Shimano Reels

[phishman]

Alright guys, well I have decided to purchase a new set up tomarrow and I am looking for a quality reel for a descent price and so I have narrowed my selection down to two shimano reels.  What I am curious about is if it is worth to throw the extra 20 bones to buy the symetre over the sahara.  I am looking at either the 750 or 1500 model and leaning more towards the 1500 due to its gear ratio, larger spool, and wider range in drag for the bass.  Do not know if the 1500 is better suited or not but any input is very appreciated.  Thanks a lot guys and happy fishing.

[Raul]

Any particular reason why you want a reel that small ?

[burleytog]

Trust me, you DO NOT want a Symetre 750 for bass fishing.

[Fish Man]

get the shimano sahara 2500,,its a perfect sized reel for bass imo

[phishman]

Alright burley so i started too small so not the 750 but why not the symetre 2500?

[burleytog]

Symetre 2500 is a good starting point.

[phishman]

what would you have to say about the sahara compared to the symetre?

[burleytog]

Absolutely no experience with the Sahara.

[Fish Man]

the sahara is an excelent reel plain and simple.nothing more to say about it

[Big T]

I have both reels. The Sahara is a nice reel but the Symtre is a much better reel at $20 more dollars. I actually have two Symtre 4000's. One is the Fh series and the other is is the Fi series. I use these reels mostly for light inshore saltwater action. The older Symtre is five years old and has never given me a bit of trouble, it is still pretty smooth. It would probably work better if I had it professionally cleaned and lubed.

Big T

[senile1]

Do a search for posts regarding the Symetre on this site.  You will find that, in many ways, it is similar to the Stradic, but is $40 cheaper.  I would buy the Symetre over the Sahara.  

[Jig Man]

I own both Saharas and Symmetrys.  I have had both apart.  The Symmetry is better by more than $20 IMO.  I have used my Symmetrys very hard for the last 6 years.  I only use the Saharas for FnF.  I don't think that they could take the use that I have given the Symmetrys.

[FishTank]

I had a Shimano Sahara 750 for little over a year and it was a great reel until I hooked a 40lb catfish on it.  I was not about to let that monster go so I reeled it and destroyed that reel in the process but I did get it in.  

I found the 750 to be alot of fun for bass.  It was smooth reel and a great value for the money.  For bass, IMHO, it would be fine but nothing bigger.  

[Guest avid]

Trust me, you DO NOT want a Symetre 750 for bass fishing.

With all due to respect to Burly's opinion I must disagree.

I LOVE my little Symetre 750.  It's very light, strong and smooth.

I spool it with 15 lb test Power pro (4 lb test diameter) which gives it plenty of line capacity.  I then tie on a leader of mono or flouro depending on the circustances.

Use with treble hook lures or if finesse worming, dropshooting, which are my favorite applications for this outfit, use a circle or octopus hook.  

Keep the drag set fairly loose, but don't be afraid to challenge this lightweight powerhouse.   It can take it.

With the circle or Octopus hook (owner) you don't need the drag set so tight that it will hold line against a powerful hookset.  Just let the rod load up and start reeling.  The bass will hook themselves with amazing regularity.

this is a really fun way to fish.  I have caught bass up to six pounds this way.  The litte symetre takes a lickin and keeps on tickin.

My other spinning reel is a Daiwa steez.  Now I'm not going to compare the two, I just want to point out, that I know quality when I see it.  

I've said it before.  The symetre 750 is the absolute best value in spinning reels, bar none.

[burleytog]

It is a fine reel and I love mine for bluegill and trout.  It has a much better drag than every other tiny reel out there.

But IMO it just isn't a good reel for bass fishing.

[fish-fighting-illini]

I've got the Symmetre in the 2500 size and it seems about right for bass to me. You could go with a 1500 maybe but a 750?

Avid uses it though and doesn't have any problems. Quite a few people in the past have mentioned the 2500 I believe.

Maybe partialy make your decision based on what size line you plan on using.

Very few people complain about buying the more expensive reel but many complain about buying too cheap of a reel. The Shimano is good chance to be an exception to the rule.

[TrickyVT1887]

I have the 2500 Symetre and was debating between that and the Sahara or the Sedona several months ago but found for me that the reel felt alot better for the $20-$30 extra for it, it perfectly balances on my 6'6" MH loomis

[SneakySnook]

I have the symetre 2500 and it works great.

[Cajun1977]

i use the sahara 750  for ice fishing  no probs whatsoever   catch 5 to 6 pound trout all the time with it

[linesider7]

The symetre has the "super slow oscillation", and it's definitely worth the $20.

[sal669]

I have the Symetre FH2000 (older version), used it for bass and walleye for about 5 years. Great reel. I would not go smaller, though. I feel I need the cranking power and drag to control a bigger fish.

About the other models mentioned, sorry. My other spinning reels are Daiwas.