Help Me Decide, Sahara, Syemetre, Or The Diawa Exceler 2024

linesider83 reply :

I been fishing for a long time, allot of offshore, but i started fishing when I was a kid in freshwater. Still love to bass fish like every week and stuff. I was in the market for a 2500 series reel to fish with 6 or 8 pound test. I am looking for the best bang for the buck between these 3, I have expensive reels like accurates for offshore, but I would like to get your guys input on these.

I would like to prob keep this combo for freshwater, but I want to know if I fish off the beach in saltwater or some intercoastal I wont be hurting them too bad or at all.

I see these reels are under 100$ , but I have found them for better prices online then at the big name stores.

I have found the following

Daiwa exceler 2500HA - $49.00

Shimano Sahara 3000FD $68.00

Shimano Symetre 3000FJ $78.00

I have seen online people give the daiwa exceler good reviews, and Im sure you cant beat the price for 49.00 but I dont mind spending a few extra bucks if I am going to have a better reel at the end of the day.

I am currently fishing a reel I had in the closet, its a daiwa shock 2500, I know and feel its cheap but I recently caught a nice 5 pound largemouth with it.

Jig Man reply :

I gave up on the Ds and got rid of mine. I have several levels of S spinning including the Sahara and Symmetry reels. If you will use it a bunch, I'd get the Symmetry. I have some of them that are 11 years old and have been used a bunch. An occasional cleaning and once in a while an antireverse clutch is all they have had done to them.

SirSnookalot reply :

The Shimanos are approved for saltwater, not saying the Daiwa will give your trouble, it probably won't for occasional use.

BassinSoldier reply :

x2 for the symetre. Best bang for the buck at that pricepoint imo.

linesider83 reply :

Nice snook on the avatar tarponhunter, I fish allot for snook in miami to jupiter, but had a quick question for the guru's, I am liking this forum, very quick responds, thanks so much, drinks on me.

roadwarrior reply :

I think you will be happy with the Symetre, but if you can afford to

step up to the Stradic, I think you will like it even more!

linesider83 reply :

I mean I can afford the stradic, just Im not too sure I want to spend so much money on it, for bass fishing and maybe summer time beach fishing, where im not dunking in the reel in salt, ehh still unsure

roadwarrior reply :

Well, let me be more specific: I am recommending the CI4 which has many of the features previously available ONLY with the Stella series. I have the Symetre SY500FJ on an ultra light rig, a Stella 1000FA for a medium light rig and two Stella 2500 FD & FE. So, I'm not really comparing apples to apples, but I REALLY like the CI4 at its pricing point!

http://www.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/reels/spinning/Symetre_FI.html

http://www.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/reels/spinning/Stradic_MgFB.html

eyedabassman reply :

On 1/13/2012 at 12:28 AM, roadwarrior said:

I think you will be happy with the Symetre, but if you can afford to

step up to the Stradic, I think you will like it even more!

I agree with RW here! You can't go wrong with these two reels.

linesider83 reply :

The rod that I was using was a redbone, its good and light to my standards, not some crazy ultralight but not easy at all, I was seeing that 2500 and 3000 same size just more line, cant go wrong with 3000 size shimano then for that feature, like the extra line or not really?

trevor reply :

I honestly cannot recommend the Exceler, or any affordable spinning reel made by Daiwa. I know lots of people that have had great experiences with them, but of my three Daiwa spinning reels (two Tierras and a Regal of some series) I have had all three go bad in a very short time. And it's not like I am hard on my gear or anything. I would definitely recommend the Symetre. Or, if you want to get a much better reel for a tad more (on eBay for under $100 brand new) I would go with the Saros. The Saros is an exceptional reel, with better features than the Symetre. The Saros is almost identical to the Stradic FI.

linesider83 reply :

Yeah ur right trevor, I see it can be had for about 100.00, just so many options

SirSnookalot reply :

@ linesider........I fish Redbones, I have 3 that I use for inshore icw, beach and jetties. I don't like spending other peoples money so I don't recommend, this is what I use for doubly duty salt and bass. Redbone med 8/17 with a abu soron20 this outfit handles bass well plus a variety of inshore fish, I've caught 25# jacks & 40# tarpon on it, of course most fish don't go that big, but as you know, you never know what's out there.

