other than waiting for the winter tackle shows to roll around, does anyone know of any shops in NE that carry the Saltigas in stock?? i want to get a feel for the 6000 before i buy one. i have played around with the 4500 and liked it, but i want to be sure the 6000 won't suit me better.

Toby I know you're talking spinning reels and I can't help with a location but, for what it's worth, I have the Saltiga 40 conventional that I use of jigging codfish and it's awesome. Best reel, hands down for the job, and I got 'em all Penn, Newell, Torium, ProGear, etc.

I too plan to look at the spinning reel at the shows this winter.

Try this:
For information on Daiwa dealers in your area, call Daiwa’s Customer Service Department at 562-802-9589 or E-mail inquires to: info@daiwa.com.

Bernzy

tlap,

I tried for almost a year to get my hands on a Saltiga. Called or visited the biggest ( richest) tackle stores I could think of to no avail. Couldn't even find one at the MSBA show last year.

Finally bought one , sight unseen, after reading everything I could find out about them on the web. Trusted most of that research and the reviews. Sometimes ya gotta just roll the dice.

That said, I wouldn't buy one without a good look at/feel of them unless I had $$ to burn ( or unless I was the most impatient SOB
around) . I'm the latter.

I love the Z5000 with the 5000GT spool. Time will tell if the thing can take the pounding I'm gonna give it.

JP, it's not a matter of will i buy one, just which ones. already felt the 4500 tattoo has. seemed small to me. hell, my VS300's feel small to me now.

tlap,

Yep. Same here. I ordered the 4500 first. When it came in I was surprised at how small it was - had it sent back. When the Z5000 came in I was surprised at how much bigger it was. I was in a dilemma. Thought the Z5000 was too damn big ( 29oz) until I hung it on the rod and used it. For some reason I can't explain the thing felt right on the first cast and just got better. Now...., don't even notice the weight and I'm not a big guy ( 150 pounds soaking wet and got the hands, arms and wrists of an accountant - meaning: pretty pathetic). And I can throw with that thing for stretches of three plus hours straight - NO problem.

JPowers-

What rod do you have the 5000 on?

Joe,

Breakaway LDFS 100H ( that's the 10'er).

But I'm thinking that it's better suited/balanced for the Breakaway 11'9'' rod (don't know the model #). I cut 6" off the butt of that rod so it's not too hard to handle at the canal.