Stradic MG 2500 vs SS II 2000

[Gofish13]

I am curious if anyone has any experience with Shimano's Stradic MG 2500 reel. I have been a long time Daiwa user with several SS models and one SSII model.
I am looking to buy a new reel this year in the size mentioned. The obvious differences between the two reels are the weights and retrieval rates.

Stradic 2500 MG 8.2 oz 110/8 150/6 6.0:1

Daiwa SSII 2000 9.7 oz 110/8 135/6 4.8:1

The reel will be matched with a Fenwick Goldenwing 6' ML rod using 6lb line for grubs, tubes, finnesse baits. or a Fenwick 6'6" HMG AV med rod using 8lb line for slightly heavier baits in the same category. I never 'backreel' and have had great experiences with the Daiwa drags.

I know the Daiwas very well but am always open to new possibilities. Can anyone share some experiences with the Stradic MGs.

Thanks for the assistance.

Steve

[WAeyes]

The Stradic MG is a new upgraded model of the Stradic FE of years past. It has just come out so I doubt anyone has any experience yet, unless they have soft water this winter. I have a few of the Stradic FE and they are a great reel. I also, do not backreel so I would assume the drag on the new MG is even better than the old FE. If you are concerned about the dependability of the Stradics drag, let your mind be at ease, they are excellent. :)

[Dodge1]

No experience with the MG but I’m seriously looking into buying a new Daiwa Caldia, to replace the SSII that some #@%# stole out of my boat last fall.

If you’re not familiar with the Caldia, don’t feel lonely, because it’s a new “Hard Body” metal model that Daiwa makes for the Japanese market. You can find more info on this reel here http://www.japantackle.com/daiwa_spinning_reels.htm#Caldia

Jun, the owner of JapanTackel.com is a great guy to deal with and has always treated me exceptionally well. He ranks the Daiwa lineup, for light rods, and value as follows: Caldia, Capricorn, SS2 and TD-S.

[steve(IL)]

I'm not sure why, but the MG doesn't crank as smooth a regular Stradic.
It even mentions something about this in the Cabela's tackle shop catalog "MGF models are not part of the s-concept family". The MG's I've
handled kind-of ground while cranking compared to the regular Stradic.
For $160 and $40 more than the regular Stradic - I'd think it should be as smooth. My $.02.

[WAeyes]

Good point Steve, I noticed they exclude the MG from the S-concept too. S-Concept meaning- smooth,silent, strong...it must lack one of these for some unknown reason??? Why would Shimano build this reel and charge more money than a standard Stradic and then not be as smooth??? You would think that the addition of another roller bearing compared to the standard model that it would be even smoother. Thanks for your input, glad I went with the older model this year...for now.

[steve(IL)]

The MG is a pretty clear knock-off of the Diawa. I hope Diawa responds. I'd love something as smooth as the Stradic but better balanced/ about
8 ozs/ with a big spool like Diawa 1300SS for about $100 or less. Hopefully we'll have something like this soon....

[shadowman]

i know you guys arn,t talking Okuma reels here but if you want a reel that is smooth as silk and a drag to match the new Okuma metaloid reels are just that, the only drawback i have seen so far is the weight the 3000 series runs something like 11.2 ozs but it more than makes up for that in preformance, just my o2.

[Gofish13]

Guys,

Thanks for the great feedback. Unless I heard some rave reviews on the Shimano's I would stick with the Daiwas. Which is what I will do for now. I will stick with the SSII 2000 which will give me two of this model with 4 spools to play with. When I need a different size I may bring up the debate again.

Thanks again

Steve

[steve(IL)]

Yes, they are very smooth - but those couple ounces add up if you're throughing jigs or cranks all day. Plus a lighter reel will balance out on a lighter rod better. I also prefer a larger diameter spool for longer casts and less line memory when using mono. Okuma's are a good value though

[ND]

The "MG" stands for magnesium......and yes, the "S" concept does not apply to this series of the Stradic.
The differences of this reel as opposed to the regular series is the size of the spool and most importantly, the weight of the reel.
I agree to the oservations about the smoothness not being the same,but the value ,to me, is the weight and the spool.......and yet untried is the dependability.Time will tell.

[steve(IL)]

$160 for a spinning reel just bugs me - especially for a Diawa knock-off. I'll stick with my $90 SS1300's w/ large spool and 8.6 ozs until Diawa comes up with something better. It may not be instant anti-reverse, but the back slap of the handle is only 1/2" to maybe 1" of line. I don't believe it's costing me any fish.

[hawg]

steve,ill-- i agree with you. if you just spin handles in the store the stradic will go forever. try the 2 more expensive one they make, they will still be spinning when you get them home. but anyone whos had a 1300 knows how good those drags are, and thats what counts. i like the idea of inti reverse though.