Shimano Spinning Reels

[smallmouths fight]

Not sure which 1 to buy they are all new 2010,2011;;; shimano sustain 2500fe $198.00 shimano stradic ciu 2500 f this one weighs 7.2 $ 203.oo;;; shimano stradic fi st 2500 $120.00 thanks DAN

[Dutch]

I am a Shimano fan but don't see the need in a high dollar reel. I have about 20 of them and the Stradic fi 2500 (I own 2) is as high dollar as I am willing to go. If I didn't have so many different rods with so many different applications I might buy the higher dollar ones but then again maybe not.

[aftersh0ck]

I have owned 4 stradic reels since they came out around 90, they were tops until the 10 bearing reels came out.

was not going to pay 300 for the all the new models. found something really good where i can get 3 for the of one.

since then i went with okuma epixor. got them new off ebay in the 40 dollar area. amazing and smooth.

only bad thing was i left them in my storage area of my boat all winter and they got wet and the paint started

to bubble. took all the paint off and was flat plastic with the shiny parts had 2 people ask me what kind those were.

[Champ188]

I'm a Shimano guy through and through for casting reels but I own three of the Johnny Morris Sig Series spinning reels and absolutely love them. They retail for $99.

[dtrs5kprs]

Switched all my Shimanos out for Daiwa Excelers in the 3000 size around 2007. Big spools keep twist down with the light stuff, no drag troubles. The old ones were slow, have one of the new 5:1 ratios to try this year.

The Shimanos were great except the small spools were killing me with twist. The Excelers have been serious die hards, hope the new models are as good. Price is much nicer than the Shimano reels as well.

[steveearle]

I'm a pretty big fan, as of right now, of the CI4 2500. The weight is waesome. I actually just sold a mint Sustain 2500FE (9.5 oz.)because the weight was bothering me after fishing 7+- oz. reels. The CI4 does feel and sound a little different because of the carbon parts. Bass Pro had some Diawa Certates in stock as well for $199. I believe they are last years models that they bought up. The new ones are pushing 5 bills.

[Bill Babler]

Switched all my Shimanos out for Daiwa Excelers in the 3000 size around 2007. Big spools keep twist down with the light stuff, no drag troubles. The old ones were slow, have one of the new 5:1 ratios to try this year.

The Shimanos were great except the small spools were killing me with twist. The Excelers have been serious die hards, hope the new models are as good. Price is much nicer than the Shimano reels as well.

I like you switched to the Excelers. Mostly because I liked that 1500 series and shimano quit making it. 1 huge problem with the Excelers reared its ugly head this last weekend. By the Way, I have 26 of them.

I had 4 different reels that quit on me the same day. The anti-reverse went out. I started at the Dam fishing white jigs on 4 pound line and bouncing the jigs back. It was extremely cold 11 degrees. I slammed the jig into a trout on a very hard take and the reel just flat spun out!

Both my client did the same thing on two other Excellers. I completely freeked out. Picked up a 4th one and the reverse was not existant on it also. Had some other rods in the boat with stradics on them and no problem.

About mid day the temps had warmed up to close to 40 and started playing with the excelers again and they worked fine. I know it was the temps on the antireverse, but 4 reels with the same problem means that is a problem. Can't have reels that don't work in cold weather.

There is a reason the Stradics are higher. IF I had not had them on board, I would have been in huge trouble. I am working on the problem with the Excellers, and should have an answer. I'll keep you posted as I just love the reels for the price.

[Gavin]

I swore of Shimano spinning reels years ago...and I've tried allot of reels since then...All of them suck at one time or another...Have a couple Exceller's and there pretty good. The only issue was week bail springs...Think I still have em in the basement if anyone wants em (probably 1500 or 2000 series)...My current reels are ABU Soron STX's....I like em, and they worked flawlessly this winter. I hope they last. Cheers.

[Bill Babler]

FYI---Beck is on Diawai's national team, and he told me the Exceller's come from the factory with a heavy white grease on the gears, and antireverse locking mech. You need to disassemble the reel and clean out the "white grease and replace it with a very light coat of gun or fishing reel oil.

Kind of like when you used to buy a rifle or shotgun. I believe the grease at that time was called cosmoline. Don't know about the spelling, but it is very thick and heavy and when it gets cold it keeps the antireverse from falling into the cog.

I'm going to try it, but really if you got the dough the Stradic is the bomb.

[dtrs5kprs]

FYI---Beck is on Diawai's national team, and he told me the Exceller's come from the factory with a heavy white grease on the gears, and antireverse locking mech. You need to disassemble the reel and clean out the "white grease and replace it with a very light coat of gun or fishing reel oil.

Kind of like when you used to buy a rifle or shotgun. I believe the grease at that time was called cosmoline. Don't know about the spelling, but it is very thick and heavy and when it gets cold it keeps the antireverse from falling into the cog.

I'm going to try it, but really if you got the dough the Stradic is the bomb.

Great info and follow up Bill, thanks much. One Q...were those the new Excelers or the old slow ones? My old ones probably have not done that b/c they likely don't have any grease left in them. Very similar features and performance to the higher end Daiwa's at treat them how you will pricing.