Daiwa Saltist Black Gold Star Drag Review

If you are looking for a good quality conventional style star drag reel, then the Daiwa Saltist Black Gold Star Drag reel is one that you will want to take a close look at.

In this review of the Daiwa Saltist Black Gold Star Drag reel, we will look at the features that make this a solid choice for your smaller conventional open reels.

If you have been looking at this style of reel, then you have probably also taken a look at the Penn Squall Star Drag and Okuma Cortez Star Drag reels, which will be significant comparisons.

Daiwa has been making reels since 1958 and has an excellent reputation for quality and for introducing new technologies to the industry.

The Daiwa Saltist Black Gold Star Drag is a highly durable reel that we consider to provide exceptional value in a saltwater reel.

The Daiwa Saltist Black Gold Star Drag series includes five models that include: STTBG20H, STTBG30H, STTBG35H, STTBG40H, and STTBG50H, and offer a one-piece aluminum frame and side plate with a machined aluminum spool. All of the models include a centrifugal anti-backlash cast control.

Overall, these reels are well made, lightweight, and reasonably compact in design at an affordable price point for what you are getting.

The Bottom Line

A tremendous high-quality, high-speed, open conventional reel that is powerful and lightweight
Solid one-piece aluminum frame and sideplate design for strength
High level of manufacturing quality, parts are easy to find, and the reel is easy to maintain
An excellent choice for your smaller-sized saltwater conventional reels

The Daiwa Saltist Black Gold is an excellent choice and is available here.

Features

Aluminum one-piece frame and side plate

Daiwa has always been known for quality, and there is no skimping here. This is a solid reel with a one-piece solid aluminum frame and side plate.

I like that all metal bodies are less prone to flexing when under a heavy load. This means that the retrieve will be smoother, and the reel will last longer as it will not put as much strain on the gears.

5 Bearing System (4CRBB + 1RB)

Daiwa has used 4 Corrosion Resistant Ball Bearings or CRBBs that are specially treated to last up to 12 times longer than conventional ball bearings and a single roller bearing for smooth line lay to achieve a very smooth reel.

Protective anodized finish

The aluminum frame and side plate are protected with a nice black finish. This anodized finish confused some people about the material used for the frame and sideplate. Yes, it is aluminum, not graphite.

Ultimate Tournament carbon drag (UTD)

Daiwa’s UTD, or Ultimate Tournament Drag system, makes for a very strong and smooth drag. The drag disks are made of woven carbon fiber and then impregnated with a proprietary mix of oil and grease, making the disks about 30 times more durable than a standard drag disk.

One of the other advantages of the UTD system is that the disk allows for a very smooth start to the drag without any jerky feeling. The drag starts to operate smoothly as soon as the resistance level is reached.

Infinite Anti-Reverse

Utilizing a one-way bearing in the reel, the Infinite Anti-Reverse eliminates any back play you would get when setting the hook on a strike.

Machined aluminum spool

The machined aluminum spool is lightweight and meticulously manufactured for durability and strength.

Adjustable aluminum handle

The aluminum handle lets you move it to change the leverage power you get on the reel.

Centrifugal anti-backlash control

One of the biggest challenges for any fisherman who does not have an educated thumb is to cast a star drag reel without getting a bird’s nest.

The centrifugal anti-backlash control uses a series of small pins that apply just the correct amount of pressure to ensure the spool spins freely but does not get ahead of itself and cause that nasty bird’s nest.

Spool click selector

The Daiwa Saltist Black Gold uses a clicker on the sideplate of the reel that allows you to engage or disengage the clicker. The advantage of a clicker is that you can fish multiple rigs simultaneously, and when a fish starts to take the bait, you will know this is especially useful for bottom fishing applications.

Features at a Glance

Aluminum one-piece frame and side plate
5 Bearing System (4CRBB + 1RB)
Protective anodized finish
Ultimate Tournament carbon drag (UTD)
Infinite Anti-Reverse
Machined aluminum spool
Centrifugal anti-backlash control
Spool click selector

The Daiwa Saltist Black Gold is considered a high-speed retrieving reel with a 6.1:1 gear ratio on the 20 and 30 series that brings in 35″ of line with each crank and a 6.4:1 on the 35, 40, and 50 models that retrieve line at 48″ per crank.

The higher speed retrieval rates are great for casting irons and retrieving certain artificials for target species such as Wahoo and Jacks that love to chase. The higher speed retrieval rates are also excellent for fast-moving fish like Blackfin Tuna, Redfish, Kingfish, and Bonefish.

For the size and weight of these reels, they have a considerable amount of drag ranging from 15.4 lbs up to 19.8 lbs with the Ultimate Tournament Drag system. The substantial drag and high-speed retrieval make a powerful combination when fishing for aggressive species.

The most popular model in the series would probably be the STTBG30H due to the amount of braided line 380 yards of 40 lb test that can be packed onto the spool.

The most popular model in the series would probably be the STTBG30H due to the amount of braided line 380 yards of 40 lb test that can be packed onto the spool. Incredibly, this reel can provide you with that much line capacity and still fit comfortably in the palm of your hand.

I personally find that the model 30 is small enough not to feel bulky, weighing in at only 17.2 oz, and with the retrieval rate of 35″ per crank, it gets the job done for most of my fishing.

Pros

Weight
Corrosion resistant
UTD drag system
Backlash control

Cons

Not fully sealed

Alternatives

The other two reels that I would have you look at in this class would be the Penn Squall Star Drag, which is about $20 cheaper than the Daiwa, and the Okuma Cortez Star Drag, which is also about $20 cheaper.

Both of these reels are also very good quality, but I prefer the Daiwa for its extreme smoothness.

In Conclusion

I like the Daiwa Black Gold Star Drag for a high-speed star drag reel that will not break the bank. Personally, I fish with the size 30 as it provides a significant weight to line capacity balance and can hold 380 yards of 40 lb braided line.

About
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David Edwards

David is a freelance writer. He enjoys fishing as much as you do. He understands the challenge to pick the best fishing rod or learning the lifestyle. He provides a detailed review of the available products in the market. He wants to ensure you make the right decision for your next shopping day.