SUBJECT: # 37693: Which reel for the money?

Submitted by Spike (198.26.132.101) from VIRGINIA on 7/9/02 8:59:00 AM

I am trying to decide between buying a couple of Quantum Catalyst PTi's or Shimano Stradic's. I did accidently post this on the BFHP. Anyhow I will use 8,10,12 lb mono or power pro on my rigs and seven foot med action rods. Both of these reels feel very good in the store. If you have experince with either of these in SALTWATER please reply. I must say for the price the Catalyst has alot of bells and whistles. However long lasting quality is more important to me. The Penn SS's are not smooth enough for my taste. I am not planning on spending more than the cost of either of these reels. So I am not interested in the 4 or 5 hundred dollar spinning reels.

Thanks Spike

1. 7/9/02 10:59:00 AM Submitted by reelnole (67.24.132.211) from FLORIDA says reels
   I have no experience with the Quantums. I have two Stradics that I have enjoyed but I must admit they are not rugged saltwater reels. I have had a bearing failure on both reels each season. Repair cost 26.00 per reel at the local reel repair shop. The handle also has a tendency to work its way from the rotor, so you are constantly tightening the nut on the other side of the reel housing. These are quality reels if your idea of quality is performance not if your idea is reliability. I purchased a 460 slammer and a 560 slammer from Penn recently. I had an opportunity to test the 560 on a 125 pound Tarpon This past Sunday. The reels drag and smoothness were flawless unlike the smaller ss series. The cost is 125.00. I am unsure how reliable these reels are, because Ive only been using the reels for about 4 months.

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2. 7/9/02 12:20:00 PM Submitted by DavidS (204.149.20.50) from TEXAS says Stradics in salt
   Also no experience with the Quantums. Do have a Stradic4000 I used for wading, including surf wading, my first really high-quality reel. Spoiled me, I won't sacrifice quality for price anymore. Lovely smooth reel, but definitely could get a little stiff if dunked and put up wet. I didn't have the handle problems reelnole had, though I did just replace the crank; my fault, came in tired late in the season, forgot to rinse, and the knob pivot corroded stiff. Rest of reel was still smooth as silk, new crank makes it feel like new again.

   I've had the Stradic five years now, it's held up well considering the abuse I gave it. Admit I don't use it as much anymore, now prefer my Curado, Calcutta, and Catala casters; the spinners are wife, kids, and tourist tackle. Also don't surf-wade much anymore since I got a boat.

   I'm not convinced the extra cost of the Stradic is worth it for this size reel. I also have their Solstace2000 and Sedona4000 reels. Both are about half the price, feel just as smooth, and don't even seem that different internally (well, the Solstace has the QuikFire trigger instead of the SupperStopper instant anti-reverse; the latter has many small parts and is a pain to disassemble & clean). For this size reel I don't think it's worth an extra $50 to have a Stradic; even if the Stradic lasts twice as long (which I doubt), you could afford twice as many Sedona/Sahara/Solstace reels that feel almost as nice.

   Shimano's customer service treated me right. I discovered the sick crank just before family vacation, local shop didn't have in stock, and wanted the reel for family use. One toll-free call to Shimano, the service rep was looking at the same exploded diagram I was viewing on their web page, we made sure we were talking about the same thing (design has changed since I bought mine) and the new crank arrived at my house by 09:30 the next day. Yes, I paid extra for 1-day vs 3-day shipping, but the time crunch was my fault.

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3. 7/9/02 2:45:00 PM Submitted by GeorgeP from GEORGIA says Baitrunner??
   I have a Shimano Thunnus 12000 which has impressed me to no end with its drag and ruggedness. I know this reel may be a little more than you are looking for, but I just got one of the new baitrunner 3500B models. I must say that drag and smoothness comes mighty close to the Thunnus.

   The Thunnus has handled Jacks above the 10 lb mark, Reds to 40 inches and a Blacktip that was around 6 ft. If this new Baitrunner is as close to the Thunnus as it feels, I am really going to like it :)

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4. 7/9/02 9:47:00 PM Submitted by Windcatcher from TEXAS says I wouldn't buy anything labeled Quantum
   Not for the salt, anyway. I'd swap bells and whistles for durability any day of the week. I do a lot of wade fishing, and it's a long shuffle back if the reel seizes on ya.

   The Stradic is a decent reel but take care of it. Also, for half the price, check out the Tica Camry. Tica was an OEM manufacturer for Shimano and started marketing reels under their own name within the last 2 years or so. They probably compare to the Stradic in terms of performance and salt water durability. I hear their customer service is excellent, too. Their US distributor is in SC and they have parts stockpiled.

