Shimano Stradic Fa Fishing Reel

Advantages: Everything other than price is just amazing
Disadvantages: Price but you get what you pay for

...After travelling around as a child (18 actually), just checking out how smooth these things are, I finally had the money a couple of years ago, to be able to splash out and buy one. I didn't have to pay the rrp. of £125, but managed to find a cheap deal through 'advanced pole fishing techniques', and only paid around £75, which is actually one hell of a bargain. This reel is worth every penny. It has all of Shimano's famous features (after all, it is top of the range). Starting at the back, thers's the drag. This has a large range, and can be turned a long way. Working with this, there's the Fightin' Drag lever. This allows you to change the drag setting in an instant. For example, when fishing, you might like the drag tight or loose, but then for playing a fish, you might want it at another setting somewhere in between... Read review

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Advantages: Everything. These reels are the dogs bits.
Disadvantages: Maybe the fact that when the freespool is on you have to turn the reel handle a full 1/2 a turn to engage the clutch. Can be a bit daunting when you first start using the reel and your used to picking up the rod and striking before reeling in.

...After over 25 years of fishing and in that time i have swapped many reels and am always looking for a better deal. Anything that comes on the market that makes fishing easier is always worth a look. The shimano baitrunner is truely the bees knees when it comes to carp fishing, and at a very resonably price. i know the daiwa emblem's are good but for quality and price you can't beat the Shimano. The first thing that strikes you about the reels is he quality. Just looking at one and you can see that it has been made with hard fighting fish in mind. Which ever one you decide on and there are a few. you will not be dissappointed. You get all the lingo with it like line lay, ball bearings, anti-reverse gearing, all is a bit much for an average angler. So in my opion the ease in which these reels can be used is great. i first tried... Read review

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Advantages: Fantastic quality for a budget real!!
Disadvantages: Not quite as well balanced as the GTE range.

...This is an excellent reel by no mistake. I have had this reel for 3 years and fished many gravel pits around the UK using it. The RE reel shares many of the same features that the more expensive GTE range has including the Shimano's patented Aero Wrap system, Rotor Cast Control and Positive Bail. This is designed to prevent any problems whiles casting long distance. Using the 8000 versions loaded with 15lb line the casting ability is amazing! More than adequate for the UK size lakes. The main difference between the RE range the GTE range is that the GTE has 3 more ball bearings. This means that the GTE by comparison is lot smoother and allows for better handling. Also the RE only has a single crank handle oppose to the double handle on the GTE. This means that the reel does not feel as well balance while reeling in how ever some... Read review

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