deciding on a shimino stradic or Daiwa capricorn

[rodmy]

tax return here now

thinking of getting a new reel a Shimano Stradic or Diawa Capricorn, any advice or help appreciated

all opinions comments welcomed

[Ravin]

I own 2 Stradics a 1000 & a 2500 & I'm very happy with the performance of both reels.

[chris_lemess]

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshootoutcapstrad.shtm

That should help a lot. Personally I own a Stradic because it felt nicer in the shop. I've used both and they're very similar. If I was buying a 4000 sized reel for other species, I'd go the Daiwa... internally, I trust it more. I've also pulled apart both and the Daiwa is a lot simpler inside...

Hi Rodmy,
mate save your money and buy a Shimano Symetre 2000 mine is three years old and has never had any repairs or work done on it, I also have a Symetre 4000 that's about 4 years old and have caught Queenfish up to 26lb, tuna and barra using poppers, it also doubles as the reel I use for casting soft plastics for barra.

In the time I have owned both reels, they have never been stripped down or had any major overhauls in fact the only thing Iv ever done to them is wash them after ever trip and oil the bail arms and handles, the drags are the best I have ever use in a spin reel and that includes the much dearer reels. Also another thing worth noting, is that where I do the majority my fishing the salt content in both the water and air is far highter than that of the southern states including Wa, and there is not one spot of corrosion on either reel.

Cheers Samurai

Samurai

[pete s]

i love my capricorn

[dantheman]

i would go the capricorn, its a stronger reel. and your not paying for the name so to speak,
cheers dan,

[docbromley]

My Stradic 2000 has had no problems - feels great - it's light and smooth.

Just wish it would catch me more fish!

[torvic]

What do u guys think of the Stradic's handle? Its got that shimano style fold in handle - does the extra hinge there create any err...'wiggling' ??

Eh I'm sure u know what I mean

I've owned 2 Capricorns for for about a year and I have re-named them Crapricorns.

If you pay $250 plus for a reel the bail arm should click over properly everytime in my opinion. I've had nothing but hassels with mine and I'll use them till they die but I won't be buying one again.

Just tested about 15 reels for a mag review and there are better reels out there, just my opinion though..........

Just brought a stradic a few weeks ago and I like it so far.

[Bierdo]

Just when I'd made my mind up on the Capricorn (well sort of).

I was leaning towards the capricorn as the review noted above said that line could get caught in the stradic's bail arm and jam or break.Looking at the two reels the Capricorn seemed to have the smoothest bail arm to roller connection. Has anyone had this problem with fireline?

Also the Cap (or Crap as Ira has dubbed it ) ricorn, has a more sealed drag system. Being mostly shore based this seems like a definite advantage, less grit hassles etc...

I agree with Ira on the cost vs performance issue at $250 you would expect everything to run pretty smoothly.

I'm more confused than ever now. I'll be buying one of them this week which one will it be? Unless I can find something better for $200-$300.

Anyone have any more advice / options?

Cheers

Bierdo.

[dantheman]

A few mates have them and they use them all the time, they just wash them out in fresh water, and they have no troubles at all.
my old man has one havnt had a problem, so mabey its just a one of but you get that with everything,
i would go the capricorn.


cheers dan

[Pukka]

I had exactly the same choice a few weeks back, and I went for the Straddy.

The bail arm design on the Daiwa is far superior to the Stradic, but as Chris has already mentioned, the internals on the Straddy are a lot, lot better... just as you'd expect from a gear manufacturing company.

The Straddy is smaller and lighter, and is also a perfect match for my Daiwa rods, (strange but true).
You may want to take into consideration how the reels match up with the rod(s) you own.

I also have a Team Daiwa-S 1500, which has been back for repairs no less than 7 times now This kinda helped 'sway' my decision a little, if you know what I mean.

Pukka

[BHH]

There are other options for you...

If you look at the following site..

http://www.plat.co.jp/english/english_top.htm and the fresh water section there are a range of reels made by both daiwa and shimano that arnt available in Australia.

The ones Id look at include 1) Caldia (daiwa) 2) Freams (daiwa- Capricon equilivant) or 3) Shimano New Biomaster.

I sent the company an equiry email the other day and they will provide after sales support, no postage to Australia (delivery in less then 2 weeks), ease of payment etc.. it might not be the best way for everyone to buy their reels but you can get the higher quality reels for the same or less bucks then in Australia..

Up to you....

Blake

[Pukka]

It's true you can buy higher quality reels overseas for less money, but how would rodmy know if a particular reel suited his rod, for example? Also, I knew a lot of people who bought the Biomasters when they first came out but now curse them. The new smaller Shimano 1000 size was of particular surprise to many people and was not liked by everyone.
I bought a Shimano 1000 Twinpower from overseas, but I was fortunate in being able to use one for some time before deciding to buy it.
Buy o'seas if you want to. There's not that much risk involved if you've done you're research, but there's definately no substitute for 'touchy feely' when it comes to rods and reels.

Pukk'