Decisions decisions...

[breambasher]

Hey guys

Got a darwin trip planned for later this year. Hopefully will end up being a yearly trip. :rolleyes:

Anyway Im looking at getting a bit of gear for the trip. First of all I was looking at the daiwa saltist 4500 spin reel to use for some popping for trevally, big minnows for other lure munchers, and some jigs down deep for whatever will hit em. Has anyone had much experience with these? If so what do you think.
The other option was a Shimano Saragosa. Any opinions??

Also probabally a popper or jig rod to suit it. Have you got any recommendations??

Am also probablly going to get a 3000 size reel for chasing barra, and queenies of the beach we will be staying at. Was looking the new daiwa caldia. As they look like they would do the job well. Has anyone had a play with one of these yet?

If you havent had a play with any of these have you got any other recommendations on what to take??

Cheers

[breambasher]

Anyone??

I know a few of you blokes hit up exmouth etc fairly regularly what do you use up there??

Thanks

[StuKlose]

Breambasher

I used a Saltist 4500 in Exmouth in July and handles big tuna and Maui Maui with ease. Very happy with it for the price.

[Hazell]

Ill let you know in a couple of weeks when I get back..

4000 reels, 7-15kg rods, 15-30lb braid, 30-50lb leaders, poppers, stickbaits and biggish plastics with metals and leadheads as spare. That's what Ill be using for queenies, trevally, spanglies etc in exmouth area.

[breambasher]

Alright cool, sounds good fellas.

Cheers for the replys

[Maccas]

I use a Daiwa Catalina rod with a Catalina 4500 reel when I go to Exmouth for the same sort of fishing you are talking about.

Maccas

[breambasher]

Stu,

What rod did you match the saltist up to??

As I dont think I will be able to go past it.

Cheers

[breambasher]

Thanks maccas, there is a shop over here doing a good deal on that exact combo at the moment. Might take a look

Thanks

[Station49]

Shoot Aussie Dave a message mate. Im not sure where he got his advice on gear, but he did recently gear up to move north for a while chasing all the bigguns up there.

[Maccas]

I read a report on the Daiwa Catalina reels by Alan Hawk that recommends them as good value. This is what he says about them.

I've used the smaller size extensively, and I highly recommend it. Now with the big one out, I can't see any good reason why anyone would buy a Saltiga. The capacity of the Catalina 6500 is the same as the Expedition and the Extreme, the maximum drag is also 30 kilos, shares 85% of the components with the Saltiga, built in Japan on the same production lines, all at about 65-70% of the Satliga price.

They only lack a few nonessential bearings and the gears are one step down from the Saltiga. Still would easily last 80% of the life of the Saltiga's gears. Can't call that bad.

I can't fault the reel or the rod.

Cheers,

Maccas