I have not used the silver model but have used the gold 401's and have to say that I beat the hell out of them in the salt and they hold up very well. I finally broke my first one here a few months back after 2 years of heavy salt abuse (half of the handle broke). The drag is still is ok condition. I had planned on buying a new "upgraded" reel and ended back with the same one. On the other hand I have heard a lot of poor reports on them but can confirm. Lots of perple swear by abu's but after smoking 6-8 of them in a year I'll never buy another. Give it a shot and good luck.
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You don't catch fish, fishing catches you.