Catalina 6500 is out!

[Alan Hawk]

I told you it was coming back when it was still a secret

http://www.daiwafishing.com.au/daiwa...oduct=Catalina

I've used the smaller size extensively, and I highly recommend it. Now with the big one out, I can't see any good reason why anyone would buy a Saltiga. The capacity of the Catalina 6500 is the same as the Expedition and the Extreme, the maximum drag is also 30 kilos, shares 85% of the components with the Saltiga, built in Japan on the same production lines, all at about 65-70% of the Satliga price.

They only lack a few nonessential bearings and the gears are one step down from the Saltiga. Still would easily last 80% of the life of the Saltiga's gears. Can't call that bad.

Will try to get a Catalina 6500 and use on an upcoming trip, then later review it for you

[bronsonwinston]

Alan, i am thinking of getting the 4500 for a allround kind of real, one spool with 30lb braid for tuna and macs and a spool with 60lb for GT's matched with an egrell 10. What do ya reackon?

[Alan Hawk]

Alan, i am thinking of getting the 4500 for a allround kind of real, one spool with 30lb braid for tuna and macs and a spool with 60lb for GT's matched with an egrell 10. What do ya reackon?

60lb braid will be pushing the 4500 to its limits, but if you are experienced enough I'd say go for it. I used one to catch Kingies on 9KG of drag and threw 250g poppers no problems. Rod was a Smith Komodo if I remember correctly

[deepfried]

Looking forward to your review Alan. I have the 4500h and it has been a great reel that is bullet proof. Use it for everything from spinning, bait and bottom bashing offshore. A new 6500 Catalina will be joining my fishing gear soon.

Alan, i am thinking of getting the 4500 for a allround kind of real, one spool with 30lb braid for tuna and macs and a spool with 60lb for GT's matched with an egrell 10. What do ya reackon?

You dont get a spare spool with the Catalina ( well i didnt ) and to buy one it will set you back about $200+. With 30lb braid you will get about 400m if you buy a quality brand. Perfect reel for 30lb but a bit small for 60lb imo, 40lb would be as high as i would go. The 4500h is designed though for throwing poppers at GTs but i think more the average size ones not horses.

Scott

[bronsonwinston]

Scott, on the Japan tackle site they have the spools for $155. Which rod did you match with the 4500h?
Allan i googled the smith Komodo she's abit heavy duty for what i was wanting.

[deepfried]

Scott, on the Japan tackle site they have the spools for $155. Which rod did you match with the 4500h?
Allan i googled the smith Komodo she's abit heavy duty for what i was wanting.

I first bought it for spinning / poppers for tailor etc because of the build quality and retrieve rate and put it on an 11' Shimano Tiralejo. For offshore i match it with a Wilson Live Fibre 10-15kg ZWS65XJ. If i was going to do any jigging or popper work in the future i would more than likely stick it on a matching Catalina rod. For me so far it has been a work horse reel that gets swapped from rod to rod. I have one spool of 20lb and another of 30lb which will get changed to 40lb some time. I guess i have never really used it for its intended purpose but if it died on me i would buy another.

Also on ###### channel this week a Catalina 4500 was used jigging NZ Kingies. Will be repeated through the week.

[Tangles]

Just picked up a Catalina 4500, loaded it with 40lb braid and got one of those Catalina rods the Spin XHvy.. hopefully it will turn out to be a good sportfishing outfit... look forward to the report on the 6500.

The 4500 took about 280 metres of 40lb braid in the end, also a note the Daiwa catalogue states the XHvy spin will cast 3-8 oz,, on the rod itself it states 3-6oz .

mike

[deepfried]

Pretty sure you will like the reel mike. Keen to hear what you think of the rod after you have given it some.
Scott

[twist]

Can't wait to read one of your reports again. The most in depth and precise I have seen. I worry though, last time I read the report on the Stella SW I bought one. You should speak to Shimano for a spotters fee!

[WestOzDesertFisher]

Sweet! Think I've found my next reel. You say you've used the smaller size quite a lot Alan, is that the 4500 or 4500H? Only difference is the gear ratio, correct?Look forward to your review on the 6500. 30kg of drag! Sh!t!

[Tangles]

I told you it was coming back when it was still a secret

http://www.daiwafishing.com.au/daiwa...oduct=Catalina

I've used the smaller size extensively, and I highly recommend it. Now with the big one out, I can't see any good reason why anyone would buy a Saltiga. The capacity of the Catalina 6500 is the same as the Expedition and the Extreme, the maximum drag is also 30 kilos, shares 85% of the components with the Saltiga, built in Japan on the same production lines, all at about 65-70% of the Satliga price.

They only lack a few nonessential bearings and the gears are one step down from the Saltiga. Still would easily last 80% of the life of the Saltiga's gears. Can't call that bad.

Will try to get a Catalina 6500 and use on an upcoming trip, then later review it for you

Curious minds Alan, how is the Catalina 6500 going?

mike

[NIZ180]

So does anyone know how the new Seagate reels compare to the catalina & saltiga reels?

http://www.plat.co.jp/shop/catalog/d...=21_39_40_1219

[deepfried]

So does anyone know how the new Seagate reels compare to the catalina & saltiga reels?

Hey NIZ
The Seagate is a middle range offshore reel for jigging etc. Not as strong as Saltiga or Catalina reels.