentioned above. I do backlash once in a while but they are never deep and I can get them out easy. It pulls big blades easily and I would rather backlash once in a while then have a harder pulling reel.

[50inchpig]

yeah saltist is a great reel. couldn't figure out why people were having problems with it, but i always use 100# so didn't think about the 80# or thinner line being the reason, which it probably is.

i have some of the worst casting mechanics of anyone i fish with and the saltist is a great reel for everything. one of the only reels i have two of.

[gooty]

Do you have to manually switch back the clutch lever on the saltist???

If so, is this something that is easy to get accustomed too?

[hunterjoe]

Do you have to manually switch back the clutch lever on the saltist???

If so, is this something that is easy to get accustomed too?

Yes, and yes. When I still used my Saltist (that 50 now owns) and switched to my 400TE I'd try to engage the lever but it wasn't there. After a short time you'll get used to it. What I was told with the Saltist was that you have to cast hard. The reason 50 can use them, is he throws the bait as hard as he can every time. It works for him.

[urban cowboy]

I think its just the weight of the saltist that turns me off. Too heavy to fish all day with a 9ft rod. It funny how a few oz's can make such a difference in the middle of your back.

[urban cowboy]

300E is 6.2:1, 300EJ is 6.9:1.

Also, the EJ comes with Shimano's Powerhandle.

Got to fish the 300E last night, smooth, comfortable, and pulled #8's just fine. Hooked up with it too...too bad the reel casts so far, and I didn't get a good hookset.

Good for you. You will be very happy with this reel. What # test did you spool onto it?

[Zelmsdawg]

I got a saltist 20 leverwind last year. So far no complaints, no problems. When looking up stuff about it I did read that certain lines didn't work due to their shape or something so that could be one reason for backlash/casting issues? What I use and what everyone reccomended was cortland master braid.