Personally I like stradics and sorons, both handle salt water and both reels have excellent drags. If you shop on line you may find a nice deal on a stradic fi, I think I saw one at Dick's for 119.

I fish between Jap Rock in Boca and Hobe Sound.

NorcalBassin reply :

If you're not going to go up for a Ci4, the Sahara would be a great consolation prize. I have a couple in my aresenal (along with some Stradics) and been more than pleased with the performance.

Triton Man reply :

I have to recommend anything other than the excellor. I picked one up last year cheap since they were coming out with a new version, 2 actually. I had high hopes from lots of good reviews. It does reel nice, but feels a little cheap, not a problem. But in less than a year of moderate use the anti-reverse is just starting to slip at times. A quarter turn to a full turn backwards which I cant stand when setting the hook. I have a saros also that I liked but a rubber gasket or something like that broke and would bind up the reel on the retrieve. I've since removed it but most likely it was to keep dirt and water out. Some good deals on Quantum catalysts and energy's for around 100bucks or less. Dont have to deal with salt issues so sorry if I recommend something that wont work for you.

linesider83 reply :

I seen on tackletour they picked the stratic 3000Fj an editors choice, seems like a good one, I guess the ci4 lighter , what's the difference, which is better?

Ima Bass Ninja reply :

I just picked up a 3500 exceler (see here ) but have only used it once. It felt great to me and performed well. Only time will tell if it holds up though.

trevor reply :

On 1/13/2012 at 5:37 AM, linesider83 said:

I seen on tackletour they picked the stratic 3000Fj an editors choice, seems like a good one, I guess the ci4 lighter , what's the difference, which is better?

The Stradic CI4 has a lot of cosmetic upgrades, but it is also a very light reel. I think if you are using anything but the finest spinning rods, the CI4 could actually be a little too light, making the rod tip feel heavier. But that is more personal preference. Here is a link to the CI4 review on tackle tour: http://www.tackletour.com/reviewchimanostradicci4.html

Team9nine reply :

I've got all three that you mentioned, and all have performed fine for me. I've seen some not so great comments on the Exceler, but I've landed a 44 pound flathead on 8lb. line with mine and the reel performed flawlessly. That said, I'd probably pick the Sahara out of the 3. I've owned it the longest of the bunch, and hence used it the most, and it has held up great. The recommendation on the Stradic is good one - they're really nice if you want to jump up to that price point.

-T9

ToledoEF reply :

I had a sustain 2500 that was stolen and I loved it, I replaced it with two stradic 2500 ci4s which I love more. I had a saros I gave to my brother good reel, sahara was nice and the symetre which are all nice, but if you can go there, the ci4 is awesome.

linesider83 reply :

What rod you have on it?

ToledoEF reply :

As weird as this sounds, I currently down have any rods, I sold them all and I am gonna try new ones lol. I had them on combos of 6'9 ML to 7'2 M spinning rods.

linesider83 reply :

I am thinking about which rods, I have been seeing the bass pro carbonlights, the saint croix mojo bass, think fenwick has one also, the style rods with the open real seat and split handle type, I have been reading reviews on them all night but it seems some people have the brake very easy, eh dont know man.

flippin and pitchin reply :

Check the flea market on this forum for the Saros. There has been a couple for sale with photos. A Saros for 90 to 100 bucks would be a great choice. I have three and a Symetre and a Stradic FJ but I was able to get smokin deals on all of them. Welcome to forum by the way.

linesider83 reply :

Thanks for having me, I know its out of my range that I was thinking, but i can get a 3000 shimano stradic FJ for about 140.00, I think for the extra 40$ might be worth it, I am trying to find a nice rod for it, something with split handle, 7 ft, but been reading reviews

