Shimano Stradic

[THE BASS WHISPERER]

I bought a C14 for christmas and paired it up with a g Loomis G2 worm and jig rod.  love it !!! $200.00 bucks    i dont think you can go wrong with it!!!

[Silas]

The Shimano Symetre 2500 FJ is on sale  NOW at American Legacy..   Just got mine yesterday.

 

A $100 reel for $59.95 shipped!!!  

 

Looks like a winner!   But I have to agree; my Stradic FE is a smooooooth casting reel.

[fishking247]

If you're just getting back into it i wouldn't spend $200 on a reel. Heck, i fish hard every day and still use 50-$100 reels. the Shimano sedona is a good start for you, they are around $60

[Capt.Bob]

The Stradic is a very good spinning reel. It and the Saros both use worm gears for oscilation which I like. Whetehr or not anything is worth the price is an individual decision. I have to agree with Dodge Guy that the Pflueger spinning reels are hard to beat on a bang for your buck basis.

The Saros and less expensive reels don't use the worm gear system and the Saros never did, but the Symetre used to until the FI series. The FH and older Symetre's use to use the more desirable worm gear system, which I use to feel was well worth considering over the Stradic as it was the same basic design minus a spare aluminum spool and one less bearing, but since the Shimano has made the Stradic a bigger improvement in spinning reel quality over the less expensive reels. This is not saying that the lower priced Symetre and Saros are not good reels, as they are very good, but there are many improvements and better internal designs that the Stradic and Sustain share with the much more expensive Stella which the others don't have!!! I am sure it is only a matter of time before Shimanos starts cheapening those two reel up to seperate those models from each other also, it seams to be the direction the company is moving. 

 

As for the Ci4, I would suggest the FJ at this time over the older less innovative Ci4 reel, which is basically a FI with different frame material. I say this because there is rumors of the "NEW Ci4" coming soon which will have all the newer innovations the FJ has, including the big one X-SHIP, and as I have owned every series the Stradic was ever made in, it is the smoothest and most powerful to date. The other thing which usually happens is the older series reel in the same model becomes much cheaper to buy when the new one is introduced. I would personally wait on the new model if I wanted a Ci4 over the Aluminum framed model, which is always the case with me as I feel more confident with an aluminum framed reel, and find they balance better on rods right off the shelf. It will be interesting to see how the new reel compares to the newer innovations found on the FJ and if maybe there are not some even newer innovations the FJ doesn't have??????  

[Blues19]

I know a few people who think the Symetre is the only way to go

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The Saros and less expensive reels don't use the worm gear system and the Saros never did, but the Symetre used to until the FI series. The FH and older Symetre's use to use the more desirable worm gear system, which I use to feel was well worth considering over the Stradic as it was the same basic design minus a spare aluminum spool and one less bearing, but since the Shimano has made the Stradic a bigger improvement in spinning reel quality over the less expensive reels. This is not saying that the lower priced Symetre and Saros are not good reels, as they are very good, but there are many improvements and better internal designs that the Stradic and Sustain share with the much more expensive Stella which the others don't have!!! I am sure it is only a matter of time before Shimanos starts cheapening those two reel up to seperate those models from each other also, it seams to be the direction the company is moving. 

 

As for the Ci4, I would suggest the FJ at this time over the older less innovative Ci4 reel, which is basically a FI with different frame material. I say this because there is rumors of the "NEW Ci4" coming soon which will have all the newer innovations the FJ has, including the big one X-SHIP, and as I have owned every series the Stradic was ever made in, it is the smoothest and most powerful to date. The other thing which usually happens is the older series reel in the same model becomes much cheaper to buy when the new one is introduced. I would personally wait on the new model if I wanted a Ci4 over the Aluminum framed model, which is always the case with me as I feel more confident with an aluminum framed reel, and find they balance better on rods right off the shelf. It will be interesting to see how the new reel compares to the newer innovations found on the FJ and if maybe there are not some even newer innovations the FJ doesn't have??????  

FWIW,

 

Saros 2500 FA listed as a current model on Shimano's site http://fish.shimano.com/media/fishing/techdocs/en/new/SAR2500FA_v1_m56577569830817507.pdf

RD12681 is an oscilation worm gear

[Capt.Bob]

FWIW,

 

Saros 2500 FA listed as a current model on Shimano's site http://fish.shimano.com/media/fishing/techdocs/en/new/SAR2500FA_v1_m56577569830817507.pdf

RD12681 is an oscilation worm gear

Thank you for pointing out that they did change the oscilation system on the new model, but they do continue to distance it from the quality of the the reels I mentioned. I was disappointing in the Aluminum bodied F series, as it was the same dual gearing main gear operating a camming action,  as they lowered the Symetre to a few years back, it is good to see them improve a reel, but at the same time they incorporated the cheaper bail and did away with the Aluminum frame, the old F models used the same bail as the Stradics with an Aluminum frame. But as you stated the worm gear oscillation is far better than the others mentioned.  

