After months of anticipation since the announcement of the DAIWA 2025 Saltiga, the wait is over!
The new Saltiga has officially hit the shelves, and it’s already making waves in the fishing world.
Today, we take a closer look at what makes this reel so special, especially as it goes head-to-head with competitors like the SHIMANO STELLA SW.
The New Design Concept – POWERDRIVE Design
Earlier, when DAIWA launched mid-sized reels like the Saltiga and Certate SW, both featured the AIRDRIVE Design, sparking rumors that larger reels might adopt this same design.
But DAIWA has once again surprised us by not only using AIRDRIVE as a base but evolving it into a more powerful design concept—POWERDRIVE Design.
The POWERDRIVE Design includes major updates to two critical components of the reel: the body and the rotor. Let’s explore the key upgrades.
POWERDRIVE Engine
The POWERDRIVE Engine represents significant updates to the body of the reel.
First up, DAIWA has introduced an Oversized Power Digigear.
In simple terms, this means larger, stronger, and smoother drive gears.
And when we say larger, we mean a massive increase in gear size.
The body of the reel has also been significantly enlarged to accommodate these larger gears—it’s noticeable even to the naked eye.
The gear teeth have also been optimized for better driving efficiency.
Another crucial update is the Roller Power Oscillation.
This feature brings back DAIWA’s original Silent Oscillation system used in earlier large reels, replacing the old pillar-based system with ball bearings for oscillation.
This upgrade reduces friction during oscillation, enhancing response and creating a smoother retrieve.
It’s an evolution of the technology seen in the 2015 Saltiga, which disappeared with the introduction of the Monocoque Body.
Now, DAIWA has successfully resolved the issues with Monocoque and reintegrated this improved system, offering a boost in winding torque, much like SHIMANO’s Infinity Loop system.
POWERDRIVE Rotor
Moving to the rotor, DAIWA has refined the POWERDRIVE Rotor, designed specifically for larger reels.
Visually, it shares the curved design with the AIRDRIVE Rotor, but has been strengthened for greater power and performance.
The rotor is not only lighter but also more robust, thanks to a design that doesn’t show external screws, which blends perfectly with the Monocoque Body.
Another new feature is the Crank Power Bail.
This upgrade addresses past complaints about the weakness of the bail arm’s spring, ensuring the bail opens and closes smoothly and securely, minimizing potential issues.
DAIWA has also improved the Tough Line Roller System, changing from the previous flat-line roller to a more SHIMANO-esque stepped design. This new design improves line attachment and boosts durability, with a higher degree of rigidity in the roller shaft.
New Drag System: DRD
One of the most exciting updates is the new drag system, DRD (though the exact meaning of “DRD” remains unclear).
This system introduces metal washers, offering a five-fold increase in durability, especially for long-duration, high-stress fishing like Bluefin Tuna.
The eight roller bearings on each washer reduce drag wear and tear, maintaining a more consistent drag force over time.
However, note that the DRD system is available only on reels sized 18000 and above. For sizes 14000 and below, a carbon washer drag system (ATD-Tough) is used.
Fortunately, for those eager to upgrade, SLP Works offers a custom Saltiga spool for 14000-sized reels that features the DRD drag system.
LC-ABS SW: Increased Casting Distance
The LC-ABS SW spool features a re-engineered design specifically for saltwater fishing.
With a two-tiered angle at the top, the spool improves line release during casting, increasing casting distance. Internal design adjustments also ensure smoother line release during retrieval.
However, if you’re using tools like Gichi Gichi Winders for winding line without a reel, you may need to adjust your technique to prevent the spool’s tapered design from influencing the line’s shape.
But for regular use, this system provides excellent performance.
Traditional Features Still in Play
While DAIWA has introduced a host of new features, the classic elements we love are still here.
The Monocoque Body, with its seamless one-piece construction, remains present for added durability and strength.
Magsealed technology is applied to key areas such as the pinion gear, rotor, and line roller, ensuring smoother operation and better sealing.
Additionally, the handle knob has been upgraded across various sizes.
For models in the 8000-P to 10000-P range, DAIWA has opted for a round aluminum knob, while other sizes now feature a rubber egg-shaped knob that offers better grip and comfort, something we can all appreciate.
Specifications & New Sizes
The new Saltiga lineup offers sizes ranging from 8000 to 25000.
The 25000 size, in particular, is a beast, capable of holding 300 meters of PE12 line with a gear ratio of 4.4, and an impressive 118cm retrieval rate.
Despite its large size, the reel only weighs about 950g, making it comparable to the 18000 and 20000 models. Additionally, the 8000-14000 and 18000-25000 sizes share the same body, ensuring spool compatibility between the two ranges.
| Model | Weight (g) | MAX Line Retrieve (cm) | Gear Ratio | Capacity Braid (Gou-m) | Handle Length (mm) | Bearings | Drag Power (kg) | Spool Dia. (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8000-P | 670 | 94 | 4.8 | 3-460_4-300 | 80 | 14(14/1) | 25 | 63 |
| 8000-H | 680 | 110 | 5.6 | 3-460_4-300 | 80 | 14(14/1) | 25 | 63 |
| 10000-P | 675 | 99 | 4.8 | 4-380_5-300 | 85 | 14(14/1) | 25 | 67 |
| 10000-H | 685 | 117 | 5.6 | 4-380_5-300 | 85 | 14(14/1) | 25 | 67 |
| 14000-P | 690 | 102 | 4.8 | 5-340_6-300 | 85 | 14(14/1) | 25 | 69 |
| 14000-XH | 690 | 133 | 6.2 | 5-340_6-300 | 85 | 14(14/1) | 25 | 69 |
| 18000-H | 930 | 129 | 5.5 | 6-420_8-300 | 90 | 14(14/1) | 30 | 75 |
| 20000-P | 940 | 111 | 4.4 | 8-370_10-300 | 90 | 14(14/1) | 30 | 80 |
| 20000-H | 940 | 138 | 5.5 | 8-370_10-300 | 90 | 14(14/1) | 30 | 80 |
| 25000-P | 950 | 118 | 4.4 | 10-360_12-300 | 90 | 14(14/1) | 30 | 87 |
* Braided line capacity is based on Japanese size “Gou”. Please refer to Gou and Diameter table to see diameters of each Gou.
As of now, the 2025 Saltiga has already been released, and we’re excited to bring you our YouTube review soon! Stay tuned for more details and insights into this cutting-edge reel.
