shimano spinning reel question

[fishcast]

Wondering if anyone knows what the primary differences between the symmetre and the stradic are? I am mostly concerned with the guts of the reel and the overall longevity of the reel... ?

[KickNBass]

The Stradics within the last few years added the Paladin Gear Durabilitry enhancement which should make the Stradic the better reel for your concern.

If you want a durable spinning reel for less money try a Daiwa with the Hardbodyz design. They're heavier but are really tough, from my experience much tougher than Shimanos. I use them on my dock skipping rods (and elsewhere). Big hooksets on a short length of braid have broken a few Shimanos for me but never a Daiwa.

I will say, I was able to get a deal on the Stradic CI4 and have no complaints two years into it but if I had to pay full price, no way.

[Ray Esboldt]

I think the fact that more of the external structure is not plastic will help with its longevity. The Stradics I own have outlasted any of the Symetres that I have owned. In fact the Saharas that I have owned have lasted as long as or longer than the Symetres.

I have not purchased a Symetre in several years. They may be much better than the last version I owned.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

The biggest thing is the paladin gear enhancement on the Stradic. In the past reels could be smooth but become much less smooth overtime as gears broke down. Or they could be tough but not as smooth. The paladin system uses some different metals when making the gears so they are both durable and the smoothness of a new reel should last longer.

Also, One more ball bearing and slightly better drag system in the Stradic. It also has the aero wrap oscillation system that supposedly lays the line on the spool better so you get less twisting and knotting.

EDIT- what they said, too slow...

Also, the Saros is in the middle of those two price wise but still has the paladin gear system.

[Larson15]

The Stradic is flat out a tougher built reel. The Stradic drive train has a worm driven oscillation rather than a gear driven oscillation which produces a near perfect line wrap, allowing ease in casting. The stradic has one extra bearing and will have sealed bearings and drag system where the symetre doesnt. The new Stradic has x-ship which supports the pinion gear to improve cranking power. A spare spool comes with the stradic and not the symetre as well.

I have fished all of the Shimano reels from the Sahara to the Sustain and think the Stradic is worth the upgrade. I really like the Stradic Ci4 and find myself buying more and more of them.

[Deitz Dittrich]

as larson states, the stradic has a worm gear. If you only fish mono, its not as big a deal, though it still helps, but if you fish any super line/braid/fused line it REALLY helps.

both are great reels.

[Cecil]

20% more crunking power is a big deal!

[bASS_BLASTER]

If you want a durable spinning reel for less money try a Daiwa with the Hardbodyz design. They're heavier but are really tough, from my experience much tougher than Shimanos. I use them on my dock skipping rods (and elsewhere). Big hooksets on a short length of braid have broken a few Shimanos for me but never a Daiwa.

Don't want to turn this into bragging response nor an A product -vs- B product but I'm the opposite. Years back, a friend praised how great Diawa's are and he said he hated Shimano bail. I agree to some extent b/c he likes to cast with one hand (spinning reel). I bought 3 BC Daiwa Steez, 2 103SHA and 1 100HA. For spinning I bought Daiwa Steez 2500, Advantage 2000 and Exceler 2000. Great reels btw! However, after the years the Advantage and Exceler fell apart, pin by pin (no joke). The Daiwa Steez 103SHA are ultra smooth but 1 of the 3 BC reel's internal gears were grinding (Will send off for service).

Now for my Shimano's reels. I have the Stella, Sustain and Ci4 models. BC, I have the Core models. 100mgfv and 2 50mg's. I can feel the differences when hauling fish. The drag system are tougher and stronger but lacks the ultra smooth casting and retrieve of a steez. And for the ice fishing, I cary the 500 series of Symetre, Sahara and Sedona. Since I buy new rods and reels every so, so years I did have a few bad eggs. The bail wire came out on an Shimano Stradic 2500FI, a friend burned the drag system on a Shimano 1000FJ by tighten it, symetre 1000FJ had a clicking noise but didn't seem to affect anything.

Overall, I am 60% Shimano, 39% Daiwa and 1% other brand. I owned and used almost all of both line ups. I fish hard, fish out of grass, matts, weeds, catails, trees, logs, etc. so I really put these reels to the test. I have accidentally dropped some of these reels in the water and both Diawa & Shimano's gears never freeze up compared to others.

Anyway, back to the orignal question. I would have to say Shimano Ci4 b/c of its Paladin Gear and lightweight.

[fishcast]

I am more familiarvwith shimanos line from a few years back and forgot about the saros! Does the saros have a worm gear drive train?

Thanks for all the help!

[Deitz Dittrich]

no

[Gordon Balcomb]

Shimano Saragosa Spinning Reels

[tolle141]

Stradics and cabo pts are what I use for salt. I think the sahara is a fantastic workhorse, and the symmetry is a bit more refined. All my smallmouth setups will be symetres