[Revival]

As for the Ci4, I would suggest the FJ at this time over the older less innovative Ci4 reel, which is basically a FI with different frame material. I say this because there is rumors of the "NEW Ci4" coming soon which will have all the newer innovations the FJ has, including the big one X-SHIP

 

When does the newer CI4 rumored to be released?

 

I noticed no one mentioned the Sahara.  I was able to fondle most of the Shimano reels and my local Bass Pro and i think i was most impressed with the Sahara (besides the Stradics).  It felt good on the display rod but then again i havent personally used all of these reels like most of you have.

 

My local Bass Pro and Sportsman Warehouse didnt have the Stradic Ci4 in stock and werent due for more for another 2 weeks.  I was looking online and seen that one of the sites were having a 15% sale for Memorial day so i couldnt pass it up.  We will see how it goes.  I still might get one of the other reels for a back up set up.

[Revival]

Got my Stradic Ci4 in and after inspecting it, it looks and feels awesome.  I cant wait to try it out.  Bass Pro is taking extremely long with the rod for some reason.  I do have a question about the Stradic Ci4 though.  I noticed that the handle is not straight but rather pointed out at an angle. This is obviously by design but i was wondering for what reason?  When i tried the other Shimanos, i never really noticed it I guess.

[Capt.Bob]

Rotor and bail clearance.

[Hooligan]

i suggest a pflueger patriarch.better reel and lighter for the same money.

By whose measure? Cheaper bearings, lower grade drag, poor sealing mechanic, lower quality of construction, looser tolerance, and far less reliable line handling which results in more line twist.

Lighter than the CI4? Wrong. 7.75 for the Pflueger and 6.45 for the Stradic CI4 in comparable size. (I just weighed them, with 5lb fluorocarbon on the Pflueger and 8lb on the CI4.)

[Hooligan]

Got my Stradic Ci4 in and after inspecting it, it looks and feels awesome. I cant wait to try it out. Bass Pro is taking extremely long with the rod for some reason. I do have a question about the Stradic Ci4 though. I noticed that the handle is not straight but rather pointed out at an angle. This is obviously by design but i was wondering for what reason? When i tried the other Shimanos, i never really noticed it I guess.

Doesn't have as much to do with clearance as being ergonomic. Most other reels that have a straight handle have a wider arc, the bent handle reduces the offset and increases torque and comfort.

Also, at Capt. Bob- the bail is actually a better design. One piece with less chance of snag and it provides better line flow. It's actually more expensive to produce than previous models. Secondly, the new material is actually stronger than previous Carbon Fiber models and is very nearly the same strength as aluminum without the much higher associated cost.

But, then, you've already made your decision that Shimano has made everything cheaper and poorer quality so the only way to go is other reels now. (That's said entirely good natured teasing, and 100% tongue in cheek.)

[Capt.Bob]

Also, at Capt. Bob- the bail is actually a better design. One piece with less chance of snag and it provides better line flow. It's actually more expensive to produce than previous models. Secondly, the new material is actually stronger than previous Carbon Fiber models and is very nearly the same strength as aluminum without the much higher associated cost.

But, then, you've already made your decision that Shimano has made everything cheaper and poorer quality so the only way to go is other reels now. (That's said entirely good natured teasing, and 100% tongue in cheek.)

Thankfully not everything YET!!,,,,,The point DVC made I will agree is a better design, the worm gear over the much less efficient camming action with a secondary gear built onto the main gear is a little less efficient and not as durable and smooth over time, and probably why we don't see it used on the Stradic, Sutain and Stella, I think maybe the same holds true for the bail and frame material and why we don't see them used on the higher end reels also,,,,,,,,,,but with Shimano don't surprised if next year,,,,,,,,,,,well time will tell,   

[skeletor6]

I have the ci4 and the stradic fj. I sincerely believe the FJ is the way to go unless you need the weight savings. Maybe the new improvements made to the ci4 will change that. But how it stands the FJ is a really good buy and best value in the lineup imho.

[Fishes in trees]

What is your issue with the Spirex?   I've got several of them and they have always worked good for me.  Just wanna know.

[Revival]

What is your issue with the Spirex? I've got several of them and they have always worked good for me. Just wanna know.

I bought my Spirex abouy a month ago. It worked fine in the beginning then it started getting real sticky and its not smooth at all. Sometimes when reeling, it feels like the line is stuck over the eye of the rod but its not. Then on occasions the bail does not close completely yet I am able to reel and it causes the line to stack up at the top of the spool. I had a spirex from 2003-2004 that was a lot better but got pretty bad over time.

[Capt.Bob]

What is your issue with the Spirex?   I've got several of them and they have always worked good for me.  Just wanna know.

