My Stradic 8000

[Frank OO]

Hi Ian,

I have resigned myself to the fact that both the body and the handles are of a better design and strength in the diawa range.

I can't blame Poodroo, especially when I found the drag washers in that state. I have also recently been told that I should greese the drag washers every two months especially if we are going to catch fish of that size.

Hi Land-Lubber,

The new Stradic does appear to be a lot better but IO don't think I will be buying any more.

Poodroo, You can come along anytime. I like the way you wash the boat.

Frank OO

[Frank OO]

Hi Hungry,

I did post this thread on a lighthearted note but also to highlight that maybe some reels are just not built to withstand the pressures of the bigger fish.

I can not fault the Stella or Saltiga reels as they are both of fantastic quality and strength.

I did however want to highlight that for reels around the $300 mark, that the Capricorn or Certate may be a stronger and better option. The Diawa reels are made from a machined section of Aircraft grade Aluminium whereas the old Shimano models were made from a dicast metal to make the reel lighter.

Frank OO

[Frank OO]

Just reading from the new Shimano 2008 Catalogue it states"Dicast is a popular ,inexpensive and easy method of metal fabrication which leads to its popularity in use by most reel manufacturers". I will go on to say that Shimano now use a Cold Forged method to give the drive gears, spools and handles greater strength. It doesn't mention the body though.

Either way just have a good look at all reel options before you buy one. It may be a lot more inexpensive to buy the best in the first place.

Frank OO

Frank OO

[eotbmg]

fishing 50lb braid on a reel meant to take 20lb there is only going to be one outcome really

I think the Stradic 8000 is made for more like 40 lbs line than 20!!!!! 20 is rated for the 4000. Its not the line diameter or breaking strain that breaks a reels foot hold i think its just bad manufacturing especially after its been fixed twice already!
Ben

[Poodroo]

Hi Ian,

I have resigned myself to the fact that both the body and the handles are of a better design and strength in the diawa range.

I can't blame Poodroo, especially when I found the drag washers in that state. I have also recently been told that I should greese the drag washers every two months especially if we are going to catch fish of that size.

Hi Land-Lubber,

The new Stradic does appear to be a lot better but IO don't think I will be buying any more.

Poodroo, You can come along anytime. I like the way you wash the boat.

Frank OO

May the next trip out be in winds less than 30 knots and if you ever take chicken gut on board again I am going to decline the boat washing offer.
Seriously had a great time out there even in those conditions and look forward to going out again soon. Besides, I will need to test the Stradic out for durability again.


Poodroo

[hungry6]

Frank, you hit the nail on the head in regards to certain reels are built for lighter class of fish... In the past I have only used stradic and navi 6000 for beach and chucking around around a few slugs at mac and smaller tunas, but I have notice they are certainly not built for a 20+kg cobs or AJ especially on repeated hits. The odd 10kgs tuna certainly make them heat up.
I think stradic in a 8000 model is more of a marketing ploy than anything else.
The last reel that came to grief for me is a sustain 6000 on a 15kgs LT "hooked by accident, no skill involved" and she makes a horible noise from the heart LOL.
I always work on the principle, if the gear has put a smile on my face, then it already has paid for it self and generally I have a ratio of 1:5 " line-reel" for cost when setting up a spinner.
But of recent a few of the shimano gear are abit dubious in quality the only problem is that I like the handle wind geometry of the shimanos than the Daiwas
You're one of the few ppls that have proof of smoked drag and that should be a blessing of fishing talents and not a loss by any means.

[Franco]

All I have to add Frank is that your post made me piss myself laughing and was a great break from work for 10 min!!

Always good to read your experiences mate!

To be fair the stradic 8000 was probably designed to fish a maximum of 10kg mono or braid on high speed fish like wahoo / tuna / spanyids (ie built for speed & line capacity rather than power, much like a TSS4)

Great post!

[Frank OO]

Hi Hungry6,

At my age I am happy to just hook a fish. I started fishing with a coke bottle as a reel, so any reel is a good reel. I have been very lucky in life and have finally managed to get a boat that will get me to where the bigger fish are.

I have great fishing mates that spend the time to show me all the latest methods and technology.

Through this technology I can actually meet more nice people like you guys.

If the only thing I have to complain about is a drag that has been burnt out by a fantastic fish then I think I am a very lucky man indeed.

Frank OO

[Frank OO]

Franco,

Nice to hear from you.

I think that is one of the best comments that I have heard and is certainly something that I haden't thought about. It is also a very sensible reason why Shimano built such a big spool.

Thanks for taking time to say gidday.

Frank OO

[NeMo84]

mate give a PENN SPINFISHER a go, i had a bloke come into work and he reckons they're the ducks nuts in deep water situations, says he uses em for deepwater jigging and all that, he might be full of it but i can't say, the thing is theyre alot heavier than the stradic but the price is comparable, in fact the spinfisher is cheaper, just a thought anyway...