Daiwa Saltist MQ Spinning Reel Review (Pros & Cons)

The updated Daiwa Saltist MQ spinning reel has been out for a few years now.

It’s a lightweight reel with advanced features that will conquer almost all conditions.

But is it the best inshore fishing reel on the market?

Check out this deep dive to decide for yourself if it’s right for you!

*Note—this review was originally published in 2021 and our opinion hasn’t changed.

Daiwa Saltist MQ Reel Review [VIDEO]

Sign up for FREE to receive the latest saltwater fishing videos, tutorials, product reviews, and fishing product discounts!

➡ Click here to become a Salt Strong Member

➡ Click here to get the Daiwa Saltist MQ

Here is my unbiased opinion of what I think of the Daiwa Saltist MQ spinning reel:

Pros

  • Monocoque Body style (MQ design allows for reduced size and weight of the reel)
  • Increased drag and easier to turn the handle
  • A smaller compact body makes it a better reel for inshore fishing
  • Larger sizes (5000 and 6000) are going to be lighter weight overall
  • The aluminum round knob is rare to find and gives you less resistance
  • Body and rotor made of Zaion (Zaion is Daiwa’s version of a composite plastic that is very lightweight and more durable than magnesium)
  • Magsealed with a magnetized plate that creates low pressure where water and contaminants can’t make their way down the main shaft and into the body of the reel
  • Threaded top that sits over the plate of the Magseal
  • Light rubber seal at bottom of the main shaft that will also prevent water from going down the main shaft and into the rotor
  • 22-lbs of drag on carbon fiber drag stack
  • Solid aluminum body in a compact rigid design

Cons

  • This is a pricey reel at $299.99 (but this is a high-quality investment)
  • Rigid boot designed for protection but once taken off you can see the main gear and the oscillation can (separate piece not part of the aluminum body)

Key Takeaways

  • The Daiwa Saltist MQ spinning reel is a quality reel that is an investment for an angler that desires a top-tier reel with specific advantages.
  • It is meticulously designed to be a finesse heavy-duty reel.
  • It is built to last and will withstand most elements.
  • You can push this reel to the limits.

If you have any further questions about the Daiwa Saltist MQ, drop them down in the comments!!

Related categories:

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

82 Comments
newest
oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Steve Zakis
2 months ago

It was good seeing Justin again. What happened to him?

Andrew Nichols
2 months ago
Reply to  Steve Zakis

This video is from 2021

Ron Baran
2 months ago

I have both the MQ and BG, and they are both great reels. If you want the best bang for the buck, then check out Florida Fishing’s Osprey’s. I own 2 of them, and they are awesome. The 2500/3000 pack 22#’s of drag for such a small reel. As for the comments below, i do agree that you need to pair well. but i think the rod is the backbone of the set-up. Tight Lines!!!

Terry Hinton
2 months ago

thanks for the info

Steven Free
2 months ago

Ah but wait a min I thought you said that the reel isn’t as important as the rod so why are you recommending an almost 300 dollar reel?! Well to me its like I have always said BOTH the reel and rod are just as important because yes you are right when you have said in the past that the rod puts tge pressure on the fish and helps in wearing it down so it’s able to be landed but without a good reel with good drag and smooth handling that rod isn’t worth spit especially if the reels drag skips or even freezes up after a good size fish takes line especially with the real cheap reels these days it’s called teamwork kinda like a company that has a great boss but the workers are substandard the company will probably not last very long or vice versa with great workers but a horrible boss that only knows intimidation to get the workers to do a good job but of both are good then the company will obviously probably succeed think about it it’d like you say with the 90/10 zone just because you have great tackle boat are in a good area unless you find the 90/10 zone you might as well not have gone in the first place in otherwords everything is important and to me everything is just as important as the other otherwise why would you talk about the 90/10 zone and about finding the bait the current and the structure if only one is the only important thing of coarse not they ALL are just as important as the other anyways that’s my point of view but as far as the reel your doing a report on I’ll still stick with my 110 dollar shimano nascis had them going on about 6 years now without so much as one flaw to count against them in otherwords they work for me and I don’t change unless they do thanks for the review and all you do🤔

Luke Simonds
2 months ago
Reply to  Steven Free

Teamwork makes the dream work.

