Sahara 2500Fd

[wordty]

How is this for bass fishing? I know that the rod I put on it will determine the best use for it (what types of baits), but what is the best / most recommended way to use this reel, meaning what rod length and strength would you use and what type baits / fishing would you do? I have two baitcasters in 6.4.1 and 7.0.1 but want a good spinning reel.

[Capt.Bob]

It is a very nice reel for finesse technique's I would put on on a MF 7' or my favorite, 6'8" MXF. It would be excellent,for tubes for small mouth and light line unweighted plastics and finesse rigging with either on of these rods. If you want a rig for any of these situations, you will be happy with it.

[gr8outdoorz]

I have a Sahara 3000 on a 6'6" Carbonlite M/F rod as my spinning setup and love it. I use it mainly for Shakey Heads, Drop shot, and Wackey rigs. I think its pretty good for just about any finesse techniques. Its a good reel!

[SirSnookalot]

Addressing only the sahara, in it's price range it stacks up well to the competition. I especially like the lip design, I've never had a wind knot using braid on a Shimano with that lip, cannot make that claim for other reels. Personally for freshwater I'd be opting for the 2500 rather than a 3000, I don't really think the extra line capacity or stronger drag is needed and it is a few ounces lighter too. For a reel that size my choice is 7'.

[webertime]

Addressing only the sahara, in it's price range it stacks up well to the competition. I especially like the lip design, I've never had a wind knot using braid on a Shimano with that lip, cannot make that claim for other reels. Personally for freshwater I'd be opting for the 2500 rather than a 3000, I don't really think the extra line capacity or stronger drag is needed and it is a few ounces lighter too. For a reel that size my choice is 7'.

They are the same weight (2500 and 3000 at 9.7 and 9.9oz.). They are actually identical save for the spools, which are interchangable. I have a Sahara 3000 and a spare 2500 spool from a Saros and go back and forth all the time.

The ONLY thing that I found with my Sahara was that the handle is only supported with 1 bearing. In the body of the reel, if you have the handle on the left the bearing is just under the left sideplate. Under the right sideplate is a bushing (on a Symetre it's a bearing). Now mine got VERY VERY gritty and locked up a bunch I think due to the bushing getting a little sloppy and knocking the gears out of alignment. I sent it off to DVT and had him rebuild and put a bearing in and now she feels like a Rolex.

[smr913]

I have an older 750 and a newer 1000. I like both of them a lot and use them both pretty regularly as a trout/panfish rod.

[fishking247]

i don't recommend the sahara fd. i regret buying my 3000. the line never grabs onto the line rolle. it always gets stuck on the bail. someone i know contacted shimano about this issue and they admitted it was a design flaw. wait another month or two for the new sahara to come out. right now you can find a symetre fj on sale on tackle warehouse for $84. the symetre is right up there with the stradic. If i were you i'd buy a symetre if on a budget. if you can afford a stradic go for it. you won't regret it.

this is what seems to always happen to me

[5dollarsplash]

It is a very nice reel for finesse technique's I would put on on a MF 7' or my favorite, 6'8" MXF. It would be excellent,for tubes for small mouth and light line unweighted plastics and finesse rigging with either on of these rods. If you want a rig for any of these situations, you will be happy with it.

This is what I use mine for. Works great with a 7' MF rod for dropping your plastics right where you want them. Smooth action as well. I haven't had the above bail and handle issues.

[Darren.]

I've had no problems with my Sahara, but it's a 500FD. My Stradics are 1000FI's. I like small profile reels and see no need to go up to a 2500 or larger. Not encountered a fish I couldn't handle with these small reels (and yes, I've caught a number of 6 pound bass on the 1000 reels). I always close bail by hand, I keep drag at one setting (for most part), and use my "free" hand on the spool if I need extra drag. Never been spooled, either.

But unless you're in a hurry, I agree with fishking247, hang on a little longer for the new Shimano models coming out. From what I've seen they're all upgrades over current models, not just cosmetic changes.

