13 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
Cast away!
Date of Review: Jun 9, 2004
The Bottom Line: This is a great stripper/blues/inshore reel with solid construction and awesome handling.
I now own the Saltiga 30, 40 and 50, and love them all! Daiwa came up with a winner when they developed these reels. Solid machined aluminum frames AND sides; heavy duty reel handles with oversized ball bearing grips; balanced aluminum anodized spools; click adjustable star drag; etc. They are simple in design, yet solid as a rock!
I purchased the Saltiga 30 last, having already owned the 40 and 50. I live in New England, so my fishing consists of jigging for cod, haddock and pollock - and trolling/live lining for strippers and blues. Of the three, the 40 is my favorite as it offers a 4.9:1 gear ratio, has a great sized spool, and has a clicker. I use this reel in on my 6'6" custom jigging rod for fishing on my buddy's boat. The 50 offers the same features of the 40, with the exception of a wider spool. I use this reel on my 8' custom jigging stick for fishing in deep water (250-350') off the coast of Maine.
I plan on using the 30 on a stripper/blues setup for trolling around the harbor and islands.
I must admit that the 30 is a bit different from the 40 and 50. First noticable difference is the lack of a gear housing. The 40/50's gears are housed below the frame, which attest to their size. The 30's gears are encased in the sideplate and are 5.4:1, not 4.9:1 like the larger Saltigas. Secondly, the 30's frame is smaller in diameter, keeping it in proportion to its intended use. And thirdly, and most importantly, the 30 does not have a clicker! Not a HUGE deal, but it would be nice to have one!
Like all of the Saltiga reels, freespool is amazing! These are great casting reels! It goes to show you how well engineered and how tight the tolerances are on these reels. If you've been holding out - don't! They are extremely well made and should last you for many years to come.
