This weekend I bought a new inshore rod (TFO) and reel for trout/drum fishing out of my kayak. The reel is a Stradic 2500HG FM ( not sure what the FM means). Shimano's website doesn't say it is saltwater rated. I'm seeing mixed stuff at retailer websites. Any idea if it is or not? I always rinse my stuff off anyway but still want the reel on this setup to be saltwater rated since it's going to be dedicated to that task.

 

 

Yes, I've used four '19 Stradic in the salt 5 years, small-frame salt finesse to large-frame near offshore, and especially salt kayak.  The small frames are making an annual salt finesse trip next week.  

 

X-protect labyrinth seals is what makes them salt-proof.  The seal design slings water outward, away from the reel mechanism.  

As long as you're using the reel, there's no way for water to get inside.  

They're not completely rubber-sealed, so they can't be dunked and left submerged - then, salt water will get through the seals and inside.  But even accidentally dunked, as long as you pick it up and use it, salt water can't get inside.  Make sure you have a rod holder on your kayak that keeps the idle reel elevated above standing water in your kayak cockpit.  

 

Believe me, you'd rather use these reels than a rubber-sealed surf reel such as Van Staal or IRT.  

 

Yepper! All Stradics are salt/fresh by my understanding.

 

Like @bulldog1935, I use mine in both. Have 5 Stradic

1000s that handle everything so far .

I use Stradic 2500-3000 in the Gulf of Mexico and they are fine.. 

 

FL, FM are generation, designation letters. The FM is the latest model. 

4 minutes ago, F14A-B said:

I use Stradic 2500-3000 in the Gulf of Mexico and they are fine.. 

 

FL, FM are generation, designation letters. The FM is the latest model. 

 

Where?

37 minutes ago, wasabi_VA said:

 

Where?

From Tampa to Destin over to Gulf Shores.. depends on when I go and if and where the red death is or might be. 

FYI,.... FM is the model/ generation designation.

 

If I am remembering correctly, the F stands for "Front" drag, meaning the drag adjustor is on the front of the spool, not on the back of the reel like some of their models. The "M" is just the generation identifier. The current generation is "M", but you may still see some of the previous "FL" models floating around from the last generation.

 

I was just at a local shop this weekend that had an older Stradic 1000 FK on their discontinued shelf that was still new in box