SHIMANO Stradic FK Spinning Reel review and price compare 2025

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Product overview

Brand	SHIMANO
Material	Aluminum
Hand Orientation	Ambidextrous
Color	Silver
Handle Material	Aluminum
Item Weight	0.36 Kilograms

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The stradic spinning reel utilizes shimano's latest technology while also drawing on ways of the past and every part has been designed to improve the angler's experience on the water
X-ship technology provides improved gear durability and eliminates friction between the spool shaft and gear enhancing the casting performance and allowing for longer casts
Incorporates shimano's flagship hagane gearing and hagane body that provides long-lasting; strong; and durable performance and smoothness giving anglers the strength for both inshore and offshore action
The built-in dyna-balance rotor and fluidrive ii system accompanied by shimano's propulsion line management system offers exceptional smoothness and casting capabilities while mitigating line management issues
Max drag: 20 lbs. / gear ratio: 6.0:1. / weight: 8.3 oz. / line retrieve: 35" / bearings: 6bb + 1rb – powerpro line cap: 10/150; 15/145; 40/105 – mono line cap: 6/200; 8/140; 10/120

From the manufacturer

ST2500HGFK.

Features:

-Hagane Body.

-Hagane Gear.

-Super Stoper II.

-X-Ship.

-S A-RB Bearings.

-CF Aluminum Cold Forged Spool.

-Dyna-Balance.

-Fluidrive II.

-Power Roller II.

-SR-Concept.

-Propulsion Line Management System.

Shimano Stradic ST2500HGFK Frontdrag Spinning Fishing Reel

Stradic FK The new Stradic FK utilizes Shimano’s latest technology while drawing on ways of the past. Hagane cold forged drive gear gear combined with X-Ship provides a smooth, powerful and durable reel. The sleek G-Free body provides a better weight balance to reduce fatigue. Every part has been designed to improve the anglers experience on the water.

Product Specs:
Family Type: Spinning
KeyFeature: X-Ship
Ball Bearings: 6
Roller Bearings: 1
Maximum Drag (lb): 20
Retrieve Per Crank Range (in): 35

product description

The Shimano Stradic FK Spinning Reels feature some of Shimano's most innovative technology to make them a tournament ready reel choice. Incredibly lightweight, Shimano's new HAGANE reel design concept makes it one of the most durable and dependable on the market. The Hagane cold-forged drive gear combined with X-Ship technology and the Stradic FK's Hagane body also provides increased winding power and rigidness.

Equipped with a Dyna-Balance rotor and the Fluidrive II system for silky smooth operation, Shimano's Propulsion Line Management System also provides exceptional casting capabilities while limiting line management issues.

6.0:1 Gear Ratio
6A-RB+1A-RB
Right/Left Retrieve

Features:

Hagane Body
Hagane Gear
Super Stoper II
X-Ship
S A-RB Bearings
CF Aluminum Cold Forged Spool
Dyna-Balance
Fluidrive II
Power Roller II
SR-Concept

product details

Date First Available ‏ : ‎ March 16, 2017
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Shimano
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B06XPNTFCM

important information

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Questions about SHIMANO Stradic FK Spinning Reel

What country is the model made in?

Answer: The Malaysia made Shimano reels are better quality. ----> In response to the rude statement by Fishermen's Headquarters

Answer: Who cares? Whats the difference?

Answer: Made in Malaysia

Answer: Malaysia

is there an anti reverse button ? So I can fish with the spool locked or unlocked ?

Answer: No there is no anti reverse button.

Can this be used for fresh water fishing?

Answer: Yes, it's a freshwater fishing reel.

Answer: Yes, it is a great reel.

Answer: YES

Answer: yes

Answer: Yes, it is fine for freshwater. It is built for salt water which is much more corrosive. If it is only used for freshwater, it will last many years with very little maintenance. It is an outstanding reel.

Answer: Yes, it's fine for use in fresh or salt water. Great product!

Answer: Of course! I use it primarily for freshwater. It's a wonderful reel.

