Rods Preview
(Inshore and Saltwater) |

Light yet Powerful - Daiwa Saltiga Rods and Reels

Date: |
1/17/25 |
Tackle type: |
Rods and Reels |
Manufacturer: |
Daiwa |
Reviewer: |
Zander |
Introduction: Daiwa has unveiled the new Saltiga rods, crafted for
anglers seeking an enthusiast level of balance of precision and power in a
lightweight setup tailored for saltwater light jigging. Engineered to handle
heavy jigs and big fish, these rods feature a slimmer, lighter profile that
enhances both performance and the overall fishing experience.

As thin in diameter as some bass
rods but crafted to tangle with big saltwater fish, the new Saltiga Light
Jigging Series
Light Jigging: Saltwater fishing continues
to evolve rapidly, much like its freshwater counterpart, with a constant drive
for better tools to meet the demands of effective and emerging techniques. The
era of heavy, unwieldy rods for jigging is a thing of the past. Daiwa’s new
Saltiga rods represent a leap forward in design, offering the finesse and
precision of a high-performance rod while delivering the power needed to cast
heavy jigs, set strong hooks, and handle the intense pressure of battling big
fish.

The Saltiga rod features machined
components that match up with Daiwa's Saltiga Series reels. Casting rods feature
a matching custom reel seat
The new Saltiga series features four rods tailored
for saltwater jigging: two 6’2” conventional models and two 6’6” spinning
models. The SGLJ62MB handles jigs up to 160 grams (5.5 ounces), while the
SGLJ62MHB is designed for jigs up to 200 grams (7 ounces). On the spinning side,
the SGLJ66MS accommodates up to 160 grams, and the SGLJ66MHS handles up to 200
grams. These additions expand Daiwa’s saltwater jigging rod lineup, offering
anglers powerful yet ultra-light rods ideal for slow jigging techniques.

The X45 carbon fiber weave
eliminates blank twist
A standout feature of the new Saltiga Light
Jigging rods is Daiwa's innovative MegaTop solid carbon construction, which runs
through the entire blank. This design eliminates a unidirectional spine in the
rod tip, allowing it to bend evenly in all directions. The result is greater
control when working heavier jigs and battling fish, ensuring a more precise and
reliable performance on the water.

Spinning rods feature a Air Sensor
reel seat
“An additional bonus is of the MegaTop
construction process is the immediate transfer of even the lightest bite from
the rod tip through the blank and into the DAIWA Air Sensor reel seat on the
spinning rods, or into the DAIWA custom reel seat on the conventional models,”
explained Chris Martin, Daiwa's Field Marketing Manager. “In many situations
when using light jigging gear, a fish spanking the bait as it flutters down is
the most difficult time to detect a bite,” continued Martin. “With the enhanced
tip to reel seat sensitivity from our MegaTop construction, you’ll feel that
weird little difference when a fish does hit the jig on the way down, and then
the fight is on.”

The hardware consists of Fuji
guides with SIC rings, still my favorite for fishing braided lines

Paired with a Saltiga G spinning
reel
Daiwa’s Saltiga rods are crafted on premium
Japanese blanks, utilizing the brand’s X45 carbon fiber weave technology. This
construction not only provides a strong and reliable backbone but also minimizes
rod twisting for enhanced fish-fighting power. Outfitted with Fuji K guides and
all-SiC rings, these rods ensure smooth line movement and reduced friction, even
under heavy loads. According to Martin, these features combine to create a
versatile rod that excels in both deep-water applications and the finesse
demands of light jigging. All Saltiga Light Jigging rods are designed for use
with up to 20-pound test J-Braid. “Anglers should focus on using jigs between
100 and 150 grams, with up to the 200-gram max rating in certain situations,”
Martin explained. “These rods pack enough power to handle big fish, making them
ideal for targeting tilefish, grouper, snapper, and pelagics on the East Coast,
as well as lingcod, rockfish, and pelagics in West Coast waters.”

Holding the Saltiga 15 size reel
in hand I was impressed how compact it was
The new rods feature a stunning blue and gold
finish, perfectly complementing Daiwa’s premium Saltiga casting and spinning
reels. Retailing at $449, the Saltiga rods are available now for enthusiasts
looking to elevate their saltwater jigging game.

Together the two Saltiga products
are a perfect match for jigging
Our Quick take: We had the chance to check
out the new Saltiga gear in person at today’s ISE show in Sacramento. These rods
pair seamlessly with the latest Saltiga reels, which are really compact and
lightweight. As with everything bearing the Saltiga name, the rods and reels
exude a premium feel, with machined components that are as stunning as they are
functional.

Frank at the ISE Sac booth showing
us the latest Saltiga offerings
For light jigging setups, it’s hard to imagine
anything better than one of these new Saltiga rods paired with a machined
aluminum Saltiga 15 conventional reel or the sleek, one-piece monocoque
aluminum-framed Saltiga G spinning reel. It’s probably a good thing green fish
are my favorite species - my wallet (and my marriage) might not survive the
temptation.