Here we have the Shimano Sahara FI. This is another spinning reel from Shimano that comes packed full of the standard features you would expect from one of their reels. This spinning reel offers exceptional power and smoothness in a lightweight spinning reel that you can count on.
In this Shimano Sahara FI spinning reel review, we’re going to see if the features and performance of this reel are worth the small $80 price tag. Plus, in the end, we’ll stack the Shimano Sahara FI against a few other reels to see how they compare. Let’s jump into it!
First, let’s talk about the body of this reel. You get the G Free body with the Shimano Sahara FI. This design aims to keep the reel’s center of gravity closer to the rod. By doing this, Shimano’s G-Free body reduces the amount of fatigue the angler experiences when fishing over long periods.
Moving into the heart of the reel, you’ll find the Hagane gearing system, which you’ve likely heard about before. This state-of-the-art technology offers a desirable smoothness even when using the reel in saltwater.
No cutting work is used to the teeth of the drive gear. Shimano uses 3D design and cold forge technology for pristine design and craftsmanship on their reels. Forged metal leads the pack to produce solid and robust reels at an affordable price.
Another significant component of the Shimano Sahara FI is the X-Ship gear durability. This feature supports the pinion gear on both sides of the bearings to perfectly align everything with the drive gear.
The result is no flexing and gears that will stay in place even when retrieving a larger fish than you bargained for. Reduced friction on your casts will help you cast longer distances even when using lighter lures and fishing smaller models like the 500 and 1000 models.
The underlying trend of this reel is that you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck. Many anglers (including this one) are always concerned about purchasing bottom-dollar reels because you get what you pay. Still, in this case, I think the Shimano Sahara FI is a high-performing spinning reel at an affordable price. This reel would be a great choice for a beginner or someone looking to expand their reel selection.
The Bottom Line
- My favorite saltwater reel is under $100 for inshore fishing
- It is a very smooth reel with a significant drag
- High level of manufacturing quality, parts are easy to find, and reel is easy to maintain
- Very durable anodized body
The Shimano Sahara FI is a value reel and is available here.
Features
G Free Body
The G-Free body is a patented design direct from Shimano. This feature moves the center of gravity on the reel closer to the butt of the rod. The result is less fatigue because it takes less work to hold the reel and crank on retrievals.
Hagane Gear
The Hagane gearing is a cold-forged 3D cutting technology that limits the cutting necessary to machine the gears. Shimano can produce high-quality and top-performing reels for affordable prices due to their systems, including this one.
X-Ship Technology
The X-Ship technology is one of my favorite features because the worst thing you can have is a reel that feels like you are holding back. I know you know what I mean. Sometimes, when you fish with a cheap reel, you feel like you are getting friction on your casts, and you can almost hear it in the way the line falls off the spool.
With X-Ship technology, you won’t have to worry about that problem. The design of the pinion gear and bearings keeps everything in perfect alignment. The result is less friction, a longer casting distance, and a smoother feel on the reel.
Graphite frame, rotor, and side plate
Quality and craftsmanship are central to everything they do at Shimano. We love this company because they build good reels, from the cheapest to the most expensive. With the Shimano Sahara FI, you get graphite all around, which reduces flexing and offers durability and strength.
Features at a Glance
A lot of anglers have a problem with the lack of an anti-reverse switch on this reel. I see it as unnecessary if the reel has a great drag system, which this one does. The anti-reverse is another area to corrode and gather dirt and sand.
We’ve also noticed during our research and talking to other anglers that some have a problem with the overall design of the reel. They claim that the reel handle is too close to the foot, so you don’t have enough space to crank without hitting your knuckles off the reel. I didn’t experience this problem, but I have heard about it on separate occasions. (maybe I have small hands?)
The Shimano Sahara FI comes in six different models, ranging from 500 to 5000. As you can imagine, the 500 model is tiny but quick for those serious about finesse angling and fishing light tackle in shallow water. For only six pounds of drag, we’d like to see the reel weigh a bit less than 6.9 ounces, though. You could get the Daiwa Exceler LT 2500 for 7.2 ounces and get 22 pounds of drag.
Many of you will likely fish the 2500 model, which has 20 pounds of drag, a 5.0:1 gear ratio, a 29-inch retrieval rate, and weighs 8.8 ounces. It’s not heavy, but it’s not the lightest reel we’ve looked at from Shimano.
I’m a massive fan of inshore topwater fishing, and when I fish the surface, I love to use buzz baits. I knew I found a great reel that would work perfectly for this. I hit the water with my Shimano Sahara SHC3000HGFI with a six-pound monofilament.
The 6.2:1 gear ratio on this reel works perfectly for topwater because it’s the speed you want for the correct retrieval and presentation of the reel.
I started with the rod tip high in the air as the bait hit the water. Running the lure through the weeds within the first 15 minutes on the water, I had myself a three-pound spotted seatrout. The retrieval was quick and smooth, and the drag system worked great. You don’t feel any friction on your cast, and even after a long fishing day, you don’t experience any fatigue.
Pros
- Packed with standard Shimano features
- Smooth casting with no friction
- Affordable
Cons
- No anti-reverse switch = no back reeling
Alternatives
As promised, we will stack this reel against similar spinning reels in the same price range. Let’s see how the Shimano Sahara FI compares.
First, let’s take a look at the Daiwa Exceler LT. This carbon-constructed spinning reel uses an air rotor and bail made of machined aluminum. The reel also offers Daiwa’s Digigear design, which is similar to the Hagane feature of precise machine cutting.
You’ll get the Daiwa Exceler LT for a bit cheaper, but the main downside is that it’s not exactly suitable for saltwater. One advantage of the Daiwa Exceler LT is that you get quite a bit more drag for your weight as you go up in size. The 2500 only weighs 7.2 ounces but offers 22 pounds of drag.
Next, let’s drop in with another spinning reel called the Pflueger Purist. This one is lightweight with a sealed carbon fiber drag system. This reel is excellent for inshore saltwater fishing because it has nine corrosion-resistant steel ball bearings. We would have to say that gives it a leg up in the salt against the Shimano Sahara FI.
The reel is a bit heavy, and it doesn’t offer a lot of drag even at the larger model sizes, but you do get a 9+1 bearing system, which is buttery smooth and fun to use.
Finally, hoping to end on a high note, we’ll look at the Penn Fierce II spinning reel. I don’t know what it is about these all-black reels that get me excited. I think they look incredible, and this is a reliable, affordable reel for anglers of all skill levels.
They improved the finish on the reel to make it more corrosion-protected against saltwater. Penn also included their oiled felt drag system in this one, which is oh-so-smooth.
Overall, it’s another great, affordable spinning reel. It’s hard to compare these because they’re all four out of five stars. I would recommend checking out any of these four reels.
In Conclusion
Well, that’s that. What do I think about the Shimano Sahara FI? I think it’s a standard, affordable spinning reel that works in salt and freshwater. Nothing about this reel impresses me or excites me when I head out to the water.
That said, if you’re looking for a highly reliable spinning reel from a company with a reputation for performance, plus if you want to get all of that for under $100, you’ve found the right reel in the Shimano Sahara FI. Happy fishing!
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