Answer: Yes it is, and I live in Florida, so I only buy products that can handle saltwater. It's far more destructive than freshwater, so having the ability to do both justifies any extra cost. The same goes for lures like Rapalas- if they make a saltwater version in the same size, I buy the saltwater version.

Answer: yes it is great for freshwater or saltwater applications

Answer: Yes

Answer: Yes. It's excellent.

Answer: Yes. Absolutely.

Answer: Yes

Does anyone think it is hard to turn the handle to close the bail? I just got mine today, and it is incredibly to operate.

Answer: No. It should not be hard at all. Although, you should put the bail back by hand, many people don't. It does sound like something may be out of adjustment. I would contact the mfg.

Answer: I use braid on mine, so I never close the bail by turning the handle. That said, it pops over just fine when I "play" with it. On all my other older Stratics, I have made them all manual and will do the same with my newest one...

Answer: It is not meant to close that way. You close it manually. It is much more sturdy that way. The self closing bales are the first things to fail.

Which Stratic reel is the best for trout fishing?

Answer: 1000Hg should be it....I fish salmon so I use either the 2500, 3000, or even the 4000. But for smaller fish then the 1000 should be perfect!!! Great reel though!!!!

Answer: For stream fishing, by all means, go with the 1000! That’s going to be the most fun. If you need more power behind you, like for large steelhead, you’re going to have to go larger. The 1000 can handle quite a bit though.

Which is best to pair with 6.6 ugly stick gx2?

Answer: I have the 4000 on my 6.6 ugly stick and it's great. I wouldn't go any bigger than that tbh.

Answer: 1000

I didn’t use my stradic once and the line roller doing weird noises this is second time shimano what’s going on?

Answer: We would recommend talking to Shimano Fishing's support regarding any issues with one of their reels. We have very few problems with their Stradic reels, not sure what is going on without seeing/hearing the issue.

Whats the difference between the japanese version and the US version?

Answer: The location in which it is made is the only difference . The specs should be the same. They are with mine. I have 2 made here and 5 made overseas and they are identical.

What's the best rod to pair with 2500hgfk? Thanks

Answer: I use a St. Croix Mojo inshore and it has worked very well for me. Plenty of backbone as well as sensitivity.

Answer: Medium with a fast or extra fast action

Answer: Anything that you prefer

Which is the best model for catfishing?

Answer: Any model would work just fine for catfish. I believed 3000 size and down had 20lb of drag which is way enough. But if you step up to 4000 or 5000 size it had 24lb of drag and will hold more line.

Answer: The 2500 or 3000 model should be fine for regular channel cats(5-20 pounds). 4000 or larger if you plan on targeting big cats above 30 pounds.

Answer: The 3000 with 10lb braid should be good for average size cats, if you live in an area that has big fish over 20 lbs you could go with the 5000 with 40lb braid

Answer: This is a good reel I got the 4000 I have caught some nice size largemouth bass and saltwater caught some fluke

How would this reel be for western trout? and is the 2500 the right reel for this? thx!!

Answer: Will definitely work, might be a little over kill. Just recently caught a 40" tarpon with the 3000. The 2500 is almost the same size, just has a smaller spool.

Answer: I got the 4000 and it caugth nice stripers it’s a great reel you will love it’s a awesome reel

Answer: Not familiar with western trout. Gtreat for speckled trout and red fish

Would this make a good flats fishing reel ? I have two stradics now ... Both 3000 models. I want to try something a little smaller but how small is it

Answer: Do you mean flats fishing as in saltwater flats? If so I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than a 2500 series reel for any fish in saltwater. Basically the 2500 series is the same size as a 3000 just the spool had a smaller line capacity. A 1000 size is really small, ad mostly mentioned for pan fish and trout species.hope this helps. If not I'd suggest hitting up a local retailer and seeing one in person.

What is the difference between the shimano 1000fj and 1000fk

Answer: The FJ is a more recent version. The fk was discontinued a few years ago.

