Shimano Sahara FI Spinning Reels Review

Great light to heavy fishing reel

i have had a lot of reels fishing for over 55 years specks, red fish in the hopedale area louisana, The reel is smooth , cast a long distance, and with 30lb. power pro line , have landed 30lb red fish. More then i have ever expected from a reel,

---

Cancel Comment

You won't be disappointed!

I've got a Sahara C3000 spooled with 20lb Nomad Panderra, maybe 150 yds. I don't remember exactly how much got on the spool. This reel was smooth out of the box, but after using it for 3 months, and I use it 4 days a week, it has gotten smooth as silk. I could not be happier.

The drag is so smooth. Whether I've got a Crappie, Bass, or a 10 lb Catfish, the drag is… read more smooth. The retrieve is Shimano quality. I've never turned the handle on a Shimano I didn't like.

I can't believe I got this quality at this price point

---

Cancel Comment

Very nice spinning reel; Great value

1000FI is great reel for light tackle lake kayak fishing; 500 size works nicely for ultralight, also.

---

Cancel Comment

Line Capacity Error

Line capacity on the C5000 is stamped at 175m at .35mm diameter. I had a 135m (150yd) spool of .36mm braid. I was unable to even finish getting the full 135m on before the reel was maxed out. Reel feels great, lightweight, smooth, strong drag. But, need to be able to have at least a full 150yd spool on there.

---

Cancel Comment

Smoothest reel I've ever owned!

Seems robust enough for inshore saltwater use. TackleDirect shipping was fast and flawless.

---

Cancel Comment

Good reel but not GREAT

Bought 2 of the 5000 series (from a different retailer) and out if the package,one was grinding and locking up.
Took it apart,and shocked at all the plastic and cheap pot metal.
Returned it for another.
After a season of use,they both caught nice sized largemouth bass,and giant bowfin,and both worked great,with the exception that the reel lip makes long casting any… read more distance difficult unless the spool is filled....much less,and I'm talking a minute amount less....and distance suffers.
Food for thought.... I also bought Shimano FX reels and a Sienna,which are the same reels just rebranded....and they're the same reel basically as the Sahara,just a couple less bearings.
All in all...they serve their purpose,but for me,when the time comes to replace them,I'll stick with the $22 FX models which are just as smooth and catch fish just as well.

---

Cancel Comment

A legendary reel...

The Shimano Sahara is not a new fancy reel in the market.
The Sahara model is a outstanding reel for surf spinning or fresh water whit a solid reputation of performance and quality.
In special when you fish in water whit big and strong fish near shore line.
Low weight, very god recovery line rate and strong drag.

---

Cancel Comment

Great fresh water reel...

Purchased this for ultra light fresh water use. nice smooth reel.

---

Cancel Comment

Super Smooth!

i bought this reel about a year ago and just recently put braid on it for the first time. I spooled it up with 10lb Power Pro, and it casts a mile!! For the price you just can't beat how smooth it is and how far it cast!

---

Cancel Comment

Super smooth

I replaced an old spyrex with this in the 3500hg and wow! What an improvement! Definitely worth the 80 dollar. Really smooth.... REALLY SMOOTH! reel.

… read more border="0">

---

Cancel Comment

Awesome reel for almost any price, excellent price too

Got (4) 2500's and (1) 1000 saharas and love very one of them.

Hands down by far the best ultralite 1000 series reel I ever bought.

I never truely loved a freshwater reel since my quantum snapshots...... But, this reel makes me totally forget about them.......

Smooth as glass, great line lay, quiet, and good drag...... Line never gets caught under… read more the spool....

---

Cancel Comment

Smooth & Beautiful

Shimano has always been my reel of choice. I've bought $20 shimano reels that have held up over the years and have caught some nice fish too. So I was expecting the best with the Sahara. Shimano did not fail. The reel not only looks great it performs as well. It casts a country mile and is smooth as heck. My expectations were met with this reel, well done shimano.

---

Cancel Comment

Great reel

I bought a Sedona 1000 and a Sahara 1000 at the same time, 8 years ago, primarily for trout and shad fishing. From day one I had problems with the line on the Sahara; I thought I was over spooling so I made sure not to go over what's recommended. 2 or 3 Ok casts, and then a nightmare, a complete mess of line all over. Try mono, flouro, braid, same problem. After few years I decided… read more to give it away. Last year I came across a Sahara 2500 used, really like new, for a real bargain. Decided to buy it and I couldn't be more happy. Great reel!

---

Cancel Comment

I had a Sahara that lasted me 7 years

Great reel smooth durable jut overall well built and long lasting no complaints

---

Cancel Comment