What Size Stradic Fj To Get

[Darren.]

Two issues to address, first of all casting distance.  There are days when I'm on the jettie, could be 30 40 people, sometimes only 3 or 4.  I see people casting with rods of all lengths and sizes, different sized reels and spools, different lines and both spinning and convention.  Excluding the surf or 10-12' rods both conventional and spinning as they launch lures into orbit, I don't see more than a slight difference is casting distance.

 

The stradic issue, at least for my use I'd go with 3000.  The problem and this is well documented if an internet search is done, is the line roller bearing seizing up, part # rd 13269, Shimano seems to seldom have this part in bearing in stock.  A recent trip to Boca Bearing and Larry told me people are coming in often to buy that bearing, as I did. That identical Shimano bearing is in the fi's and fjs and my spheros too.  For some reason I've seen the problem only in stradics, 2 times on 1 reel and now it's happening on a second reel.  I have done my homework on this issue and this is my theory, the bearing doesn't get wet in any way, I think salt air and humidity are the culprits, but this only my theory.

I do like the stradic a lot, I think it's good enough in every category for me to say it's one of the better reels, and nothing IMO has a better line management.  I don't believe too many problems will arise for freshwater use and as a light inshore reel it's pretty darn good, but somewhere down the line I expect a problem or 2, most are fairly minor.  I do have a boat mate with a stradic 6000 for offshore, for that application it's not fairing too well, the sargosa I believe is better built for that use.

 

Appreciate your insight on this, Snook. FWIW, I own 2 Stradic 1000FI reels and one Lexa 2000 spinning reel. The Lexa, so far, has better line management, IMHO, than my Stradics. Now granted, the Lexa is new, hasn't had the time on the water my Stradics have. Don't know if the X-Ship on the FJ models would eliminate the current Daiwa advantage.

 

One of the Stradics is having issue with the bail, the other is 100%. I've used them in brackish and fresh, always rinse off after salt exposure.

 

There's a review of the Lexa 2500 by an Aussie, who used it in salt, which was instrumental in my purchase. Would I buy another Lexa? Yes. However, given my elbow issues, lighter gear has my eye these days....

[Capt.Bob]

It's nice to find a forum where you get so many responses in such a short period of time. Thanks......It is appreciated.

I have read that a 2500 is great for Bass but the 3000 is about the same but with greater line capacity and the 3000 is what I was thinking about after reading the specs on Shimano's website.

I did not consider the 4000 until this Thread. It is true that you never know what you will hook up with in saltwater. I may just end up buying a 2500 for fresh and use the 4000 for salt water.

This would be my move, if your going to use it for Bass and had no chance of ever getting hit by a Peacock or Snook of any size, the 2500 and a Med Fast would be my choice, but if those non target species are present with other Salt water tanks,,,,,,,4000 and MHF, JMO

[SirSnookalot]

This would be my move, if your going to use it for Bass and had no chance of ever getting hit by a Peacock or Snook of any size, the 2500 and a Med Fast would be my choice, but if those non target species are present with other Salt water tanks,,,,,,,4000 and MHF, JMO

I pretty much agree, I'm going to use the 4000 size for the majority of my fishing but reel size for me is based on where I'm catching the fish.  I fish jetties and sea walls, 4-10' high, the current can run as much as 12 knots, that's pretty fast, under those conditions I prefer a beefier rod and reel set up.  Fishing the flats wading or from a boat or from a beach much of the time a 2500 or 3000 reel is very adequate, that without a doubt is my favorite way of fishing.  All that said IMO the gear should be based on the average fish, not the potential as those catches are much rarer.  Could I catch 25# snook with a 2500 reel, absolutely, could I catch a 25# permit, jack or tarpon with one..........those fish are in a totally separate league, I may lose more than I land.

[John B.]

I appreciate all the advice! I think the 2500 is for me. It will be a dedicated freshwater rod. I have a couple of Penn 440SSG's for salt water use. I have changed the rod that the Stradic will go on. I am thinking something more along the lines of a Loomis SJR782 IMX. Does anyone own this rod?

[kschultz76]

If you're going 2500 and freshwater only for bass I'd throw out the new Stradic CI4+ again. For an extra 40 dollars you save 2 oz with all the same features. So far I'm really enjoying mine and actually considering selling my FJ 2500 to get anothe CI4+

As far as rods what is your budget and what techniques or baits do you plan to use it for? Generally there are options out there that give you better sensitivity and performance the IMX for the same money or less. I'd suggest you at least consider in that price range a St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass or Legend Elite. Id even say my Avid compares favorably to an IMX for less money, and have heard the same here from others. Also the new Megabass Orochi XX rods are getting a lot of good press and I'm looking at them as a front runner for my next rod, but I've not handled one. I can say the St Croix's I mentioned are awesome and perform better then the Loomis IMX rods I've used. Also Loomis's service plan has changed recently, you'll have better service coverage with St Croix in the event of accidental non warranty damage.

I should add this is my opinion and my experience. Others mileage may vary.

[Sam]

2500!

[John B.]

If you're going 2500 and freshwater only for bass I'd throw out the new Stradic CI4+ again. For an extra 40 dollars you save 2 oz with all the same features. So far I'm really enjoying mine and actually considering selling my FJ 2500 to get anothe CI4+.

I might end up doing this. Is there a replacement knob for the EVA round knob? I went to Dicks today and they had a Stradic 3000 on display. I would have like to play around with it a little bit but I guess someone needed a handle for theirs cause they stole the handle from the 3000. I sure was surprised at how small it is.

[John B.]

As far as rods what is your budget and what techniques or baits do you plan to use it for? Generally there are options out there that give you better sensitivity and performance the IMX for the same money or less. I'd suggest you at least consider in that price range a St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass or Legend Elite. Id even say my Avid compares favorably to an IMX for less money, and have heard the same here from others. Also the new Megabass Orochi XX rods are getting a lot of good press and I'm looking at them as a front runner for my next rod, but I've not handled one. I can say the St Croix's I mentioned are awesome and perform better then the Loomis IMX rods I've used. Also Loomis's service plan has changed recently, you'll have better service coverage with St Croix in the event of accidental non warranty .

I am looking to spend up to around $200.00 for a rod. I have some Loomis rods now and to be honest, I like the way they feel.

I plan on using this spinning combo for all lightweights from now on. Very small jigs, small worms, small treble hook baits etc. I am through with trying to cast small lightweight baits with my baitcasters.

[kschultz76]

If you like Loomis then don't be dissuaded, you know what works for you and lots of people agree Loomis is the best. I've just had a great experience with my Croix's, better then with Loomis. In that price range you'd be solidly in an Avid or at $240 into a Legend Tournament Bass. For those lighter lures you'd maybe want a ML power in a Croix.

As far as the handle on the CI4+ is concerned the 2500 and 3000 aren't the same. The 3000 is larger and almost more of a flattened sphere. On the 2500 it's a smaller diameter and more of a barrel shape. The pics of it on the bass pro site are the 2500 size and it looks like tackle warehouse is showing the larger size. As far as I know there isn't a way to replace it with something different from any of their other reels. I really didn't think I'd like the handle on the 2500 at all, but after a few hours on the water I really liked it and find it easy to fish.