Shimano Saraha Size?

[RF813]

I posted a while ago that I was looking for a new Rod and Reel.

 

I had narrowed it down to the pfleuger president or shimano sahara, and have decided to go with the Sahara due to great reviews from things i've read, and people I have spoken to.  Now the question of SIZE.  It was recommended that the SH3000FE would be suitable for Bass Fishing in CT, but I wanted to get some opinions on the Size I should be looking for.  So I'm turning to you knowledgeable people here.  Does this fit the bill? Any concerns with that choice?

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

[Darren.]

I posted a while ago that I was looking for a new Rod and Reel.

 

I had narrowed it down to the pfleuger president or shimano sahara, and have decided to go with the Sahara due to great reviews from things i've read, and people I have spoken to.  Now the question of SIZE.  It was recommended that the SH3000FE would be suitable for Bass Fishing in CT, but I wanted to get some opinions on the Size I should be looking for.  So I'm turning to you knowledgeable people here.  Does this fit the bill? Any concerns with that choice?

 

 

Thanks!

 

I'll be the first to say you don't need a large reel. Honestly. Unless you want one, and it makes you feel better about your fishing.

 

I use two Shimano Stradics - 1000 size and have caught dozens of bass over six pounds on them. I also have a Lexa 2000 which is a darn fine reel. I've got a Sahara 500 for light stuff.

 

All that said, you don't need to go big. It is more in how you play the fish, what your rod power is, etc.

 

I also use 10 pound braid on my spinning reels, and up to 15 pound test leaders.

 

Again, no issues pulling big bass out of sticks and salad.

 

My .02. I know I'm not among the majority. 

[flyfisher]

I believe the sahara 2500 and 3500 body sixe is the same and the only thing changes is the spool size.  Personally i would go with the 2500 as it seems to do a fine job and balances on my rod well.

[RF813]

I've read that a larger reel can help cast farther?  Is this accurate?  I fish from shore so that's something that i'd like to consider.

[tomustang]

Depends on what size line you'll use.

Between the 2500 and 3000 is 20yds in 10b mono. If you use 20lb braid it'll hold a full power pro spool

[SirSnookalot]

I'd be buying the size that fits the rod the best, I wouldn't want too light a reel on heavier longer rod or too heavy on a shorter lighter rod.

You should not see enough difference in casting distance on the spool sizes, the rod does the work in casting.

All said it's really much todo about nothing, only thing that matters is the combo is comfortable to use.

[Preytorien]

I've got the Sahara 2500 and I use it exclusively for bass. I have mine spooled with PP Super 8 Slick and it casts a mile. Great setup. I've never felt the "need" for a bigger spool either.

 

Great reel, you'll be happy with it, I know I have been!

[Raul]

The only difference between a 300 size reel and a 2500 size is the spool, the 3000 has a larger capacity spool, the body is the same. The catch here is that a larger spool allows your line to behave and handle more friendly than when spooled in a smaller spool, greater diameter means larger, less tight coils which results un better line handling. when it comes to spinning reels that is more important to me than with how much line you can fill the spool. Also, larger spool means larger drag pads, it´s not about how much max drag power the reel can do, both will have pretty much the same drag power, the difference is that larger drag pads allow you to make more precise drag settings.

 

 Being both the same price, weighting about the same I would rather get the one with a larger spool, to add, I would fill that spool with about 2/3 of the line capacity with cheap line only for backing and fill the remaining 1/3 of line capacity with a good quality copoly or FC.

[RF813]

I was just about to ask, comparing the 2 sizes, 2500 / 3000 everything looks equal, but I don't quite understand the Max. Drag (lbs.) difference.    From what i've seen here, it doesn't appear to be something to be overly concerned with. Or am I missing something.  This is for Recreational weekend / weeknight use, i'm not looking to break any records here.

[Loop_Dad]

I have Sahara 2500. Only time I felt need for deeper spool of 3000 was when I let my nephew use my set up and he constantly tangled the line when we went night fishing. Either one should be fine normally. I might personally consider 3000 the next time as having extra backing won't hurt.

[kschultz76]

There is no advantage of the 3000 size Shimano over the 2500 size other then the extra line capacity. Line management is no better because the final OD of the fully filled spool is no different, the 3000 just has a deeper arbor. This is an important point that some miss - it is not a larger spool on the 3000 just a deeper spool.

I stick with 2500 size because I don't need that capacity, having to spool up that extra 30 yds is just a waste of line to me.

[SirSnookalot]

In both the sahara and symetre the max drag is 11 in the 2500 and 15 max in the 3000, not that should make any difference.

[RF813]

Thank you all.

[cbass12]

I've got 3 of the previous model 2500 saharas and a 3000 in the newer model. I dont notice any difference in the size of the spools. Not sure if you'd even be interested in the older model but gander mountain has a few left on clearance, if you have a store near you. Their website says $69 but I bought one in Wichita, KS two weeks ago for $49. Having used both the new and old I like them both equally.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The difference between the two models would more accurately be described as spool capacity rather than spool size. The arbor is  not that much larger as to have any real affect on line handling. 

[thehooligan]

I'll be the first to say you don't need a large reel. Honestly. Unless you want one, and it makes you feel better about your fishing.

 

I use two Shimano Stradics - 1000 size and have caught dozens of bass over six pounds on them. I also have a Lexa 2000 which is a darn fine reel. I've got a Sahara 500 for light stuff.

 

All that said, you don't need to go big. It is more in how you play the fish, what your rod power is, etc.

 

I also use 10 pound braid on my spinning reels, and up to 15 pound test leaders.

 

Again, no issues pulling big bass out of sticks and salad.

 

My .02. I know I'm not among the majority. 

 

Im in the same boat as darren, i use 1000 size reels with 10lb braid and flouro leaders. Only way id jump up to a 2500/3000 is if i wanted to spool 8-10lb flouro/mono.

 

I prefer the light weight of the 1000. They also have more then enough drag for bass fishing. Plus they balance better with 6-6'10 rods. Id probally jump up to a 2500 if i was using a 7ft+ rod.