Shimano Stradic Reels - Best & Worst & Why??? (OPEN THREAD)

[FloridaFishinFool]

I hope this thread is not a repeat. I tried doing a search and could not find a comparable thread.

I am a fan of Shimano Stradic reels, but there are quite a few I have not tried and I would like some opinions on them for or against in this thread as kind of an open thread discussion on anything stradic related.

I have read online that the FG series were the last series made in Japan. I was not aware of this until just last night- if true- I have no idea. Not that this matters a whole lot, but to me, I have kind of always liked the FH series of stradic reels.

I have some FG's, FH's and an FI, and my buddy has an FJ series he says he likes a lot, but he says he has had to replace the line guide roller bearing several times from wearing it out. Granted he is using it in salt water and I fish mostly fresh water so maybe that has something to do with why he is having to replace it over and over- though he told me he was "burning them out" on the heavier use in salt water.

A couple of months ago I walked into a pawn shop and played around with a newer Ci4 stradic that was completely worn out and rough to use. It got me to wondering if the newer stradic reels are built as well as older stradic reels? My FI does not seem to be as well constructed as my FH reels. The FI really seems to resemble more closely in feel and quality of my Shimano Sedona and Sonora reels. It seems like as technology improves, construction quality is getting worse.

Before I invest some money into some new reels- or older used reels- I would like to get some first hand information on them from users of this forum.

So let's have it, what series of stradics do you consider the best or, the worst, and why?

Thanks in advance for any information shared here...

[31airborne]

I have three FHs.  Have had no issues with any of them.  Solid performers, reliable, durable.

It isn't tied to Stradics per se but your thoughts on quality I believe are spot on.  Manufacturers are using less expensive components in an attempt to keep costs steady (my first Stradic was less than $100, now they're $150+).  Some of these cheaper components (brake discs, washers, gears) don't last.  I suspect component quality specs have been the bill payers when it comes to cost cutting.  Case in point, I won a new Revo spinning reel in a raffle a few weeks ago.  It didn't work - handle would turn but it wouldn't take up line, drag was tightened all the way down and you could pull line off of the spool without any resistance, gears (when they turned) were ruff and gritty.  I sent it in to my favorite reel service dood.  He replaced the factory gears, bushings, etc with higher tolerance components and now it works perfectly.

[cortman]

I have a last year's Stradic CI4+ and I have no complaints. It's every bit the reel I expected it to be when I bought it. Super smooth and solid.
@FFF Did you get chased off BR?

[FloridaFishinFool]

I stopped by my local Shimano dealer and repair shop and asked all the reel techs there- with all their years of experience using stradic reels, but most importantly all their years repairing stradic reels, I asked all the techs what series of stradic reels did they think were the best.

I asked 3 techs and got 3 different answers... the old guy said FG, the younger fellow said FH, and the owner said Ci4.

I was glad to hear that my favorite choice was also right in line with their opinions too. FH for me. FG's are OK, but I prefer the FH series, but I must admit I have not yet bought nor used a Ci4 at all. And I am not all that happy with my FI series so I may just list it on ebay soon. Its a smooth reel no doubt, but it just does not have that solid feel to it like my FH reels do.