US version Saltiga - another budget rod option

[Jason4606]

Not sure what happened to pix... Let me try again.

I've seen a couple of posts questioning the merits of the US market Daiwa Saltiga jigging rods. I was curious too, and for $62 on eBay I had little to lose to take a quick look...

This is a 5'11" 30-60lb rated conventional that appears accurately rated and more capable than the 65-200lb labeled TFC-58H Trevala F.

New Daiwa SA-JG511HFB right out of the box with labels still on and 16.5lbs of load:


TFC-58H Trevala F overloaded with the same 16.5lbs (notice line dropping completely below the blank before the first guide!):


It has Fuji alconite guides, Fuji reel seat, and plastic Fuji gimbal with cover. The grips are a branded EVA called "Duracork" and feel smoother than std. EVA - more like diamond shrink-wrap. The guides are a little larger than the Trevala, wrapped nicely and look very durable. The bias construction of the graphite blank is visible in the picture of the guide below. The rear grip is a little long for my taste on a conventional rod - 15" plus the gimbal - but OK.

Ratings:


Guide and a shot of the bias construction blank:


This is not a heavy stick, but it is a little heavier than Trevala F 5'8"H. Most of this seems to be in the longer grip and it balances very nicely with this JX 2-spd. This rod is rated for 270g-330g jigs and I think it should do great with anything from 100g up through the max of 330g listed. The tip seems lively and sensitive and is similar to Trevala F for the first 12" or so... BUT, as you saw earlier it loads up much quicker.

Another look at my cheap new stick with JX 2-spd:


After a quick first look this seems like a good low-cost, medium-duty option... Not sugesting it will replace any high-end heavy-duty tuna killers, but it may fill a lower-end need (rating and/or cost ) for some.

Thanks!
Jason

[bulllred]

Thanks for the report. Those rods look good for the price.

[kidflex]

daiwa makes a solid product! regardless of the price, their buget stuff is better than most brands intermediate products. i have a foreign made saltiga jigging rod and that thing is a work of art.

[gmack]

I almost bought a Saltiga, but didn't know if I would like the long rear grip length. I purchased a Cabelas brand 5'8" heavy model for $80. I like it. It's a decent rod, but has cheap compnents.

Gary

[jureal]

If it is too long for your taste, cut it down and re-install the gimbal. Use an alluminum one as the replacement. Very easy do-it-yourself fix or can be done cheaply by any rodbuilder.

[VaRandy]

How can we get Diawa to take us Jiggers seriously and offer the Jap made stuff to us? The Chinese stuff just isn't the same.

[fishchaser23]

i bought the 5'8'' (i think) jigging rod rated for 20-50 lb line for jigging inshore for blues and stripers up here on the east coast and really have enjoyed the rod. It is very very light. I may purchase the heavier one for tuna after seeing this...

[spineyman]

Jason4606:

What kind of drag do you think the Daiwa SA-JG511HFB is rated for?

[Jason4606]

30% of the 60lb max line rating seems right-on for a max drag setting... I have the JX set right around 17 at strike and can still put my thumb down to move fish without feeling like it will explode! (But it's not an 80lb rod by any stretch.)

And also FYI, working 8oz diamond jig in nearly 300' of water was NO problem...

Hope this helps!

Jason

[Eastern Tackle]

I just got a 30T over the weekend. I'm thinking of matching it up with this rod?