You need a reel that’s as fast as a bolt of lightening? Daiwa has a winning design with their new Saltist 30H conventional reel, which retrieves 36” of line with every crank of the handle. This is accomplished with a whopping-big 6.1:1 gear ratio. Yet the reel isn’t a heavyweight, and at a mere 17-oz. it’s easy to cast all day. Plus, the oversized handle is comfortable to use when putting the heat on fish.
I can attest that these reels are constructed to withstand the marine environment; while testing it in Los Suenos, Costa Rica, it was yanked out of the hands of an angler by a scrappy Jack Cravelle. Luckily we got the rig back and after a quick freshwater washdown, the reel came through unscathed. I can’t say the same for the angler—who found it necessary to dive overboard to rescue the rig—but months later the Saltist is still corrosion-free.
Price: $170
The Highs: Super-fast retrieve, light, and comfy to crank.
The Lows: Line capacity is not huge (200 yards of 30-lb. test).
Who Wants It: Anglers looking for high speed in a reel that can take on strong, mid-sized pelagics. Note: It makes a good speed-jigging rig.