Whats the difference between the hg and fj. dd . . j

Answer: FJs are touted by Shimano as "saltwater approved" and do not feature the hagane (HG) gearing which makes the reels internals much stronger. They both have very similar features, the top end of the stradic reels would be the Ci4's which are also equipped with hagane internal gears but using a carbon frame for an extra light package.

I want a round handle for my reel what size would I order?

Answer: Stradic 5000 has a round handle

What year manufactured

Answer: I bought this 2 years ago. Great reel

Answer: I have no idea. What difference does it make, it's a heck of a reel!

Answer: Not sure, but it's garbage. You don't want this.

Can this be used for fresh water fishing?

Answer: Yes, it's a freshwater fishing reel.

Answer: Yes, it is a great reel.

Answer: YES

Answer: yes

Answer: Yes, it's fine for use in fresh or salt water. Great product!

Answer: Of course! I use it primarily for freshwater. It's a wonderful reel.

Answer: yes it is great for freshwater or saltwater applications

Answer: Yes

Answer: Yes. It's excellent.

Answer: Yes. Absolutely.

Answer: Yes

Can you use this in salt water?

Answer: Yes you can use it in saltwater. Just rinse it of and wipe it clean it's not water proof.

Answer: I can't say with absolute certainty, but I would think you could. If it were me, I would rinse it with fresh water afterward, just to be sure. It's an top notch reel. You could contact the company to see what they have to say.

Answer: Of course you can.. however it is not made to de submurged and I always rinse it off with the spray setting in the kitchen sink when I get home. I also wipe it down with some silicone spray from WD 40 and give the line roller and bail points a drop of oil.. keeps it like new and ready to go the next time out. These are really good feels.

Answer: I believe you can.. I bought the 4000 series

Answer: I use mine in the gulf & bay here in Destin, FL. Just wash it good after every use

Answer: DEFINITLY. I've used it, and it is very strong for its size.

Answer: Yes

Is this stradic made in japan or malaysia like the cheaper sedona?

Answer: In Malaysia

Which is best to pair with 6.6 ugly stick gx2?

Answer: I have the 4000 on my 6.6 ugly stick and it's great. I wouldn't go any bigger than that tbh.

Answer: 1000

Is this model reel for saltwater?

Answer: Yes it is a saltwater reel

Answer: Yes

Will a Shimano warranty card be included in the box?

Answer: The reel comes with all original paperwork and packaging.

Answer: You can easily register all Shimano products on the official Shimano homepage. Go to "Register Product" and fill in the form which is required.

Answer: Hello

Answer: yes

Is there a reverse feature of the spinner real? How do u set it?

Answer: You can not turn it off. There is no reverse feature.

Answer: There is no such feature.

Answer: There is the antireverse system only, which can't be turned off as on the previous FJ model.

Is this too large for ultra light, generally 4lb test on a 6 foot rod? How does it do when wet?

Answer: The shimano 1000 size is perfect for light fishing. I love the Stradic series very smooth. I don't know what you mean by wet. Rain is fine but don't get it under water it's not for surf fishing and it's not water tight.

Answer: You would be better off with a smaller reel.

What style of handle is included with this? Not a fan of the longer "pointy" one. The last big pic listed has the smaller one on the handle.

Answer: Handle is accurately pictured.

Answer: I only own 3000's and 4000's not the ST2500

Answer: My reel came with a fat knob. Not the one pictured above.

Is the bail gear plastic or metal?

Answer: Metal

is this made in the USA?

Answer: NO Shimano reels are made or have ever been made in the USA

Answer: Made in Malaysia

Answer: Made in Malaysia.

Does it come in a shimano box?

Answer: yes, best model yet in the Stradic family

Answer: Yes

Answer: yes it does.

What is difference between the xg and hg

Answer: It is very confusing. It has to do with ratio vs. spool size. as well as the size reel. It would make more sense if there was a 2500HG and a 2500XG the XG would be a fast retrieve ratio. If you look at a stella chart with PG and HG is makes more sense.

Answer: Not sure about the difference between the two except that the HG is the newer model. I have a Stradic C3000HG and it's a smooth, high quality reel. Have it spoiled with 10lb braid. Haven't caught anything big with yet but I will.

