Daiwa introduced their Saltiga lineup of area-specific, coastal inshore saltwater fishing rods a few years back. The compelling thought on the development of these “specialty” sticks was to custom tailor their lengths, shapes and actions for the available gamefish and the endemic fishing techniques used in specific US coastal areas. Initially, the Daiwa engineers brought to market their Coast to Coast Actions, Coastal Gulfcoast, Atlantic Rods, North Pacific Rods and Hawaiian Island Rods. Saltiga Boat, Dendoh, G Dendoh and G Boat rods were added, as were Saltiga Boat Rods that included East Coast Trolling, Conventional, Spinning, Deckhand and Trolling actions. New for 2013 are the latest additions to the growing Saltiga family tree, the Inshore Northeast and Cod rods, which include two cod and five striper rods that are sure to be a big hit with Northeast anglers.
TECH SPECS
Although the new Daiwa Saltiga Northeast and Cod rods are broken up into two minor sub-groups (two cod rods and five striper sticks), they all have a few things in common. The foundation of all seven siblings in the new inshore northeast and cod rod product group is Daiwa’s proven bias construction, which starts off with a high modulus graphite blank. “Bias Construction” is a proprietary multi-directional weave of graphite reinforcements in each rod blank that resists twisting for less stress, greater strength and hook-setting power, delivered to you with a relatively light weight and reduced profile (lighter and stronger).
Tough Fuji Alconite guides are used on each of the seven rods in the family group. In case you haven’t heard, Alconite is Fuji’s latest ceramic ring material that provides a rare combination of strength, lightness and durability not found in other guide rings that have come before it. The business end of each Northeast and Cod rod is tipped with Fuji’s proven SiC (silicone carbide) material. Silicon Carbide is one of the most advanced ceramics available today. It’s the hardest and most durable in Fuji’s lineup and because of this, SiC Guides are particularly well suited for braided line. They utilize Fuji’s “Diamond Polishing” process and boast one of the smoothest rings around. SiC rings were also the first ever to be mounted directly to the frame, thus reducing weight, increasing heat dissipation and amplifying line sensitivity. Plus they are very durable. I have Fuji SiC guides on every one of my traveling charter boat rods that doesn’t feature a roller guide and they have lasted for many seasons catching some really outsized pelagics with zero problems.
But the good stuff continues. Every Saltiga Northeast and Cod rod is constructed using a genuine Fuji reel seat and high-quality premium cork ring grips. As most experienced anglers will tell you, employing cork fore and aft grips with a high-modulus graphite rod blank will transfer maximum sensitivity to your hands when working a vertical jig, casting a bucktail or bouncing the bottom for your favorite wreckfish. Translated, you’ll feel more strikes, set more hooks at the right time and catch more fish. Daiwa takes this “sensitivity training” one step further by using a special Fuji trigger reel seat on all five of their Northeast Striper models that offers a direct-contact casting grip cutout. This feature enables your right forefinger to come into “direct contact” with a bare graphite section of the rod blank for the ultimate in touch and feel of what’s going on with your lure or bait down below. A convenient hook keeper and a protective rubber butt cap on the bottom end of each stick complete the deal on every Saltiga Inshore Northeast and Cod rod.
Detailed specs for each of these seven new 1-piece rods are as follows:
Chatting it up with a few of the students from my Long Island Fishing School who have already used these relatively new Cod sticks, I am told that they will work with jigs and/or sinkers up to 16 to 20 ounces, depending on your depth and sea conditions. These cod rods are offered in either seven-foot or eight-foot lengths to enable you to get some extended reach out from the rails of your favorite party boat to avoid tangles with other customers. If I were to look at one of the casting sticks for working off a charter client’s boat, I’d definitely give the two shorter six-foot, nine-inch rods a closer look and go with the power type (either medium or medium fast) that best suited the purpose.
These Saltiga Northeast and Cod rods will retail somewhere in the range of $129.95 to $159.95 and are backed by Daiwa’s limited lifetime warranty.