There is nothing wrong with a Spirex, many like that type of reel over the newer more advanced features offered on other types of spinning gear, non quick fire and instant anti-reverse and so on, along with other improvements in oscillation and spool design, and well they are simply a totally different model of spinning reel. The Stradic and up are truly Shimano's most feature packed reels. the Ci4 has most of the same features the FI model had, and it was a good reel also, and as stated, if lighter weight is a priority, the Ci4 is that.

[dodgeguy]

By whose measure? Cheaper bearings, lower grade drag, poor sealing mechanic, lower quality of construction, looser tolerance, and far less reliable line handling which results in more line twist.

Lighter than the CI4? Wrong. 7.75 for the Pflueger and 6.45 for the Stradic CI4 in comparable size. (I just weighed them, with 5lb fluorocarbon on the Pflueger and 8lb on the CI4.)

i didn't know he was talking about the c14.isn't that a composite frame?i would never pay that for a composite fame.as far as the rest of your knocking of pflueger you are entitled to your opinion.

 

 

STCI41000F 140/4 6.0:1 6+1 6.2 ounces

 

9530X 120/6 5.2:1 9+1 6.3 ounces

 

in comparable sizes they are within .1 ounces.the pflueger's magnesium frame will not flex.composite frames will flex.

[Hooligan]

The ci4 4000 and the 9530 aren comparably sized reels. They just aren't. To insinuate so is patently false.

CI 4 isn't composite in the traditional sense. It is carbon fiber. It's as strong as titanium, fact. The rest of what I said is fact as well, not my opinion. Pflueger builds a good reel, but they are not on the same level when comparing the two reels in question.

[SirSnookalot]

I do not own the patriach, ci4 or the fj, can't say if they are better or more durable than the previous models.  I do own 3 supremes, 1 of which was used for saltwater for nearly 2 years before using it for fresh, 1 medalist and an arbor both exclusively in saltwater.  I own 2 4000 stradic fi both used only in saltwater and for species other than bass.  My opinion is not based on any technical data but my own personal usage, each of the reels are a minimum of 3 years except the arbor which is about 18 months.  I fish about 340 days a year fresh and salt and many times both in the same day, these reels get used a lot, I have my own background on capabilty and durabilty.

I like both brands very much but neither is perfect.  It's a fact that none of my Pfluegers have ever needed anything more than a drop of oil, they have never needed any kind of repair or service.  The drag works well and the reels are smooth but extremely prone to wind knots with braided line.  My stradics on the other hand have had their problems, none of which was major.  The drag on one is totally shot, not unexpected considering the age and kind of fish caught on it.  I have had line roller bearings rust out 2 times, not uncommon if you do an internet search and both reels have had line stacking issues but shims remedy that.  The line management with stradic is superior to any other reel I have used, never once in the years using them have I had a wind knot, a real important issue to me.  I don't think the stradic is best in every category, but good enough in each of them to be considered the better of the 2 reels and near or at the top of all sub $200 reels.

 

STCI41000F & 9530X most fisherman are not banging out 10# fish on them 7 days a week, if you are catching a lot of 10# fish it's most likely done with b/c and heavier rods.  Kinda boils down to the fish being caught on a regular basis, both reels should perform well for many years and pick the one you like the best, I'd keep an open mind and look at the lexa.

[dodgeguy]

The ci4 4000 and the 9530 aren comparably sized reels. They just aren't. To insinuate so is patently false.

CI 4 isn't composite in the traditional sense. It is carbon fiber. It's as strong as titanium, fact. The rest of what I said is fact as well, not my opinion. Pflueger builds a good reel, but they are not on the same level when comparing the two reels in question.

 

 

read again.i'm not comparing a 4000 size reel.

[Dwight Hottle]

I have always been a Shimano guy and liked the quick trigger but I cant stand my Spirex that i bought about a month ago.  I have been thinking about getting the newer Stradic C14 (black and red version) but wondering if it is worth the $200???  I havent fished in 10 years but have been getting back in to it and have a lot of catching up to do.

 

I have been fishing ponds and only fish from shore.  Is there any advantages to a baitcaster or am i better off with a spinning reel?

 

I want to upgrade to a better rod/reel but just trying to figure out what direction to go.

 

Any other recommendations?

 

Thank you in advance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The newer stradic C14 has already been discontinued by Shimano. That might make a difference in what you choose to do.

[katmandew]

I'd go with the Stradic FJ. eBay $130-140 and IMO just as good as the CI-4. Just a little heavier. Bought 2 this year for dropshot and shakeyheads. Best spinning reel I ever owned. Been a Symmetre guy for long time but Stradic FJ is worth the extra money.

[Revival]

The newer stradic C14 has already been discontinued by Shimano. That might make a difference in what you choose to do.

What do you mean? You are saying the stradic Ci4 that was "rumored" to be release soon is discontinued? If so, for what reason?

[Dwight Hottle]

What do you mean? You are saying the stradic Ci4 that was "rumored" to be release soon is discontinued? If so, for what reason?

 

No the existing stradic C14 is discontinued.