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5. 7/10/02 3:20:00 AM Submitted by Captain Asparagus of NZ from ALABAMA says Look at the Mitchell Nautil....
   ... I have been on the hunt for a good solid casting reel lately, finally picked up a Mitchell nautil 7500 for popper fishing in the Solomon Islands (I have cast poppers at the reef Lt J F Kennedy came ashore on after having PT109 sunk) and found that to be an excellent reel, very smooth in action and drag. I then went and checked out the 6500nautil, it was a little smaller than I was after but sounds about right for what you want. Comes with 2 spare spools (3 all told) and the BIG PLUS is that it is WATERPROOF!

   yes, waterproof, suits me fine. The back half of the reel is covered with a rubbery cover, the drag is sealed waterproof too, it certainly looks the part. Very solid reel stem (no flexing like in many graphite reels)and a really strong, stable nicely shaped handle.

   check it out online, I am sure mitchell have a site, if not, check out the pure Fishing site as it is part of that group (Berkley,Fenwick,Abu etc)

   cheers, Stu.

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6. 7/10/02 9:35:00 AM Submitted by John957 (66.95.147.17) from NEW JERSEY says Daiwa's
   I'd check out the Daiwa Ondine's and Capricorn's. Very smooth, metal bodied, and a great drag system. Not as salt sensitive as the stradics. Tica Camry's and Libra's and also good reels for the money but a bit salt sensitive too.

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7. 7/10/02 2:20:00 PM Submitted by jason calhoun (207.18.199.196) from TEXAS says Quantum
   I use quantum, and the salt doesn't give me any trouble. I use quantum becuase they allow me to cast the further distances. I fish shallow for Reds and One thing I notice about quantums is that the Drags Washers are Useless. I have to buy a new Drag Washer every year for them. The Reds do the toll to these reels. I do take very good care of them after each use, I rinse and wash them then re-lube every time. My friend has started using the new Abu 3600 or 5600 I don't know which,I think the 3600 is the right handed version, but so far this reel has been able to keep up with the distance of a quantum. So as long as the Drag washers hold I might be changing. I've been told many times to change to a Shimano and that there Drags will hold up. I just don't have any evidence yet that they will cast as far. At this time I use a 9' G-Loomis Rod and I'm casting so far that I'm having trouble seeing my Rattle Cork at times. This is the distance that I'm casting to give you all ideas.

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8. 7/11/02 12:34:00 PM Submitted by Tj (140.100.140.6) from MARYLAND says Shimanos are great reels....
   I own several shimano stradics(4000, 5000, and 6000). They are great reels and I use them exclusively in saltwater. The shimano baitrunners(newer "B" models) and the shimano spheros are great reels as well. These are saltwater reels with waterproof drags. The spheros cost less than the stradic. The down side to the baitrunners and spheros is that these reels don't include a spare spool. But you can always purchase spare spools from shimano. BTW, I spoke with a Quantum representative at one of the fishing show and he told me the new PT series reels would be fine for occasional saltwater use, but not for exclusive saltwater use.

   Hope this helps,

   TJ

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9. 7/11/02 8:09:00 PM Submitted by CaptYO (209.99.124.247) from TEXAS says Stradic
   Stradic is agood reel but I have to echo the opinions that it is not the best for saltwater. Matter of fact mine is awaiting parts right now, a new handle. I started using the Symetre and consider them as good but not as expensive to keep up or initial outlay.

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10. 7/12/02 11:38:00 AM Submitted by Spike (198.26.132.101) from VIRGINIA says Which reel for the money
    I appericate the reposne very much. I will buy the Catalyst PTi's the the 40 and 30 size. I will use them hard in salt water. If they fall apart I will buy Shimanos for the next adventure. Once again thanks for the input.

    Spike

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11. 7/12/02 10:51:00 PM Submitted by Chris (63.184.225.176) from SOUTH CAROLINA says Saltwater Reels
    Saltwater fishing is new to me. I'm still using my catfish fresh water rigs, and I've lost several fish that I know I could've landed had I the proper tools. I need something that I can perform the maintanece on, yet still stand up to saltwater use. I fish for Flounder, SpotTail and the like. Any Info on Sites, Rigs, Reels and bait would be appreciated. I live in Mytrle Beach, SC. And I fish the surrounding area's.

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12. 7/23/02 12:39:00 PM Submitted by CAPT. Hank C. (68.70.18.46) from SOUTH CAROLINA says Penn spinning reels
    I am very happy with the preformance of my 650 spinning reels. very tuff! I can fish for just about anything with this size. just wash it off and lube them every so often.

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13. 2/16/05 5:35:00 AM Submitted by Petrache Nicolae (82.79.47.148) from OTHER says Shimano Stradic vs Daiwa Capricorn
    I want to know if anyone had this two reels and if so what is the diference between them.More precisly i want to know how smooth runs each one at the begining and most important over a period of time, and if possible wich one is going to need repairs.

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