Sh. Sahara vs. Stradic ??? 2025

Fish Chris reply :

As popular as Shimano is here, surely some of you must own both Saharas, and Stradics.

I'm just curious as to how much, if any better, the Stradic is in real world fishing applications than the Sahara's.

Afterall, the Stradic is about 80% more expensive. But is it really worth that much more ?

I've picked both of them up in the store to play with them, and I can't feel a difference. Actually, they both feel fantastic.

Your experiences please.

Thank you,

Fish

SeanW reply :

I own both. I do like the Stradic better, but I cant say it fish's any better. It is much lighter. I think the longevity is the real difference. Over years of use the Stradic is holding up better. That said I have switched over to the Abu Garcia Soron and Revo's.

J Francho reply :

I own two Stradics, a 1000 FG and a 2500 CI4. I work on about 20 Saharas each winter. The only real technical differences are in the drags and the oscillation. Obviously, the CI4 weighs much, much less. The Sahara uses an offset cam, with can wear out, and get a little sloppy. The Stradics use a worm gear, which have some inherent spool slop (about 1/16"), but pretty much never wear out. The Stradic has a sealed 7 washer drag, and is easily upgraded to Carbontex. I can't remember, but I think the Sahara has a two washer drag (maybe that's the Sedona). The Carbontex washers for the Stradic fit the Sahara.

At any rate, all the Shimano spinners are really well made reels, even the lower end Sedona is a cracker. I'm luke warm about my older Stradic FG, especially compared to my newer Daiwas. However, I LOVE my CI4.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

I have fished with both and own a Symetre.

I prefer the Symetre over the other two, based on price and features. It is much cheaper than a Stradic yet feels as smooth and strong; it is only marginally more expensive than the Sahara, yet feels quite a bit better in my hands.

Fish Chris reply :

Much thanks guys.

Hey J F, which of the new Daiwa's are you using ? I used to love my Daiwa Regal Z's......

Peace,

Fish

bigfruits reply :

Quote

I have fished with both and own a Symetre.

I prefer the Symetre over the other two, based on price and features. It is much cheaper than a Stradic yet feels as smooth and strong; it is only marginally more expensive than the Sahara, yet feels quite a bit better in my hands.

im not sure about the internals but i think symetre is the best "value". that being said, i now have a bunch of stradic FI 2500s and a CI4 2500 (great reel!). ive seen the stradic FI for $120 shipped online, PM me if interested.

J Francho reply :

Quote
Much thanks guys.
Hey J F, which of the new Daiwa's are you using ? I used to love my Daiwa Regal Z's......

Peace,

Fish

Very similar to the Z, but not new. They're Capricorns that I bought a few years ago on clearance at Dick's for $40.

Here's my oldest with a 1500:

Fish Chris reply :

Hey JF, that's a great photo ! Cool reel. And a BIG Warmouth ! (I think that's what they call those down there)

And BTW, I see both you and your son are "smart" guys who wear a PFD Me too.

Peace,

Fish

J Francho reply :

Thanks, and thanks.

You can probably still find NIB Capricorns on eBay.

That's a rock bass, similar to a warmouth. Kids have to wear PDFs all the time, and everyone has to from Nov.1 to April 1. I have a Mustang, and I generally keep it on, especially in tournaments when I'm in the back of the boat. I'm a pretty strong swimmer, but my worry is conking my head, and falling in.

Fish Chris reply :

I guess if we are not talking Latin, you can call a fish pretty much anything. We have a fish we call a Rock Bass, which is a totally different species. Very close in shape and build, to that one, but completely different coloration.

Anyway, I'm a pretty decent swimmer myself.... but not with a ton of bulky cloths, and boots on... and not is 45 degree water, either !

Then again, I wear my PFD any time I'm on the water, even in the Summer.

Peace,

Fish

J Francho reply :

That's the "120" rule. If the air and water temps don't add up to 120, you got problems if you fall in.

J Francho reply :

Oh, and my buddies down in VA call stripers "rockfish," LOL. Common names can get confusing.

ChiCityBasser reply :

I own a Sahara and maybe I should have stepped up to a Saros at the time or the Stradic. My sahara was not the greatest shimano experience. It was smooth but has spent more time at home then on the water. Go with the Symetre or Stradic

SoFlaBassAddict reply :

I've never had a single problem with my Sahara. Been a fun reel to use. Clean it once in a while and make sure it's lubed. No problems.

Dockhead reply :

I have an older Stradic, 3 Sahara's, a Symetre and a Saros.

Never had any major problems with Saharas, but cosmetically the side plates fell off on two of them. Just glued them back, not a huge deal.

But then someone gave me a Symetre and I knew pretty quickly the Sahara's were destined for loaner rods and back ups. Got the Saros for $100, and it has also been great.

I would like to try a newer Stradic, my older one is still crankin' (but it's a 4000 and doesn't get much use anymore).

