Shimano?

[J_Lannon]

Im getting ready to replace a few of my reels. 1 bait caster and 2 spinning. I mainly fish off of a kayak.

I have been on Shimano's website alot lately, and thier equipment looks pretty good.

I would appreciate opinions on Shimano's models and quality.

Thanx..................John

[oldschool]

I bought my first Stradic back in April and haven't been able to stop yet :D! Smooth operation, smooth drag, light weight and a good solid feel.

[RuddeDogg]

I have a calcutta 400, 2 700's and a catala. I just unloaded my bait runners to a friend. BIG MISTAKE, but that's on me. The calcuttas are GREAT. I use the 400 and catala for flatties and the 700's for Striper. Haven't had sungle problem with them at all.

[Cdog]

John, stradics are nice but pricey. I have had a 4000 for 6 years and its been dunked and still works great.

For my yak rods tho, I use daiwa's in the 2500 series.

[wingedwheel]

I have a Sedona 2500FB that was inexpensive ($49.99) and works great.

[HellRhaY]

take a look at the shimano elf. since you'll be using it on a kayak you don't need that much line cap.
shimano elf, all metal, rotor is metal and waterproof and the best part is $75.
or you can never go wrong with the baitrunners.

[Fireball]

in the kayak, I like the Shimano Stradics...the 1500, 2500, and the 4000....also really like the Shimano Symetre in the same sizes....just remember to put a leash on everything....Hoeir

[BAYFISHER]

I have the stradic and the baitrunner 6500b. the baitrunner is a battlestar that holds up to shark and rays. the stradic can easily hold up to drum and blues, and striped bass (most between 20-36")

[blacksand]

Shimano reels are great,

I have 3 Calcuttas, 2 400s, 1 400bvs,1 Trinidad tn-14, and 1 700s. All are mostly used in the surf. All reels are excellent for the surf and are very dependable, but pricey. Been using them since 94. Just make sure you set the break blocks 3 in and 3 out.:fishing:

[seajay]

take a look at the shimano elf. since you'll be using it on a kayak you don't need that much line cap.
shimano elf, all metal, rotor is metal and waterproof and the best part is $75.
or you can never go wrong with the baitrunners.
Ray there is no such thing as a waterproof reel. Some may hold up better to being submerged. Or hold up better to the Salt environment.
The only thing that is water proof might be found on a Submarine and those to will leak.:popcorn::beer:
As far as the Shimano's I have found the Penn Slammer to be a better reel.

[jl_rotary]

go with the shimano sustain 4000 or 5000 if in your price range and if not go with the stradic 4000 or 5000. in your case i would go with 4000 since fishing from kayak. this coming from a guy who bought a penn 550 ssg wishing he would of went with stradic or sustain.

[J_Lannon]

Thank you all for the great feedback. Looks like Shimano is my next reel. I have been a pretty loyal Penn fan for years, but I am tired of the anti-reverse problems I have been having with them.

[HellRhaY]

Ray there is no such thing as a waterproof reel. Some may hold up better to being submerged. Or hold up better to the Salt environment.
The only thing that is water proof might be found on a Submarine and those to will leak.:popcorn::beer:
As far as the Shimano's I have found the Penn Slammer to be a better reel.
i meant to say sealed drag.

when you talk about no such thing as waterproof, tell that to VS and Zeebass.

[HellRhaY]

Thank you all for the great feedback. Looks like Shimano is my next reel. I have been a pretty loyal Penn fan for years, but I am tired of the anti-reverse problems I have been having with them.
good decision on the shimano. penn is crap, made in china crap.

[t58martin]

Shimano reels I own and fish reguarly:
Stradics 2500, 5000, 6000

Sustain 5000

6500 Baitrunner

TLD 20

I like em all quite a bit. The only thing from my perspective is that you said you'd be fishing from a yak. I wouldn't want to be dunking a stradic or sustain, tearing them down is a pain. They certainly take spray pretty well, but I would avoid submerging them..... $.02