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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.


 

   

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