Daiwa Saltiga Surf

[Mike P]

I have to say that the best reel---not just spinning reel, but the best reel, period---that I've ever owned is my Saltiga 6000Z. It has been absolutely flawless for 7 seasons, has been serviced just once, and the only thing I have had to replace was the line roller bearings. I've owned Van Staals and a Stella SW. None could hold a candle to the Saltiga for just plain durability.

I don't think that any use you put a reel to, from shore, puts more strain on a reel's gears than jigging the Canal. That's what I've mainly used that reel for. Those gears are damn near indestructible.

I've owned a variety of P-series Newells, every American made Penn surf reel (both spinning and conventional), almost every Abu offered in the US market, and a variety of Daiwa Sealine and Saltist conventionals. The Saltiga is better than any and all.

If you can find a used 4500Z in good shape, that's what you should invest in.

[bart]

Originally Posted by Mike P

I have to say that the best reel---not just spinning reel, but the best reel, period---that I've ever owned is my Saltiga 6000Z. It has been absolutely flawless for 7 seasons, has been serviced just once, and the only thing I have had to replace was the line roller bearings. I've owned Van Staals and a Stella SW. None could hold a candle to the Saltiga for just plain durability.

I don't think that any use you put a reel to, from shore, puts more strain on a reel's gears than jigging the Canal. That's what I've mainly used that reel for. Those gears are damn near indestructible.

I've owned a variety of P-series Newells, every American made Penn surf reel (both spinning and conventional), almost every Abu offered in the US market, and a variety of Daiwa Sealine and Saltist conventionals. The Saltiga is better than any and all.

If you can find a used 4500Z in good shape, that's what you should invest in.

Some of the best canal fishermen I know fish them and they all say the same. Why did Daiwa stop making them? Was there not a market for them?

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by bart

Some of the best canal fishermen I know fish them and they all say the same. Why did Daiwa stop making them? Was there not a market for them?

They had to keep pace with Shimano by offering the new and "improved" Saltiga with that funky magnetic seal. It's all about the latest and the greatest with the two Japanese giants.

The new 5000 is a hell of a plugging reel, if it holds up as well as the older ones. Much smoother than first generation Saltigas, and a lot more sand-friendly. The only weak point of the originals was the very close tolerance in the rotor. Sand could get in there and cause a bit of binding. You can clear it by dunking the reel, though. The body is sealed well enough to withstand dunking.