New Shimano reel

[ate1cropy]

Im looking to purchace a new rod and reel set up for fishing walleye bass and maybe some pike. Ive gone to the store several time to play with the new Shimano Stradic 2500fi and I love how it feels. I have heard many great things about it but I have also heard some bad things about the bails. Whats your guys input, any experience with this reel? Would it be better to take the step up to the Sustain? -Thanks

[rodmaker]

Don't know anything about this new reel, but I have 3 other Stradics , and have never had issues with them. The Sustains are nice!!!!

With the rod I'm building, I'm going to put a Stradic MgFB on it. They are lighter than the original Stradics. Check these out also $229.00

[Deitz Dittrich]

ate1- I have 3 of the new Stradics, and 6 of the old.. Not one has ever had a bail problem or any problem for that fact.

[rodmaker]

How are the MgFB's???

[fishwater]

I have 3 of the new 2500 and 1 1000, no bail problems yet either. Very durable reels. If it were me, I wouldn't upgrade to the Sustain. I don't think i'd get much extra performance out of it - maybe I should finally try one?

Get a better rod, or another rod; that's a pretty proven path to burn extra cash. I use mostly glx and legend rods and have either shimano stradics or pflueger presidents and supreme reels on them all. I've seen the xt supreme models for cheap... Ugly as PoorWordUsage, but a good reel.

[Deitz Dittrich]

How about what rodmaker?.. Do the Mg's have bail probs?

I dont have a Mg, cant justify the cost for the weight lost.. Just my opinion.

[rodmaker]

I build IMX & have one St. Croix legend Elite. Not sure if I'm going to try a GLX or not. I will be extending the handle, so it kind of defeats the GLX as far as rod weight goes.

[RiverBassGuy]

I love my stradics and I haven't heard of any coming back to the retail stores do to any bail problems. The newer models are a little more "doctored up", but are as reliable as ever.

[rodmaker]

Just wondering how the track record are on these reels. They appear to be nice.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I rarely see shimano reels come back, period.

[TonkaBass]

My buddy swears by the mg's. I have used his before and they sure do feel nice. His don't hold as much line, but he says that it just forces him to change his line more often... I guess it works for him.

[NCLaker]

Before you settle on the 2500 size, take a look at the 3000 size. It has a diffrent handle that I really liked so I upped to the 3000. Don't think there was a much diffrence in size.

I actually went with the Saros (very smooth), couldn't justify the extra cost for the new Stradic. I do have two ot the FE Stradics and am very happy with them.

[TonkaBass]

Im pretty sure that the new 3000 is actually a little lighter than the 2500. Don't quote me, but I couldn't tell the difference when I held them.

[rodmaker]

I looked at the Mg's last night. For the 2500 they 9.0 oz. The regulat Stradic weighs 9.5 oz.

The mg's are nice, but depending on how the Loomis SJR 842 extended to 7'9" feels I may need the extra weight to balance.

My first thought is if weight isn't an issue, should I spend the extra for a Mg, or go with a Sustain, or stay with a Stradic

Deitz, maybe you can weigh in on this, since you know these reels .

[Deitz Dittrich]

Rod- as I stated in my above post. For me, I dont think the loss in weight makes up for the dollar ammnt needed to spend. But again, I can only speak for myself. For me, a reels weight is not felt as much as the weight of a rod, As its held in your hand. Placing that monies on a lighter rod or a rod that is ballanced better will "feel" lighter.

Again, just my opinion... I own regular Stradics, not the Mg. If you have the money, the Sustain is a step up!

[rodmaker]

Thanks Deitz. I'll wait until I get done building the rod and then decide.

I'll look you up at the show.