Shimano Symetre

[jackash]

HEy guys,
been looking at a new reel for a while now, and the Shimano Symtre ahs really caught my eye. Probably the 1500, does it come any smaller? :confused: What is it like for soft pasltics for bream and flatties, and if not recommended what would you suggest for a similar price range ($180)
Thanks,
Jackash

[Sarge]

Jackash,

Good choice for the money. The 1500 is the smallest you will find in that range and is also (I think) the first of the models available with Shimanos 'super slow oscillation' that works a treat for laying GSP. Stick with the 4lb or 6lb fireline and you'll have a potent little weapon.

Cheers,
Brad

[jackash]

Thanks mate, sounds like that is the go. Might get one this weekend an try it out on tuesday.
Cheers,
Jackash.

[Sarge]

By the way, shimano now back up this product with a 10 year warranty. Obviously this has conditions but we've found shimano to be excellent with parts and service for our customers. I'm using the stradic 2500 FH (next up from the symetre) for most of my light fishing and have found it to be an excellent reel. These little shimanos offer smooth reel performance and smooth drag performance. We also use them in our ANSA comps here in SA and they have done well on all sorts....rat kings, mulloway to about 8kg, snapper and then flicking plastics around for bream the next weekend.

Sorry....I'm starting to harp on about one of my favoured reels now.:D :D

[jackash]

Awsome. So waht exactly is the differences between the Symetre and stradic. Obviously the cost also means better quality, but isn't the Symetre excellent quality anyway or would the Stradic make a big difference to performance.
Cheers,
Jackash.

[Sarge]

Far as I can tell there is bugger all difference between them. Might have been retrieve speed or something? Shimano brought a trade day to Adelaide here late last year and we went for a look at all the products available (as obviously you cannot stock everything). I was thinking of buying a sustain but couldn't see why when compared to the stradic and symetre. I decided to go for the middle of the road which happened to be a stradic. Now I've got 3! :D

One of our regular customers bought the symetre and he abuses his reels. His is spooled with 20lb braid and fished hard off SA jetties for snook, school mulloway, rugger snapper, etc. He managed to dunk his reel and brought it in for me to service. It'd be around 4 months on now and it is still performing.

With any luck my reels will be up for some abuse soon as I'm taking them back to darwin where hopefully the pelagics will be present in the harbour.

If you buy the symetre, you won't be disappointed.

[jackash]

You've sold me haha. This weekend im going to purchase one. Haha. Thanks for the advice mate, hope you get into a few up in Darwin haha. Good luck,
Jackash.

[Mattj]

Ive had one for a couple of months now and thus far its proved to be a good little reel, no real probs with it, only had 1 'birds nest' type drama which was my fault. Havent had too many other reels to compare it against except for an okuma epix efs 20 and a penn 4500ss but IMO it fairs similar to the okuma and whips the penn for bream luring but the penn will last forever but toooo heavy for breamin

Matt