Judd Ogden
2 months ago

Anyone found a good replacement handle for the 3000 size I liked the oem handle until it snapped

Pat Ogletree
2 months ago
Reply to  Judd Ogden

Gomexus is one that a lot of people go with. I have one and the quality is good.

Eric Hicks
7 months ago

Do you think the line roller not having a bearing hurts this reel?

Luke Simonds
2 months ago
Reply to  Eric Hicks

The line roller bearings are what drove me away from Shimano reels… they’d always seem to start squeaking after about 6 months of use. I’ve yet to have any issues with the line rollers from Daiwa spinning reels after 6+ years of heavy use in saltwater environments.

Mike
2 months ago
Reply to  Luke Simonds

I appreciated the review of the saltist mq … very well spoken … but it missed discussing the line roller bearing or bushing … thanks for this comment which cleared it up … I also have become less enamored by Shimano (Stradic, CI4, Vanford) and their line roller bearings for saltwater use … have to keep a constant stock of bearings for periodic changes … I’ll check my new MQ line roller as it sounds like it has a bushing like the old Penn Spinfishers which lasted forever

Luke Simonds
2 months ago
Reply to  Mike

The roller bearing issues that I’ve had from my $200 Shimano reels are what caused me to have a better experience with my $100 reels from Daiwa… nothing is worse than hearing that annoying squeaking noise from the roller bearing on every cast!

Jonathan Graham
8 months ago

Why do you offer the 6000 but not the 8000? Also i thought there was a discount for members? It seems to be same price for a 6k or 10k as it is anywhere else.

Last edited 8 months ago by Jonathan Graham
Luke Simonds
8 months ago

We had to stop giving 20% off of reels because too many retailers were complaining to the manufacturers that they were losing business due to the club.

So we had to switch to giving free line, free spooling of the line, and free shipping for Insider Club members.

As for why we don’t carry any 8000+ sized reels, we simply haven’t had enough demand to stock those sizes since the 6000 holds over 300 yards of 30 lb braid which is plenty to handle most fish that can be caught while inshore fishing.

What species are you after that makes you want to go up to a larger size? Note: Once they go over 6000, the weight goes up by 30% and the price goes up by $30.

Anthony
8 months ago

What size rod would be perfect for a saltist mq 6000 right now i have her on a 7ft Medium Heavy Fast action Teramar Southeast 20-40lb rated rod

Ron Baran
2 months ago
Reply to  Anthony

Hey Anthony, what are you fishing for with that 6000? I own 2 Teramar’s , and great rods for the money.

Nelson
11 months ago

So what is the difference between the mq and saltist mq in the 4000 series

Larry Matthews
1 year ago

I just got line on my 5000 mq and put it on my st croix rod. But when did my first cast the bail would not flip down when I turned the handle. Very resistive turn. Had to manually flip it down and then it smoothly retrieved the line. Tried a couple of times but bail just won’t go down upon turning handle. What could be wrong? Brand new reel out of the box!

Joshwensil
1 year ago
Reply to  Larry Matthews

It has a manual bail in the 5000 size and up. Not uncommon in most higher end reels.

RENARD MANLEY
2 months ago
Reply to  Joshwensil

Yep, I was gifted a Stella 100000 with manual bail. Only spinner I own without manual is a low end Crappie reel

STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!

Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.

Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:

Other Fishing Tips You May Like :

#1 Beach Fishing Bait Hack That Will Hook More Fish

Next time you're out fishing off the beach, keep this sneaky beach fishing bait hack in mind!! Beach fishing can be a challenge and it is...
See Full post
9 comments

Does Mono Actually Float? (Fluorocarbon vs. Monofilament Contest)

Does monofilament actually float? What about fluoro? Check out this experiment to see whether or not it floats. Surprise answer!
See Full post
61 comments
21
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x

Get Instant Access To “The Inshore Fishing Manifesto” PDF Now

You’ll automatically be emailed a private link to download your PDF, plus you’ll be added to the Salt Strong Newsletter.
(Please double-check your email below to ensure delivery.)