Everyone wants a smooth reel :roll: "Hey, look how smooth it cranks!"
It doesn't matter. Some of the older reels that doesn't have instant anti-reverse with a more labourious crank, but they are build more bulletproof than these so called "smooth reels". Reels like the Penn 704Z are still cranking after 20 years and people are still gobbling up any available ones on the secondhand market. So is my Shimano Baitrunner. It is heavy, it is large, it has no instant anti-reverse and it has only 3 bearings...but it is bombproof. Forget the hype about adding more bearings...if you look at a reel schematics, most of the extra bearings are added to places that doesn't even matter (for example...2 bearings on handle knobs?!?! One isn't good enough so let's just put another one there just to satisfy the hype?!?!). A lot of old reels do not have bearings but use bushings instead. Plastic bushings do not rust...bearings that are not greased, or shielded, or sealed, even if they are stainless steel, will eventually rust and cause jerky retrieves or even reel failures.
** Don't let me scary you off about bearings...most freshwater situations you have nothing to worry about. I'm just stating my opinion on the idea that adding more bearings makes the reel better...it often does, but it is not ALWAYS the rule.
As long as your reel does not jerk as you retrieve, and your drag is butter smooth, that is all that matters. The little play on the anti-reverse are at worst a little annoyance. Actually, some of the older reels have handle play because they use a dog clutch as the anti-reverse, so you do get play but a much more robust clutch.
Look for reels with oiled Japanese felt drag washers, or greased carbon fiber drag washers (Shimano: Dartanium II, Daiwa: UT Drag, Abu Garcia: Carbon Matrix, Penn: HT-100...etc). BTW, Penn has been using HT-100 drags forever...they were providing these carbon drags in their reels before all the current hype about carbon drags. Some of the 20 year old Penns are more advanced than the reels today. :roll: The older graphite washers in some reels are OK...but you have better options at affordable prices nowadays so take those options.
Don't buy into all the hype about extra light weight reel...woven carbon, magnesium...blah, blah, blah...an ounce or two difference in weight is minimal if you have a balanced outfit. Graphite is light enough...compared to the full metal Penns (although full metal is much more robust). Woven carbon is not very impact resistent either...it's essentially similar to the graphite fibers in your rods. All it takes is bad drop on a rock and you create a weak point in the carbon...leading to future gear failure. I look at those woven carbon reel handles and cringe...give me a machined aluminum handle any day.
Your Shimano Sahara is a great reel. You really do not need to upgrade, especially when you are just starting to fish. If you want to improve performance, upgrade the drag washers to Carbontex washers for an extra $10 and you are laughing. If you are even more picky, upgrade your bearings with Boca ceramic sealed bearings that are oiled. They will cost you a pretty penny though. Personally, I wouldn't even bother with any upgrade...your reel is great as it is.
What I would suggest is getting a second (possibly third at your budget) rod and reel. You should consider Shimano Clarus rods. They are great rods with a limited lifetime warranty. Here's what I would suggest for rods...
1) Shimano CSC610MH2B Clarus Bass Travel Casting Rod 2Pc ($90)
- 6'10", medium heavy, fast action, 10-20lb mono, 20-40lb braid, 1/4-3/4oz
- allows you to pitch heavier jigs for bass, cast bigger spoons, lures and spinners for pike and muskies
2) Shimano CSS96M2B Clarus Steelhead Spinning Rod 2pc ($120)
- 9'6", medium, fast action, 8-12lb mono, 10-30lb braid, 3/8 - 3/4oz
- allows you to cast spoons for salmon and trout off piers, bottom bounce at the Nia*** R or Sau*** R, and float fish the smaller east tribs
Your spinning reel can still pair with the Clarus steelhead rod...so you don't need a new reel for that.
For the casting rod, consider an Shimano Cardiff CDF300A or the Abu Garcia C3 5500 or C4 5600. Those are proven reels that will last you a LONG time. Friends of mine use the C3's to beat up saltwater fish like 10lb jack crevalle, roosterfish, mahimahi and skipjack tuna. Very smooth and powerful drag and very corrosion proof. For the price, it is hard to find something comparable. The only annoying thing with the C3 is that the disengage button is on side and on top of the reel side plate. The C4 has the disengage button behind the spool typical of most baitcasters which is much more convenient. But C3 has lower gear ratio (more cranking power) vs. the C4's high gear ratio (less cranking power).
My suggestions are to help you widen your opportunites as a new angler, not dwell on upgrading gear when you have less than one year of fishing experience under your belt.
