To Stradic Or Not To Stradic

[flippin and pitchin]

I picked up a new Stradic FJ monday after selling a couple Abu's. I have the Soros 3000's and went with the Stradic

3000 as well. I have only fished it a couple of hours but noticed some things right off. The gear housing is considerably smaller than the Soros although the rotor and spool are the same size. I plan to see if the Soros spool is interchangeable. The Stradic comes with one spool only. I prefer the T handle over the 2500 series

paddle handle but the T handle on the FJ is smaller that the Soros. The material on the bail

is smaler in diameter than the Soros. The bail trip mechanism is ultra smooth. The drag is also

ultra smooth, maybe a bit more consistent than the Soros. I experienced zero line twist which is

huge to me. Love the lube port. The length of the reel seat foot is perfect for feathering with the fore finger.

The retrieve ratio is also great and the smooth feel of the retrieve absent any resistence is about the same as the Soros. Add resistence and it is much smoother, the X-ship I think.

I set her up on a Dobyns Champion 703 with #8 Yo-Zuri and could cast a 4 inch wacky Senko plenty of distance. I like the X-Ship

feature. This is the best spinning reel I have purchased to date for sure. The best part was the

price. My local dealer has them for 169.99 and I got a special one time coupon for 25% off

any four items. $127.49 for a Stradic seemed pretty good to me. They are definately worth a look see.

[islandbass]

Nice score!!! Just ribbin' you here, but is there any reason you didn't go with the CI4?

Thanks for the observations. I think the main differences will be in a comparison of the "features" as Shimano is known for, at least to me.

It's kind of like this... A price point #1, you get

A,B,C, and D features

At price point #2, roughly $20 give or take, you all the features of #1 plus

E

At price point #4, for just a little more, you get

A - E plus F.

I have no doubt both will serve you well. Congrats.

[flippin and pitchin]

Nice score!!! Just ribbin' you here, but is there any reason you didn't go with the CI4?

Thanks for the observations. I think the main differences will be in a comparison of the "features" as Shimano is known for, at least to me.

It's kind of like this... A price point #1, you get

A,B,C, and D features

At price point #2, roughly $20 give or take, you all the features of #1 plus

E

At price point #4, for just a little more, you get

A - E plus F.

I have no doubt both will serve you well. Congrats.

That's a fair question. The Ci14 3000 is $220.00 so the difference was about forty five bucks and I can't stand

the foam handle on the CI14. I feel I get the same performance at a lower cost. Initially, I wanted one more Soros because I love that reel and I like matching reels if possible. To get the Stradic at less than the retail price of another Soros sold me. I took the money I saved over a CI14 and applied it to a new Plano Tournamnet Elite tackle bag. Reg. 129.99 and snagged it for $66.00. I like a good deal as much as the next guy.

[islandbass]

Wow! I thought I was probably the only one that also thinks the knob. Super awesome looking reel with a crappy feeling knob. It's a show stopper for me.

Perhaps it's a Pacific Northwest dislike.

[tomustang]

I think you mean Saros, I also don't like the CI4 knob

[S Hovanec]

the foam knob is the reason I made a cork one for my CI4.

[LuckyHandsINC.]

I don't like the ci4 knob either. The eva is ok just don't like the shape. I like the patriarch eva a lot.

[J Francho]

I can't stand the foam handle on the CI14.

For very little, you can order a septon SuperGrip knob and bearings from Shimano that fit the CI4 handle perfectly.

For more, you can have a custom builder turn you fancy cork knobs like I did.

[tracker01]

May I ask, how much is "for very little".

Thanks.

[J Francho]

Honestly, I can't remember, something like $5. Call Shimano Service 1-877-577-0600.

[johnD.]

Shimano put the 2500 t-handle on the 3000FJ ,and did away with the spare spool, not impressed..The Saros 3000 is my goto spinning reel for saltwater inshore and LMB.

[linesider83]

JohnD, I am having the same dilema stratic fj 3000 or saros 3000 , On ebay i can maybe score the 3000fj stradic for maybe $40.00 over saros, what would you do?

[webertime]

The Saros spool "should" fit just fine. Worst case scenario you will need to use the Saros' drag knob as well with the spool. When my Sahara and Saros went south at the end of the tournament season I took their spools, drag knobs and handles and mated them to a Shimano Sonora. Pretty pimp looking gold and orange $50 reel!

I really like the Saros reels a lot.

[Dave T.]

The Stradic series (including the CI4) are fine reels for sure. I can understand why you are pleased.

[0119]

My 2500CI4 is worn out after two years of Snook fishing. It'll tune up to be as good as new but I'll reserve it for bass fishing. The 3000 FJ I replaced it with is a tank. Some people complain about the handle but after the CI4's eva, I think its fantasic. Ive never really needed a spare spool while out in the field so I'll keep that from bothering me. Besides the X ship really makes for a superior reel.

[roadwarrior]

My 2500CI4 is worn out after two years of Snook fishing. It'll tune up to be as good as new but I'll reserve it for bass fishing. The 3000 FJ I replaced it with is a tank. Some people complain about the handle but after the CI4's eva, I think its fantasic. Ive never really needed a spare spool while out in the field so I'll keep that from bothering me. Besides the X ship really makes for a superior reel.

Geez...

So after two years, an outstanding bass reel designed for casting light and medium weight lures

isn't holding up to the torque needed for saltwater fishing?

Man, that sucks.

[0119]

I dont fight any fish no matter what flavor of water it comes from, with the reel. Only bass fishermen do that. Your supposed to use the rod to fight the fish. Contrary to all the magazine/tv hype, a snook is no different than a bass. All those pics of internet kings holding monster fish are mostly crap. A typical snook weighs 3 to 10lbs and the fight lasts a minute longer than it does with a bass. Whats up with the Shimano love, I thought you were a Pinnacle man now, dont forget your sponsor.

[J Francho]

Whats up with the Shimano love, I thought you were a Pinnacle man now, dont forget your sponsor.

You guys are brutal. Someone says, "Try this and tell the world what you think," and the rest of you can only criticize us. Maybe we should stop doing you favors, and make random, totally useless recommendations?

I gave an unbiased review of their spinning gear, even went so far to catch 25-30 trout and salmon with it. Did the same with my two CI4. These fish actually do fight. Can take ten minutes or more to get them in. No harm to either the Pinnacle or the Shimano (or the other two Daiwa baitcasters I use for this either), so if you are having trouble with dink snook, then I point the finger at maintenance.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I probably see 20 batcasters come in for service for every 1 spinning reel. It may or may not be the case here but in general, spinners are definetely overlooked when it come to maintenance, which is a shame.