Shimano spinning reels

At the suggestion of various members and given the magazines will run a mile from criticising a piece of kit, here is your chance to tell us what you really think about a rod, reel, line, lure... keep it legal please!

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cormology
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Shimano spinning reels

#1 Post by cormology »

I'm looking at getting a new spinning reel at the moment and cant decide between the following,
saragosa,stradic and twin power all 4000 size.
Anyone use any of these reels and what do you think..
Is it worth paying the extra for the twin power..
I will be fishing with braid and mainly plugging.
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Danny M.
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Re: Shimano spinning reels

#2 Post by Danny M. »

cormology wrote:I'm looking at getting a new spinning reel at the moment and cant decide between the following,
saragosa,stradic and twin power all 4000 size.
Anyone use any of these reels and what do you think..
Is it worth paying the extra for the twin power..
I will be fishing with braid and mainly plugging.

Myself, Barry and Pat use the Twin Power FC with braid straight through, excellent reel with a fantastic drag.
Worth the money IMO.
If you are in Wexford give me a shout and you can have a go of it to see if it suits you.

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paddyc
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Re: Shimano spinning reels

#3 Post by paddyc »

ive been using stradic's for a while now (over in africa) and they take some beating imo
very good reports on the twin power too, you get what you pay for with spinning reels
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Re: Shimano spinning reels

#4 Post by Eoin »

i use twinpower too. cant fault them. excellent for braid. packed with features. stay away from the cheaper rear drag model - only asking for trouble in the salt.
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Re: Shimano spinning reels

#5 Post by Bill123 »

I have been partial the the Shimano line and have been using Stradics and have a couple older Saharas. When I went looking for a new Stradic earlier this year and they didn't have what I wanted in stock, I picked up a Shimano Saros 4000F. The sales guy said it was the same as the old Stradic (white ones) were, and the new Stradics had a couple of new features.

Anyway, the Saros feels just as smooth as the Stradic and is a few bucks less.
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Re: Shimano spinning reels

#6 Post by nicefish »

Bill123 wrote:I have been partial the the Shimano line and have been using Stradics and have a couple older Saharas. When I went looking for a new Stradic earlier this year and they didn't have what I wanted in stock, I picked up a Shimano Saros 4000F. The sales guy said it was the same as the old Stradic (white ones) were, and the new Stradics had a couple of new features.

Anyway, the Saros feels just as smooth as the Stradic and is a few bucks less.
The Saros is a cracking little reel, did you get yours in the USA :?: >the Saros is on par with the Technium which is a good reel.
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declan65
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Re: Shimano spinning reels

#7 Post by declan65 »

Use the Shimano Technium 4000FB myself, can't fault it, lovely little reel.
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Dave
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Re: Shimano spinning reels

#8 Post by Dave »

I have both the Stradic (FI) and the Saragosa in the 4000 size, the saragosa is a little more of a workhorse of a reel with a very nice drag. Its slightly larger/heavier than the stradic 4000FI with a slightly slower retrieve, apparently its 'saltwater approved' whatever that means but it does have a waterproof drag and shielded bearings. Either way I reckon the stradic is probably better value as its slightly cheaper and comes with a spare spool but between the two I slightly prefer the Saragosa. I can't really comment on the Twinpower as I've only messed around with one in the shop but the Rarenium might be another one to consider.
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Re: Shimano spinning reels

#9 Post by Fishtank »

Sent my Stradic back for overhaul in Wales, no parts so they say its a bin Job.

How about that for standing behind one of your top class reels.

Buy two so you will always have spare parts for one.

Great out of the box but go down hill too fast for my liking,
also who in their right mind makes gears out of aluminium.

If Shimano put gears like the reel gears into their Shimano Bike stuff
they would be laughed off the stage.
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Earlsie
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Re: Shimano spinning reels

#10 Post by Earlsie »

Dave wrote:the Rarenium might be another one to consider.
I bought the Shimano Rarenium Ci4 3000SFA recently and have to says its a smashing pluging \ spinining reel, It's a smooth ,solid reel and incrediably light with it being made from CI4 (New Carbon Material), comes with a second spool as well.
I have paired this up with (Varivas Avani Sea Bass Max Power PE 20Ib Braid) and have no compalaints, wind knots are a thing of the past :)

I too was looking at the twinpower 4000fc but based on a few reviews regarding issues with the bale arm snaping over occasionally during the cast (see below) the Rarenium was my choice.
http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/s ... p?t=240925

Saying that I see a lot of more expereined anglers on this thread with nothing but good things to say about the twinpower, I will be out in Greystones during the week weather permitting should you wish to take a look.

Earlsie
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stevo74
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Re: Shimano spinning reels

#11 Post by stevo74 »

I have a stradic Fi5000 - Great reel and well balanced !
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Re: Shimano spinning reels

#12 Post by cd07 »

go for the technium excellent spinning reel with braid has perfect line lay
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paul mason
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Re: Shimano spinning reels

#13 Post by paul mason »

Fishtank wrote:Sent my Stradic back for overhaul in Wales, no parts so they say its a bin Job.

How about that for standing behind one of your top class reels.

Buy two so you will always have spare parts for one.

Great out of the box but go down hill too fast for my liking,
also who in their right mind makes gears out of aluminium.

If Shimano put gears like the reel gears into their Shimano Bike stuff
they would be laughed off the stage.
I have questioned Shimano about the suitability of certain metals used on their reels in the past, The reel in question was the Biomaster 8000 and the handle was made out of two different metals and with saltwater as a catalyst caused dissimilar metal corrosion and it fell off. Okay it was a couple of years old at that stage but well looked after.
I sent them a big long informative letter by snail mail at the time telling them how they could better their product but they weren't interested at all and never replied back.
I have never seen inside a Stradic but i would say it's like most reels brass pinion gear and a aluminium drive gear, some of the aluminium drive gears would be made of better quality aluminium and last longer. Like most things now we live in a throw away society and fishing reels are no exception.
I repaired reels for a while and could never get spare parts, the manufacturers are not interested they only want to sell reels, more profit, so i'm not supprised that you could no spare parts.
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