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

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

Handymansd · 08-07-2011, 08:07 AM

Avets... Support the USA! They are a better reel anyway!

RK · 08-07-2011, 09:03 AM

Just curious with all this talk of toriums, saltists (Great reel), Avets (not the greatest choice for kayaks maintenance wise),
how come the sealine hasnt come up (aside from how ugly the exterior is?)

Billy V · 08-07-2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RK

Just curious with all this talk of toriums, saltists (Great reel), Avets (not the greatest choice for kayaks maintenance wise),
how come the sealine hasnt come up (aside from how ugly the exterior is?)

I think the only reason the Sealine hasn't come up in this thread is because its not among the the two reels he is considering. Most everyone here who has landed Big Fish on The Sealine agree it is the best all around reel for Kayak fishing - and just about anything else for that matter. 16.5 lbs of smooth drag straight out of the box - even smoother drag with the carbotex drag washers.
Very little maintenance required.

The Saltist is a class above.
Stronger internals parts, gears, and frame, 2 silent anti-reverse devices, additional sealed bearings, 22 lbs. of smooth drag.
Very little maintenance required and it survives the kayak environment.

RK · 08-07-2011, 11:51 AM

Right on thanks billy, my sentiments exactly... i probably shouldnt have even brought that up but it was itching at me

Handymansd · 08-07-2011, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RK

Avets (not the greatest choice for kayaks maintenance wise)

You can say they are too expensive, bearings need maintenance once a year, they scratch fairly easily, the clickers can be next to silent on some, or hell, just about anything else... but hard to maintain? OK someone sold you a line... with a circle hook attached...

I have 2 saltist, 1 of the newer LD 30 two speed, and one of the LD 40 two speed models. (won them at fred hall this last year)
I have, or did have, one torium that I never did like, gave it to a friend...

I also have two HV40's and one 50.
My Avets... I have 2 SX, 3 MXL, 2 HXW, and 2 older EX's (before the etching).

Out of all of those reels the Avets are, by far, the easiest to rebuild and maintain. Especially since having a number of them of the same models cuts the cost of having bearings on hand

. They are value priced for the level of performance, and quite frankly hold a bit more spectra

.

I actually do like my Saltist 30 that I won at one of the Fred Hall shows this last year. The Saltist does have an awesome, and loud clicker, and very smooth drags, and I really like the stock "power handle". The positions on the lever drag are a bit shallow, and do not hold as well as the other reels, and when your hands are wet and slippery the drag adjust knob grooves are almost to shallow to get a good hold. But, over all I would definitely say that it is one of the top choices for inshore kayaking, as it holds up fairly well to the abuse we give them, even though they are kind of a pain to rebuild compared to the Avets.

I also agree about the all time favorites for some of us old timers being the Sealines, but they really are a step below some of the newer, and better designed reels. That does not mean they are, by any means, a bad reel, just a different category. They have well earned their reputation as strong, reliable, bomb proof, and well priced reels, that will bring in any trophy fish.

I do not like the toriums at all... they seem to have a good following but I am not a fan of star drag reels... a more comparable model, IMHO, would be the Talica or Tyrnos. (I own neither of them, so I won't say anything but would be happy to give an honest review if someone wants to donate one!!)

And for those that really want a maintenance free reel you can buy almost any reel bearing you need in a ceramic version. I use the ABEC#7 Orange seal bearings from www.bocabearings.com. going on three years with only occaisional rinse outs... on my Avets... and the bearings are flawless...
How hard is that for Maint for an Avet?

Just my 0.02...

PapaDave · 08-07-2011, 05:28 PM

I am still fishing with a couple of sealines, 20, 30 and 50, I got about 25 years ago. They still work, take a beating, survive the salt and land the fish. They are easy to take apart and maintain.

I am thinking of upgrading to the Saltist as soon as I can afford it though.

tagyak · 08-07-2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapaDCh

I am still fishing with a couple of sealines, 20, 30 and 50, I got about 25 years ago. They still work, take a beating, survive the salt and land the fish. They are easy to take apart and maintain.

I am thinking of upgrading to the Saltist as soon as I can afford it though.

i hear that diawa is coming out with a new reel called the SEAGATE in septemeber. it is placed between the SEALINE and the SALTIST. you should maybe take a look at these. they look really nice and the specs seem impressive for the price.

The Kid · 08-07-2011, 08:16 PM

I'm not fan of the Sealine simply because the gear box is annoyingly in the way.

T-Rex · 08-09-2011, 10:37 PM

Saltist gets my vote. I've got a BG Saltist 40H and am very happy with it. I had a Torium 20 a few years ago and was pretty with it too, but the Saltist has a bigger pinion gear and solid aluminum sideplates whereas the Torium has graphite sideplates covered with stamped aluminum. Since both reels are at the same price point, I think the Saltist wins hands down.

[QUOTE=Handymansd;91492 ... Avets are, by far, the easiest to rebuild and maintain. Especially since having a number of them of the same models cuts the cost of having bearings on hand

. [/QUOTE]
x2
I've got 4 Avet SXs and love 'em. Tough little reels, but the bearings do need more TLC, but as handymansd said, they're really easy to service. I'm going to have to give those bocabearings a try. The only thing I don't like about them are the PITA clickers - the clickers are weak and the buttons are hard to push. Maybe Avet has fixed this on some of the newer models.

08-07-2011, 05:59 AM	#1
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

08-07-2011, 08:07 AM	#2
Handymansd Ancient Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: On The Water Posts: 935	Avets... Support the USA! They are a better reel anyway! __________________ All men are equal before fish. -Herbert Hoover

08-09-2011, 10:37 PM	#10
T-Rex Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita Posts: 770	Saltist gets my vote. I've got a BG Saltist 40H and am very happy with it. I had a Torium 20 a few years ago and was pretty with it too, but the Saltist has a bigger pinion gear and solid aluminum sideplates whereas the Torium has graphite sideplates covered with stamped aluminum. Since both reels are at the same price point, I think the Saltist wins hands down. [QUOTE=Handymansd;91492 ... Avets are, by far, the easiest to rebuild and maintain. Especially since having a number of them of the same models cuts the cost of having bearings on hand. [/QUOTE] x2 I've got 4 Avet SXs and love 'em. Tough little reels, but the bearings do need more TLC, but as handymansd said, they're really easy to service. I'm going to have to give those bocabearings a try. The only thing I don't like about them are the PITA clickers - the clickers are weak and the buttons are hard to push. Maybe Avet has fixed this on some of the newer models.

08-07-2011, 09:03 AM	#3
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	Just curious with all this talk of toriums, saltists (Great reel), Avets (not the greatest choice for kayaks maintenance wise), how come the sealine hasnt come up (aside from how ugly the exterior is?)

08-07-2011, 11:51 AM	#5
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	Right on thanks billy, my sentiments exactly... i probably shouldnt have even brought that up but it was itching at me

08-07-2011, 05:28 PM	#7
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,474	I am still fishing with a couple of sealines, 20, 30 and 50, I got about 25 years ago. They still work, take a beating, survive the salt and land the fish. They are easy to take apart and maintain. I am thinking of upgrading to the Saltist as soon as I can afford it though.

08-07-2011, 08:16 PM	#9
The Kid Loves Surface Irons Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 455	I'm not fan of the Sealine simply because the gear box is annoyingly in the way.