Shimano Sahara, a REEL piece of CRAP!

[flinginpooh]

I have the same problem with my Abu cardinal 104. Its a cheap reel but I hardly ever use it. I mostly just use a bait caster. Even side drifting in my cuzs boat Ive used my baitcaster. It just feels right in my hand. Ive also started using it for bobber and jig. However its a lil harder to cast a baitcaster for bobber and jig due to the weight, bobber, and jig not flying proper through the air. Kinda like trying to toss eggs nice and evenly with a bait caster. I did pick up an old reel for eggs though. Need to get a good noodle or light weight spin rod around 10'6 or so though to have proper feel. An old magic reel its from the 50s I believe maybe even earlier. They cast nice and smooth with no issue for eggs. Oh and on my Abu I use braid also and still have the same prob off and on. Costed me a fish cause of it when I was glow ballin the flats last summer. I do like spin reels when Its summer time and rivers lower and slower. Tossing light weight is much easier. Either way good luck with the reel.

[zefsidefishing]

mine is the best reel ive owned, great drag, never have that problem.

[zen leecher]

swap out that izorline and your problem may go away. I had it on a Symetre and the izor line was too stiff.

[zefsidefishing]

im using a shimano sahara 3000 with 12 lb izor, and ive never been happier.

[G-Man]

I'm not sure exactly when the 2 piece bails started to show up, the older reels were all one piece from the el cheapos to the high end units. Now you have to fork out a couple bills on a new reel if you want a decent bail. Get yourself an old Mitchel reel, they are bulletproof and will work with any type of line.

[Gonefishing]

I have both the Shimano Sahara SH2500FD and the SH2500FD. Both purchased in April, and in my opinion these are the best spinning reels I have ever had the chance to use.

If you are having that issue take the reel to Johns Sporting Good in Everett (if you are close to Everett at least). As I recall they are the local warranty repair site for Shimano and if the reel is under warranty they might be nice and just swap it out for you. They did that for me when my Calcutta 400TE decided to seize up while under warranty.

[Bodofish]

Reels that come in a "Clam Pak" are consumer crap. Now days $80 for a reel is nothing. The Sahara is no longer one of Shimanos hand fitted masterpieces. It's just another one of thoses places you have to ask the guy behind the counter to get it out of the box for you. If you want to stay under a hundred bucks try a Symetre or another that comes in a real box.

[Dan360]

I have 4 Saharas, 2 1000FDs and 2 2500 FDs. I haven't had the problem you mentioned in your post. I had some issues with my Stradic 3000 and the drag system. I called Shimano and sent the reel in. They replaced it and were really great to deal with. Everyone makes a lemon from time to time. They'll make it right.

[outbreed360]

should have got a stradic. my stradic 2500fh ROCKS and as far as izor thats all i run.. too stiff, just spray some reel magic on it and instantly limps right up.

[dicinu]

you all know this thread is over a year old I have a feeling he changed out the reel or got a new one already lol

Stradic is going to be my float reel I just like the fact it comes with 2 spools I get tired of wasting perfectly good line to re-spool to a lighter or heavier line or braid for that matter.

[dicinu]

double post

[Jay K]

I've two Sahara's for ice fishing and have not encountered this problem, but from Nate's post I was intrigued about the single-piece bail. Had to compare and take a look at my Symetre's to see the difference - never noticed it before, but will keep it in mind for future purchases.

[DaBidness]

I have this same problem... sent this to Shimano earlier today...


I purchased a Shimano Sahara 3000 2 seasons ago. Even though it's a lightweight smaller reel, it has held up nicely against some very big salmon and trout... i absolutely love this reel. I have just on complaint about the reel. The two piece bail, causes line to get hung up on that lip before working it's way into the actual bail slot (the typical smooth groove where the line would feed onto your spool). I've lost a few monster fish because the line was hung-up on the lip, therefore the drag did not engage. I've noticed on all of the reels a step up, (symmetre, etc) this is no longer an issue because of the once piece bail system. I've made due by manually grabbing the line and placing it in the proper place after casting (due to the fact it's the only issue i have with the reel and i absolutely adore every other aspect of it's functionality) However, this is very tedious and I lose precious split seconds prior to my retrieve.... my question is the following. Is it possible to get a replacement bail, that's the same size and would fit this reel..(that's one piece minus the lip where line can get hungup)

Or do i have to just upgrade to the Symmetre or Stradic just due to this one issue... i'd hate to make an upgrade due to just one issue.. but will if there is no other remedy.. Best Regards

Their response


We do not offer any other bail design that will work on your reel. We just released a new Symetre model that uses a different bail design. However, this wire will not work on the older models.


Dan


***Looks like my only option is to go with a redesigned bail, or find one that matches. I use 10lb stren magnathin, and this has become a problem. When i used 10lb trilene for salmon, i didn't notice it as much. I guess the smaller diameter.... I'm able to get around it, but it's annoying. The Symtre and others like the pfluger president 6935 etc don't have this issue because of the better designed bail. Tried the new pfluger patriarch for the first time and it's absolutely amazing... i may be skipping over shimano completely on my upgrade... But, they are great reels (the ones that don't have the bail hangup), who knows, a symtre may be in my future