Low Budget GT Reels

[Kevin Hulse]

Hi all,

I'm looking at putting a reel on my GT Special with a limited budget. Dont particularly want to spend over about $400. So far the reels I've had a look at are the Shimano Saragosa 18000, Diawa Saltist 6500 and had a quick look at the Okuma Salina II but the sales person steered me away from them. I have read a bit on various forums about the Saragosa vs Saltist and found some info about the Saragosa on here too and was hoping that there might be a few more people out there who could share a bit of knowledge and their opinions on these reels. 

I'm probably going to start off with 80lb braid and see how I go. Will be fishing out of Yepoon mostly. Dont think I'll make it as far north as Shoalwater but it could be a possibility (yes the 80lb will be replaced if that happens) if that helps at all.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Cheers

Kev

[Mark Harris]

I have a Saragosa 18000 Kevin but have only used it personally as a back-up jigging reel. No issues with the reel - it is hardy and good value. Have landed reasonable sized GTs and Dogtooth with it. Friends have used it for casting with some success. Hard to find fault with this reel for the money.

If the first generation Salinas are anything to go by, stay right away from those. Several Indonesian friends bought those as a very cheap jigging reel and had all sorts of problems (all witnessed first hand, not hearsay) - warped bail arms (they do not like the sun), massive corrosion (they do not like the water), frazzled drag (they do not like fish)......

[Karl Nelson]

hey Kev
 Ive got a diawa saltist 6500. grate value for money. caught a bunch of fish on it, had some big runs to, drag is still good, still going strong. not as smooth in the gearbox though. but for  $300 i say its a good thing.
 
Karl.

[Luke Wyrsta]

Hi Kevin,

Whatever reel you use, putting it through regular GT use - it's going to need maintenance and replacement parts at some point.

I second the Saragosa, and the aftersales support you will receive from Shimano if you need it serviced.

I've caught GT to 30kg on the Saragosa, did not miss a beat. Mind you, I have not used it for an extended period of time - but would not expect anything more than any other product in that price bracket.

L

[Kevin Hulse]

If the first generation Salinas are anything to go by, stay right away from those. Several Indonesian friends bought those as a very cheap jigging reel and had all sorts of problems (all witnessed first hand, not hearsay) - warped bail arms (they do not like the sun), massive corrosion (they do not like the water), frazzled drag (they do not like fish)......

LMAO No wonder there aren't many good things said about them. Its pretty suprising to hear that seeing as they offer a lifetime warrantey isn't it? You would think that they woud want their products to be fairly reliable.

I have to admit that going by reports its pretty neck and neck between the Saltist and the Saragosa but in saying that I have always been partial to Shimano though. I understand that with the heavy nature of this type of fishing that maintenance is an important issue and that you also get what you pay for. Luke I've never had to deal with shimano before (maybe that is saying somethin in itself) but know that other manufacturers can be less than ideal.

Thanks for the feed back guys

[Mark Harris]

Not sure about Daiwa's aftersales support in Australia (?) but where I live it is non-existent (products do not even have a warranty). That's another big plus for the Saragosa over the Saltist for me at least.

[Travis Heaps]

I'm probably going to start off with 80lb braid and see how I go. Will be fishing out of Yepoon mostly. Dont think I'll make it as far north as Shoalwater but it could be a possibility (yes the 80lb will be replaced if that happens) if that helps at all.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Cheers

Kev

no gt's around yeppoon, i wouldnt bother...

[Kevin Hulse]

So I guess there is no point asking for any tips then hey Travis? LOL

[Gareth Branicki]

I would defiantly steer clear of the daiwa saltist 6500 i have one and wouldn't recommend it  basically a sealine bull but with more drag washes and a different colour,  handle is defiantly odd as theres a gap between it and the main body also when retrieving at high speed the reel seems to jerk a metal lure all over the place
I don't no about the Saragosa  seems  it might last better  and shimano customer service is way ahead of the others

as for okuma  i wont even mention Lol

[Damian Fantozzi]

ive got the saragosa 18k, yet to be tested on a fish. Its a spheros with a stella handle and an extra bearing on the drive gear. there is a bit of play in the main shaft i.e. spool up and down , which bothers me but doesnt seem to affect performance. the line lay on retrieving poppers is not what i would call great but its acceptable. worse on stickbaits.
The saltist has a doorknob style handle attachment , with the square drive and screw in cap, which makes for a bit of slop, and there are also the gaps to let in sand, salt and water which have already been mentioned. I have read about an o-ring being installed between the handle an the body to fix this.

the 'gosa drag has a bit of a startup spike, doesnt worry me with PE6 because im running under 10kgs drag. Carbontex would probably be a good investment.

[Greg Burt]

Don't forget the Paladin gearing Damian, this is what really sets the Saragosa apart from the Spheros, OH' and the extra drag washers.
My three year old one is still cruisin nicely on medium jigging and poppering, the only change I made was upgrade to Carbontex drag washers 

[Mark Harris]

As Greg says, it is wrong to characterise a Saragosa as Spheros with an extra bearing and a different handle (not a Stella handle btw - the attachment is different). Another difference is a much stronger looking bail arm and roller.

It is by no means a perfect popping (nor jigging) reel, but then for the price you should not expect it to be.

[Nathan Green]

Travis, i sent you a PM

Nathan

[Luke Wyrsta]

there is a bit of play in the main shaft i.e. spool up and down , which bothers me but doesnt seem to affect performance. the line lay on retrieving poppers is not what i would call great but its acceptable. worse on stickbaits.

It's not play, there is supposed to be a small amount of movement in the shaft, vertical wise that is.

What line lay issue are you having?

[Damian Fantozzi]

Luke,

the play in the shafy im talking about is 3-4mm, which is double the play in similar size/price reels ive looked at. 

As for the line lay, I will take a picture and post it. Basically the line is wavy, and lumpy on the spool after a day testing it with a 60gram popper, pe6 jigman.