|
|
Posts: 619
Location: Verona, WI | Took my Saltist out to the local drainage pond and decided to punish my self - threw a double 13 bucktail from Figure 8 Lures. I threw 45 casts and had 2 backlashes. One of those was my own fault as I wanted to see how far I could bomb cast. Here are my thoughts:
I was amazed how far you can cast with these reels. I had read that the levelwind reduces casting distance and I am sure of that now. I really could fling a bait. Just be sure to use an educated thumb.
It was difficult at first to remember that you have to flip the lever to engage the reel. First couple of casts I would reel and nothing would happen until I realized that I did not re-engage the reel. For those of you that believe in "synchronizing the bucktail" it will be something that you need to work at.
With a normal handle and even the power handle for a St. Croix Avid I use my fingers to hold the paddle. I struggled with that on this reel and had better luck putting the paddle into the palm of my hand and reeling with my hand/arm than with wrist.
Using the technique of holding the rod foregrip with my left hand and using my thumb to move the line from side to side I was able get the line to lay right. However I struggled with that for a couple of reasons. First was simply that I palm reels and holding the foregrip is not natural for me. Second I was so focused on getting the line to lay right that I thought I would never notice a following fish. So I started experimenting and think I found a better way. On a post by Bob Turgeon on Musky Hunter regarding the Torium he mentioned that if the line is off to one side while you reel all of the line would pile on one side of the reel. Using that logic I decided to occasionally turn the rod in my hand while I was reeling in the bait and was able to get the line to lay correctly on the reel without getting line piled up on one side of the reel and maintaining focus on the bait.
Overall I was pleased. I was able to reel a double 13 at a pretty good clip so a double 10 will seem easy. The reel is heavy and will take some getting used to but I am glad I bought it.
Shane
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 2
| I have 3 saltist and casting is pretty good. I degreased the bearings and replaced a bushing on the right sideplate with another bearing and added carbontex washers.
As for guiding line while reeling in, your fingers will get use to it. I use my thumb and forefinger to guide the line evenly across the spool and make sure there is some tension. Too loose of a line or line piled up on one side can be an issue on subsequent casts.
The Daiwa SLX 20 or 30 are great casting reels without the weight. I swapped the felt washers with Carbontex and use braid with mono topshot for heavier applications.
Edited by ahistick 4/30/2008 6:03 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 17
Location: Minnetonka | Hi Shane;
Is your Diawa the narrow High Speed 30? Whichever model, did you build the arbor up or fill with mono? What pound line? Is there a bit of play in spool when in gear or does everything seem tight? I know everyone's talking Shimano, but Diawa makes a very good reel also and this reel may become more popular than the Triton as it's all about price.
MELFA MOPES
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 619
Location: Verona, WI | Melfa,
I did buy the narrow Saltist - the STT30TH. I filled the reel with 30 lb mono backing and then used 80 LB test Stren Super Braid. Everything seemed pretty tight to me but I think that's going to be dictated by the bait you are throwing as much as anything else. A bait that's got a lot of pull like a double 10 or 13 isn't going to allow much play anyway. I've been pleased overall with the Saltist and can't wait to start using it a lot come June.
Shane |
|
| |
