Saltiga A-Rounder vs Catalina Dorado 7'

[ssymmetri]

Anyone have experience with either of these rods?
They seem pretty spot on for spec as a medium rod
and pretty damn similar in spec too

Daiwa Saltiga A-Rounder
vs
Daiwa Catalina Dorado 70

can anyone justify around $200 more for a bit more carbon and 10grams lighter?

[riceboy]

No idea on the Catalina rod but I had the Saltiga 70s and its an incredible rod but you'll be pushing the limits casting 40gm lures as its quite a soft tip rod. Despite the soft tip, once loaded up and fighting the fish, it can definately handle abit more than 16lb or PE 1.5. I ran PE 2 (25lb) through mine with a Stella 5000FA and no problem pushing to its limts. Casting weight I would say 30-35gm be comfortable.

Maybe try them both at the same time and see which is better suited to you. Personally I prefer a slightly stiffer tip and no so fast action.

[ssymmetri]

ohh i see.
how was the saltiga on the lower end of the lure casting (10-25grams)?
also why are you a fan of the less than fast action? (this is something i never considered)

[mbp]

Sorry to jump in on this one but I certainly agree with Riceboys comments re the Salty.
I also have no experience with the Catalina but I use a Saltiga All rounder with a Morethan with 15lb sensor and it's perfect for piffing 30-35g metals from the beach.
I specifically looked for a 'softer' rod with a more even parabolic curve for this sort of work. The Salty loads up really,really well with the big salmon here on the South Coast.
Also handles 20-25g metals with ease however 10g is getting a bit light.

[riceboy]

lol....exactly what he said. When a rod can load up more to the lower half of the rod, its easier to hold onto a rod with a rampaging fish at the other end. Faster action rod locks up quicker and consequently you'll feel every jolts and hits of the fish, possibly pulling hooks as well. Your rod needs to absorb that abit, not you!!

Im not using a much longer rod, more a heavy-ish seabass rod can lighter and more responsive than the Saltiga All rounder/Dorado 70S.
Its 8'6" and rated to 14lb and 30gm lures. Either running the Exist 3012 or Certate 2500R.

[ssymmetri]

awesome info!
thanks guys!

will be browsing for regular taper rods to compare
trying to find a rod to match a certate hyper custom 3000 ya see =P

[riceboy]

what do you want to use the outfit for??

[ssymmetri]

Originally Posted by riceboy

what do you want to use the outfit for??

i spin off the rocks a bit, sometimes just inside the bays around sydney
but mainly just want a combo for fishing lures around 20-30grams
hoping for a fight with kingfish, tailor, salmon, bonito or whatever wants to a piece of lures that weight!

[riceboy]

have a look around for medium to heavy seabass rods to suit up to PE 1.5

Anyone stock any Japanese seabass rods in your area?? if not, contact Fishhead in Victoria Point, Brisbane and see what they have available. Tell them exactly what you want to match up to, line class and casting weights. Im sure they can sort something out for you.

[ssymmetri]

i have a feeling they don't but will check em out (local tackle stores)
i usually browse for japan rods online, so i've not much idea how they feel
hopefully somewhere closeby will have em. else i'll try fishhead

[Superduperman]

I got an 8-14lb 8'6" Seabass rod off Honsu, they're mega cool and awesome for spinning! I run 15lb on an Aspire 2500.

[GregL]

Casting off the rocks a bit longer rod would aid in casting distance.
If your looking at spending Saltiga money why not look custom.
Have a look at barra style spin rods as these are similar power levels to what your looking at.

Rods like the Millerods beast buster long cast or for more power the beast buster toads. The toad will cast your 1oz jigs and still cast a 1/4 nicely to. I have a few of these in different lengths for different styles of fishing but my Toad Custom 7'8" is a weapon and what I use for snapper fishing. I have matched mine with a 3000 Branzino and 30lb Branzino braid and out casts near everything at this length. I have stopped reds to 7kg in 6m of water here off longreef with it.

Greg