Shimano

I spent weeks and weeks making a decision on this reel. In the end in comparing it to the Shimano Stradic and Penn Clash which are both excellent reels. I live in coastal Carolina and in this area most guides and my friends all have Shimano as do. I could not make the turn to buy a Penn simply based on my experiences. Focusing on the Stradic, both reels are very smooth. I have to give the edge to the Stradic based on the number of ball bearings in the Stradic. Both reels are light but in the 3000 size, I didn't let an ounce and half difference between the two make the decision for me. Line capacity, exact same. drag tension exactly the same, warranty, the same. Balance, I give to the Stradic again but only slightly. My issue with the Shimano line of $250 and below is they all corrode, pit and some parts turn green in saltwater usage. They may or may not still work at 100% but in a few short years they look like crap. My decision to buy this reel was based on this problem. I needed two reels so a difference in price of $160 for the Stradic, just could not justify the extra expense based on my observations of the two reels. To bring back a reel cosmetically with buying parts from Shimano, it will cost you half of what it originally cost if,,, and only if your bail mechanism still works properly which in most cases, it won’t. The point is, probably have to replace a reel every four to five years so, they are disposable. I paired this reel with a Teramar 7'6" medium light rod and it is a work of art. It is perfectly balanced, light and color coordinated. The dark blue metal flake on the reel matches the darker blue in the rods. Caught a bunch of sea trout this last weekend and the combination not only performed flawlessly, it was a blast reeling in (and releasing) 15 to 18 inch trout. Perfect combination for light inshore fishing in coastal Carolina. BTW, this replaces the Symetre line from Shimano

Best Reel that I've owned! I finally had the opportunity to take the Stradic out fishing and I was extremely impressed. I was fishing on Lake Michigan for King Salmon and the Stradic performed flawlessly. Coming from a Pflueger Presidential, you certainly notice the difference in how smooth the reel cranks. The handle also is fantastic and feels very comfortable and natural to the fit of the hand. I have this attached to a MH St Croix rod. To be honest after having used this reel for a day's fishing, I'm very tempted to purchase another one for my backup rod.If you're considering purchasing this to upgrade to a more quality spinning reel, don't think twice!5/26 - I took the Stradic coupled with my St. Croix medium heavy rod up to Ontario fishing for lakers, northern, and walleye and it performed superbly. I didn’t lose a single fish and was able to land my biggest lake trout yet, which was a 30 inch. Definitely happy I purchased this reel.

This reel has been great to me. I've had a bunch of reels over the years, and now I own 7 stradics. Some Ci4+, FJ, FK.I have 30 lb power pro on it. I use this reel for bottom fishing for sheepshead, trigger fish, flounder, and other stuff in the winter. I've caught cobia on this. I also use this for spanish as well. One time I fought a big stingray for a long time, and got him up to the top, and once I saw what it was, broke it off. This reel has held up, and still going strong. I like the reel not having a anti-reverse switch. Who needs that, and that is one less thing to break. Also one less entryway for salt. I would buy this for heavy stuff like bottom fishing and the Ci4 for light stuff like trout and redfish.

I am an extremist when it comes to fishing- I.E I in the 5000 size reels I have a Stella 5000, A Twin Power 5000, as well as a Stradic FK 5000HG. It is obvious to me that the first two reels are superior to the FK........ but after three years of fishing them interchangeably, I find there is not enough difference in the three reels to warrant the much higher price tags on the Stella and the Twin Power. The Stradic FK is an extremely smooth reel with a super drag and a great balance for a medium heavy to heavy bass rod, and for light-medium saltwater rods. I fish 100+ days a year. If I had it to do all over again, I'd have purchased the FK in the first place, It is a terrific reel and a very reasonable price.

I was apprehensive when I saw the size of the reel when it arrived. Don't let the size fool you. This thing casts a good long way. I'm much impressed with the distance this reel casts. I put 30lb braided line on it. The first fish I caught on it was a decent snook. The second fish I caught on the reel was about a 22 inch grouper. I was by no means fishing for grouper when I caught it. I was impressed with the way this reel handled a lager and hard pulling fish. I paired the reel with a Bass Pro star rod 7 foot light/medium. AWESOME SET UP!!

they no longer have an access port to add lubricant , also parts list and directions in Japanese , which is not the case if purchased at a local retailer

One of the more cheap reels on the market but it most definitely outperforms reels way out of its price range. Would recommend to everyone.

Hands down the best spinning reels I have ever fished with. Expensive but worth every penny.