I am looking at either a Catalina 4500H or Saltiga 4500 for chucking poppers, jigging, chucking lures at tuna and some bottom bashing. I want to spool it with 30lb braid. I like the catalina for it's superior line capacity of 400m compared to Saltiga's 300m of pe 3.
Looking for opinions on each and what rod would be good with either. I also may use the reel on a suitable rod for beach fishing.
Cheers ,
Maccas
from what i believe, they are very similar reels, the main diffrence is that the saltiga is made in japan and the catalina isnt.
Read Alan Hawks post on the Catalina 6500 that he put up recently.
Both are made in japan. I have the Catalina 4500h and love it. In saying that the Saltiga is better so it will depend on how much you want to spend. Both should have identical line capacity as they are basically the same reel minus some bearings.
I use mine for everything that you want to do and recommend it highly for the money paid. If i was tossing up between the two i would go the Catalina in the 4500 size but if i was looking at the 6500 size and needing to use them to there full capacity i would spend the extra and go for a Saltiga.
Scott
Sorry mate late edit. I havent used it for jigging. Must have read your post too quickly and missed that you want to use it for jigging as well. No idea how it performs in that role.
Have a Catalina 4500, says "made in Japan",,, instructions are japanese as well lol from what i understand they have the gear system of the older Saltigas from a couple of years ago and not the latest generation of gears and not as many bearings..maybe someone who knows more will be more specific. SAying that they are a bloody great reel and for the price ?
have 40lb braid on it and its on a Catalina 762/XH rod .... very nice outfit, casts well and I used it for a bit of everything, floating baits, plastics , handled a nice Long Tail a couple weeks ago very nicely... very impressed with the outfit, very nicely balanced, am now now looking at a 6500. My fishing gear habit just got more expensive
mike
Tangles KFC
Hey Scott you are right, both have the same line capacity. What rod or rods do you use your Catalina 4500H with and why did you go with the 4500H instead of the 4500.
Maccas
I went the 4500h because of the retrieve rate. I use mine for spinning mainly and wanted something solid that could double as a bottom basher from time to time.What rod or rods do you use your Catalina 4500H with and why did you go with the 4500H instead of the 4500.
I dont have the best rods around but what i have does the job for me. I put it on a Tiralejo 11' for spinning, a Wilson Live Fibre 10 - 15kg for bottom bashing and a Wilson Live Fibre surf rod on the beach at times. Its even been on a Penn Spinfisher 750 stick.
Hi Maccas,
Thanks for your email and sorry I did not see the post earlier. I have not checked the site for a while due to loads of work
Go for the Catalina mate and don't think twice. Catalinas are Made in Japan on the same machinery and sharing about 85-90% of the Saltiga's parts. They have a stepped down gearing that is still incredibly strong and is actually smoother than the Satliga's, and lack a few bearings. No one should buy a Saltiga anymore unless it has a gear ratio that is not available in the Catalina. I got meself a Catalina 6500 from Japan and the reel is every bit a saltiga that I put reviewing it on the back burner for now as it would be nothing considerably different than my review of the Saltiga.
I also have heard from reliable sources that Saltiga is going to be discontinued and replaced with a new generation in response to the Stella SW. Whether the new Daiwa is going to be unveiled in next year's fishing show or in 2011, depends on how the field tests and design enhancements are going. Will let you know if I hear something.
Gotta run. Cheers all.
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