Reel Help

[Schloogs]

I am looking to buy a decent reel in the $45 - $65 range. I don't know alot about reels but I have my eye on either a Shimano Sahara or Pflueger President. I am wondering if anyone has these and how you like them. Or if there are any other reels close to this price range I should check out. Thanks in advance.

[polarsusd81]

The Sahara from Shimano is a pretty decent reel, as well as the Sedona depending on the size of reel you are looking for. I have a couple Sedonas and love them, nice and smooth, not a Stradic, but still nice reels. I am pretty loyal to Shimano for reels though.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Pflueger President is a really nice reel, too. I like my Shimanos, but my President is a fabulous reel. You get more bang for your buck.

[slipperybob]

I think there's quite a bit of flex in the Sahara's, but that doesn't prevent me from owning like five or six of them. I thought the Diawa Regals Xia were pretty good and a lot more precise than my Sahara, but the one I bought and used the handle shaft bent on me. I thought the metal was kind of soft. Diecast parts cracked and chipped. I've also been eyeing some Abu Garcias'Cardinals. They have very smooth precision in the store. Looking at the Cardinal 500 series. I've never owned an Abu but my buddy has. I've been leaning towards an Abu but I personally don't have a need, just a want.

[Schloogs]

 Originally Posted By: polarsusd81

The Sahara from Shimano is a pretty decent reel, as well as the Sedona depending on the size of reel you are looking for. I have a couple Sedonas and love them, nice and smooth, not a Stradic, but still nice reels. I am pretty loyal to Shimano for reels though.

Tom, do you know what the difference is between the stradic FI and FH. I've seen a FH, clarus combo on clearance but have not been able to find anything out about the reel.

[Hookmaster]

I've had a Sahara for a few years and like it. I was choosing between it and a Pfleuger President. I would try the Pfleuger next time just to see how it is. The Abus look good also.

[polarsusd81]

Unfortunately, I haven't taken a real in depth look at the Stradics as I am not really in the market for a new spinning reel right now. The guy that would know is Deitz for sure. I think he will be back home tonight or tomorrow morning and he will probably chime in with an answer for ya.

[Schloogs]

Sounds good, thanks Tom

[slipperybob]

Biggest difference the price tag!!!!

LOL's j/k

The FI generation features the Paladin Gear and Line Propulsion enhancement. A screw in handle instead of the old screw knob. And a waterproof drag. The body design is a little thicker, bigger gears, but overall size is actually smaller in profile. Enchance are also better ball bearings. Plus oil maintenance port. The FI will feel less smooth in the store compared to the FH. Bigger gears means a little more torque to get things running but you'll apreciate the stronger gearing of the new FI as you barely move the handle and the rotor responds appropriately.

This is a huge improvement from the FH to FI, while there wasn't much improvement from the FG to FH. The FH family was also split as since the smaller 1500 reel featured their S concept design and oil maintenence port; most notably in the Symetre and Sahara family.

Current models design featured highest quality from the Stella FD and that's trickled down to the lowest Saro's family. Before that, each Reel Family was different and things were improved on upwards.

[Schloogs]

Thanks for the info everyone and thanks slipperybob for the breakdown of FI and FH

[slipperybob]

No prob, basically I was shopping for it, myself...

[TrophyEyes]

If you are going to buy the Pflueger President then buy the Guide Series Tournament reel. It is the exact same (Pflueger makes it for Gander Mountain) and it cost $49. Actually the Guide Series Tournament 30 was just written up in the last Field and Stream as the best reel for the money. I have 8 of them and love them. I have never had one issue with any of them and I fish a lot. For the cost, if anything went wrong, just go get another one. I can buy 3 or 4 for the price of a Stradic.