ToledoEF reply :

I wasnt a fan of the mojo rods, I really liked the crucials out of all the rods ive owned. I am gonna get the new crucials or try the new phenix recon rods.

flippin and pitchin reply :

On 1/13/2012 at 10:51 AM, linesider83 said:

Thanks for having me, I know its out of my range that I was thinking, but i can get a 3000 shimano stradic FJ for about 140.00, I think for the extra 40$ might be worth it, I am trying to find a nice rod for it, something with split handle, 7 ft, but been reading reviews

It's your budget. I just mentioned the Saros as an option because I really like mine and got the Saros for 97.00 FJ for 127.00 (new) and coud not pass that up. The rod question will get about 600 responses.....the first hour:) Good luck.

ww2farmer reply :

I am a Shimano casting reel guy, but I like Diawa spinning reels better. I have a couple Excelers, a 2000 and 2500 that are going into thre 6th season this spring. Both have been used 125+ times a year for the past 5 years, been out in the rain/snow/heat/cold umpteen times. And I have never so much as cracked one open for maint. Back the drags off in the winter, and a few drops of oil where the handle shaft goes in the spring, thats it. Still smooth and like new. Best "junk" reels I have ever owned.

linesider83 reply :

I went to bass pro at lunch time today, well the stradic fj 3000 feels very good, and the saros was very close second, picked up the shara and symetre, but after picking up a stradic

they did not have the carbonlight spinning rod in 7ft medium how i want it, so i ventured over to the saltwater section and seen a ugly stick inshore select rod which was impressive for only 49.00$ , half of the price of a carbonlight, I have few ugly sticks and there not the nicest or fancy but they dont brake, I cant stand fancy rods snapping from hard cast, I have read allot of people snapping expensive rods on the market now, falcon, saint croix, mojo bass, abu garcia etc.

l3rd reply :

On 1/13/2012 at 10:51 AM, linesider83 said:

Thanks for having me, I know its out of my range that I was thinking, but i can get a 3000 shimano stradic FJ for about 140.00, I think for the extra 40$ might be worth it, I am trying to find a nice rod for it, something with split handle, 7 ft, but been reading reviews

The Stradic, IMO, is a nicer reel than the Soros. As for a rod, how about micro guides? I don't seem to be able to get the link to work, but Tackle Warehouse has a Lew's Tournament SL HM60 Micro Guide Spinning Rod for $119.

SirSnookalot reply :

I see lots of ugly sticks used for various types of saltwater fishing, that coupled with a Penn reel is probably the most popular. However your emphasis seems to be more on bass fishing with the occasional saltwater outing, I don't think an ugly stick is the best choice. A stradic deserves a better rod and there is a lot to choose from at a reasonable price. All that being said I use an inshore saltwater rod for my bass fishing and I could easily use this outfit in the surf as well (rod was only $54).

tracker01 reply :

Stradic 2500FI on sale at Cabelas for $119.99. Check out their web site in the " bargin cave".

trevor reply :

If you are looking for some great, affordable rods, check out these options from Shimano

http://www.***.com/Shimano_Crucial_Spinning_Rods/descpage-SCRS.html or for a little less

http://www.***.com/Shimano_Compre_Spinning_Rods/descpage-SCSS.html

linesider83 reply :

Links not working

trevor reply :

Sorry about that. If you go to Tackle Warehouse, then to spinning rods, they have a great selection. The links I gave were to the Shimano Crucial Spinning rod and the Shimano Compre spinning rod, which costs a little less.

JerseyBassAddiction reply :

Dick's = Stradic FJ + tech spec rod $99

Missouribassman95 reply :

You should look at a Shimano Volteus, for a rod. They're not that expensive (40.00 I think). I have one and I think they're great rods! Very strong, and sensitive.

3352

Help Me Decide, Sahara, Syemetre, Or The Diawa Exceler 2024

related Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic