Torium VS Saltist: whats your preference - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

The Kid · 08-06-2011, 08:31 AM

The Torium gets a thumbs down for me for several reasons and for big reasons at that.
Cons
1. The free spool is crap with the Torium.
2. The anti-reverse fails all the time. And because of that, when you are fighting larger fish with your drag pinned down the stress will actually break the anti-reverse.
3. Drags wear down and crack really fast.
4. Bearings are not sealed, they are open.

Pros
1. Excellent cosmetics (paint and body).

The Saltist on the other hand is my favorite reel:
Cons
1. The paint job is awful and will scratch if not babied.

Pros
1. Excellent free spool with the option of manipulation via. centrifugal brakes.
2. The anti-reverse problem seen in the Toriums is non-existent due to the backstop that Daiwa placed behind the anti-reverse clutch to prevent unnecessary back swing causing failure.
3. The drags are now made of carbon, similar material as carbotex, and they are smooth.
4. The bearings are sealed.

Go with the Saltist you will not regret it.

Torium

Saltist

Ojos_raros · 08-06-2011, 01:22 PM

AVET!!! made in the USA!! I've had the Torium 20 and hated it - lacks power and breaks all the time. Ive got a Saltist right now and like that lots better but it does get scratched really easily. They both suck compared to Avet.

lowprofile · 08-06-2011, 05:21 PM

saltist gets my vote. have a 40 on the bait rod and my dads been using a 50, 30 and 20 in the surf where i use a sealine and abu. they stand up to the salt (they are scratched though as stated before), excelent freespool and cast a mile, especially the 20 and 30, but the 50 matches my abu in the surf.

imo, if it can stand up and handle the rigors of surf and jetty fishing through all the spray, and salt, and sand then it will be fine for boat and yak.

T Bone · 08-06-2011, 05:38 PM

Thanks for the input guys.I am leaning toward the saltist now.

Avets-I have owned five.Neptune stole 2 from me in the surf last year.I still have a JX2 and an SX-MC.I like them but they dont like the salt.The tolerances are too tight or something.every time i take them in the yak they loose freespool and get rough.I have had to replace bearings and such and i am pretty good about rinsing them off.

sandydiego · 08-06-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Bone

Thanks for the input guys.I am leaning toward the saltist now.

Avets-I have owned five.Neptune stole 2 from me in the surf last year.I still have a JX2 and an SX-MC.I like them but they dont like the salt.The tolerances are too tight or something.every time i take them in the yak they loose freespool and get rough.I have had to replace bearings and such and i am pretty good about rinsing them off.

Have you tried using stop salt? I picked some up a squidco and spray my reels down with a squirt bottle after a light rinse with the hose. the look like the day I got them.

Billy V · 08-06-2011, 09:38 PM

The Saltist all the way.

A couple of years ago Mike from Charkbait cracked open both of the reels you are looking at and did a side by side comparison with detailed pics.

The Saltist had much stronger parts.

I just spooled up a couple more for myself today. 22 lbs. of drag with No Handle bind like the lever drag reels.

Bulletproof
-----------------------------
The Avets have OPEN spool bearings and collect salt water. They don't like the kayak environment, but work fine on Boats. You Must fish them within the recommended Factory Drag Specifications.

If you set the Pre-set too high you will overload the pinion bearing and destroy it with One revolution of the handle. A drag scale will able you to set it properly- then you can Mark the Pre-set knob to avoid any problems.

Hypoxic1 · 08-07-2011, 05:59 AM

I began with Toriums and they required tons of maintenance. I was told that the Saltist was built in such a way as to not "drink " as much water as the toriums do. Perhaps its my imagination but I think it is true. Have had all 4 saltists for more than 6 months and have had zero trouble with them.
Good luck, T

Chris

Whizz Bang · 08-08-2011, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Kid

The Torium gets a thumbs down for me for several reasons and for big reasons at that.
Cons
1. The free spool is crap with the Torium.
2. The anti-reverse fails all the time. And because of that, when you are fighting larger fish with your drag pinned down the stress will actually break the anti-reverse.
3. Drags wear down and crack really fast.
4. Bearings are not sealed, they are open.

Pros
1. Excellent cosmetics (paint and body).

The Saltist on the other hand is my favorite reel:
Cons
1. The paint job is awful and will scratch if not babied.

Pros
1. Excellent free spool with the option of manipulation via. centrifugal brakes.
2. The anti-reverse problem seen in the Toriums is non-existent due to the backstop that Daiwa placed behind the anti-reverse clutch to prevent unnecessary back swing causing failure.
3. The drags are now made of carbon, similar material as carbotex, and they are smooth.
4. The bearings are sealed.

Go with the Saltist you will not regret it.

Torium

Saltist

Show off.

Love my new Torium, paint job is amazing!

The Kid · 08-08-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whizz Bang

Show off.

Love my new Torium, paint job is amazing!

I only said what I said because I knew about your latest investment! Hahahahaha

just messin'

RK · 08-09-2011, 07:30 PM

Handyman-
I own saltists and sealines, and have had avets; rad little reels but of the three of them the avet is the only reel that needed bearings replaced and had an issue with saltwater intrusion and the reel gumming up.. No one sold me any line Ive fished all three of these reels on a regular basis and the only reel Ive had issues with was the Avet. Now that being said Im sure it is a simple reel to service, and with regular services the reel would definately last a lifetime and american made, but I dont like having to break down all my reels all the time, I like to fish. spray stop salt on my gear and fish again with the occasional squidco service, the daiwas work well on my neglectful program especially the hideous sealines, the avet... Well the Avet is no longer with us. RIP AVET you sexy little beast... I think its like being an ass man or a tits man

deepdvr · 08-09-2011, 07:52 PM

If you keep your yak upright going through the surf and rinse off your reels after every use with fresh water, an Avet should go at least a year between servicing. I have 6 Avets and every time I have the kid service them, they're in great shape when he opens them up. So far so good.

