SHIMANO recently unveiled its new Stradic SW range, a dedicated medium-to-heavy tackle saltwater spinning reel.
Of course, the Stradic name needs no introduction to keen Aussie fishos, they’ve been a popular option for light-to-medium tackle fishing for years. And for good reason! They’re smooth, durable and affordable spinning reels.
As the name suggests, the Stradic SW has been purpose-built for saltwater fishing. It’s a Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) reel and features some of Shimano’s top reel technologies found in its flagship saltwater (SW) spinning reels like the Stella.
Recently, I’ve been testing out a Stradic SW 10000HG chasing longtail tuna off the rocks. So far, it’s exceeded my expectations and has proven itself alongside far more expensive reels. It’s handled some quality, hard-fighting, longtail up to 18kg with relative ease.
The Hagane Gearing is smooth and the reel has a quality “solid” feel when winding. The entire Stradic SW line-up includes Shimano’s Infinity Drive and Silent Drive reel technologies, which bolsters pinion gear support and results in less “wobble” inside the reel.
The Stradic SW series also includes Shimano’s X-Protect to provide greater durability to key areas like the line roller and clutch assembly to an IPX8 standard. I’ve seen no signs of water intrusion in the reel I’ve been using, despite being exposed to heavy spray and wash during prolonged casting sessions on the rocks.
I’ve discovered the Stradic SW has plenty of stopping power, too. The Stradic SW 10000HG packs 13kg of drag and utilises carbon drag washes for better performance and durability. Not surprisingly, the drag has performed faultlessly on some hard-running longtail, which can pull 100m of line off in under a minute or so.
First impressions: After approximately 40 hours of use, it’s clear to me the Stradic SW is no pretender. It’s an affordable saltwater spinning reel “workhorse” that doesn’t compromise on smoothness and strength.
The Stradic SW is available in 5000XG, 6000XG, 8000PG and 10000HG sizes, for more information: www.shimanofish.com.au