Answer: Xg is a faster retrieve than the hg

Answer: Hello

Answer: The difference is the gear ratio. PG(Power Gear) is a low gear ratio. HG(High Gear) is a high gear ratio, and XG(xtra high gear) is the highest gear ratio.

Answer: xg stands for xtra high gear and hg stands for high gear.

Answer: Gear ratio HG = High Gear XG = Extra Gear although I'm not sure why the 3000 isn't xg

Product reviews of SHIMANO Stradic FK Spinning Reel

Amazon Customer : Having said that Im slightly disappointed in this reel

I have only bought shimano reels for the last 15 years. Having said that Im slightly disappointed in this reel. No reverse, the drag takes too many turns to change, and the spool sits awkwardly which allows braid to get caught behind the spool. Fix those thing and it would be 5 stars as it is still shimano smooth.

NG : Another great product

A great reel for catching trout.

S. Adamson : can't beat it

Great real at a great price!

Amazon Customer : Why change a good thing?

Smooth light reel, but they changed the bail system from the FJ. If you close the bail with the handle like me you won't like this new model.

Joe_Consumer : Excellent Reel

Great reel, very smooth. Been using this reel for trout for six months now. First trip out I hooked a nice brown trout and battled it for 10min, drag worked fine. On Memorial weekend I fished in the rain for hours and reel performed flawlessly. Spare spools are available but pricey (hint - check eBay).

For the reviewer who is tripping the bail using the handle, you are increasing line twist and wear on your reel. Most experienced fishermen will trip the bail of their spinning reel manually using their hand. This a non issue.

daryl gustafson : So far the reel is great. I just received the rod that will used ...

So far the reel is great. I just received the rod that will used with this reel so I offer no opinion on the performance.

Robert yang : Five Stars

great smooth reel

JimBarn1961 : Good quality, lightweight and durable

Good quality and value inshore fishing reel. Been using Stradic for 15 years love them

mark ginsberg : Excellent reel!

Excellent reel, extremely smooth. I want one in a 1000 size!

CTN412 : Small, lightweight, "Reel" Workhorses!

Shimano Stradics are easily one of the best reel available. I own several Stradics in the 5000, 6000, and 8000 sizes. It all started with FI series when I first got started into fishing. I now have Stradic in FI (4, also have a Sustain), FJ (2 x 5000s) , and one FK 5000 series so far. These reel are workhorses! I like the 5000s the most because its right about the right size for rod from 7' to 10'. The balance is great. Its just the right size and will get most of the job done. It very light compared similar sized reel but pack a punch. With every reiteration, the Stradic series continue to be standout among the rest of it peers. You will not regret buying a Stradic! If you find this review helpful, please click 'helpful' button at the end of this product review. Thanks!

Gramified : Excellent Reel

Such a smooth action reel , durable , works great whether in bay fishing or offshore in open water

tick115 : Extreme value for the price!

I was fortunate Reese enough to have purchased the 2500 and 3000 series and I expect this spring Salmond Trout season to be very pleasurable!

Megan Rodriguez : Five Stars

GREAT

Wayne Stewart : Very nice

I just got back into fishing so I ordered this bad boy for bass in Florida. My first day out with this rig was awesome 24 large mouth no problems at all 10 pound braided line no weights just rubber worms 6.6 ugly stick

David Noftsier : Awesome reel

Great reel for an amazing price!

Luke : Best reel for the $$$

This is my third fk stradic and I love these reels. The 2500 has brought in 30” redfish with ease and the reel is also very light which won’t wear you out after throwing jigs all day. Out of my 3 stradics the only problem I’ve had is a line roller bearing which makes noise, but in all fairness that reel fell overboard and was dunked in saltwater for 6 hours before I could snag it.

thai : amazons customer service was great

Reel makes noise out of box had to return..... amazons customer service was great though

geno12 : Affordable and of a very high quality.

