Help on Shimano spinning reel purchase

[Coolcraigster26]

New here. Been reading for a while but this is my first post. Need advice on purchasing new spinning reel. Trying to decide between the new Stradic FL and Twin Power SD. Looking at 2500 sizes. Plan on using for just an all around setup. Anyone have or used both or have any advice? Thanks

[LCG]

Hello and welcome. I have the Stradic FL 2500 and it's a great reel. Very smooth and fluid feeling. Looks great and the drag is super smooth. 

 

That being said I have not caught a fish with it yet due to the outbreak. This is all from a playing and casting at a small pond prior to this situation and it was far too cold to catch anything. 

 

I have no experience with the twin power. But the Stradic impressed me enough to go buy a Curado K. 

[TBAG]

Stradic 

[Tywithay]

If you're fishing freshwater, there's no real reason to buy a Twinpower over the Stradic. 

[Jig Man]

I have 4 Stradics.  They are very good reels.

[mrpao]

If money is  no issue, get the twin power.

I've heard it's as smooth as the stella.

[Jaybert]

Never used a twin power but have 4 stradic including a recent Ci4 3000 and the new 1000FL.  I haven’t used the FL much yet but so far I can say it’s a very impressive reel perhaps the best one yet.  My oldest stradic is from 1997 and still works great with minimal problems or maintenance over the years.  Can’t imagine a better value than these reels or need to try a different model IMO

[Coolcraigster26]

Thanks for all the replies. What do yall think about the 2500 vs 3000 FL? I believe the differences are the 3000 has carbon drag washers, longer handle and slightly deeper spool? What would yall recommend? Thanks again

[Jig Man]

I like the overall size of the 2500 Shimano reels.  I have 2 Stradics and 1 Symmetry in that size.

[Spankey]

I have a new 2500 Ci4 I’ll be using at the first of the month. Long long time Shimano fan. Still use an old original Stradic, a few older Symetre a couple newer Nasci. 
 

Good luck with it. 
 

The new Nasci is a great reel. Sort of the new Symetre. Believe Shimano lost rights to the name “Symetre “, at least that is what I was told by factory guys a few years ago. 

[LCG]

3 hours ago, Coolcraigster26 said:

Thanks for all the replies. What do yall think about the 2500 vs 3000 FL? I believe the differences are the 3000 has carbon drag washers, longer handle and slightly deeper spool? What would yall recommend? Thanks again

Felt drag is designed for fresh water fish that don't pull a whole lot of drag ie Bass. The carbon drag is good for harder pulling fish and salt water fish. The felt drag is smoother at lower settings, where as the carbon is better at higher settings and high speed drag cause by larger fish. 

 

So depends what your planning on using it for and which handle design you prefer. I went 2500.

[Jaybert]

7 hours ago, Coolcraigster26 said:

Thanks for all the replies. What do yall think about the 2500 vs 3000 FL? I believe the differences are the 3000 has carbon drag washers, longer handle and slightly deeper spool? What would yall recommend? Thanks again

I went 3000 vs 2500 on my Ci4 because I also use it to vertical jig lake trout and salmon in 100’ ish ft of water.  Besides the depth these fish peel drag at times like crazy.  So it works awesome for that and then crosses over as a great bass/walleye reel.  For a bass reel only however, I would think a 2500 would be more than enough capacity and save you some line at fill up time.  Carbon drag is a cheap easy update If you ever want it.  So it kind of depends on your application but IMO 3000 is kind of overkill unless you have that specific need for line capacity like I do.   

[Coolcraigster26]

Awesome thanks guys. Been wanting to go to my local academy to check out the stradic fl but due to this stupid virus I have been trying to stay away from stores. If it doesnt end soon I might just go anyway. Lol. I see alot of people like the daiwa spinning reels but I always lean toward shimano. I'm getting antsy to get new spinning reel. All I have ever had in spinning reels are the cheap combos which are ok at first but after a while they start falling apart or get really rough. Now I have to figure out what rod. Any suggestions?