Opinions Needed - Stradic FI/Sustain FE

[JPLedZep]

I've talked to a few folks one on one and now it's time to get the opinion of the masses on pairing a reel on a Lamiglas SSU 108M. I currently use a Sargus 4000 on a Tica and love the combo but, hey, you gotta upgrade once in a while right? Sound off fishing friends about the Stradic FI vs the Sustain FE. I know the price difference is about $100. Is the extra dough worth it for the Sustain or is the law of diminishing returns starting to kick in? And if it makes a difference, I'm monogamous with monofilament. No braid in this angler's arsenal.

[mtbrider]

I have both. Albeit small you can tell the difference between the two after casting one for a while and then swithing. The sustain feels heavier but in a this is a more solidly built with better components way. Also it is a fraction smoother. I have both reel loaded with braid and have also changed the drags over to CF. Did they need it no, but I got bored one day and wanted to change it. Overall they are both nice reels, but the sustain is my go to.

[HQQK-EM]

I've never owned a Sustain but I'm sitting here looking at seven Stradics of varying age and size and can honestly say I have never had a problem with any of them.

The do like to be kept pretty clean since the machining tolerances are very close but with regular care and maintenance I'm not sure what the life expectancy might be but I'm going to find out.

I did remove the drag washers right out of the box and honed and polished them to remove any high spots from the stamping process. I've yet to have a drag lock up during a long run and have caught Jacks over 35 lbs and drum over 50 lbs with no overheating.

Hard to go wrong with any good Shimano !!!

[River]

I have six Stradic's, a 1000, 2500, 2 - 4000's and 2 - 5000's, great spinner's for fast retrieve - I love em but I would dearly love to have a couple sustain's !! - River

[bronzbck1]

Buy them both and get a new rod
Both are great reels, you get what you pay for 100% if you need a fast reel.
Slow reel for trout etc. buy a Diawa.

[susanobx]

I have the sustain on my 1023, never used it for anything else. At the price, I never used it on my other rods so I do not know it's history on pups, ect. It has never been off the metal throwing rod. But I will say, I can cast with the best of them with that combo...love, love, love it! I use the stratic on my other go to rods, handles the puppies as well as the sea mullet. Just mho!

[AirDown]

Originally Posted by bronzbck1

Buy them both and get a new rod
Both are great reels, you get what you pay for 100% if you need a fast reel.
Slow reel for trout etc. buy a Diawa.

The Diawa Coastal 4000 is the same retreive speed, 37" of line per turn also lighter and cheaper.

Shimano Stradic 5000FI..5.7/1..37"..14.1oz..$179

Shimano Sustain 5000FE..5.7/1..37"..13.9oz..$269

Daiwa Coastal 4000..5.3/1..37"..13.2oz..$139

Just saying...........

[bronzbck1]

Originally Posted by AirDown

The Diawa Coastal 4000 is the same retreive speed, 37" of line per turn also lighter and cheaper.

Shimano Stradic 5000FI..5.7/1..37"..14.1oz..$179

Shimano Sustain 5000FE..5.7/1..37"..13.9oz..$269

Daiwa Coastal 4000..5.3/1..37"..13.2oz..$139

Just saying...........

Shimano 5000 25# drag

Daiwa Coastal 13.2 drag

I will take the Shimano. I own both, they are apples & oranges!

[AirDown]

Originally Posted by bronzbck1

Shimano 5000 25# drag

Daiwa Coastal 13.2 drag

I will take the Shimano. I own both, they are apples & oranges!

As do I.........

I understand that but what Spanish will ever need 25# of drag when using 8-12# line?????

[HQQK-EM]

The one that hit the three pound stingsilver

[Old Pepper]

I have to pick the Stratic. The Daiwas are junk in comparison. That DelSol they made was good and they turned around and stop making it after 2 year.

[robschonk]

My son works for a tackle dealer. He says the rule of thumb is Shimano for spinning, Daiwa for conventional. Of course, if you compare a bazillion dollar Daiwa against a $39.95 Shimano....

Got three Stradics and a Slosh 30 and luv 'em all.

[Scate Buster]

If you are comparing lure size spiners, go with the new stradics, you won't be disapointed. If you soak bait, Daiwa is fine, I be done got both.

[gt]

I cannot believe people like offshore products made by a no warrenty- no support, price fixing, bicycle company. I will stick with old Penn's until the new Avet spinner hits the beach.

[bronzbck1]

I love my Penns but if your throwing a Penn in a Spanish bite I will show the person messing everyone up!
They have always stood behind there product from what I see.
Heck send your reel back to Daiwa every 3 years and they will rebuild it for 13 bucks.

[gt]

Why do you think it would mess others up? There are a number of things that will kill a bite or cause problems for others but I am unclear as to what you are thinking?

[croaker]

has a gear ratio (6.2:1) that is better than the Stradic/Sustain (6.0:1), in the Penn line. Most Penns are less than 6.0:1.

