Shimano Stradic Issues

[Honest John]

I keep having a problem with my Shimano Stradic reel. I got it in June of 2002 and have had the same problem over and over.

My reel works fine for about one day's worth of fishing and then the reel gets a little "sticky" at one point as I crank it. Last summer, I took it apart, cleaned and oiled it; so then it was fine for a short time. I had problems in the fall, so early this spring I had a local guy (who has worked on reels a lot)repair it, but then it started sticking again. I brought it back to him, and he said there was a minor problem that he fixed for no charge.

Now it is doing it again after relatively little use.

I have Symetre's that have worked consistently smoothly for several years. What's up with my Stradic? Are reels like this ever "defective"? I would like to trade it in on a different one. It was from Cabela's. They have a "satisfaction guaranteed" policy, but this reel is now over one year old...

What do YOU think?

JF

[pwrfshn]

JF,

I would send it directly to Shimano and tell them your experience. Document when the problem started and that you acknowledge you are out of warranty, but that it was a problem before then.

They are usually really good with that stuff and will fix or replace it most likely at no charge if there is a problem. That has been my experience locally, not that I have had a problem, but the reels I have seen occasionally come through the local shop.

Let us know what happens.

Good luck,

[Reels]

I had a few that did that too, especially when wet or damp. I sent to Shimano, and they replaced some bearings in three reels. I think I paid $15 or something like that, and that included shipping. They were very easy to deal with.


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[gpbrown]

JF,
I have four of them and my buddy has two and they all do it. I've talked to shimano and repair shops and there is no fix, to my knowledge. The best explaination I got was water was getting into the anti-reverse mechanism and gumming things up. I have an aero stradic and 3 FE's. When I'm on a trip I just rotate them, I get about a half day out each one. Let them sit over night and there fine next day if they dry out. It does not have to be raining for this to happen either, water comes in on the line and the spinning of the spool and bail arm slings water apparently in the anti-reverse or wherever. Shimano told me that these reels are not waterproof. Maybe I should have pressed the issue harder.

Now to answer the question I know that will follow. I originally bought the first stradic and it is a great reel, when it works, and I bought the others as a package closeout deal thinking they had the bugs worked out. I have a long list of great purchases like this but we'll leave that for another discussion.

I've talked to other stradic owners who have never experienced the same problem so go figure. Maybe it's the type of fishing that I do that generates the problem. I fish lake erie and use them drift casting with erie dearies alot and it happens every time. When I'm not doing alot of casting, like rigging or slow crawling a jig, it's not as likely to happen.

If you find out anything let us know.
gb

[Timmy]

This was the main reason I was going to go with a Diawa this time around instead of a Shimano. Unfortunately, the local shop didn't have the Diawa tourney's or Capricorns in stock, so I ended up with a Stradic anyways. So far, there haven't been any problems with it, but if it's anything like most of the other Shimano spinning reels I've owned, it's only a matter of time. Got my fingers crossed. If this one goes bad too, I'll make sure to go with Diawa next time.

[bigtimber1972]

I'm having a different problem with Stradic. After a cast, about 50% of the time the line slips over the top of the bail. I have to lift the rod so the line goes to the slot for reeling. Never had this on any other reel. Very annoying. Anyone else notice this?

[lowwater]

I also bought one last year and am having problems with is sticking in spots but it is last years reel it is not a new one. It this problem just with the out date ones or is it in the new ones also?

[CJHughes]

I took my Stradic back 3 times for the sticking problem . They replaced it all three times . The problem is due to water getting into the reel . I had to laugh when the guy asked me the first time I took it back if I use it when it RAINS . UH yea I use it in the rain and there is water all around me most of the time when it is in use . I won't buy another one but mine is working fine right now , I spray the gears with silicone about twice a year seems to help some .

[Cangl]

Shimano in advertently screwed up when they made the reel body joint seams run horizantal on the back of the reel. Vertical seams allow most all of the water to run down the body with minimal seepage, horizantal sucks it up. The gap between the main spinning body (which the spool sits in) and the top of the reel footing creates a reel that breathes water. I don't use my newest Symetre when it rains?!?!?, my original 12-14 yearold Symetre is still doing the job.

"SOMEDAYS, RAINS RAIN FISH"

[Billyray]

Hey,

Unless you are a reel tech, the first thing you did wrong was to take the reel apart! Once you take it apart you are going to lose tolerences and the parts at that point never sit right again. Also if the reel was acting up right away, why did you not take it back right away?
Call Shimano at 949-951-5003 and ask for customer service and see if that can get you somewhere. Worse case call Cabela's and ask them if they will still warranty the product.

Thanks

[Cangl]

Billy Ray is correct with the service issue, the Stradic and Symetre's are built so tight that taking them apart and getting them back together is dificult. I have never had to take any of my Shimanos apart. I found the easist way to clean or lube them was to remove the handle and spool then loosen the body screws. Theres not alot of play but with a can of starter fluid with the "coffee straw" spray it out from several different angles liberally. Starter fluid flys everywhere be prepared. Let reel sit a few minutes well the fluid evaporates. Then with a small fine screwdriver or "coffee straw" (straw can be bent and snaked) apply marine bearing grease to reachable areas while moving the main gears. Make sure you get a dab on them. Tighten the screws back down, 3-1 oil the handle socket. Another dab on the center shaft that moves in and out of the reel body adding more to it as it pumps in and out. This will clean almost any spinning reel without disassembly.