Shimano Stradic FL 3000 vs. 4000 for Stripers/Blues/Albies

[BirdsAreWorking]

I own 4 BG 5000's and a Saltist 4000 and they're great.  I have them set up on 3 St. Croix 7' HM Tidemasters for stripers/blues/albies, and a 4th on a St. Croix Mojo 10'6" surf rod.  While they're durable and powerful rods, they're a bit heavy and overkill for spring schoolie fishing and funnyfish in the fall.

 

I just purchased a medium-moderate 7' St. Croix Avid for a finesse setup.  I've had my eyes on the new Stradic FL for months because of its light weight and smooth retrieve.  My biggest question that I'm struggling with is what size to get.  I'm torn between the 3000 and the 4000.  I like the idea of having as small/light of a reel as possible for making fights with smaller fish more fun, but I want to make sure that the reel could handle a fight with a 20+ pounder if I happen to hook into a larger bass/gator blue.

 

Looking for insight.  I've only fished Daiwa and Penn reels in the past and am new to Shimano reels and the Stradic line.  I've been hearing great things about the Stradic FL, but don't know anyone personally that's used it for stripers/blues/albies.  Thanks!

Edited May 7, 2020 by BirdsAreWorking

[cweed]

I think your better off with a 4000 size reel. Larger spool capacity, bigger drag and bigger handle in case u get into larger fish. The reels r so light anymore that using the bigger reel shouldnt make a difference. besides you already have a 4000 size reel although the new Shimano is a sweet reel

[cec127]

With a 7’ I would probably go 3000. I have landed a few nice gators with my 3000 stradic. The 4000 is not much bigger than the 3000 so can’t go wrong either way. 

[catatonic]

I’d say 4K for line capacity.....it will be nowhere near the size/weight of your saltist 4K.

with that said my schoolie reel for the past few years was a stradic fk 2500 and I caught some decent fish on it a couple times.

i have the same 7ft avid and I put a vr50 on it which is pretty much 4K size and it’s beautiful.

if this helps this is an fk 2500, ci4+ 4000 and a saltist 4000

[BirdsAreWorking]

Thanks guys, very helpful!  Catatonic that picture is very helpful, I didn't realize how much slimmer the Stradic 4k is than the Saltist 4k.  

[Grayson]

I'd get the 4, I have a 4 and 5fk, spooled with 15lb braid it's a lethal little thing

[Inshore]

If you plan to play with albies from land, I’d go with the C5000 w/ 20# braid. It has the same body size as the 4000 hence the “C” for compact body, it’s just equipped with a deeper spool for better line capy. Mine holds ~265 yards of 20# 832...

[Pma531]

I just got the Stradic FL C3000xg this spring. I have it on a St. Croix Legend and use it off the kayak. I’ve caught some really big fish on it this spring, like a 32-35lb striper. That’s fishing from a yak though. Little different from land based because the fish pulls you around a bit. If you are kayak fishing, I’d go with the 3000. If you are fishing from shore, i’d go at 4000.

 

Its def a nice reel. Drag is good and consistent. Insanely smooth too. I’m happy with mine for sure.

Edited May 8, 2020 by Pma531

[Deepshax]

I'd get the 5000FL. I'm using the 3000FL (2500 body) in the kayak, it has caught bigger bass but it is small.  Way smaller than I thought it was going to be.  Haven't had any line capacity issues - yet, using #20lb x9. Looking to get another one but want a bit more line capacity. The 5k is the same body as the 4k with deeper spool and power knob, only slightly heavier. 

Edited May 8, 2020 by Deepshax

[scoobydoo]

The yakkers are spot on...I fish 3k sized shimanos for fw trout and smallies.  4k for albies.

Go much bigger....and keep in mind 4k shimano isn't 4k saltist sized.  (daiwa LT reels are more shimano sized)

[ermghoti]

I've fished 4k Shimanos in 7' rods forever. As mentioned, bigger spool, better casting. A small feel isn't going to make smaller fish more fun, IMO. That's a rod/line/drag thing.

[BirdsAreWorking]

Thanks for the help guys.  Would you recommend 20lb test or 30lb test for braid on a 4k Stradic FL?

[MitchellNJ]

15 or 20 is plenty. I put 15 on the 4000 FK 

[jk20a3]

I have the 5K FL. Honestly I wouldn't want to go any smaller, its loaded with 20# SS V2. As far as the reel goes its probably the best I've ever purchased under the 300$ mark. If it had a little more sealing it would be my go to. 

[flylikabird]

4000 reels are fine for legal and sub legal Bass including all funny fish.     

Edited May 9, 2020 by flylikabird