Stradic ci4 or stradic fj. Which one to buy ?

[ranga7]

Hi looking at getting a stradic, which one of these two is the better reel. looking at a 4000 or 5000 its going on a samurai 20-30 pd rod. Thanks guys.

[Horse]

There is not much between them unless you are a bit limp wristed then the 40gms weight differance might mean something. On looks I think the CI4 seems cheap and the FJ takes some getting used to. Only the Stradic comes in a 5000 size and that is a big plus to me on a 15kg rod. The FJ 5000 will also rip in 104cm of line per crank as to the CI4 4000's 94cm which helps if you want to spin metals at Macks etc. I personally prefer the rigidity of an alloy frame on a 15kg outfit and would probably go for the Stradic FJ.

[ranga7]

Thanks horse i was sort of leaning the way of the FJ seems like a great reel.

[preso]

I agree Horse. I have had three of these for years now( fj). If you can handle all the extra weight go for the fj. Bonus is you get extra spool with the fj, I dont think that is the case with the Ci4's.

[tunaticer]

The FJ's have the new X-ship two extra bearings to support the shaft inside and it ,akes a difference over the FI. I do not know if it is a feature on the newest C14's.
I prefer the FJ over the C14's, sorta like a 1.6mm tinny vs a 5mm platey.

[Jackson 53]

I don't think that you do get a spare spool with the Stradic FJ's as you used to with the FI's. Shimano seem to be keeping their costs down by deleting the option of the extra spool on their spinning reel range.

Does anyone know if the Stradic FJ has a sideplate made of graphite or aluminium alloy?

[Brent_P]

Does anyone know if the Stradic FJ has a sideplate made of graphite or aluminium alloy?

Reports from the 2011 ICAST show in Las Vegas, the Shimano North America website, and Tacklewarehouse.com (the US online tackle store) all originally stated that the Stradic FJ will have an aluminum rotor, sideplate, and frame. When I read this back in July, I posted this information on Ausfish.

When I bought a Stradic 3000 FJ from Tackle Warehouse in Brisbane, I realised the rotor was not aluminium - I tried squeezing either side of the rotor between my finger and thumb and felt the flex. A month or two later, I read a review on Tackletour.com, which stated that only the frame of the FJ was aluminium, like the older model FI. I checked Shimano's US site again, and the specs had been changed - it now says "Graphite rotor, sideplate". Tackle Warehouse in the US has not yet corrected their description - it still says "Aluminum rotor, sideplate, frame".

Interestingly, Shimano Australia never claimed that the Stradic FJ's rotor is aluminium - neither the website nor catalogue mentions what material any part of the body is made of.

I haven't actually used my Stradic 3000FJ yet, but it does feel like an improvement on the previous model FI - very smooth and solid for a reel in that price range.

I'm sorry that I originally posted incorrect information (gained from a number of sources at the time, including Shimano North America), but anyone who bought one based on the misconception that the Stradic FJ has an aluminium rotor (like I did) is hopefully very happy with the reel regardless (like I am).

Here's the 3-page review from Tackle Tour - http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanostradicfj.html

Brent.

[burleygu]

i have 3 stradic ci4's love them would recomend them however id go the fj 5000 for the rod you are using the 4000ci4 will just be to small for that rod

[ranga7]

Hi berleygu, yeah i went with the fj 5000 feels great and sits really well on the samurai. Haven't used it yet but the mackeral have just shown up so hopefully this weekend.