I am in the market for a new spinning reel. I am seriously considering going with a shimano as my past experience with some of their products has been positive.

My main question is; is the Sustain really worth the extra cost over a Stradic (or 2)? I am specifically looking at the 8000 size.

I have done several searches and did not find the answer to the question, so I figured I would ask.

Thanks for any and all opinions.

stradics all the way. I own two of the smaller models and absolutly love them. braid friendly, i fish them in both salt and fresh water. they come with a extra spool which is a plus!!

Stradic hands down.

The Spheros are very nice also. I bought two new this year and have it matched with a 7' Tica (6000 model) and 9' Tica (8000 model). Both cast fantastic and are very smooth on the retrieve.

I have the stradic 4000 and 5000 for over a year and have no complaints.

I've had the sustain (6000) for 5 years. No complaints thus far. It gets my vote. Smooth drag is great for the albies too.

love my stratic and I am buying another.

My Stradic 6000 is on a 9' St Croix Avid and has given me no problems. It's been splashed a lot and dunked a couple of times. OK so far.

I'll have to vote for the Spheros (8000)- going on 3rd season. Reason I went with it was the waterproof drag like on the baitrunners. Bail locks into position and won't snap shut when casting - never lost a plug yet (this really has to do fluid you are with your swing - that extra wrist snap typically is fatal). My only beef is that it doesn't come with an extra aluminum spool like the Stradic does.

Now many of the Shimano line incorporated the ARB bearing feature all the way down to the Sedona. That is a big PLUS. The Sedona line is a very respectable reel for very reasonable $ and is close to HALF of the Spheros. Fisher people on a budget should check them out the Sedona line.

You guys like that big ball on the knob or no?? I like the old barrel style handles they use to use on the A series Baitrunners more so than the flatter semi-rubbery ones they use now on the BR & Spheros.

I think the Sustains are better if you have the money. If not , get a penn or daiwa.

Sustains are great reels. Just don't dunk 'em.

i own them both and i fished them both hard. i would recomend the stradic. for the bigger reel. i have the 5000. and 6000 and no problems i do like my sustain 4000 for albies in the fall

Sustains were worth double the price of the Stradic when they had metal bodies and Stradics had graphite ones. Now that the Stradic also has an aluminum body, it's the better buy at half the price.

Most anglers couldn't tell the difference between the two if they were blindfolded.

I own 7 Stradics and there is a reason it is the number 1 reel sold worldwide. Very Braid friendly, lots of features that mean something...I have fished the sustans and the price difference is in no way justified for the quality difference which is minimal...

Also IMHO the Stradic even looks better.

I can't speak for the sustain, but I have a couple stradics and I really like them. I was thinking about checking out a sustain, but than I asked myself why? Stradics are smooth, smooth drag, lightweight... what about the sustain will be twice as good?

Probably nothin'.... plus, if it gets smashed or dropped in the drink, its less of an investment.

The guide I went out with down south had a couple sustains and I had my travel rod w/stradic too. I fished them side by side and it was certainly a nice smooth reel, but I didn't notice much difference.

What oil are you guys using? I'm about to run out the vial that came with my Stradic...thanks