The Daiwa Saltist spinning reel is, as the name implies, a reel designed specifically for saltwater fishing.
The Daiwa Saltist fishing reel comes in 7 models ranging from a SALTIST2500 to a SALTIST8000 to cover a wide spectrum of lures and baits.
This fishing reel is designed for anglers who want a strong, durable, and dependable reel under the harshest conditions.
Daiwa has long been known as a company that delivers high-end fishing equipment, and thus, the name is not as familiar to the novice angler. The Daiwa Saltist is an exceptional reel for targeting your larger Pelagic species from either the boat or the beach.
The Bottom Line
- Excellent mid-price saltwater spinning reel for targeting mid to large-sized pelagics.
- Very smooth reel with an average drag of 15-33 lbs. for this size reel.
- Nearly waterproof design with Magseal technology to keep dirt and seawater out.
- It has a very durable metal alloy body and side plate.
This is a good choice if you are looking for a solid saltwater spinning reel without breaking the bank.
Saltist Spinning reels are made to withstand the elements. With the rugged and durable reputation of the Saltist name. These reels feature a Magsealed main shaft, Magsealed line roller and (CRBB) corrosion resistant ball bearings for long lasting smoothness and performance.
- Magsealed line roller and main shaft
- "HardBodyz" body and side cover
- Light weight Air Rotor design
- Air Bail–tubular stainless for lightweight strength
- Digigear digital gear design
- Dynamic Cut Aluminum ABS spool
- Waterproof Carbon ATD Drag System
With drag ratings starting at 15 lbs on the 2500 and 3000 models and going up to a maximum of 33 lbs on the 6500 and 8000 models, you can be assured that you will be able to muscle in the larger Tuna, Wahoo, Blues, and Dolphin or whatever it is that you fancy.
If you are looking for a reel in the 5000 – 1000 range, then I would keep reading, and I would also read the reviews on the Penn Spinfisher V and the Okuma Azores, as both of those fall in the same camp as the Daiwa Saltist.
Features
Mags Sealed line roller and main shaft
The Mag Sealed technology helps to make this reel stand out and prevent the penetration of dirt, saltwater, and dust between the rotor and the body.
Daiwa uses a special magnetic oil that was initially developed by NASA and is now manufactured by Daiwa, so it is not something you will find in other reels.
The molecules in the “metal oil” can change and thus allow for a nearly waterproof seal. The principal is to keep the water away from the reel in the first place and thus eliminate corrosion.
The other main benefit of this design is an extremely smooth retrieve.
“HardBodyz” body and side cover
The Daiwa Saltist reel uses its proprietary metal alloy, HardBodyz, designed to provide strength and durability while keeping weight to a minimum.
8+1 Corrosion resistant stainless steel ball bearings
The Daiwa Saltist reel uses eight corrosion-resistant stainless steel ball bearings plus one corrosion-resistant stainless steel anti-reverse ball bearing
Lightweight Air Rotor design
Daiwa’s Air Rotor design is similar to what Okuma has done with their Cyclonic Flow Rotor on the Inspira and Helios models.
The air rotor design provides for a reduction in weight of 15%, distributes the pressure from the line and line roller evenly, and helps to dry the reel faster, especially under the spool area where saltwater is a known issue.
Air Bail®–tubular stainless
While most companies lean towards solid aluminum bail designs for strength, Daiwa has created its solution, Air Bail.
The Air Bail design uses the tubular principle to add strength while reducing weight simultaneously. The bail is designed with a conical finish near the line roller. The loose line tends to drop right into the line roller, which reduces your chances of getting an unwanted loop.
Digigear™ digital gear design
This design uses milled gears that are precisely machined for maximum performance and durability, which in turn transmits the cranking power of every handle rotation directly to the gears and spool.
Dynamic Cut Aluminum ABS spool
The aluminum spool on the Daiwa Saltist spinning reel is designed to hold quite a bit of line, which is just what you need when you go after large species. The spool comes braid-ready, so there is no need for mono backing.
Waterproof Carbon ATD Drag System
The ATD or Automatic Tournament Drag system is smooth from the beginning.
By incorporating a new design that transmits the pressure imposed from the spool to the main shaft much more evenly, Daiwa has minimized the sometimes jerky or pulsing sensation that is common, particularly at the beginning of the drag.
Features at a Glance
- Magsealed line roller and main shaft
- “HardBodyz” body and side cover
- 9 Corrosion-resistant stainless steel ball bearings
- Lightweight Air Rotor design
- Air Bail®–tubular stainless for lightweight strength
- Digigear™ digital gear design
- Dynamic Cut Aluminum ABS spool
- Waterproof Carbon ATD Drag System
The Daiwa Saltist reel is also a good choice if you want a durable reel to accompany your favorite surf casting rod. Remember that once you get to model 4000 and above, the weight of these reels starts to increase significantly.
But that is where some of the durability comes in. The model 4000 sports an aggressive 39.9″ retrieve rate using a 5.7:1 gear ratio and weighs in at 15 oz.
If it was me and I was looking to put together a good surf casting combo, I would probably go with a model Saltist 6500 that packs a punch of power with the ability to spool 440 yards of 65 lbs test mono and will put it back on the spool smoothly at a rate of almost 49″ with every crank of the handle.
