Are there any Shimano Sahara reel fans out there? I'll admit all of my reels are Shimano but I think they are one of the best values for the money and solid quality. I recently bought another companies spinning reel and took it back end exchanged it for another Sahara. When I got that first reel home I could tell the quality was no way near Shimano quality.

Me! Your fellow hoosier (although I'm a Purdue boy m'self).

 

I love my Sahara. It's been butter smooth since the day I got it. Mine's paired to a Clarus 6'8" M-Xfast rod. Its my go-to finesse rig.

 

But I agree, for the price you're paying, the quality and performance are outstanding. A couple of my buddies have been converts to the Sahara after they've seen how simple and maintenance free mine has been over the past 2 years.

 

I have the exact model reviewed in this video, the 2500FD, which one do you have? What's your rod setup?

I love my Sahara. I got it last year and never secpnd guessed my choice. I have had zero issues and I have found it to be a great reel at its price point

Love them!! 3 of the previous model in 2500 and one of the new in 3000. I've bought three of them in the last year at $45-$50 a piece when cabelas and gander mountain had them on clearance. One of them was a xmas gift for my dad. IMHO the best value in a spinning reel.

 

Very solid, and dependable reels. They aren't the lightest thing out there but still a great reel for the money. 

I love mine as well.  It's on my trig rod that was a custom build from Mike at DVT. 7'6" MH with enough tip to really reach out and fling that weighted plastic.  Between the smooth reel and long casting rod it feels like you can cast the whole lake from one spot!

I love my Sahara too!! She' mad at me right now because I have not used her for a very long time now. I have gotten use to the B/C with all my techniques. There is only one technique where my stradic and sahara shine and that's baby fluking. 

I have two of them and I love them! I got one for $30 at DSG and the other at Gander Mountain for $50.

I have two of them and I love them! I got one for $30 at DSG and the other at Gander Mountain for $50.

 

$30...... WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

$30...... WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

I know! I would have bought more but they only had one.

Saharas are one of the best values out there in my mind.  I own a couple and wouldn't hesitate to get a few more.

I only own Pfluegers.  At that price point, a plain President  is better IMO.   Not saying they aren't good reels, but I'd prefer a Pflueger up until I hit the $100 dollar + price point.

Me! Your fellow hoosier (although I'm a Purdue boy m'self).

 

 

I have the exact model reviewed in this video, the 2500FD, which one do you have? What's your rod setup?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The exact reel in the video - it's my video! lol.  I didn't mention the rod in the video because I'm not exactly sure what exact rod I used most of the year.  It's a Shimano rod and it says Aeroglas.  I tried looking up Airoglas rods and all I find are trolling rods.  So I think it's really made for trolling.  It's built like a tank but light.  That Sahara 2500FD on that rod with Sufix 6 pound clear mono was/is my favorite set up catching small bass.  

 

 As for Pflueger, I bought a President at Gander Mountain and took it back the next day.  I did not like it compared to my Shimano Sahara.  So I exchanged it and added twenty more dollars and got the bigger Sahara 4000FD.  I don't think I will be buying a Pflueger again any time soon.  

Currently deciding on this or the Pflueger President.  If I can find the Sahara on sale over the next month I'll pull the trigger, if not I'm going with the President so I can put a little more money into a rod, baits, line, etc.