Im toying with picking up a new spinning reel.

All I got is a light penn and my ancient 704z (love it)

but, I dont have a solid med/heavy action reel outside of that.

I took a peek at the stradics and unless I was just looking at the wrong places they seem to be a bit out of my price range... anyone have any suggestions?

Looking to spend $100-$150ish... Not concerned about the rod for the moment. Ill figure that out next.

There's nothing you're gonna get for 100 clams that's as good as what you have right now. Maybe a Shimano Spheros, but it won't last as long.

If you want to go up to $135 or so, there's the Penn Slammer.
The Stradic shouldn't be that much more---sure you were looking at them and not Sustains?

I don't know what your using it for, but for livelinning I love my 4500 shimano baitrunners!!!!

Mike's site is down to get the real price, but the couple places I peeked around for the stradics were $150+... maybe that was high.. was odd sites I had not heard of...

I've been fishing both models mentioned below (4500 Baitrunner, and the Spheros 6000), and highly recommend them. Very good value for the $$.

I was surprised to see the Spheros for $70 at Marine tackle (Baitrunner is closer to $100):

Spheros: 70.00 (http://www.marinetackle.com/xcart/catalog/shimano-spheros-fa-saltwater-spinning-reel.html)

Baitrunner: $95.00 (http://www.marinetackle.com/xcart/catalog/shimano-baitrunner-b-spinning-reels.html)

I would stay with strong metal body reel and handel. IMHO Stradic is not the strongest reel for the money. I had trouble with handel being loose and finally cracked because they use plastic parts. If instant anti-reverse is not your real concern, I would recommend Daiwa Black Gold.They are all metal except wooden handel. I have owned many Daiwa Gold Series and Black Gold Series for the last couple decades. Bodies are the same and spools interchangeable. They still work like a charm. Of course I maintain them religiously. You can get them less than $100 from store and a lot less from eBay. As matter of fact I just bought another brand new Black Gold 20 from eBay for $51 including shipping. :D :D :D

I got the spheros 12000 this winter and I like it. Got it on sale for less than $120 (?) I think with tax. I mean it is what it is-a basic $100 dollar or so reel. It feels pretty rugged so I think it should do me for a couple of years. I only get out 20 or so times a year so it's adequate.

go for the spheros...most bang for the buck.... :kewl:

go for the spheros...most bang for the buck.... :kewl:


What Slingah said.I been using the 8000 and have basically beat the you know what out of it.Still working fine.

What MikeP said.

Penn Slammer 440 (or smaller) is a super nice reel for the money. Why do I like it so much? I can't put my finger on it, but one thing that comes to mind is durability (not a lot plastic).

After fiddling around with all sorts of fancy and pricier foreign made spinning reels, I find myself coming back to Penn.

I would check M&D's first for the Stradic but if that doesn't work out you could open a Cabela's Visa Card. I think you get something like 25-30$ in Cabela's points that you can use toward your purchase. You could also do this for the Spheros. My buddy has a smaller size Spheros and loves it.

Shimano speros 8000 is my advice. Under a hundred bucks if you scour the net, and a nice reel for that money. No complaints at all. :kewl:

go for the spheros...most bang for the buck.... :kewl:
:kewl:

I think I need to head down to M+D's and check out a few reels. Nothing like getting your hands on one to make that final decision.

I agree with what's said about the Stradic (got a few in the 4000 size...) :
They should have put an additional BB to hold the handle, it will come loose...
And may finally break...
Also too much plastic in the body : a friend of mine exploded one when falling from a rock... That's a bunch of spare parts now !!!
I tried a 8000 in a shop : same problems, though it doesn't aim at the same kind of fish, it's a pity !!!

I guess the Spheros is a good choice (got it in hand, looks rock solid..) if it doesn't go underwater too often...

Try looking at a Quantum spinning reel. you cant beat them for the money they run from $225-$275 but they are worth every cent. Just remeber you get what you pay for my friend. The reel is built very nice too, (mechanically speaking)

Was wrong on the price of the Quantum it is $125-$175

Diawa Emblem Pro 5500. Great reel that really throws. Mike has a great price on them also.

I agree with what's said about the Stradic (got a few in the 4000 size...) :
They should have put an additional BB to hold the handle, it will come loose...
And may finally break...
Also too much plastic in the body : a friend of mine exploded one when falling from a rock... That's a bunch of spare parts now !!!
I tried a 8000 in a shop : same problems, though it doesn't aim at the same kind of fish, it's a pity !!!

I guess the Spheros is a good choice (got it in hand, looks rock solid..) if it doesn't go underwater too often...


:huh: NO PLASTIC ON A STRADIC it is ALL METAL BODY

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

The Stradic is junk right now. Old Stradics with the wood handle are/were pretty good reels though.

I return a Stradic almost weekly during fishing season, usually because that f$%^ing handle breaks in some way on people. I may keep them in stock as a part this year.

Till the handle screws in like the Spheros, Sustain, and Stella, avoid the Stradic. It has become a VERY obvious (judging by how many I've seen broken) weak spot in that reel.

Hey bjs...I read on another thread you got your new reel from M & D'S..Congrats..What did you end up getting???I am going there tomorrow looking for a new reel...

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

The Stradic is junk right now. Old Stradics with the wood handle are/were pretty good reels though.

I return a Stradic almost weekly during fishing season, usually because that f$%^ing handle breaks in some way on people. I may keep them in stock as a part this year.

Till the handle screws in like the Spheros, Sustain, and Stella, avoid the Stradic. It has become a VERY obvious (judging by how many I've seen broken) weak spot in that reel.

Where are you having problems pete??
we have sold hundreds of stradics and the only one to break one is PNG :uhoh: he did break a handle but that is only 1 out of 100s

I ended up picking up the Stradic 8000H and a new Tica rod.

Thanks again Mike!

Maiden voyage of it will be tomorrow :)

Where are you having problems pete??
we have sold hundreds of stradics and the only one to break one is PNG :uhoh: he did break a handle but that is only 1 out of 100s

The biggest issue by far is that they reliably seize up in half the time a Spheros does on our charter boats. Obviously that is a different enviroment but it does tell me that time between service is going to almost always be longer with a Spheros. I view charter service as artificial aging and generally it's very telling as to a reel's durability.

I think because of the way the handle is locked into the smaller Stradics, when it loosens up and flexs a little, you eventually get a broken handle. I don't carry the larger Stradics anymore (6 and 8000), but if their handle locks in the same way I'll bet the same thing will happen. I have seen a Spheros with a broken handle as well, but it just doesn't seem to happen often and we sell a LOT of Spheros.

Next, the drag is dry although it could be turned into a greased drag like the Sustain, Spheros, and Stella. It'll seize up on albies and such much sooner then a Spheros. They literally turn the felt drag washers into fur if you catch enough of them. This will happen with the others too, it just takes a lot longer.

Lastly, the Spheros has a rubber O-ring on it's drag knob to help keep the drag dry.

Maybe they're not junk, but there are definitely better options, IMHO.