katmandew Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 Stradic 1000 FJ - Found a deal for $138 shipped to the door. Symetre 1000 FL (2013 model) - $99 retail My old Symetre bit the dust, so I need a new 1000 series for my crappie rig. I just got a Stradic FJ and love it, but I'm wondering which of these 2 I should get. Is it worth the extra $40? New model Symetre has X-Ship and 1 bearing less. I'm sure they've added other features as well and made the Symetre reel better. Anyone had their hands on a new Symetre yet? I have the FJ Stradic, so I know that's a sweet reel. I'm just not sure with all the new features on the new Symetre that I shouldn't save the extra $35-40. I'd like to hear your thoughts if any of you have used the new FL series reels yet. Quote
Super User NorcalBassin Posted January 23, 2013 Super User Posted January 23, 2013 I had the same issue... wanted the Symetre 1000 for my Avid UL rig but everyone was out of them during the Christmas sales. I couldn't wait anymore and went with the Stradic (very pleased), but I'm still curious about the Symetre. They did some really nice upgrades on that model and it has the smaller 750 body.I handled a 2500 Symetre at a recent ISE show and it felt real nice... but no one had any 1000's! Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted January 23, 2013 Super User Posted January 23, 2013 If this is a crappie specific reel I would go with the symetre if you are on the fence about spending the extra money. Crappie aren't exactly drag testing fish so I wouldn't worry about having a great reel for these fish. I feel the stradic FJ is a better buy for bass and larger game fish and still has more features than the symetre... just look on TW. I don't have the newest symetre but I have an older model and really like it for walleye and light bass finesse apps. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted January 23, 2013 Super User Posted January 23, 2013 I have the Symetre 500FJ on an ultralight. I think it's killer on this particular rig. Quote
thehooligan Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 Im thinking about trying out the new symetre 1000, at 6.5 oz's its light. Quote
katmandew Posted January 23, 2013 Author Posted January 23, 2013 Yes it's very light and all the new features are what make me think maybe I should save $40 since it is an ultra light being used on a crappie/panfish specific rod. I did hook the 6.5 lb lunker largemouth you see in my profile pic on that previous 750FI crappie reel though, so there's a chance in February that I may catch a few of those caliber fish while crappie fishing. They tend to like my white Road Runner in February...but dang that Stradic is NICE and at that price it's making my decision difficult. Quote
katmandew Posted January 23, 2013 Author Posted January 23, 2013 I have the Symetre 500FJ on an ultralight. I think it's killer on this particular rig. Is it the 500FJ or the 1000FJ? I didn't realize they had anything smaller than a 1000 series? Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted January 24, 2013 Super User Posted January 24, 2013 in certain models they offer 500 series reels. Quote
Capt.Bob Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 Stradic 1000 hands down the smoothest and toughest of the 2 models!! I had a ci4 and sold it when I bought my FJ Sradic, sold all my older Stradics except a 1000, and a 2000 MgFB replaced the rest with the new FJ, the best Stradic to date!! Symetre is a great real, but noticeably not as smooth as the FJ Stradic, even more so under a load! 1 Quote
thehooligan Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 Stradic 1000 hands down the smoothest and toughest of the 2 models!! I had a ci4 and sold it when I bought my FJ Sradic, sold all my older Stradics except a 1000, and a 2000 MgFB replaced the rest with the new FJ, the best Stradic to date!! Symetre is a great real, but noticeably not as smooth as the FJ Stradic, even more so under a load! I agree with you on the stradic fj, i love my 1000. Have you handled the new symetre ? Really wondering how that and the new saros hold up against the stradic fj.... 2 Quote
Capt.Bob Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 I agree with you on the stradic fj, i love my 1000. Have you handled the new symetre ? Really wondering how that and the new saros hold up against the stradic fj.... I own the Stradic FJ in 1000, 3000, and 4000 size I also as I said own the 1000, and 2000 MgFB's and a 4000FI, The 3000 FE Sustain, a 1000F Saros and Symetre 2500FH and 2500 FI, they are all great reels, the little 1000Saros is the equal to the FI model Stradics, and the Symetre's I only slightly less as smooth and efficient. But out of all my spinning reels the FJ is hands down the smoothest of all. The new Saros and Symetre are of no interest to me with their graphite construction. I only fish freshwater, and prefer as much aluminum in the construction as I can get. I had the great Stradic ci4 and that was a short lived love afair!! It has been long gone as I think it is lacking the smoothness and efficiency of even the the FH stradics(which I feel are one of the best models ever produced). But I stand on my opinion based on the reels I currently own, and have owned all the older models in one or more size of the reels I mentioned here, the Stradic FJ is the smoothest and most efficient to date, and the equal if not slightly better than the Sustain FE. You Can not find a better buy on the planet the shimano FJ, their is a size for all freshwater species and most Saltwater. One Thing is for sure, when I sold all my other spinning gear 20 years ago and went to all Shimano, I never looked back! I use other brands from time to time when fishing buddies bring new models on board with us, and it doesn't take long to hand them back and pick up the best, I love my Shimano Spinning gear! Quote
