Shimano Stradic FL (Smootheness)?

[Walleyehawger]

I got 2 of the FL in the 3000XG the other day. I have not bought a stradic since the MGFA came out. I have been fishing Sustains for years and years now. 5he reels are very smooth. The drag, while it has not failed me at all in any way, has a slight bit of stutter or chop in it. It is not terrible, or a hindrance to the reel. It just something that I noticed. I have landed a lot of fish in them already, and they have preformed fine. Perhaps it is from fishing my Sustains for so long, and the Stradic drag just isn’t going to be as smooth.

[DrTrevorkian]

That’s the “upgraded” carbon fiber drag. I’ve learned the hard way that any line you use 12lb and under, the drag is better with the regular felt washers. I believe the new FL’s are felt in the 1000 and 2500, carbon fiber in 3000 and up. Wonder if you can swap out to 2500 felt, previous models 2500 & 3000 shared the same drag stack. Worth looking into, if that stutter bothers you.

[Slazmo]

They should all be the same size and part swap out between the different size reels and spools

[russ57]

I've never had a decent spinning reel before, and thus far I love my stradic FL.

[Walleyehawger]

That’s the “upgraded” carbon fiber drag. I’ve learned the hard way that any line you use 12lb and under, the drag is better with the regular felt washers. I believe the new FL’s are felt in the 1000 and 2500, carbon fiber in 3000 and up. Wonder if you can swap out to 2500 felt, previous models 2500 & 3000 shared the same drag stack. Worth looking into, if that stutter bothers you.

Thanks very much for the tip. I am looking into that now.

[hoohoorjoo]

That’s the “upgraded” carbon fiber drag. I’ve learned the hard way that any line you use 12lb and under, the drag is better with the regular felt washers. I believe the new FL’s are felt in the 1000 and 2500, carbon fiber in 3000 and up. Wonder if you can swap out to 2500 felt, previous models 2500 & 3000 shared the same drag stack. Worth looking into, if that stutter bothers you.

Wtheck? Carbon drag is supposedly superior in every way. It cant be the same material as the Carbontex brand, because those actually increase top-end pressure AND smoothness vs stock drags on every Shimano and Daiwa reel drag I've replaced over the years. That's not a good look for Shimano.

[Slazmo]

That's not a good look for Shimano.

I've actually bought some stock felt and am going to test felt washers in my BFS baitcasters...

Bought it in hi-vis pink and orange. May become trendy.

[hoohoorjoo]

That's not a good look for Shimano.

I've actually bought some stock felt and am going to test felt washers in my BFS baitcasters...

Bought it in hi-vis pink and orange. May become trendy.

Rofl!

[DrTrevorkian]

Wtheck? Carbon drag is supposedly superior in every way. It cant be the same material as the Carbontex brand, because those actually increase top-end pressure AND smoothness vs stock drags on every Shimano and Daiwa reel drag I've replaced over the years. That's not a good look for Shimano.

Speaking to spinning reels only, I thought I was upgrading my CI4+ FA’s and Sustain FG’s with Carbontex. That stutter mentioned, extreme slip on hooksets unless tightened down too much for the line I’m using - so I would have to back off the drag knob immediately after the hookset (very noticeable on 1000 sized reels) = no dice for me.

I’m not a lock down the drag kind of guy, though. My bass-only buddies love the carbontex drags because they lock down their drags, use heavier line and rods for applications that I use lighter line and lighter rods. Don’t misconstrue, I don’t let my drag loose and let fish run uninhibited. I need just enough give for the line I’m using. That people that “tire the fish out” annoy the heck out of me.

I haven’t found carbontex to be smooth in a total of 13 of the above mentioned reels sized 1000 - 4000. Swapped them all out to swap them all back to stock. Tried greased, ungreased, flipped the bottom cross-hatch disc both ways, no way eh. Light line with a smooth drag, I’m using factory oiled/greased felt. They definitely need replaced regularly if you are on bigger fish that run, like salmon and steelhead. Walleyes and bass, I’m not replacing them every season, at least.

[reason162]

That’s the “upgraded” carbon fiber drag. I’ve learned the hard way that any line you use 12lb and under, the drag is better with the regular felt washers.

