Introduced last year, the featherweight phenom SALTIGA 15 was an instant smash with saltwater jiggers. Shockingly, however, there was one grievance – anglers demanded more… Although the SALTIGA 15 covers superlight jigging in spades, they asked for the same technology and performance to level up for even bigger baits and fish, yet while still championing superlight jigging.
DAIWA responded with the new 2025 SALTIGA G 35/35L
Available in left and right handed models, the new SALTIGA 35 will prove to be cornerstone for jigging with lighter gear in depths formally reserved for much larger reels and heavier rods. “It really is a much more comfortable style of fishing,” said DAIWA Marketing Manager, Chris Martin. “With a more palmable, tapered, and thumb holding frame, deep jigging with the SALTIGA 15 and the brand new SALTIGA 35 is just more fun and, frankly, less exhausting.”
Line capacity isn’t sacrificed with the SALTIGA 35’s slender configuration, either. “The spool is narrow and deep, 660 yards of 30lb braid for fishing exceptionally deep and 330 yards of 65lb braid for really big fish,” said Martin.
Your usual selection of deep-ranging species pairs perfectly with the SALTIGA 35. Martin rattled off species like tuna, amberjack, red snapper, grouper and tilefish. On the Pacific side, he named Tuna, rockfish, lingcod, in addition to the formidable yellowtail.
According to Martin, an assortment of DAIWA saltwater jigs are crafted for deep vertical jigging and slow pitching. “I like the DAIWA SALTIGA SK, SALTIGA FK, MR SLOW, and SL Jigs for deep vertical fishing. The Mr. Slow Jig is excellent for pitching with its slower fall.”
Feature-wise, Martin said the SALTIGA 35’s HYPERDRIVE Design earns it pole-position amongst the competition. “The HYPERDRIVE Housing, HYPERDRIVE Clutch, HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR, and HYPERDRIVE Double Support make this real something special.” (More on HYPERDRIVE Design below.)
Anode protection is another hallmark of the SALTIGA 35. “We included an anode washer on the gear sideplate,” explained Martin. “Without getting too deep into the details, the anode plate attracts corrosive materials, keeping them out of the reel’s inner workings, further protecting the reel from saltwater threats.” Martin also noted it’s for the same reason anode plates are applied to the transoms of inboard and outboard motors.
Martin closed by highlighting the reel’s unmatched smoothness. “Honestly, the SALTIGA 15 and new SALTIGA 35 two of the sweetest turning reels DAIWA has ever introduced. ‘Like butter’ isn’t an exaggeration. The combination of its HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR, DAIWA’s advanced lubrications, and the aluminum handle with T-Shaped Power Knob make it like no other saltwater reel you’ve ever fished.”
Join in the most popular and exciting way to fish deep with light and superlight jigging equipment – and know you’re also armed for the next step up in power – and make the new SALTIGA 35 the pillar of your jigging system.
2025 SALTIGA 35 KEY FEATURES & TECHNOLOGIES:
HYPERDRIVE ARMED HOUSING and SIDEPLATES
A distortion-proof aluminum frame that securely encases the gear unit within the reel body. This robust housing ensures the gears remain precisely aligned, enhancing the reel’s performance, durability, and longevity under stress.
An advanced DAIWA technology that makes gear teeth more efficient at transferring power from the handle to the spool, resulting in a smoother, more powerful gear set that also reduces gear noise. The gears are also strengthened by larger teeth in the traction wheel. HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR also features three points of contact – most gearing has only two – which maintains constant contact between the gear teeth, resulting in a smoother operation, improved cranking power, and longer gear life.
HYPERDRIVE DOUBLE SUPPORT
The pinion gear is supported by ball bearings on both ends to improve power transmission from the handle, reduce gear wear, and enhance the reel’s overall efficiency and longevity, even under heavy stress.
DAIWA’s redeveloped and reinforced clutch mechanism is engineered to be more durable, stronger, and more reliable than previous versions, ensuring consistent performance even under heavy use or harsh conditions, such as saltwater fishing. It provides a crisp and satisfying engagement with an audible click and is designed to withstand thousands of casts without failure.
A magnetic liquid wall prevents water and foreign matter from contacting the reel bearings, guarding against rust, salt buildup, and noise, while maintaining the ball bearing’s original rotational performance.
WATERPROOF CARBON DRAG ATD (AUTOMATIC TOURNAMENT DRAG)
DAWIA employs an advanced drag grease that exhibits a low viscosity at rest yet becomes more viscous immediately after drag start up. This reduces initial drag start-up inertia and results in a smoother drag from the initial hook up.
Daiwa’s first spinning reel rolled off the assembly line in 1955. Since then, the company has grown into one of the largest and most influential tackle companies in the world today. To handle sales and distribution in the United States, Daiwa Corporation first opened its doors on September 26, 1966, operating from a small facility in Culver City, California. Today, based in Foothill Ranch, California, Daiwa Corporation sells tackle throughout the United States, Canada, Central and South America. From the very beginning, Daiwa’s emphasis has been upon innovation and quality. The result is a long list of product features, design and materials that have become standards for the fishing tackle industry. Daiwa’s long-standing record of innovation has left a visible mark on the majority of tackle manufactured today and continues to advance the sport of fishing. Learn more at daiwa.us.
