Saltist 30 or fathom 30?

For Surface Iron specifically, I would look at the Fathom 25N before you ultimately decide.

 

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I second what Chriwilson said. My first choice would be the Fathom 25n. It really come down to how much mono you want on the reel. If you want a lot of mono on it then you may want to go with the 30, but if you are mostly using braid then the 25n has more than enough capacity.

 

Fathom 100%

 

Fathom 25n, makes sure you get the star drag. Feel like this same topic has been going around and around… don’t look back at it or second question yourself. If you learn to tie an FG knot properly, go with 65# braid, just avoid the more coarse 4 strand stuff. No fun. get about 300yds on, then a generous mono topshot. About 100yds of 40# mono. Ande or Izorline XXX.
Next, the iron itself. Start off with a JRI7 and a stinger lite as they are by far the most consistent jigs that won’t break the bank.
Then once you get the feel, grab some Tady45s and Salas 7xs (once you learn what to look for in a good swimmer). Stay away from all those other hyped up jigs. OCTs are great but holy cow here expensive.

 

I’ve owned a few saltists and plenty of fathoms. Get a fathom 25n

 

Honestly between those 2 pick the color you like best. Both are great with a slight nod to the Fathom II.

 

Why not a lever drag, just curious

 

Think the LDs are at least $50 more, plus not sure if you get a true Freespool with a lever drag. I could be mistaken but that’s what I’ve always been told and what I came to the conclusion of after my own research.
a true Freespool is what you want if you’ll be casting that reel a majority of the time. anyone with more knowledge wanna chime in?

 

Lever Drag - Star Drag

If you’re consistently getting your target distance (80+ Yds) and can get your jig to swim, it really doesn’t matter that much. Especially if you’ve dialed it in and are comfortable casting your setup(s).

Using the right jig for the conditions, now that’s important...

 

I've used the Saltist the past 2 seasons. It'll be my surface iron reel for long time. Started out using 40lb mono, but switched to 65lb j braid Grand and have never looked back. Fathom will catch fish too

 

I'm another 25N star drag on the jigstick supporter. I like the power gear version for swimming the jigs on a lower gear ratio, most of the classic surface irons were designed to swim on a lower gear ratio. Also helps recoup some of the advantage given up to the fish on a long rod.
Handle both of the reels you're considering go with whichever one you like more.
I've heard many deckhands and captains praise the fathoms as reliable workhorses, and recommend them as quality reels in the same sentence as reels that cost more than twice as much.

 

I've always used star drags because you can adjust the tension knob dependent on what you're throwing that day. Lever drags you can't. I also have a tendency to be light on my drag, so having the star drag allows for easy adjustments mid-fight. Lever drags still have a great free spool, especially those Fathoms. If you have the educated thumb, you can most definitely use the lever drags for casting irons. I like to be able to tighten my tension knob when I'm just having one of those pro backlasher days.

Just like what everyone's said here, get the Penn Fathom 25N. The Torium 20 is a great reel, don't knock it until you try one out. But if I'm taking one jigstick, I'm taking the 25N solely because I think it free spools better, is a little easier to cast, and I think it might have a little more torquing power. My Torium 20 is a backup jig reel, but primarily a bait reel.

Whatever reel you end up getting, fill up your reel with about 300yds of braid and a 100yd topshot of 40lb izorline XXX. The braid will most likely be 65lb if you get a Fathom.

 

I love my penn fathom 30 start drag, it’s lightweight but a workhorse.

 

another vote for the 25n....