Stradic fk quick review - typed with an iPhone so excuse my grammar and spelling!

kevin19870316 · #1 11-07-2015, 09:48 AM

Got a c3000hg in the mail and initial impression was that the reel FEELs a hell lot lighter than the 2500 fj I've got side by side. The actual weight are probably similar but on the rod the fk is heaps lighter.

A quick spin reveals that the new fk is tighter and the sound it makes is more like a metallic swirl similar to the stella compared to the old one. The fk is slightly noiser but in oscillation.

I spooled some 15lb power pro and upon spooling I couldn't help but thought I was spooling a Stella FE as I could feel absolutely no power loss even under heavy tension. The reel gear alignment is definitely light years ahead of the fj and again could be mistaken as a Stella.

Rotor start up is about the same as the FJ so it's still heavy with lots of weight to overcome when starting up. However due to tighter tolerance in handle and pinion assembly there's less knocking as found on the FJ.

Took it out for a quick trip and I was again amazed at the smoothness and power. My mate brought a Stella 3000fe and we both had Nrx jwr. Switching from combo to combo I honestly could not feel any difference in smoothness or power, even when jigging 5inch powerbait shrimp on 1/2oz two reels felt very similar. The only differences I could discern were the handle shape, gear ratio and weight in favor of the fk. Stella was a tighter reel in terms of lack of knocks from handle assembly but that's about it. The Stella was a little bit more connected in the feel too but that's extremely maginal and could be due to lighter braid.

I have always been using certates and Stellas in spin and fj was my first cheaper reel. I couldn't use the fj for lures due to lack of refinement so it was a baito reel. I got the fk as more of a baito reel too but it pleasantly surprised me with the refinement and power.

Hope this helps you guys in any way.

kevin19870316 · #2 11-07-2015, 09:55 AM

Oh and a just sub metery threadfin decided to eat my threadie buster in 15m deep water. With 30lb leader I was nervous about losing the fish so I didn't double strike but the drag on the new stradic did a wonderful job keeping minimal variation of the line tension. The reel was so powerful that at one point pump and wind was pointless. I basically wound against the drag for most of the fight to keep constant pressure in fear of improper hook penetration which happens a lot when using small trebles on threadies. Within 5mins and lots of leccy work the fish went in the net. The fish shook the hook lose the second line pressure was released upon boating the fish.