Product Review: Saltiga Over There 80S

By Abz Meshlawi

 

A Versatile Inshore/offshore pelagic weapon

When it comes to chasing pelagics, I like to keep things simple. If I can carry one lure that covers multiple scenarios without constantly second guessing myself, it earns a permanent spot in my tackle box. The Saltiga Over There 80S, especially in the saury colour, has quickly become one of those lures.

At 80mm it is not the longest stickbait on the market, but do not let the size fool you. It punches well above its weight in casting distance and versatility, which is exactly what you want when fish are moving fast and feeding hard.

Design and Action

The Saltiga Over There 80S is a lipless, sinking stickbait designed to give you options. That is what stands out most. You are not locked into one retrieve style. If you rip it back quickly across the surface, it behaves like a topwater lure, skittering and darting in a way that draws aggressive surface strikes. When fish are busting up on bait and feeding high in the water column, that fast retrieve can trigger explosive hits.

Let it sink and it shows a completely different side. On the drop it has a natural shimmy action that imitates a wounded baitfish. This makes it deadly when fish are sitting slightly deeper or when the surface bite slows down. You can mix in sweeps, pauses, short jabs of the rod tip or long lifts and drops until you work out exactly what the fish want on the day. That flexibility is what makes it such a strong option in changing conditions.

Rigging and Practicality

Straight out of the box, the 80S comes rigged with a single BKK Diablo inline hook. There is no need to swap hardware or play around with split rings. It is ready to fish. The single inline setup is ideal for pelagics. It keeps things streamlined, improves hook up rates on fast moving fish, and makes unhooking safer and quicker, especially when you are dealing with species that do not sit still for long. 

Where It Fits

This is where the 80S really shines. It is not just an offshore lure and it is not just an inshore lure. It comfortably sits in both categories. Inshore, it is perfect for kingfish, salmon, bonito and big tailor. It is small enough to match common baitfish but heavy enough to cast long distances from the boat, the rocks or even the beach. If fish are working further out or you need to cover water, the casting weight becomes a real advantage. 

Offshore, it is just as capable. Larger pelagics like tuna will happily eat an 80mm profile when the bait is small. It also comes in larger sizes if you want to scale up, but the 80S holds its own when fish are dialled in on smaller bait schools.

Over the weekend I put it to the test on bonito. You would think an 80mm stickbait might be too big for smaller fish, but that was not the case. Even the smaller bonito were smashing it and hooking up consistently all morning. That session alone proved how well the profile matches what these fish are feeding on.

One Lure, Multiple Scenarios

What I like most about the Saltiga Over There 80S is how adaptable it is. You can throw it inshore, offshore, off the beach or from a ledge. You can burn it across the top, count it down and work it mid water, or let it sink deeper and fish it more methodically.

When you are chasing pelagics, situations change quickly. Having a lure that can cover the surface, the mid water and deeper zones without switching setups saves time and keeps you in the game. 

This is one lure that will continue to live in my tackle box whenever I am out chasing pelagics. It is compact, casts hard and gives you the control to fish it your way until the bite turns on.