Stradic FI
 

Anyone get and try one of these yet?

Looks like a lot of positive improvements were made to it,especially the wp drag.

If I can work up the capital I'll try acquire one before the season ends.

http://fish.shimano.com/catalog/fish...=1184339488967

last talk with the rep the only sizes in the US were the 4000 and down. None of the bigger sizes yet.

Got an 8000 for my Bday last Wednesday.

Nice.Insanely smooth.Can't wait to fish it.

Just to show that I'm even handed in criticism--Shimano moved production to Malaysia and raised the price by 33% ;)

The Spheros is now a better deal.

Love my Spheros.By far the best deal for any reel.My 8000 is a 1st year production reel and still going strong.

The new Stradic is a major improvement over the older models.By far a much better reel than the Spheros.But as you said and I agree with,
the Spheros is the better deal.

It was a toss-up when the Stradic was $150 because they gave you an equal quality spare spool.

Both reels have the same aluminum gears, and IMO neither will hold up to really hard use (eg, Canal jigging with 4-5 oz or extreme submersion). The two big improvements in the Stradic are the better handle and the way it now screws into the main gear, instead of passing through and being secured by a cheap plastic nut on the opposite side plate.

Are those things worth an extra $50 now? Up to the buyer to decide :huh:

I really don't fish as hard as some here.

The deciding factor in the FI's favor was the waterproof drag,the handle and of course it still comes with the spare spool.Those three
improvements alone make it worth it to me for the type of fishing I do.And smooth as a mutha!

Spheros will always be my #1 recommendation to anyone looking for the best bang for their buck.

The new Stradic feels more like a Sustain then the old Stradic. In fact if you like smooth it's tough to tell them apart.

I'm still a big Spheros fan as always, but the Stradic has potential to be un upgrade from the Spheros rather the downgrade it generally seemed to be before.

On a side note I was just digging around the Shimano website and there's place holders for two new reels in the "Saltwater Spinning Reels" category, the Saragosa and the Spheros FB.

Interesting.Very interesting.:hee:

Wonder what the price will be.If its less than the StradicFI but more than the older Spheros and no spare spool it'll be a tough call as to whether its worth it.

I'm sure the no bail feature on 14000 and 18000(minus the upgrade) will jack the price up on those two models.Plus these two gotta be absolute tanks!

After looking at the stats on Shimano's site they've actually lightened up the newer reels over the older ones.

* Features Stopperless Design
* Aluminum Frame
* Graphite Sideplate
* Graphite Rotor (Aluminum on 14000 & 18000 sizes)
* Power Roller III Line Roller
* Aerowave Oscillation (3000 & 8000 sizes only)
* Aero wrap Oscillation (14000 & 18000 sizes only)
* 3 + 1 Bearings (4 + 1 on 14000 & 18000 sizes only)
* Direct Drive Mechanism
* Easy Access Drag Washers
* Dartainium Drag (6000 - 18000 sizes only)
* Rubber Handle Grips
* Repairable Clicker
* Optional Kit available for No Bail Wire configuration on 14000 & 18000 sizes. Part Number: SWBAILKIT)

Good find. They must have just added it. I was on not along ago and didn't see it.

Some may like in the new Spheros:

# Optional Kit available for No Bail Wire configuration on 14000 & 18000 sizes. Part Number: SWBAILKIT)

Here are the new Saragosa and Spheros models. No specs yet from Shimanos' website. Looks like I have a new Albie reel.

http://fish.shimano.com/media/images...9830636877.jpg

http://fish.shimano.com/media/images...9830636331.jpg

Weighing in pretty heavy but nice that there will be another reel that has a no bail option.I'll have to check one out when they come around.I wonder why only the two bigger beasts offer the no bail option.

Spheros bargain
 

I was at #^&#^&#^&#^&'s Sporting Goods yesterday. They are selling the Spheros 4000 FA for $44.99 (I didn't check the 6000 FA). They also have a 10% coupon. It's a great reel for $41.00

New Shimano Reel Specs and Bail-less kit:

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...7/Saragosa.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t.../SpherosFB.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...tsellsheet.jpg

The price increase is the same as the Stradic FI.

If you add the bailess kit on the two largest Spheros models the 14000 and 18000 are an ok price.Add the spare spool to any of the Spheros models and you'll be adding another $40.With reel,bail kit and spare spool you're looking at $250.Bargain?No.Great reel?Yes.

The old Spheros was a fantastic reel.The improvements to the 8000 and smaller models barely warrant the price increase but that will thought will have to wait until I fish one.Wonder if Shimano plans on removing the old Spheros from the line-up.

Stradic FI is a good bargain,wp drag and spare spool.Btw its SMOOTH!