If you are on a budget, you know how to take care of your gear, and having a waterproof reel is unnecessary. I would almost recommend saving yourself some money and going with the Daiwa BG SW or Daiwa Black and Gold Saltwater spinning reel for about half the cost.
I have provided the chart below for those of you who want all the details.
| Model | Mono Cap (yds/lb) | Braid Cap (yds/lb) | Bearings | Max Drag (lbs) | Gear Ratio | Line Retrieve (in) | Weight (oz.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SALTIST2500 | 6/210, 8/170, 10/140 | 15/190, 20/170, 30/120 | 8CRBB, 1RB | 15 | 5.6:1 | 33.2” | 9.5 |
| SALTIST3000 | 8/240, 10/200, 12/170 | 15/280, 20/240, 30/190 | 8CRBB, 1RB | 15 | 5.6:1 | 37.4” | 10.8 |
| SALTIST4000 | 10/300, 12/260, 14/210 | 20/370, 30/280, 40/200 | 8CRBB, 1RB | 18 | 5.7:1 | 39.9” | 15 |
| SALTIST4500 | 14/350, 17/280, 20/210 | 40/340, 50/270, 65/230 | 1MBB, 7CRBB, 1RB | 22 | 5.7:1 | 43.1” | 22.2 |
| SALTIST5000 | 14/470, 17/380, 20/280 | 40/480, 50/360, 65/310 | 1MBB, 7CRBB, 1RB | 22 | 5.7:1 | 47.4” | 22.9 |
| SALTIST6500 | 20/370, 25/310, 30/260 | 50/550, 65/440, 80/330 | 1MBB, 7CRBB, 1RB | 33 | 5.3:1 | 48.7” | 29.6 |
| SALTIST8000 | 20/550, 25/440, 30/370 | 50/730, 65/590, 80/440 | 1MBB, 7CRBB, 1RB | 33 | 5.3:1 | 53.3” | 30 |
In this review of the Daiwa Saltist spinning reel, you can see that it is a workhorse designed from the ground up to deliver continuous, smooth results for fishing in harsh saltwater conditions.
While the smaller 2500 – 4000 series are good for inshore fishing, they are on the heavier side of quality reels designed specifically for saltwater fishing. If you target larger snook and bull reds, a 4000 will do the trick, loaded up with 280 yards of 30 lbs mono.
Pros
- Nearly waterproof design
- Waterproof Drag System
- Line capacity
- Daiwa warranty
Cons
- Larger models 4000+ are heavy
- Price
Daiwa Saltist Spinning Alternatives
For a reel that will definitely make the most of your budget and still deliver on quality and strength designed specifically for saltwater fishing, I would strongly recommend that you look at the Okuma Azores.
Whenever I pick up an Okuma reel, I am impressed with the quality and the silky smooth retrieve.
The Okuma Azores Saltwater Spinning Reels are designed specifically for saltwater fishing. These reels come equipped with precision click drag adjustment for more precise settings, as well as a dual anti-reverse system for maximum security. These reels will hold up well during any saltwater angling expedition.
I would also recommend that you look at the Penn Spinfisher V, as this reel has truly stood the test of time and only runs about $25 more than the Okuma Azores. I would choose the Okuma Azores because they are lighter, and I tend not to dunk my reels.
But the Penn Spinfisher V is a fully sealed reel, so if you tend to submerge the reel, then the Saltist of the Spinfisher V might be a better choice.
Whether you're surfcasting from the shore or embarking on a multiday billfish hunt, the Penn Spin fisher V Spinning Fishing Reel offers the durability needed to withstand harsh saltwater conditions.
From Shimano, I would have you look at either the Shimano Spheros SW or the Shimano Saragosa SW if you need a larger size, 5000 and above.
Built to be a jack of all trades in the saltwater realm, the Shimano 2021 Spheros SW A Spinning Reels have been redesigned to conquer both inshore and offshore waters. Now featuring Shimano's flagship Infinity Drive technology to improve pinion gear support and enhance the overall drive gear design.
The Shimano Saragosa SW Spinning Reel has the versatility, power, and smoothness required to succeed in the toughest saltwater conditions imaginable.
If you want to step up in size, you can look at the Penn Slammer III. The Penn Slammer III will be similar in price and give you incredible drag capacity with the Dura-Drag material, brass gearing, and a broad selection of reel sizes like the Daiwa Saltist.
The PENN Slammer III is back by popular demand. Built for heavy duty fishing from either boat or shore, and trusted by charter captains all over the world. The Slammer III reels feature our new IP67 Sealed System which keeps water out of the gear box and drag system.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, I like the Daiwa Saltist spinning reel. I would not hesitate to have one in my fishing arsenal. I am sure it will last many years of fishing, particularly under harsh conditions or for someone who might not be meticulous about rinsing their gear after each use.
As you probably have figured out from my reviews, I like to find a good deal that combines price and performance.
The Daiwa Saltist delivers on quality and durability, but this does come at a price. I think that the Penn Spinfisher V is an excellent reel for about 2/3 of the price, and for the budget conscious the Okuma Azores or staying with the Daiwa brand, one of my all-time favorites, the Daiwa BG SW will get the job done extremely well.
- Pflueger Patriarch Spinning Review - April 3, 2023
- Penn Fierce II Spinning Reel Review - February 14, 2023
- Abu Garcia Revo STX Baitcast Reel Review - February 8, 2023