Robertqq

Hello, Great Forum, Have finally broken down and bought a new Shimano Stradic FJ 2500 spinning reel. I've had for many, and I mean many, years a Stradic 1000. (shame they did away with that very elegant wooden handle knob on it) By loosening the cap opposite the handle shaft on the 1000, you can fold the handle back. Takes up a lot less room this way; nice feature, and easy to do. But the new 2500 seems different. Screwing on, or off, this cap does nothing; obviously not meant to be played with. Seems like you have to literally un-screw the handle itself to get it to fold. This is even the way it came shipped from the box. The male threaded (shaft) piece on the handle seems of a small diameter, and appears that likely it would be damaged, or have its threads stripped, if every time I unscrew it to allow the handle to fold. Is it meant to, each time ? Safe to do ? Also, it seems that the more one uses it, and lands fish (hopefully) it gets tighter, and tighter, as this tightening direction is the normal winding direction. Not a gread design idea, I would think. Thoughts on ? Am I missing anything with all of this; no real instructions that came with it address this. Thanks, Bob

Hello, Have a new Shimano Stradic 2500. The spool on this one now has the (angled) tapered lip edge. When spooling line, how close should one come to the start of this bevel ? I'm assuming you can wind right up to it. (using Power Pro Braid) Is this correct ? And, I know with Mono, you are supposed to wind the reel's spool in the same direction as the supply spool was wound, to help minimize loops, etc. Is this, still, important to do with Braid ? Thanks, Bob

Hello, Just received (from Amazon) my new Stradic 2500 Spinning Reel. Looks like a nice product, but whoever does their paper work and instructions did not do a very competent job. The User Manual is really poor, IMHO. Just a folded sheet with an exploded view, and some descriptions of the features it has. Anyway, in the box are two small plastic envelopes: a. The first one has 4 small Washers, and a small paper tag that says: "Please use the enclosed adjustment washers in order to create the "winding shape" you prefer. Complete details for installing washers and creating different "winding shapes" are included in the instruction manual" The manual really isn't much of what you would call a manual, and I could find nothing about this in it. What are these, and how are they used, please ? Where might it be described ? Is there, perhaps, an additional manual that they forgot to pack ? Or,...? b. the second small plastic envelope has written on it "PE-LD and a triangle with '04' inside". It contains a very thin plastic sheet with 4 (what I would call) break-a-way tabs or possibly shims. Anyone have any idea what these are for ? Again, nothing in the paperwork that was included. The box came a bit opened, but the reel certainly looks new. Bought from Amazon. Am hoping it was not re-packed, or some manual, etc. had fallen out ? Thanks for help, Bob

From OP: For Motodmast, et al, Much thanks for all the suggestions. A real beginner, but I guess asking questions like this is the best way to learn: If I tie on a small split shot a foot, or even more, from the MEPPS to help sink it, how does the split shot get thru the rod guides ? I imagine that when I cast, I would have no more than about 6 inches or so of line out from the tip at the beginning of the cast. (And, if I attach some Fluorocarbon on as a leader, as suggested, what's the correct knot to use to get thru some pretty small rod guides ?) Regards, Bob

Hello, Will be trying Braid, PowerPro for the first time this season. A bit of a beginner. Have never used Braid before. UltraLight Spinning setup. Small Pond/Lake fishing; Crappies and Smallmouth, mainly. a. do you folks use a mono leader, or tie the lure directly when using Braid ? b. I like and use almost exclusively small MEPPS spinners, and at times plastic worms. Since this Braid floats, what's a good way of getting the MEPPS or worm down a few feet ? A mono leader of about a foot ? A small split shot a foot or so from the lure ? Texas rig all the time ? Or,...? c. Should Braid perhaps just be used for true topwater fishing, and just have another spare spool of mono for most everything else ? Any hints would be most appreciated. Thanks.

Hello, Will be trying out braided line for the first time this season. Have never used before. Will be PowerPro line on a Spinning Reel. Freshwater only. Pond and stream fishing for Panfish and small Bass, mainly. Have a few questions, please: a. All the posts and Forums say to wind it on very tightly to prevent its digging in thru the turns below it and causing all sorts of problems and tangles. Makes sense. But, the very first time you cast the line, all the "inital tightness" is gone. After this cast, the tightness or tension on retrieving will be dertmined Solely by what's on the end of the line (hopefully a fish). All this very tight initial winding will be gone. Thoughts ? b. With mono, having the wind direction on the reel the same as how it comes off of the spool is important. e.g., cw off the spool for bails turning cw on the reel. Is this also important for Braid ? I ask, because there is nothing on the PowerPro box, or on their site, that even discusses this. The Power Pro Box says to keep spool in box when spooling, so you wouldn't even know which direction it's coming off of ! Is it that there is essentially no-memory for braid, and hence not important ? Still (very) important to do ? Or,...? c. The Spectra braid (Moss Green) is certainly a lot more visible than clear mono. Do you folks use a clear mono leader ? Or, for small Pond and stream fishing for Panfish and small Bass, the extra visibility hardly matters at all in practice ? BTW: just curious: folks still use mono, mainly ? Thanks for help, Bob

Hello, A few "Sr. Citizen" questions, please: Live outside of Boston. Do mainly Pond fishing. Use a Spinning reel. Thinking of trying a different line this season, as I have never been too happy with my casting distances. Undoubtedly me more than the equipment, but thought it would be interesting to try something new. Local store has a sale on Power Pro braided line. Never heard of them before. Who are they ? "Good" stuff ? a, They call the color Moss Green, but it is very close to just being Black. Think this would have any effect on what I usually catch; Panfish, and (small) Large and Small Mouth Bass ? b. Should I realistically get greater distance with this considerably smaller diameter line ? Seems to be about a 4:1 diameter difference compared to just the regular 8 lb Mono that I've been using. Wow ! (it sure does seem more "slippery," also.) c. Any negatives to using this line ? e.g., tangles more easily, or considerably more easy, Or...? d. And, what's the proper way of rigging a small Plastic Crawfish regarding how - to place the hook in it, - which end goes toward the angler, - and Rigging/Presentation ? Much thanks, appreciate the help, Bob

Hello, Just getting back into sport after truly many years. I notice that my spinning and baitcasting reels have a black, very waxy and slippery line on them rather than mono. I remember liking this line very much as it cast really well. a. can I stick with this type of line, or do you all recommend dumping it and going to one of the monofilament "plastic" lines " ? Do folks use this type anymore; it sure does cast a mile ! How about sticking with it, and just tying a nylon leader to the end ? Is this ever done ? b. If I stick with it, can I tie it directly to any lures or texas rigs, or do you feel that I will lose fish, as they will see and be disturbed by it ? Would the answer be different for smallmouth, largemouth, or even possibly trout ? c. Have read different opinions on how to wind a spinning reel with mono. Same direction vs counter curl direction. What is the generally accepted wisdom on how to do it, please ? If you could give some detail on how to align the purchased spool and the spinning reel, so I don't get it wrong, it would be appreciated. Thanks, B.