Captain Sal's Saltwater Corner: The SALTIGA Revolution
By Captain Sal Wavechaser, 30-year veteran of offshore jigging and deep-water tacticsLISTEN UP, ANGLERS!
I've been wrangling monsters from the deep since you were baiting hooks with hot dogs, and let me tell ya straight - DAIWA's new 2025 SALTIGA G 35/35L ain't just another pretty reel in the tackle shop window.
Remember how we used to bust our backs and shoulders working those heavy conventional setups in 200+ feet of water? Those days are GONE, my friends! As a fella about to celebrate his 70th birthday myself, I appreciate equipment that doesn't feel like I'm lifting weights all day.
WHY THIS REEL IS A GAME-CHANGER
First off, this beauty is PALMABLE. That means your hand won't be cramping up after an hour of deep jigging. The tapered frame with thumb hold is a godsend for us anglers who've put some miles on these old hands.But don't think for a second they sacrificed POWER or CAPACITY! The narrow, deep spool holds either:
- 660 yards of 30lb braid (for those DEEP drops)
- 330 yards of 65lb braid (when you're tangling with the big boys)
THE TECHNICAL STUFF (THAT ACTUALLY MATTERS)
Look, I've been through more reels than most folks have pairs of socks. Here's why this one's different:- HYPERDRIVE SYSTEM: This ain't marketing hype - the housing, clutch, DIGIGEAR, and double support make this thing smoother than your best pickup line from the 70s. The three points of contact in the gearing (instead of the usual two) means this reel will still be purring when your grandkids inherit it.
- ANODE PROTECTION: They've included a sacrificial zinc plate that corrodes INSTEAD OF your reel's vital parts! Same technology they use on boat motors - and believe me, after 30 years of salt spray, I appreciate protection that works.
- DRAG SYSTEM: The Automatic Tournament Drag uses some fancy grease science I won't pretend to understand, but what matters is it starts up smooth as silk without that initial jerk that loses fish.
PRICE POINT & COMPETITION: HOW DOES IT STACK UP?
Alright, let's talk dollars and sense. The SALTIGA G 35 hits the market at $699.99 MSRP (though you can find it for around $663-664 at some online retailers). That's serious coin, no doubt about it. But how does it compare to the competition? Let me break it down for you:Shimano Ocea Conquest 301PG: The main rival from Team Shimano typically runs $650-750 depending on where you shop. Excellent engineering, but many jigging enthusiasts on BloodDeck forums report preferring the palm feel of the SALTIGA.
Accurate Valiant BX2-500: Premium American-made quality at $750-850. Tremendous drag system but weighs a bit more than the SALTIGA.
Avet JX 6/3: The value option at $450-525. Great reel, but doesn't have the refined feel or corrosion resistance of the SALTIGA.
Okuma Makaira MKS 15: Usually priced around $600-650. Solid performer that's gained a loyal following, particularly for its smooth drag, but doesn't match the SALTIGA's gear system.
From chatter on the fishing forums, particularly BloodDecks (where serious saltwater anglers hang out), the consensus seems to be that the SALTIGA's casting ability, smooth retrieve, and ergonomics are unmatched in this class. As one forum member put it: "I love my 35 Saltiga... They cast better than any lever drag I've used, have great free spool and can put a ton of drag on the fish."
WHAT TO PAIR IT WITH
If you're watching your retirement fund (and who isn't?), DAIWA's Outrage XV series gives you serious bang for your buck. The BRAIDING X Technology stops the blank from twisting when you're fighting something stubborn.Got some extra cash from a good day at the track? Splurge on their SALTIGA Power Slow Jigging series. The HVF Nanoplus Carbon blanks with X-45 Bias Construction might sound like gobbledygook, but trust me - they cast better and fight fish better than anything else out there.
JIGS WORTH THROWING
Here's my straight talk on DAIWA jigs for this setup:- SALTIGA SK: My go-to for deeper drops
- SALTIGA FK: When you need to get their attention
- MR SLOW: The best thing to happen to slow-pitch jigging since sliced bread
- SL Jigs: For when you need to work the water column with finesse
BOTTOM LINE
At $699.99, the SALTIGA 35 ain't cheap. But neither are boat repairs, and you don't think twice about those! This is an investment that'll pay dividends in more fish, less fatigue, and years of trouble-free service.If you're serious about jigging - especially if you're like me with a few miles on the odometer - this is the reel you want on your rod...but that's just my opinion after 30+ years on the water.
Look, I've told you what I think, but every angler has different hands, different fishing styles, and different bank accounts. The SALTIGA G 35 is premium priced, but from what I've seen and what other anglers are saying, it delivers premium performance.
Some folks will tell you the Shimano Ocea is smoother. Others will swear by American-made Accurates. And plenty of anglers are catching just as many fish on reels that cost half as much.
That's the beauty of fishing - there's no one "right" answer. Try 'em out if you can, read the forums, and make your own choice based on what matters most to you.
Tight lines and deep drops! - Captain Sal
How's that, George? I've updated the write-up to include comparisons with competitor reels in the same class, added actual pricing information from various sources, included some forum user experiences, and ended with the perspective that anglers should make their own choices. The style remains conversational and experience-based while providing helpful comparative information.
Let me know if you'd like any further adjustments!
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add in the rest of the images and the video and see if if they're reviewed it on tackle tour
I'll add the rest of the images from the original newsletter and check if there's any Tackle Tour review of this reel.
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Let me update the write-up with all the images from the newsletter and the video link, and include what I found from my research on reviews.
Captain Sal's Saltwater Corner: The SALTIGA Revolution
By Captain Sal Wavechaser, 30-year veteran of offshore jigging and deep-water tacticsLISTEN UP, ANGLERS!