Either way, we are beating a dead horse. All of the above mentioned reels are solid and will get the job done day in, day out. It comes down to a matter of personal preference.

08-06-2011, 08:31 AM	#1
The Kid Loves Surface Irons Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 455	The Torium gets a thumbs down for me for several reasons and for big reasons at that. Cons 1. The free spool is crap with the Torium. 2. The anti-reverse fails all the time. And because of that, when you are fighting larger fish with your drag pinned down the stress will actually break the anti-reverse. 3. Drags wear down and crack really fast. 4. Bearings are not sealed, they are open. Pros 1. Excellent cosmetics (paint and body). The Saltist on the other hand is my favorite reel: Cons 1. The paint job is awful and will scratch if not babied. Pros 1. Excellent free spool with the option of manipulation via. centrifugal brakes. 2. The anti-reverse problem seen in the Toriums is non-existent due to the backstop that Daiwa placed behind the anti-reverse clutch to prevent unnecessary back swing causing failure. 3. The drags are now made of carbon, similar material as carbotex, and they are smooth. 4. The bearings are sealed. Go with the Saltist you will not regret it. ToriumSaltist

08-06-2011, 01:22 PM	#2
Ojos_raros Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Santa Barbara Posts: 124	AVET!!! made in the USA!! I've had the Torium 20 and hated it - lacks power and breaks all the time. Ive got a Saltist right now and like that lots better but it does get scratched really easily. They both suck compared to Avet. __________________ Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment -Buddha

08-06-2011, 05:38 PM	#4
T Bone Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Redlands CA Posts: 871	Thanks for the input guys.I am leaning toward the saltist now. Avets-I have owned five.Neptune stole 2 from me in the surf last year.I still have a JX2 and an SX-MC.I like them but they dont like the salt.The tolerances are too tight or something.every time i take them in the yak they loose freespool and get rough.I have had to replace bearings and such and i am pretty good about rinsing them off. __________________ Barachit Baralah,Elohim-In the beginning,God-Genesis 1:1 "Who among you,if your son asked for a fish would give them a serpent " Jesus Matt. 7:10

08-06-2011, 09:38 PM	#6
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	The Saltist all the way. A couple of years ago Mike from Charkbait cracked open both of the reels you are looking at and did a side by side comparison with detailed pics. The Saltist had much stronger parts. I just spooled up a couple more for myself today. 22 lbs. of drag with No Handle bind like the lever drag reels. Bulletproof ----------------------------- The Avets have OPEN spool bearings and collect salt water. They don't like the kayak environment, but work fine on Boats. You Must fish them within the recommended Factory Drag Specifications. If you set the Pre-set too high you will overload the pinion bearing and destroy it with One revolution of the handle. A drag scale will able you to set it properly- then you can Mark the Pre-set knob to avoid any problems. __________________ Last edited by Billy V; 08-06-2011 at 09:51 PM.

08-07-2011, 05:59 AM	#7
Hypoxic1 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oceanside Posts: 215	BG Saltist I began with Toriums and they required tons of maintenance. I was told that the Saltist was built in such a way as to not "drink " as much water as the toriums do. Perhaps its my imagination but I think it is true. Have had all 4 saltists for more than 6 months and have had zero trouble with them. Good luck, T Chris

08-06-2011, 05:21 PM	#3
lowprofile #1 on fishstick's hitlist Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sea level Posts: 1,478	saltist gets my vote. have a 40 on the bait rod and my dads been using a 50, 30 and 20 in the surf where i use a sealine and abu. they stand up to the salt (they are scratched though as stated before), excelent freespool and cast a mile, especially the 20 and 30, but the 50 matches my abu in the surf. imo, if it can stand up and handle the rigors of surf and jetty fishing through all the spray, and salt, and sand then it will be fine for boat and yak.

08-09-2011, 07:30 PM	#10
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	Handyman- I own saltists and sealines, and have had avets; rad little reels but of the three of them the avet is the only reel that needed bearings replaced and had an issue with saltwater intrusion and the reel gumming up.. No one sold me any line Ive fished all three of these reels on a regular basis and the only reel Ive had issues with was the Avet. Now that being said Im sure it is a simple reel to service, and with regular services the reel would definately last a lifetime and american made, but I dont like having to break down all my reels all the time, I like to fish. spray stop salt on my gear and fish again with the occasional squidco service, the daiwas work well on my neglectful program especially the hideous sealines, the avet... Well the Avet is no longer with us. RIP AVET you sexy little beast... I think its like being an ass man or a tits man

08-09-2011, 07:52 PM	#11
deepdvr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 591	If you keep your yak upright going through the surf and rinse off your reels after every use with fresh water, an Avet should go at least a year between servicing. I have 6 Avets and every time I have the kid service them, they're in great shape when he opens them up. So far so good. Either way, we are beating a dead horse. All of the above mentioned reels are solid and will get the job done day in, day out. It comes down to a matter of personal preference.