thehooligan Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 Thinks for the info bob, i just went over to dicks to check out the new sahara and symetre. I thought they might of went to a direct drive handle for the symetre this year, which they didnt. so that reel is out. Im in the market for a 1000, so it might just be another stradic fj... Quote
upnorthbassin Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 I went out and bought a symetre 2500 fj a few weeks ago because I knew they were being discontinued. I'll probably get the stradic 2500 fj when I find a deal on one. I'm always willing to try some new equipment but I'm also always skeptical of "new and improved". Quote
katmandew Posted January 26, 2013 Author Posted January 26, 2013 Just checked out both reels yesterday at bass pro. The Stradic FJ is much smoother. Based on initial feel, I almost think the new Symetre is a step back from the Symetre FJ. Quote
Capt.Bob Posted January 26, 2013 Posted January 26, 2013 Just checked out both reels yesterday at bass pro. The Stradic FJ is much smoother. Based on initial feel, I almost think the new Symetre is a step back from the Symetre FJ. The new Sradic will be an even bigger difference with the same load on both reels, I have a Sustain still, sold my FD's, but the FE is as smooth as my same size Stradic FJ,,,,,,,,until you get a healthy fish on, then the FJ shows it's real difference in smooth efficient gearing. I had the same opinion of the ci4 and the Saros, with those bodies being made with a material that is supposedly more stable in temperature changes I would have thought they would have been smoother, but for me the only benefit was lighter, (not noticeable) and corrosion resistance if used in salt water, (I don't) so I don't even look at the plastic bodies anymore! Quote
tnbassfisher Posted January 26, 2013 Posted January 26, 2013 I'm still stuck on the last model of the Stradic, so I'm inclined to stay with that on the FJ. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted January 26, 2013 Super User Posted January 26, 2013 Is it the 500FJ or the 1000FJ? I didn't realize they had anything smaller than a 1000 series? 500FJ The reel is solid and tight. I think it will be perfect for the ultralight! http://www.bassanglerswarehouse.com/Shimano-Symetre-500-FJ_p_1328.html Quote
Dave Hull Posted January 27, 2013 Posted January 27, 2013 Kat man, please share with me where I can get a new stradic fj for $138 as I'm in the market. Thanks! Quote
Capt.Bob Posted January 27, 2013 Posted January 27, 2013 just watch 2 4000FJ's sell on sleazbay the last 2 days for less than $137.00 from very reliable sellers and w/free shipping! They're out there you just got to search. Quote
katmandew Posted January 29, 2013 Author Posted January 29, 2013 Kat man, please share with me where I can get a new stradic fj for $138 as I'm in the market.Thanks! EBay has several sellers selling them around $135. Quote
Bigbarge50 Posted January 29, 2013 Posted January 29, 2013 I love my stradic.... smoothest spinning I have ever felt. If your using it for multiple applications then maybe go stradic. If you looking to stick with crappies or ultra light set ups..... I saw RW makes a great case to go with the 500.... Either way I think you can not go wrong Quote
katmandew Posted January 29, 2013 Author Posted January 29, 2013 Now I'm considering another 2500 FJ Stradic just so I can have a second bass reel to use it on a drop shot rod as well. I can move it to my medium crappie rod while I'm chasing specs, and that way it doesn't sit there the rest of the year doing nothing. Only disadvantage is that the 2500 uses more line, but I'll use cheap mono for crappie anyways and ill get more use out of it if i have it on a second bass rod. Quote
thehooligan Posted January 30, 2013 Posted January 30, 2013 Now I'm considering another 2500 FJ Stradic just so I can have a second bass reel to use it on a drop shot rod as well. I can move it to my medium crappie rod while I'm chasing specs, and that way it doesn't sit there the rest of the year doing nothing. Only disadvantage is that the 2500 uses more line, but I'll use cheap mono for crappie anyways and ill get more use out of it if i have it on a second bass rod. Id go for the 1000, its almost 2 oz's lighter, uses less line, and has more than enough drag for all bass/crappie fishing.... Quote
Super User Darren. Posted January 30, 2013 Super User Posted January 30, 2013 I'll be the n'th recommender for the Stradic... But that said, I use my 1000 FI's for bass fishing, and some crappie on the side. Also have a Sahara 500 which has proven quite good at fishing as well. Mostly used by the kids, but hauls in bass as well as every other littler fishy as well. Let me also admit, though, that my eye is on the new Daiwa Lexa spinning reel in a 1500 size. Been so darn impressed with my Lexa 100 bait caster that I've been caught daydreaming of Daiwa spinning reels by my Shimano gear. Quote
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