I think that bronzbck was refering to the gear ratio/ retrieve speed IMHO.

Comparing each 4000 model, the Penn weighs 1 oz more, equal line capacity. and is half to one third the price ($80 vs. $160/$270). Comparing the Stradic to the Sustain, the only spec difference is 5 bearings for the Stradic and 7 for the Sustain. Line capacity is the same (same spool). Max drag is the same on all models (20#)

I love my Shimanos (2 Baitrunners, 7 StradicFH and 1 FI), but I will be taking a look at the Penn Sargus.. I need to replace a couple of worn out Sedonas and these might be the answer.

JP You already have the Sargus, give it a try on the new rod.

[mtbrider]

Just to note. If you are using mono then this does not apply to you but if you plan on using braid the sargus is not designed to handle it. Check with penn thou to see if they changed their own specs.

[AirDown]

Don't just look at gear ratio. The spool size is the determining factor. I posted this comparison on another site. But, this just in from ICAST. Daiwa has released a 4000 size spinner that takes up 43" of line per turn of the handle. That is faster than anything out in that size

Speed vs Inches of Line per Handle Turn vs Weight vs Price.....Here are the specs. and you make the choice

Penn Sargus 4000..6.2/1..34"..12.6oz..$74

Penn Sargus 5000..5.6/1..37"..20.3oz..$84

Shimano Stradic 5000FI..5.7/1..37"..14.1oz..$179

Shimano Sustain 5000FE..5.7/1..37"..13.9oz..$269

Daiwa Coastal 3500..5.3/1..35.8"..13.2oz..$139

Daiwa Coastal 4000..5.3/1..37"..13.2oz..$139

Quantum Cabo PT40..5.3/1..30"..14.3oz..$190

Quantum Boca PT40..5.3/1..30"..14.3oz..$120

[croaker]

Originally Posted by mtbrider

Just to note. If you are using mono then this does not apply to you but if you plan on using braid the sargus is not designed to handle it. Check with penn thou to see if they changed their own specs.

I've heard about with the Sargus has been the perfomance with braid. For my application, mono only

Airdown : You got my brain going and I found this article.

http://www.gofishn.com/content/gear-...-line-recovery

Never looked at that way before. Oh well, never too old to learn.

[croaker]

Here's another article about spinning reels

http://www.gofishn.com/content/spinning-tackle

[AirDown]

Originally Posted by croaker

I've heard about with the Sargus has been the perfomance with braid. For my application, mono only

Airdown : You got my brain going and I found this article.

http://www.gofishn.com/content/gear-...-line-recovery

Never looked at that way before. Oh well, never too old to learn.

croaker this is fantastic read. Thanks a lot for posting the link. This should open a bunch of eyes that could only see gear ratio. I have known this for years but when I would try an explain I would get laughed at and told my gear is faster than yours so I have a better Spanish reel. Some have said I have too much time on my hands. Noooooo, I just choose to research and get the right answer. There is some science to everything, even fishing.

[croaker]

... a Stradic 3000 FI. It is identical in all respects to the 2500 except the capacity for the 3000 is 170/8 while the 2500 is 140/8. Bigger spool. Now I understand why I retrieve Gotchas faster than my bud's 2500. I should make some wise a__ comment about him having a weak/limp wrist, but now we know he has a technology disadvantage...

[JPLedZep]

I do love my Sargus. I often suggest it to other folks. But I'm an engineer so that whole do fix it if it ain't broke thing is somewhat foreign to me. However, I'm posting this from poolside at Mandalay Bay in Vegas. My luck in bucking the tiger may force me to choose not to buy a reel at all. I still have a few more days so maybe I'll come home and be able to buy tons of new fishing toys..... or not.

[bronzbck1]

All these numbers, gear ratio & size spool are a good read but I'm talking about the smoothness of the reel. The Shimano's the guy ASKED about are the smoothest reels around. Yes some other company's make a few good reel's but just a few. That Del Sol Daiwa made was the best reel they ever made but they only made it a few years. I would say it would be in the top 5 for smoothness. I would not even think of using a Penn or a Daiwa in a Spanish bite. Last weekend the guy next to me using a Penn went through four reels because he kept crossing people up and trashing his line. If the handle don't turn recovery don't mean nothing making 50 cast! Just my 2 cent's

[AirDown]

Originally Posted by bronzbck1

All these numbers, gear ratio & size spool are a good read but I'm talking about the smoothness of the reel. The Shimano's the guy ASKED about are the smoothest reels around. Yes some other company's make a few good reel's but just a few. That Del Sol Daiwa made was the best reel they ever made but they only made it a few years. I would say it would be in the top 5 for smoothness. I would not even think of using a Penn or a Daiwa in a Spanish bite. Last weekend the guy next to me using a Penn went through four reels because he kept crossing people up and trashing his line. If the handle don't turn recovery don't mean nothing making 50 cast! Just my 2 cent's

thats another opinion just like mine................