SportFishing and Charters Forum - New Stradic FJ vs older Stella?

I'm putting together a rod "for my wife" who may/may not actually enjoy fishing

;)

I'm leaning toward a Terez rod (TZSW72MFL) with a new Stradic FJ 3000 or a used Stella 2000/2500/3000. I've seen some nice clean used Stellas.

So for those who have used both - which would you suggest, a new Stradic FJ or a 10 year old Stella?

Thanks -

Paul

I have had lots of problems with the one stradic 8000 I own. clicker broke a few times. bearing locked up. my saragossa's I have had no problems with any and I have 6 size 8000-18000. and they get used heavily.
I would avoid the stradic. the stella, even if it needs a repair once and a while is a very nice reel.

Interesting. I'm using Stradics myself, a 3000 and 5000, and am thrilled with them. For an 8000 I went with a Thunnus.

From the research I did prior to purchase and my personal experience, the 3K and 5K reels seem to be the point of diminishing returns in today's market - but I've never handled a Stella.

Stella all the way. Like a used Porsche vs. a new Camry

I am a car guy and fully grasp the analogy of the Stella as a 911 - others may come and go but the Stella is always a contender - but surely we can give the Stradic a BIT more credit than "Camry" :thumbsup: Perhaps Lexus (wait, that is a just a pretty Toyota) or Infiniti (damn it, thats a pretty Nissan).

In all seriousness, with the X Ship, etc etc etc that the Stradic now has - an older Stella is still the winner in the same general price point arena?

I just purchased the new stradic 3000 FJ myself and so far am very imprssed. I have 2 larger stellas but for this size and the money I don't think the stradic can be beat. A lot of new upgades with the new stradic. If you do decide to get one I would reccomend taking a look on ebay, I got one new in the box for $145 and free shipping.

Personally I would not get any 10-year old Shimano reel simply because they discontinue parts after a few years, so you'll be up the proverbial creek when repair time comes. I have a few older sustains and the like that are still going strong but sooner or later they will be trash simply because I can't get parts for them anymore.

80% of the light tackle snook/reds/snapper/bonita/small-medium dolphin, etc. fishing we do with spinning reels is with the 3000 stradics. Spool 'em with 10lb powerpro (235 yards) and you'll be shocked what you can handle.

After going through a ton of rods looking for something very sensitive, light, with the right power/action and guides that are just large enough to pass a braid/mono leader knot through without issue, we've paired ours with the new Star Stellar Lite Fast Taper (be sure they are the FT series) rods, 7' 10-20lb and it gives you a lightweight, easy to handle rig that you can fish all day and not hurt your wrist. This would make an ideal combo for your wife if it fits the target species, will be a joy to handle for a woman, and is ideal if you're casting lures/small jigs up to 1/2 oz, bottom fishing with jigs or live bait, etc. as it's senstive and has a good amount of power to it to handle bigger fish.

The terez rod is a great rod but is over rated class-wise for a 3000 size reel and it will be a tank compared to the star. This may fatigue her hand/wrist if you're doing a lot of lure fishing or holding the rod. If you can find both in a tackle shop and put them in your hands try to do so. For comparison if you can find it, the star is just a few g's heavier than a Shimano Crucial rod, but with sightly larger guides. The longer she fishes, the more she'll like the lighter combo if it fits what you're looking to do.

If/when the drag burns out (not often, but it will) replace the washers with a set of carbon smoothie drag washers from smoothdrag.com

My $.02

-T

Thanks! I would not have guessed that Shimano would discontinue parts, much less for the Stella line.

I guess if that is the case I'll get out of the mindset that I can buy a older Stella and keep her running.... certainly perfectly happy with the Stradic.

Regarding the pole suggestion, thanks there as well. I have the same pole I am looking at for her coming in for me, in white, and I'll be mating up the 3000 to that one, so she can play with that prior to making a decision. She is 5'8" with an athletic build, my guess is she won't have any problem with the terez but I also have a 6'6" Falcon Coastal XG 8-17 M she can try if that feels too heavy.

Also looked at these -

http://americanrodsmiths.com/pink-lady

A stradic would look great on one of those and it would also be a bit lighter.

Target species for her = specs and reds with the occasional black drum or sheepshead.

Those are nice looking rods, your wife would be very happy with them if they perform 1/2 as good as they look. Good luck with your search!

I would do the Stradic 3k.. Its a great reel. We can also do an inexpensive custom rod to match the reel or her favorite colors..

Heres a Ladies Popping Rod we painted.
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k569/terminatortackle/photo-15.jpg
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k569/terminatortackle/securedownload-12-2.jpg

This is a Kids painted rod with a stradic 2500
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k569/terminatortackle/IMG_7091.jpg

Very nice rods!

Back to reels...

Anyone have any specific feedback on the Stella Millennium 2500 series?