Revamped Daiwa Saltiga LD Series Now Class of the Field
Serious saltwater anglers can now step up to the big time with Daiwa’s newly revamped Saltiga LD Series of reels. Completely redesigned to make a great reel superb, the Saltiga LD series now features the smoothest, most powerful and dependable lever drag reels available today. Six single-speed models, ten 2-speed models, plus two special-purpose tournament-style sailfish designs cover all the bases from inshore and near shore fishing to offshore and the canyons.
“Our engineering team really went to town with this series and we are absolutely thrilled with the results,” says Marc Mills, marketing field test manager for Daiwa Corporation. “Our Saltiga lever drag reels were already star performers and appreciated by anglers across the globe. Now they are even better, and reports from the field have been outstanding. The entire series is top-shelf with tremendous strength, smooth performance, unparalleled durability and an ergonomically focused fit and feel unmatched in the industry.”
All Saltiga LD reels feature a single-piece machined aluminum frame and side plate to assure precise alignment of bearings and gears for remarkably smooth performance, less flex, increased power and reduced binding, even during the fiercest battles. Oversized, super-hard, polished, and meshed stainless steel main and pinion gears fit together perfectly to drive the kicking gear with extra strength and nearly silent precision. Oversized spool bearings reduce side load which makes turning the handle easier and smoother so anglers can concentrate on fighting fish rather than the reel. Daiwa’s acclaimed Advanced Tournament Drag System (ATD) keeps each Saltiga LD cool during the heat of battle while providing consistent maximum pressure through the end game. A machined aluminum spool won’t bend under high drag pressure or outwardly expand as you tightly wind on line. A machined aluminum rod clamp always keeps your reel tightly secured with no twisting, shifting or play as the fish of a lifetime stains at the end of the line.
“We made sure that every reel in our Saltiga LD series starts with a solid foundation,” explains Mills, “then we fine-tuned the small stuff as well. From the frame and side plate to the bearings, gears and even the reel handles, everything has been redesigned to produce more power with less friction, grinding and binding. The result is a great looking reel that can be trusted to stand up to trophy fish under adverse conditions with minimal strain for the angler. This series is the Rolls Royce of lever drag saltwater reels. These models are all high end but worth the investment because they’ll turn monster fish when you bear down and apply full pressure yet respond instantly to a beast on the run with a silky smooth drag that won’t overheat come the moment of truth.”
All Saltiga LD single and smaller two-speed models, along with the high-speed tournament sailfish reels, boast soft-touch rubber handles for fast, comfortable retrieves. The larger size 50, 55 and 60 2-speed models feature a long “T” style offset aluminum power handle to improve leverage and comfort without blistering your hand as the fight progresses. A substantial spool clicker is just loud enough to not be overbearing.
“The Saltiga LD series also incorporates all CRBB, saltwater corrosion resistant ball bearings for a longer reel life and more consistent performance,” notes Mills. “Most lever drag reels use standard stainless-steel ball bearings which wear out faster than CRBB bearings, especially if they get a lot of water splashed on them. The CRBB bearings can last 10 to 20 times longer than stainless, track better, and are more consistent during battle. There is a lot of torque with big fish during the fight and CRBB bearings simply perform better.”
Max drag ranges for Saltiga LD reels range from 22 to 45 pounds for most models while line retrieve per handle turn runs from 39.9” to 47.” The tournament style sailfish models have a max drag setting of 22 pounds and line pick-ups of 54.3” to 56”.
“The line pick-up rate is quite impressive across the entire series,” notes Mills, “but it’s truly amazing in the high-speed sailfish reels. Those fast retrieve ratios allow these reels to hold a ton of line and excel at recapturing slack released during multiple hook-ups or when a sailfish or white marlin pops the bait during kite fishing. The lighter drag settings on those models also help ensure hooks aren’t ripped from fish during the heat of battle.”
Saltiga LD single-speed reels are ideal for jigging or any type of fishing where extra torque is not required. The two-speed models, because of their different gear rations, are especially helpful when superior power is needed as when a fish is hooked that can’t be followed, which is often the case when open boat tuna fishing.
Backed by Daiwa’s Executive Saltiga Five Year Warranty and Service – the best warranty in the market – the Saltiga LD line provides top-shelf performance. Simply put, these are the reels you need when second best just won’t do.
MSRP $449.99 – $799.99
Jeremy Mallette is co-founder of International Sportsman. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, he has spent more than a decade in the outdoor industry, from hiking and camping to silencers and hunting. His father taught him to shoot at age six, and he received his first firearm at age eight — a 1942 Colt Commando .38 special revolver. He enjoys yearly trips to Kansas for pheasant hunting, spending time with his children at the deer lease, and collecting unique firearms.