Like many I fell for that "carbontex always better" scheme years ago. Swapped all my freshwater spinners back to stock felt. 4-6lb line...carbontex is useless. 8-12 I can probably go either way, but prefer felt.

I also learned that Daiwa spinning drags are not to be tampered with. They work great with w/e stock grease they come in, but do not play well with Ace-0 which Hedgehog recommended. Now I just buy the pregreased Daiwa felt washers for replacement (haven't had to yet).

[hoohoorjoo]

Wtheck? Carbon drag is supposedly superior in every way. It cant be the same material as the Carbontex brand, because those actually increase top-end pressure AND smoothness vs stock drags on every Shimano and Daiwa reel drag I've replaced over the years. That's not a good look for Shimano.

Speaking to spinning reels only, I thought I was upgrading my CI4+ FA’s and Sustain FG’s with Carbontex. That stutter mentioned, extreme slip on hooksets unless tightened down too much for the line I’m using - so I would have to back off the drag knob immediately after the hookset (very noticeable on 1000 sized reels) = no dice for me.

I’m not a lock down the drag kind of guy, though. My bass-only buddies love the carbontex drags because they lock down their drags, use heavier line and rods for applications that I use lighter line and lighter rods. Don’t misconstrue, I don’t let my drag loose and let fish run uninhibited. I need just enough give for the line I’m using. That people that “tire the fish out” annoy the heck out of me.

I haven’t found carbontex to be smooth in a total of 13 of the above mentioned reels sized 1000 - 4000. Swapped them all out to swap them all back to stock. Tried greased, ungreased, flipped the bottom cross-hatch disc both ways, no way eh. Light line with a smooth drag, I’m using factory oiled/greased felt. They definitely need replaced regularly if you are on bigger fish that run, like salmon and steelhead. Walleyes and bass, I’m not replacing them every season, at least.

That's strange. My Emblem X 3000iA drag is buttery smooth with Carbontex/Cal's tan grease combo.

[DrTrevorkian]

That’s the “upgraded” carbon fiber drag. I’ve learned the hard way that any line you use 12lb and under, the drag is better with the regular felt washers.

Like many I fell for that "carbontex always better" scheme years ago. Swapped all my freshwater spinners back to stock felt. 4-6lb line...carbontex is useless. 8-12 I can probably go either way, but prefer felt.

I also learned that Daiwa spinning drags are not to be tampered with. They work great with w/e stock grease they come in, but do not play well with Ace-0 which Hedgehog recommended. Now I just buy the pregreased Daiwa felt washers for replacement (haven't had to yet).

Good to know! I’m currently on a Daiwa kick. I’ll plan on doing just that. Thanks!

[DrTrevorkian]

Wtheck? Carbon drag is supposedly superior in every way. It cant be the same material as the Carbontex brand, because those actually increase top-end pressure AND smoothness vs stock drags on every Shimano and Daiwa reel drag I've replaced over the years. That's not a good look for Shimano.

Speaking to spinning reels only, I thought I was upgrading my CI4+ FA’s and Sustain FG’s with Carbontex. That stutter mentioned, extreme slip on hooksets unless tightened down too much for the line I’m using - so I would have to back off the drag knob immediately after the hookset (very noticeable on 1000 sized reels) = no dice for me.

I’m not a lock down the drag kind of guy, though. My bass-only buddies love the carbontex drags because they lock down their drags, use heavier line and rods for applications that I use lighter line and lighter rods. Don’t misconstrue, I don’t let my drag loose and let fish run uninhibited. I need just enough give for the line I’m using. That people that “tire the fish out” annoy the heck out of me.

I haven’t found carbontex to be smooth in a total of 13 of the above mentioned reels sized 1000 - 4000. Swapped them all out to swap them all back to stock. Tried greased, ungreased, flipped the bottom cross-hatch disc both ways, no way eh. Light line with a smooth drag, I’m using factory oiled/greased felt. They definitely need replaced regularly if you are on bigger fish that run, like salmon and steelhead. Walleyes and bass, I’m not replacing them every season, at least.

That's strange. My Emblem X 3000iA drag is buttery smooth with Carbontex/Cal's tan grease combo.

Maybe it’s just my model Shimano’s. I used the Cal’s tan, as well.