20 Saltist Hyper Review

By Mark Gercovich

How can you improve on your favourite style of rod without increasing the price? Well Daiwa seems to have done this with the new range of 20 Saltist Hyper. Chasing the local summer pelagics around and casting lures at them is one of my favourite piscatorial things to do and the Saltist Hyper 72MH has been my trusty sidekick for the last two seasons.  There is always a sense of trepidation when old favourite models get updated but there is no need to worry about the new 20 Saltist Hyper not living up to the job.

The light blue of the old rods always looked good and stood out in images and videos as “a Saltist Hyper” but the new finish is top notch. Many people have commented how the rod now looks like a more expensive, well finished rod than the old model...once again for the same coin. What you can’t see though is the Next Gen-X technology that is aimed at increasing the stiffness, yet not the weight of the rod, making it better for those long casts required for fishing for pelagic species like kingfish and tuna.

The rods cast amazingly well with very little flexing or movement on the cast, but still bend beautifully when hooked up, thus reducing the chances of pulled hooks. We have been using the Multi-tool and Power Rounder models on the local kingfish population in the past few weeks and have found them perfect for the job.  They throw largish lures such as 220 Stylos, Duo Hydras, jet poppers and 12 inch Sluggos with ease and feel magnificent when trying to subdue a hard fighting king.

I don’t do a lot of fishing that specifically requires the use of a baitcaster but those Tatula rods just looked so damn sexy I had to get one. The reel seat not only looked great, but felt super comfortable to use as well. Imagine my delight when the new 20 Salist Hyper came out sporting a similar spiral foregrip. Not only are they great comfort wise, but there is some practicality to the design as well.

You can imagine how slippery one's rod can get from  a combination of fish slime from the just released tuna or king, combined with a bit of salt spray from racing around the ocean in an open boat casting quickly at fast moving fish.  From someone who a long time ago had my favourite old Daiwa Coastal Tournament (who remembers those rods!) ripped from my slippery grip by a rampaging king, I can appreciate the benefits of the spiral grip when those hands get a little slippery. 

So if you are on the lookout to update your casting rod or are just getting into the exciting world of casting at surface pelagics, have a look at the new Saltist Hyper range, you won’t be disappointed.