As for rods, a M or MH is a general all-around action. For me I'm all M with XF action at this point. Will look for a MH down the road to complete my spinning armada. Rod length is up to you. I don't go with the majority who like long rods now-a-days. I like shorter rods. 6'3" is my longest spinning rod.

You can throw almost any bait on a spinning rig. And here's where a larger reel would come in handy - if you're throwing big cranks, etc. I don't throw that stuff.

I'm pretty much all soft plastics with my spinning gear, and use finesse techniques, which shapes my reel size and rod choices. Different strokes for different folks, to use an old cliche.

[Capt.Bob]

I have a few fiends with older Sahara's 1000 to 4000, they are all happy. I would go with the FD, but that is because I prefer the Aluminum Frame, the new FE is a graphite frame, you can shave some weight but as far as upgrades on the Sahara I think it is a step backwards. If there was a problem that might explain the "new STAMPED" bail, but they didn't upgrade it to the one piece bail used on the Symetre and higher grade models?? No X Ship either!

The difference 2000 and 3000 on all Shimanos is a deeper cut spool, nothing more, it uses the same body, the same gears, and the same drag. If there is a problem with the line pickup on the roller bearing, none of the guy's I know have had a problem??

[fishking247]

I've had no problems with my Sahara, but it's a 500FD. My Stradics are 1000FI's. I like small profile reels and see no need to go up to a 2500 or larger. Not encountered a fish I couldn't handle with these small reels (and yes, I've caught a number of 6 pound bass on the 1000 reels). I always close bail by hand, I keep drag at one setting (for most part), and use my "free" hand on the spool if I need extra drag. Never been spooled, either.

But unless you're in a hurry, I agree with fishking247, hang on a little longer for the new Shimano models coming out. From what I've seen they're all upgrades over current models, not just cosmetic changes.

As for rods, a M or MH is a general all-around action. For me I'm all M with XF action at this point. Will look for a MH down the road to complete my spinning armada. Rod length is up to you. I don't go with the majority who like long rods now-a-days. I like shorter rods. 6'3" is my longest spinning rod.

You can throw almost any bait on a spinning rig. And here's where a larger reel would come in handy - if you're throwing big cranks, etc. I don't throw that stuff.

I'm pretty much all soft plastics with my spinning gear, and use finesse techniques, which shapes my reel size and rod choices. Different strokes for different folks, to use an old cliche.

I do close the bail with my hand. never close it by reeling. all that will do is give you more problems. i have no problem on the smaller sahara only the 3000 gives me the line roller issue

darrenm, the reason i like larger reels then a 1000 is a larger spool which helps a lot with braid. when i first started freshwater fishing i did everything with a 1000 size reel with a 6' light action rod with 6-8lb test. people get too concerned nowadays if their tackle is good enough and make things way too complicated. i've always said buy something that you can afford and make you happy. what works for others may not work for you.

[Darren.]

I do close the bail with my hand. never close it by reeling. all that will do is give you more problems. i have no problem on the smaller sahara only the 3000 gives me the line roller issue

darrenm, the reason i like larger reels then a 1000 is a larger spool which helps a lot with braid. when i first started freshwater fishing i did everything with a 1000 size reel with a 6' light action rod with 6-8lb test. people get too concerned nowadays if their tackle is good enough and make things way too complicated. i've always said buy something that you can afford and make you happy. what works for others may not work for you.

FWIW, I wasn't answering your post, only letting the OP know that I don't experience the same problem you find on your 3000 model. I totally agree with you, to each his own on gear. I only gave my opinion on what I do, and what shapes my gear choice. Wasn't insinuating you were handling your gear wrong (not closing bail, etc.). Sorry if I gave that impression.

But I would actually say braid is a reason one can go with a smaller spool/reel. No memory. If I were to go with fluoro or mono only, I'd opt for a larger spool to cut down on line twist.