Spinning Reels Vs. Shimano Stradic Fj 2500

[Tywithay]

I have to add another reel into the mix as of today. I picked up a Cabelas (Daiwa) Verano 2500. This thing is pretty dang sweet. Looks-wise, it beats the Stradic FJ, in my opinion. The retrieve feels more fluid than a Stradic too, though it's just sitting on a rod. I haven't had a chance to get out and fish it, but I am definitely sold that it's going to be a pretty sweet reel. It's on sale for $129 right now, which is a pretty dang good deal. If you have a Cabela's nearby, definitely worth a look. I still have a couple Stradic FJ's and I love them, but this Verano might just unseat them as my favorite mid-priced spinning reel.

[SirSnookalot]

I find longevity problems in most shimano's.  Yes they are quality built but often replaced.  They purposely relieve themselves of spareparts.  By the time you need a part, admittedly a few years down the pike, they are hard to find.  I couldnt get a new bail arm for a CI4 for over 2 years and thats while it was still in production.   According to their wholesalers, they could get it but shimano refused to sell it to me.  I wont touch a shimano again.

I pretty much agree.  Out of the box for a year or 2 the stradic is pretty decent.  For bass it's a really nice reel, but no better than a reel priced less.  As I type this I'm at the cross roads of deciding of replacing 2 reels, both stradic fi 4000.  Reels are still smooth, drags are fine, but there is a structural problem.  Both of these reels have a floppy bail, lots of play and not tight and rigid as they were new.  Both reels have had to have the line roller bearings replaced, the reel I'm having the most trouble with has had the entire bail assembly replaced by Shimano about 2 years ago, not worth investing any more money on this reel.  Being objective these reels do catch some larger very powerful fish in conditions that can take a toll on equipment.  Still being objective, the same fish caught in the same conditions using other brand reels, do not experience the problems that arise with the stradics.  Down here you just don't see too many of them, they are referred to as "sand magnets".  

I like very much the line management on the Shimano line up, the weight and line capacity on a 4000 or 5000 reel is to my liking as well.  I would buy another for $130, but the chances of getting a 4000 or 5000 for that price isn't going to happen, if it did I know I have nice reel for maybe 2 years, then the problems start all over again.

[Huntsman]

My goodness. I'm never gonna find a reel without negative reviews I suppose, lol. Just gonna have to bite the bullet one of these days and hope I don't have problems. Never really had the opportunity to fish with high quality gear, and honestly never needed it. Still caught fish growing up. Just thought it would be a nice experience.

[0119]

I pretty much agree.  Out of the box for a year or 2 the stradic is pretty decent.  For bass it's a really nice reel, but no better than a reel priced less.  As I type this I'm at the cross roads of deciding of replacing 2 reels, both stradic fi 4000.  Reels are still smooth, drags are fine, but there is a structural problem.  Both of these reels have a floppy bail, lots of play and not tight and rigid as they were new.  Both reels have had to have the line roller bearings replaced, the reel I'm having the most trouble with has had the entire bail assembly replaced by Shimano about 2 years ago, not worth investing any more money on this reel.  Being objective these reels do catch some larger very powerful fish in conditions that can take a toll on equipment.  Still being objective, the same fish caught in the same conditions using other brand reels, do not experience the problems that arise with the stradics.  Down here you just don't see too many of them, they are referred to as "sand magnets".  

I like very much the line management on the Shimano line up, the weight and line capacity on a 4000 or 5000 reel is to my liking as well.  I would buy another for $130, but the chances of getting a 4000 or 5000 for that price isn't going to happen, if it did I know I have nice reel for maybe 2 years, then the problems start all over again.

 

True, salt guys around here avoid shimano and complain about the maintenance port disappearing during a days fishing.  Quantum is the big player around here. At an IFA or Flatsmaster tournament you might see one guy with shimano and it'll always be a Sahara, 4 or 5 with Daiwa and the rest have Quantum or Penn.   The SOL board is full of the 'sand magnets' comments.

[Hyrule Bass]

id go with the pflueger supreme. its a fine reel and will handle any bass you plan on catching. if you happen to hook into a big cat or carp dont worry about it, just loosen the drag a bit to take some tension off.

 

youre going to see a ton of shimano recommendations in any thread here asking reel advice because there is a cult following here. i dont get it, not saying shimano is garbage, but the cult following has made me refuse to buy anything shimano. they way shimanos seemed to get forced down your throat here as the best thing ever has completely turned me off to ever wanting to own one.

[bflp3]

My goodness. I'm never gonna find a reel without negative reviews I suppose, lol. Just gonna have to bite the bullet one of these days and hope I don't have problems. Never really had the opportunity to fish with high quality gear, and honestly never needed it. Still caught fish growing up. Just thought it would be a nice experience.

You won't find one without any negative reviews. Just probability, with how many are sold, someone is bound to have problems, and people with problems tend to be much more vocal than content customers.

To be honest, Snook and 0119 are the first people I've seen complain about Shimano longevity. Longevity and part availability are usually the two things people really love about Shimano reels.

I will say both Shimano reels I've bought had to be exchanged initially for issues, but the second Symetre I got I love. Haven't fished the other one yet.

[0119]

I will say both Shimano reels I've bought had to be exchanged initially for issues, but the second Symetre I got I love. Haven't fished the other one yet.

