Shimano Stradic FJ – It don’t matter if your pearl or white
July 19, 2011 by Josh
Filed under Reel Reviews
It’s baaack. The white, or pearl if you are that way inclined, Stradic is back in the new Shimano Stradic FJ for 2011. I guess its only fitting that it made it a come back, since for many or us the original white Stradic was one of the first quality reels many of us owned, including myself.
So whats new with Stradic FJ? Plenty. The biggest improvement in the FJ is the use of the X-Ship system that gives improved performance and a new smoothness to the reel. X-ship uses a pinion that is support by a 2 bearings, which increases gear efficiency and reduces inertia, something that the lower end Shimanos have been lacking. X-Ship was previously used in the higher end models such as the Stella FE. The Stradic FJ is also home to an array of Shimanos performance features including Paladin gears, SR-Concept, Waterproof drag, Aerowrap II oscillation and much more(See list below for more details).
The Stradic FJ is available in 7 distinct sizes. ST1000FJ, 2500FJ, 3000FJ, 4000FJ, 5000FJ, 6000FJ and 8000FJ. This new FJ has modern features and a classic finish and is sure to peform as well as it looks. Available soon.
# Aluminum Rotor, Sideplate
# Paladin Gear Durability Enhancement
# Propulsion Line Management System: Propulsion Spool Lip, SR One-Piece Bail Wire, Power Roller III, Redesigned Bail Trip, S-Arm Cam
# Aero Wrap II Oscillation
# SR-Concept: SR-3D Gear, SR Handle, SR One-Piece Bail Wire
# S A-RB Ball Bearings
# Aluminum Spool
# S-Concept: S-Rotor, S-Guard, S-Arm Cam
# New Machined Aluminum Handle
# Direct Drive Mechanism (Thread-In attachment)
# WP Drag (Waterproof Drag)
# Maintenance Port
# Fluidrive II
# Floating Shaft
# Dyna-Balance
# Super Stopper II
# Maintenance Port
# Fluidrive II
# Floating Shaft
# Dyna-Balance
# Super Stopper II
# Repairable Clicker
I saw the Stradic FJ 8000 being tested and i noticed it got the anti reverse switch!!! Is that confirmed for the production or is it only on the prototype?
It doesn’t matter if my pearl or white what?
I have seen this reel in stores, I can not get over how ugly and cheap looking the reel is, after testing it, I found it to be slightly heavier and a little more clumsy than the CI4….
Just picked up 4 of these beauties in 3000 sizing… I usually fish 2500′s including my 4 older Stradic Mags and their sister a Sustain. Also 5 Diawa Prodigy’s 2500′s(thought I’d give them a try for a change… Like the Drags and use the slower retrieve for crank baits) I went for the 3000′s this time to get the paddle handle I prefer, after sizing them up with the 2500′s and seeing only a .1oz difference in weight, and 1″ diff in line rec.
The Sustain I was able to have rebuilt after 10 yrs of hard service… the Stradic Magnesium Fg’s they don’t have parts for any more.(a little light duty but have landed somne -30lb fish on those little things) Sooo after trying the Diawas I was ready to go back to Shimano.(The gearing on a couple Prodigy’s was a bit gritty new and another developed it later)
So after catching 30+ Walleye, a couple Catfish and a 42″ and a 48-1/2″ 30+lb Muskie in the last three days… I can say these new Stradics ROCK! The best feeling reels I have ever turned a handle on… causing my older Sustain to look down slightly ashamed. The Drags are micro click smooth aaand you don’t have to crank them down to the stops to get the drag set (something all my others needed!) These drags are in line with the Diawas (which I thought was there strong suit) GREAT JOB Shimano I’m back and will be here a while!
Jett’n Jim
I fished the 1st generation stradics for the past 10 years, maybe a little longer. Their had been no reason to purchase new ones until now. On a trip to Canada I lost both of Stradics in less than an hour. The story would make you cry so I’ll save you the agony. Anyway, It came time to purchase new ones. I first looked at the FI series and this looked and felt like a $30 reel at best. OK the drive was impressive but the overall look and feel of the reel made me think Shimano has stepped into the throw away society. The FJ was no more impressive. The CI4 looks and feels great but again, it seems one good hook set will snap this baby in half. I fished my last stradics 5 times a week 6-8 hours a day from spring through fall. I never replaced a single part. I purchased and FI yesterday and will be returning it without a test drive. I am upgrading to the CI4 or the 2012 model. Time will tell, stay tuned.
One more thing…. After watching the video I ask how can this be a measurement of the reels durability. I can accomplish this same feat with a $29 Shakespeare Reel. It is the day in day out hammering of 5pound smallies and 30lb Muskies that will tell if the new stradics will stand the test of time. These are the type of reviews I am looking for. If my last 2 stradics weren’t sitting at the bottom of lake Charleston I am sure I would be stringing them up right now. Listening to that same smooth drag. The clicks haven’t changed tone in 10 years. The bail as flawless as the day I got it… Does anyone have the answers I need? On the FI series I just purchased the bail feels as if a stiff wind will bend it.
Bought one 6000 for the surf and sold it 3 days later.
Would have liked to keep it but I don’t do much boat sea fishing.
Nice reel, would have liked to keep it but had no use.
I first came in Canada in 1991 from Bangladesh, studying in Russia and UK and I was a crazy for fishing since 6-7 years old and I paid 127$ Canadian in 1991 for shimano stradic 2000, Made in Japan and shimano AMG 60f 4-8 Ib line test and I always took care very seriously my reel and rod. You do not believe that with that rod I caught perch, sunfish, pike, Walleye bass, american shad(I caught in montreal more than any other anglers(100-200 fishing there), carp etc, then I moved to Vancouver and I caught from trout to big ugly demon like chum Salmon. I broke my small rod with 20kg chum with my own fault, but later I repaired that rod with other tips and still fishing trout with that rod(i paid that time 80$).
after 18 years I put my reel in ebay and many people bid it and I sold to Germany for 80 dollars and the buyer thanked me upon receiving my reel. If you take care your stuffs and know how to fish, shimano old reels will not fail you,. Although I have now shimano high end japanese model and opus-1 from evergreen(over 900$), but I loved my little first good little stradic 2000 and small rod.