Mark,

I've been using a twinpower 8000pg for a while, and recently have been using it off a kayak. It's seen plenty of fish and saltwater (including one submersion yesterday :() and is still performing beautifully. Pulled it apart last night and all the rubber seals had done there job and there was minimal saltwater penetration. Very impressed. Not available locally but you could get one from ebay landed here for about $320.

I'm pretty sure the catalina would do the job as well.

John

I head a little FURTHER NORTH each year,
Leave the cities behind, out of sight of mind,
.......

yeah for the money i like the twin powers as well big john, good value for money and good quality

Hi Mark,

The Daiwa 4500 Catalina is a very strong reel and i've sold them to customers and one to a mate and no probs at all. They're a workhorse reel that is based on the Saltiga reel's and it's internal gears etc. That coupled with the waterpoofing seals makes it a robust & low maintenace reel with hi qualities.

This reel is a step up from the older Saltist spinning 4500, we stock both......pop in or call us if we can help out!

Cheers

* Oceanside- Advice, Knowledge, Experience....that's our difference *

Owner/Operator "Oceanside Tackle & Marine"
364 South Street, O'Connor, Perth Ph# 9337 5682

Yeh John, the old salwater environment is so harsh on reels and even if we think we're looking after it the nasty sh!t still tries to get in........the W/P seals & washers in more upmarket reels are taking us forward and they make all the difference!

* Oceanside- Advice, Knowledge, Experience....that's our difference *

Owner/Operator "Oceanside Tackle & Marine"
364 South Street, O'Connor, Perth Ph# 9337 5682

Diawa Saltiga's blast will cease

The catalina is diawa's new replacement for saltiga's.

There has been talk of an australian designed saltiga to suite our conditions but we will know near september.

The main reason with the saltiga had a few flaws in stock drags grabbing under heavy load and creating extra presure on the reel stem and snapping,the other one was the full time infinant anti reverse which created a rumbling feel through the reel which put people off from owning one.

Has'nt anyone noticed a lot more showing up on ebay..big price drops in U.S. tackle stores

Got a 4500 Blast and cant complain bloody good reel

would love a catalina..

Looks like they are dumbing down the big fish technology in favour of durability.
After your post I had a look at the Daiwa site and the Catalinas look pretty tough. I like the new Emblem Pro and would'nt mind one of those Twinpowers John is talking about, but they appear to have donw away with them locally.
(Colin 1 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

At the budget end. Diawa Capricorn 4500j, under $300, good value, 9kg drag ect........

About the new Daiwa reels. There is some quality gear for reasonable prices.
(Colin 1 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

Emblem pro 5500

I have seen them for $135 and $20 post from USA .

And the Emcast for $65 and $20 post . good spin reels for the price

________________________________________________________________________

 Oatsfishwest member 88 .

Fishramma does this mean that they will stop building dogfights and the like. and replace them with bigger models of the catalinas. Do you know if this is fact or is only rumours because it will mean you will get alot of saltigas cheap from us like you said if it is true

No rumor but fact,Its mainly aimed at the 4500..

They were around $900 but look around and you'll pick one up for $600.Change the drag and make it better.I still think its badly overpriced.Stella might be the way to go..Don't here any complaints about them.

G'day fishramma where is your 'fact' that states the Saltiga's will cease manufacturing and that the Catalina is the replacement??

I'm pretty sure the Catalina is designed to replace the Saltiga Blast/Saltist range which was marketed as a cheaper alternative to the more expensive saltiga range.

I'm sure the Catalina is a fine reel but look at the specs, it's not as good as a Saltiga.

Lets see what happens

I thought that the Saltist was made for the shops without a TEAM DAIWA franchise, so they could sell some high end gear but not Saltiga's and team Daiwa stuff???? 

But I'm looking more at USA built reels for my top end gear, as they are really pushing the envelope lately.

________________________________________________________________________

 Oatsfishwest member 88 .

I am interested in what you said about USA made reels. Are there any particular US companies or reels that you would recommend. What sort of new technologies are we talking about. I am really interested in where fishing reel technology is headed.

Many thanks, Colin

G'day Colin, Van Staal, Accurate, Progear are some of the USA brands that seem to be making a name for themselves.

I was looking at some info on an Accurate reel today. Mighty impressive. Havn't heard much about Progear. Thanks for the tip.
(Colin 1 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

There are some small companies that have been swallowed up by big corporations and had some cash injected to get their gear better than other companies, having the best is good now .

________________________________________________________________________

 Oatsfishwest member 88 .