I recently bought a Miravel for my bass fishing and I liked it so much I went back and bought a Stradic, I use one for light line and lures and one for medium. I got the Stradic because I assumed it would be better due to the higher price. Thing is, I actually like the Miravel better. It just feels smoother and better overall. I have tried both with mono, floro and braid and no matter the line I like the Miravel more.

I have read and compared the specs and see no reason why I would. As for the marketing descriptions, they both sound great but I can't tell what most of those hype words actually mean as far as the feel of the reel.

Anyone else have both reels, and if so how do you compare them?

I own both reels and I think I know what you mean. The Mirabel is great for light applications like fishing a Ned rig or a shakey worm with weights like 1/8 oz and even less. It's very light and balances well with light rods that are not too long. I use the Stadic for heavier work like dragging a tube weighed down with a 1/2oz head, using a longer rod of 7' 2'' or more. It's heavier but it's a workhorse for large fish in deep water.

There's two different line ups in the Shimano groups

Coresolid is the 'power' line up, and includes the Ultegra and Stradic

MGL is their 'finesse' line up, and includes the Miravel and Vanford.

It's natural that the Miravel and Stradic feel different as they're engineered for different uses.

49 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

There's two different line ups in the Shimano groups

Coresolid is the 'power' line up, and includes the Ultegra and Stradic

MGL is their 'finesse' line up, and includes the Miravel and Vanford.

It's natural that the Miravel and Stradic feel different as they're engineered for different uses.

Yup. I wish Shimano specified this, I know it confuses lots of people.

There is a site (Facebook) called Shimano North America Fishing where there is some information.

I have both also, my Miravel is a jdm 2000 sized shallow spool, with braid on a 6’-8” ultralight and my Stradic is a 1000 size with 4 pound monofilament paired to a 7’-0” light powered panfish rod. Although I like them both I personally prefer the Stradic due to its solid feel and ultra smooth retrieve. As far as the weight difference the Miravel is 6.3 ounces vs 6.5 for the Stradic so no discernible difference there, so for me it just boils down to feel.

I have both - as @MN Fisher states they are from two different categories of Shimano reels - similar to @Eric 26 I have a JDM 2000 shallow spool Miravel that I use for lighter applications (light or med. light rod, lighter baits) and then I have several Stradics (2500, 3000, 4000) that I use for heavier, more power fishing techniques (on med. heavy or heavy rods) - I enjoy power fishing/cranking and have found the Stradics to be very good - I find the Miravel is fine for the lighter techniques but if I could only choose one I would go with the Stradic (based on my preferred fishing techniques) - Shimano makes a quality product

Thanks guys, glad it wasn't my imagination. I do use both of mine for lighter lures so it makes sense now.

Interesting. I upgraded a Nasci 1000 to a stradic 1000 last summer and the difference is night and day. The stradic is smoother, casts farther, has smoother drag, better line lay, has the one piece bail arm and anti twist fin and feels way more solid when cranking (perhaps due to the one piece handle?). Not that the nasci was bad, its just that the stradic makes it feel "cheapish" if that makes sense.

I'm surprised the stradic doesn't do the same with the miravel but I guess the lower start up inertia from the lighter material makes a difference.