Just hard to spend the extra money to me, the Saros and Symetre do all that I require and then some.

Plus I really want to try one of the new Pfleuger's next time I am in the market for a new spinning reel.

GrizzerGreen reply :

I considered getting a Sahara to go with my Veritas but after talking to a few people and comparing the 2 reels, the Phlueger Supreme XT was definitaly the better choice IMO.

Its alot lighter than the Sahara but it is a bit more money. And it also has 10 bearings!

BASSclary reply :

Quote
I considered getting a Sahara to go with my Veritas but after talking to a few people and comparing the 2 reels, the Phlueger Supreme XT was definitaly the better choice IMO.
Its alot lighter than the Sahara but it is a bit more money. And it also has 10 bearings!

Bearing count is misleading.

Ern reply :

I went with the Symetre over the other two. I passed on the Stradic becase I don't like the screw in handle. Always seem to knock those loose. I like the symetre a little better than the Sahara. That said I have 4 Symetres. All the FJ and they get used. Clean and lube and your fine. I have a 1000FJ that has been used like a rented mule and still smooth.

And Francho.....That rockbass is a redeye around here.

shootermcbob reply :

I have a couple sarahas, a couple symetres, and a couple saros. while i really like all three, the saros is in a different class. It is much smoother and the drag seems much smoother as well.

However, all three handle fish with no problems, and at nearly half the price, the sahara is a fine reel.

If I had to choose just one, it would be the saros, and the saros also comes with an extra spool. I have seen them for right around 100 bucks, same price as symetre.

GrizzerGreen reply :

Quote

Quote
I considered getting a Sahara to go with my Veritas but after talking to a few people and comparing the 2 reels, the Phlueger Supreme XT was definitaly the better choice IMO.
Its alot lighter than the Sahara but it is a bit more money. And it also has 10 bearings!

Bearing count is misleading.

Buzzzzzzkilll

northern basser reply :

Quote

Quote
I considered getting a Sahara to go with my Veritas but after talking to a few people and comparing the 2 reels, the Phlueger Supreme XT was definitaly the better choice IMO.
Its alot lighter than the Sahara but it is a bit more money. And it also has 10 bearings! [/quote

Bearing count is misleading.

Shimanos on average seem to have less bearings than the competition. That doesn't mean that it is any less of a reel.

BASSclary reply :

Quote

Quote

Quote
I considered getting a Sahara to go with my Veritas but after talking to a few people and comparing the 2 reels, the Phlueger Supreme XT was definitaly the better choice IMO.
Its alot lighter than the Sahara but it is a bit more money. And it also has 10 bearings!

Bearing count is misleading.

Buzzzzzzkilll

Sorry if I ruined your reel for you, its still a fantastic reel don't get me wrong.

Im just saying that buying a reel based on bearing count is misleading.

Shimanos generally have less bearings, but they make up for it with the smoothness of the reel.

Bluebasser86 reply :

If I was picking between those two I would go with the stradic. Personally I use all Symetres. It's a bit cheaper and a very solid, smooth reel. They are very easy to clean and lube too so you can keep them spinning smooth 8-) .

Hammer 4 reply :

I have both reels..I prefer the stradic, it seems work a tad bit better when catching fish that fight harder than lmb's..I do like both of them, but I would spring for the extra $$ for the stradic.

plymouthrockbass reply :

I bought a Sahara this summer and used it on a 6-6mf st. croix rod for senkos and texas rigged worms. I loved the reel until it got struck by lightning and basically disinigrated. But im thinking about replacing it with a stradic and possibly the stradicCI4. anyone have any use with the CI4 and could compare it to the regular stradic?

s13john reply :

i have a sahara 1000 that i use for the light stuff, its defiantly been a good reel for me this year. but i recently picked up a diawa excelcer 1500(old one) and that is one sweet reel for about 50 bux. all aluminum, 2 crbb and a free spool.

NorcalBassin reply :

I happen to have both of these reels and would recommend the Stradic if you have the $$$ and the Sahara if you're on a tighter budget. They're both enjoyable to fish with, but I'm not sure how many fish I've landed with the Stradic that I would have lost with the Sahara. My guess is zero.

Love the Stradic but not sure if it's worth the extra money. In my opinion all you "need" for a solid spinning rig is a $70-100 class reel with a good reputation, which the Sahara certainly fits into. Baitcasters are another story and I'd definitely recommend spending what you can with those, but spinning reels... not so much.

northern basser reply :

I've used a sedona, symetre, and a stradic over the years. Didn't actually use a sahara, but everything aroud it. That being said, I think the symetre gets the "bang for buck award". $ aside, the stradic is better. The sedona has loosened up on me quite a bit in a short time, but was a good reel for me at $59. I'm itching to pull the trigger on a CI4.

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Sh. Sahara vs. Stradic ??? 2025

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