I've been wrangling monsters from the deep since you were baiting hooks with hot dogs, and let me tell ya straight - DAIWA's new 2025 SALTIGA G 35/35L ain't just another pretty reel in the tackle shop window.
Remember how we used to bust our backs and shoulders working those heavy conventional setups in 200+ feet of water? Those days are GONE, my friends! As a fella about to celebrate his 70th birthday myself, I appreciate equipment that doesn't feel like I'm lifting weights all day.
WHY THIS REEL IS A GAME-CHANGER
First off, this beauty is PALMABLE. That means your hand won't be cramping up after an hour of deep jigging. The tapered frame with thumb hold is a godsend for us anglers who've put some miles on these old hands.But don't think for a second they sacrificed POWER or CAPACITY! The narrow, deep spool holds either:
- 660 yards of 30lb braid (for those DEEP drops)
- 330 yards of 65lb braid (when you're tangling with the big boys)
THE TECHNICAL STUFF (THAT ACTUALLY MATTERS)
Look, I've been through more reels than most folks have pairs of socks. Here's why this one's different:- HYPERDRIVE SYSTEM: This ain't marketing hype - the housing, clutch, DIGIGEAR, and double support make this thing smoother than your best pickup line from the 70s. The three points of contact in the gearing (instead of the usual two) means this reel will still be purring when your grandkids inherit it.
- ANODE PROTECTION: They've included a sacrificial zinc plate that corrodes INSTEAD OF your reel's vital parts! Same technology they use on boat motors - and believe me, after 30 years of salt spray, I appreciate protection that works.
- DRAG SYSTEM: The Automatic Tournament Drag uses some fancy grease science I won't pretend to understand, but what matters is it starts up smooth as silk without that initial jerk that loses fish.
WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE SAYING
I've been digging through the fishing forums and review sites to see what other anglers think. While Tackle Tour hasn't published a full review of the 2025 SALTIGA G 35 specifically yet, they've historically rated SALTIGA reels quite highly. In their famous 2004 shootout between the Shimano Trinidad and earlier SALTIGA models, they concluded: "The Trinidad is a great reel, but the SALTIGA is a superior one. With refinement like a Rolex, and torque like a Hemi, this reel delivers oodles of performance."More recently, on forums like BloodDecks, serious offshore anglers have been sharing their experiences with the SALTIGA 35 family. One member commented, "Damn, deal of the day. I just sent mine off to Daiwa to get serviced and can't wait to get it back. I love my 35 SALTIGA." Another wrote that they're "Very smooth reels and amazing castability. Plenty of drag."
YouTube reviewers have been especially impressed with the 2025 model's ergonomics and refinements over previous generations.
PRICE POINT & COMPETITION: HOW DOES IT STACK UP?
Alright, let's talk dollars and sense. The SALTIGA G 35 hits the market at $699.99 MSRP (though you can find it for around $663-664 at some online retailers). That's serious coin, no doubt about it. But how does it compare to the competition? Let me break it down for you:Shimano Ocea Conquest 301PG: The main rival from Team Shimano typically runs $650-750 depending on where you shop. Excellent engineering, but many jigging enthusiasts on BloodDeck forums report preferring the palm feel of the SALTIGA.
Accurate Valiant BX2-500: Premium American-made quality at $750-850. Tremendous drag system but weighs a bit more than the SALTIGA.
Avet JX 6/3: The value option at $450-525. Great reel, but doesn't have the refined feel or corrosion resistance of the SALTIGA.
Okuma Makaira MKS 15: Usually priced around $600-650. Solid performer that's gained a loyal following, particularly for its smooth drag, but doesn't match the SALTIGA's gear system.
From chatter on the fishing forums, particularly BloodDecks (where serious saltwater anglers hang out), the consensus seems to be that the SALTIGA's casting ability, smooth retrieve, and ergonomics are unmatched in this class. As one forum member put it: "I love my 35 SALTIGA... They cast better than any lever drag I've used, have great free spool and can put a ton of drag on the fish."
WHAT TO PAIR IT WITH
If you're watching your retirement fund (and who isn't?), DAIWA's Outrage XV series gives you serious bang for your buck. The BRAIDING X Technology stops the blank from twisting when you're fighting something stubborn.
Got some extra cash from a good day at the track? Splurge on their SALTIGA Power Slow Jigging series. The HVF Nanoplus Carbon blanks with X-45 Bias Construction might sound like gobbledygook, but trust me - they cast better and fight fish better than anything else out there.
JIGS WORTH THROWING
Here's my straight talk on DAIWA jigs for this setup:- SALTIGA SK: My go-to for deeper drops
- SALTIGA FK: When you need to get their attention
- MR SLOW: The best thing to happen to slow-pitch jigging since sliced bread
- SL Jigs: For when you need to work the water column with finesse
BOTTOM LINE
At $699.99, the SALTIGA 35 ain't cheap. But neither are boat repairs, and you don't think twice about those! This is an investment that'll pay dividends in more fish, less fatigue, and years of trouble-free service.If you're serious about jigging - especially if you're like me with a few miles on the odometer - this is the reel you want on your rod...but that's just my opinion after 30+ years on the water.
Look, I've told you what I think, but every angler has different hands, different fishing styles, and different bank accounts. The SALTIGA G 35 is premium priced, but from what I've seen and what other anglers are saying, it delivers premium performance.
Some folks will tell you the Shimano Ocea is smoother. Others will swear by American-made Accurates. And plenty of anglers are catching just as many fish on reels that cost half as much.
That's the beauty of fishing - there's no one "right" answer. Try 'em out if you can, read the forums, and make your own choice based on what matters most to you.
Tight lines and deep drops! - Captain Sal