Shipping was flawless. Had to pick up at the post office to sign, but I was okay with that. Arrived much earlier than expected!
As for the reel it is the highest quality I've ever owned. I had an Okuma Inspira 30 that was actually smoother in rotation, but that was probably due to having so many ball bearings. This stradic is so ideal for fishing for bass, trout, and other reds. The drag is super strong and smooth and I feel the weight of the reel is perfect on my 7' Star Rods Stellar lite.

This is a guaranteed winner of a reel.

MCA : Five Stars

Good Value

Strong Bad : This defect has reappeared half a dozen times and cost me a few good redfish & speck trout

I just tossed mine into the river. It's garbage. Cost me fish. Paid for repair. Failed again. Do not but this product. I used to love the stradic, now I wouldn't fish with one given to me for free.

MCA : Five Stars

Good Value

Joe M : Awesome reel but

Awesome reel but, if your going for the 1000 size my nasci has almost identical size feel and features. Just a heads up for anyone looking for a 1000.

S. Adamson : can't beat it

Great real at a great price!

sager303 : Quality reel. Worth the money.

You get what you pay for, this reel is quality. It's so smooth, works great, I'm going to buy another.

John P. : Great reel

Use twice so far. Spools very evenly, handled everything from 14 inch spec to 46 inch bull redfish with no issues. Would recommend.

B. Barnes : Perfect!!

Got this for my grand daughter to fish with. Perfect!!

Megan Rodriguez : Five Stars

GREAT

D ALLEN : Five Stars

on time, as described... quality constructed reel

NG : Another great product

A great reel for catching trout.

scott holmes : Solid well made reel

Have not used this reel yet but have been fishing 60 years of my 66year life and can feel the quality. Am very satisfied.

Amazon Customer : One Star

Don't waste your money. This is a $200 disposable piece of junk.

H. A. Hintze : Cadillac Reel

Truly the Cadillac of Steelhead side drift reels. Love it.

Amazon Customer : Why change a good thing?

Smooth light reel, but they changed the bail system from the FJ. If you close the bail with the handle like me you won't like this new model.

Manuel : Perfecto

Era un regalo y es justo lo que quería.
Recomiendo su compra. A todo el que entienda de este tema.

Berry : Five Stars

Awesome reel great service.

Pierce : Very good quality reel.

I love Shimano. Really really good spinning fishing reel. Lightly, smoothie, quietly. I use it to fishing crappie or others panfish. The reel’ drag make some sound really nice when you fishing a fish. Recommended.

GoneFishin' : Best reel I've ever owned

Best reel I've ever owned. Well worth the money. Super smooth drag and retrieve. Lightweight, small and powerful. I bought the 2500 and 4000.

John P. : Great reel

Use twice so far. Spools very evenly, handled everything from 14 inch spec to 46 inch bull redfish with no issues. Would recommend.

David Noftsier : Awesome reel

Great reel for an amazing price!

Atchang : Shimano Stradic c’est du haut de gamme

Le top du top, une vraie horloge suisse ????

Strong Bad : This defect has reappeared half a dozen times and cost me a few good redfish & speck trout

I just tossed mine into the river. It's garbage. Cost me fish. Paid for repair. Failed again. Do not but this product. I used to love the stradic, now I wouldn't fish with one given to me for free.

Amazon Customer : Pretty smooth but I'd have a hard time justifying the ...

Why did they take away the free spool WHY? Pretty smooth but I'd have a hard time justifying the price

S. Adamson : can't beat it

Great real at a great price!

Amazon Customer : One Star

Don't waste your money. This is a $200 disposable piece of junk.

Angie and Marty Whissel : Great product

Very pleased with this purchase.

tick115 : Extreme value for the price!

I was fortunate Reese enough to have purchased the 2500 and 3000 series and I expect this spring Salmond Trout season to be very pleasurable!

Strong Bad : This defect has reappeared half a dozen times and cost me a few good redfish & speck trout

I just tossed mine into the river. It's garbage. Cost me fish. Paid for repair. Failed again. Do not but this product. I used to love the stradic, now I wouldn't fish with one given to me for free.

Amazon Customer : Five Stars

Probably the best reel I have ever owned!

Joe_Consumer : Excellent Reel

you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you