 

Not to be snide or even addressing this towards you, but you've had 2 shimano's?  Ive had:

8 Curado's

5 Calcutta's

1 Calais

2 Symetre's

4 Stradic's

2 Stradic CI's

1 Cardiff

2 Chronarch's

 

I think I've really earned a 'right' for lack of a better word, to bad mouth shimano ( I wont even capitalize their name ).  I've never had a decent customer service experience with their office's either. Every tech has been arrogant and disinterested in even taking a parts order.

[bflp3]

Not to be snide or even addressing this towards you, but you've had 2 shimano's?  Ive had:

8 Curado's

5 Calcutta's

1 Calais

2 Symetre's

4 Stradic's

2 Stradic CI's

1 Cardiff

2 Chronarch's

 

I think I've really earned a 'right' for lack of a better word, to bad mouth shimano ( I wont even capitalize their name ).  I've never had a decent customer service experience with their office's either. Every tech has been arrogant and disinterested in even taking a parts order.

No doubt if you have had that many reels and that many problems, you have the right to complain. I was just pointing out what I have observed on the forums. My experience hasn't been steller, and I probably will try other things before I get another Shimano, but most people seem to love them.

[SirSnookalot]

My sentiments regarding their service are exactly the same as 0119's, parts on back order, items never shipped with no record of the order ever being placed.  

Back to the reel itself, I like the stradics, they just break down quicker.  I'd buy a 4000 for $130, I don't it's worth anymore.

I'm sure the 2500 and under are going to fair much better, the environment and fish just are not the same.

[Huntsman]

Hm, how do pflueger reels compare in terms of smoothness/drag to the lexa/stradics? the xt/mg both look nice.

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Go with Quantum.

[Huntsman]

What quantum models do you have experience with?

[OkeechobeeAngler]

The smoke inshore and the older energy pti's. Both have held up great. I use them in both fresh and salt water. I have a shimano stradic ci that has developed spool play.

I am in the process of gettng rid of the energy pti's and am goin to buy more Smokes.

[OkeechobeeAngler]

I'd also reconmend the higher end pluegers over the shimanos.

[EvanT123]

What quantum models do you have experience with?

Man I dont know what kind of of fishing you are doing but any reel will get the job done. Your ttechnique with the finesse will land the fish not the reel. Buy the reel that feels best to you and be done with it. I've never spent over 100 dollars on a reel and they all land fish. When the fish is on the line the brand goes out the window it's up to you to get it in

[Huntsman]

Going down to bass pro to feel the supreme mgx size 30.

 

http://www.basspro.com/Pflueger-Supreme-MGX-Spinning-Reels/product/10213339/

 

Can get it for 15% off.

 

Magnesium better than a graphite frame? Also comes with a spare spool.

 

This will be fresh water only.

[SirSnookalot]

Man I dont know what kind of of fishing you are doing but any reel will get the job done. Your ttechnique with the finesse will land the fish not the reel. Buy the reel that feels best to you and be done with it. I've never spent over 100 dollars on a reel and they all land fish. When the fish is on the line the brand goes out the window it's up to you to get it in

Well said.

 

I have 5 Pfluegers in active service, all have some age on them and still perform like the day I bought them, with no more than a drop of oil.  Not only do they catch bass, but saltwater species too.  I like the smokes but I would not spend more than $100 for a freshwater spinning reel.  A $100 buys a light, smooth well performing reel, with precise drag settings, I don't know what else is needed.

[Huntsman]

Yeah, I understand. I'm either getting the supreme mgx or the lexa depending on how they feel.

BPS actually as a rod/reel combo for both of them. So I'll pick whichever feels better.

[hoosierbass07]

My goodness. I'm never gonna find a reel without negative reviews I suppose, lol. Just gonna have to bite the bullet one of these days and hope I don't have problems. 

 

 

 Ha ha.  Sounds like me last week.  I was after a new spinning reel for my birthday and I wanted to try a different brand besides Shimano.  I've read some positive reviews the Lexa spinning reel from Diawa and looked them up on a site.  I did find one bad review.  But I went to Gander Mountain and bought it anyway.  Yep, sometimes you have to bite the bullet.  lol.  I have not tried my Lexa yet but from playing with it, it seems nice and up to Shimano quality.  It's going to get six pound mono and be one of my main bass reels for the spring and summer throwing soft plastics.  

[Huntsman]

Lol, similar situation. Girlfriend wanted to get me a nice reel for my birthday, put it off a couple weeks to pick the right one! (:

[0119]

Take your time and be a smart shopper. Its your money.  Don't take the word of 'internet experts' or fall for "it's only a hundred bucks" crap either.  While your at BPS look at the new Quantum Accurist and Catalyst and the Abu Revo S.  Remember real smooth in the display stand doesn't neccessarily mean it will stay smooth a year down the road.  You've done research and heard peoples experience with manufacturers customer service.  Now you are an educated buyer and guard your money well.

[bflp3]

Yeah, I understand. I'm either getting the supreme mgx or the lexa depending on how they feel.

BPS actually as a rod/reel combo for both of them. So I'll pick whichever feels better.

I went through this same decision process a month ago and decided on the Lexa. Haven't fished it yet but it feels great. Walmart has them online for $93.

[Huntsman]

Can get a deal at bps for about 100, that way I can feel the reel before I buy it. The local walmarts don't have em, so I'd have to have it shipped.

[Huntsman]

Went down to bass pro the other day to try a few reels and really liked the lexa.

It balanced nicely with the 6'6'' MF carbonlite I decided to get in the end.

Got it for around 90 with tax (:

Thanks everyone, I'll be sure to post again in the next week or two to let you all know how it's working out.

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Lexa is a nice reel.