shimano stradic 2500FH bail problem...

[frozenfire]

This is to those who have experience with the shimano stradic 2500FH.
The reel was purchased about 2-3 years ago and starting last year, the line would catch at the bail. The bail wire connects to this other cone/tear drop shaped piece before putting the line on the roller. The connection isn't smooth enough and the line will catch. Why didn't shimano make the whole assembly one piece?!?! :mrgreen:
At first I thought it was my bail that needed replacing, so I went to the Mississauga Warranty Service center yesterday to get a new bail. Upon replacing it, I played with the line few times and it still catches. I think I just wasted $23.73. Now I'm starting to wonder why it didn't do this the first year of use?

I read somewhere that some people fixed this by adding a glue or epoxy to make the connection smooth.
Any advice? If i did use a glue/epoxy, i would have to sand it down after it cures right?

It's a big pain in the rear having to manually move the line from the 'connection point' and putting it on the roller after every cast. Lost plenty of fish when it first started happening...

 

[ec1]

Ouch that stinks! Sorry Anthony, I don't know how to fix reels. I actually have a Shimano reel that I dont even know what model has the exact same problem. But for some reason, my dad continues to love that reel to death.

 

[frozenfire]

Yah...the reel is amazing and well worth the price tag... aside from this small issue...

I'm considering getting the new stradic 1000 FI ... bail is a one-piece...but price is still close to $200.

 

[ec1]

new gear is never bad :mrgreen:
One thing though, you might want to wait a bit if you're getting a stradic again. They might possibly change models next year again, and the sale might be on later in the year. If not, then the Stradic MgFB is also an option ATM. I know a site where the Price of it went down to 169.99 USD while the normal stradic is 159.99. Only "bad" (if you consider it bad) is that you'll most likely end up paying them the 29.99 USD shipping fee, but it will arrive for you the next business day.

Ordering other stuff makes the shipping feel a little bit cheaper :?

 

[frozenfire]

wow...the stradic is changing again? but the new 2009 FI one seems so new!
I think i will either go back to daiwa or get the shimano saros.
I was looking for St Croix rods around town and most of them are 1 piece...sucks.

 

[balapickerel]

about your idea of putting some glue/epoxy and then sanding it, i would recomend doing one layer of epoxy, sanding it and then doing another layer and not sanding it, if you sand the second coating than it would be equivelent to a scratched up peice of plastic, not the best thing to have scratching up your line

 

[ec1]

Ok, change of what I said. According to what I read from someone, who's talked to a shimano rep recently:
Stradic MgFB is being discontinued because they are making a NEW reel probably to compete with the Steez. We're looking at a 7 ounce reel that can probably do anything.

This is to be released after iCast late july.

And as for St. Croix, Legend Elite also has 2 piece rods if you're willing to spend the money and look far and wide for them. :mrgreen:

And as for travelling with 1 piece rods, I've found a way to store them comfortably even with 4 people sitting in a car.
The reels and grip of the rods should be placed on the front passenger seat, closest to the centre console and pointing backwards to the middle rear seat.
You can also stick them straight from the trunk into the back middle seat if you have one of those holes in the middle back row.

 

[frozenfire]

have you ever checked out:
reelfishingdeals.com

 

[frozenfire]

placing them in a car like that should work...but i drive a stick shift so my arm instinctively rests between teh two front seats... and with me shifting gears, probably not a good idea to have some rod butts and reels in the way :mrgreen:
that should work fine with an automatic though.

 

[frozenfire]

about your idea of putting some glue/epoxy and then sanding it, i would recomend doing one layer of epoxy, sanding it and then doing another layer and not sanding it, if you sand the second coating than it would be equivelent to a scratched up peice of plastic, not the best thing to have scratching up your line

I probably won't end up sanding it since it's just a tiny amount of glue needed to fill in the space between the two parts.

 

[balapickerel]

than that should work fine, but you'll need something very strong and weather resistant

 

[ec1]

no i havent, and even the rods won't get in your way at all even if you drive stick :mrgreen:
the gap between the seat and the centre console is where the rod is supposed to be. But honestly, I rather travel with 2 piece rods over 1 piece any day...... And I'd be so much happier if the more expensive rods were offered in two piece.

 

[frozenfire]

They probably would get in the way for me... my car is pretty small and is a 2 door. a 7 foot rod would definitely get in the way. It might work if i take the reel off.

the shimano sahara is on sale at le baron's for 80 i think... i'm not sure how good of a price that is, but i think i'm gonna go check it out later today before i head out to scugog.

i'll give you a call/text later tonight if you don't reply. :mrgreen:

 

[ec1]

Hmm, Sahara with my own experience....I would say no. But by all means, go to Lebaron and check it out first!

The reel is smooth and all, but there are too many things that could go wrong with it. Without even abuse, the smoothness seems to go away, and is on and off. I've had the reel actually require force to even retrieve, and then it disappeared again after I caught a fish.

And because these things are made in Malaysia now, it's very hard to get consistent quality.

It also might be me with my bad luck with buying gear.

 

[Snypa]

As you suggested, try using epoxy, and maybe put a very light coat of nail polish to make it even smoother, that might help, if that doesn't work, I would probably get ready to invest in a new reel, was going to suggest a Sedona 2500 FB, but I think you already own one ? I had the same problem on a brand new Abu Garcia spinning reel that I bought a couple years ago (came with 10 ball bearings), had a smooth retrieve but I found that the line would always rub agains't the bail on every cast or something was rubbing the line per every cast :? not cool, especially since I payed like $70 for it, sold it to a buddy for cheeeaap. :mrgreen:

 

[reefrunner]

Heard about that problem with the stradic...too bad, maybe next model will provide some releif in that respect. I second epoxy finished with nail polish. I have a sedona, the 4000rb model, a little larger - more line capacity....I love it! It's cheaper $wise than the stradic but I can affirm it will handle the big girls no problem. See my intro...the salmon is approx. 25lbs and a heck of a fighter all caught on the sedona. Also caught a nice 'ski in the moon a few years back. It was my first fish on the new real, trolling for eye's and WHAAAMOO, ended up being a chunky 47". now that's what I call breakin in.

reefrunner

 

[frozenfire]

I have three sedona's
one for fall salmon.. the 4000
and two ultralights... 750

the new stradic has a one piece bail which eliminates this problem.
I may invest in another sedona then...I was trying to find the sahara at le baron's but they are sold out since it's on sale.

 

[pogon02]

wow...the stradic is changing again? but the new 2009 FI one seems so new!
I think i will either go back to daiwa or get the shimano saros.
I was looking for St Croix rods around town and most of them are 1 piece...sucks.

I suppose that most quality rods will be one piece due to the fact that I suppose that if the rod is one piece the rod is more sensitive etc I myself won't buy a one piece rod until I invest in some rod cases I would not want to spend 200+ dollars only to find out that the rod was snapped in half when it was packed in the car etc.