Shimano Sustain Fishing Reel Review (Top Pros & Cons)

[@arcelrico62]

I like this guy. Reviews from him recently been pretty helpful and entertaining.

[@arsalmonar]

yes, roller clutch bearing drives me NUCKING FUTS!! on Stradics and Sustains... but can't argue the smoothness when the bearing is good, the drag system and the fluidity of the handle/rotor. I've lost count of the 30-50# stripers I've landed on both my Sustain 5000 FE reels and my Stradic Ci4+ 4000 reels ;) and the fish didn't stand a chance! Thanks Shimano and THANKS SALT STRONG for an unbiased review (something missing from mainstream 'MURICA these daze, lol

[@Hihahafookyasi]

Absolutely right about them roller bearings. Good thing is they cost $8 and are easy to replace.

[@lukemallet916]

The Sustain 5000 is my go too inshore light tog jig / fluke bucktail - the reel is so smooth even brining in big fish. Highly recommend ESPECIALLY since that size comes with a power handle

[@joshzfishing]

Hey mate what does the FJ mean on the reel?

[@jacobestabrook9938]

Mine keeps making a weird clicking noise when I reel helpppp

[@slimdawggie739]

@@joshzfishing I know this is a couple months old but others might be wondering also. Fj basically stands for the model year. Fj being the newest model Sustain. Previous to this model was the fi and so forth

[@saltylawaia8958]

Since the stradic FL been released the sustain been obsolete in terms of features in what the stradic has over the sustain. Believe me the sustain 5k is one hell of a reel but the Stradic Fl is a MORE bang for your buck reel

[@vats16]

Was told by my buddy to get the FL 3000 but sold out. Waited a month for my order from bass pro before it was cancelled yesterday. Guess next best is sustain and I just pay more? Found sustain 3000 for @70 on amazon but want the FL 3000!!!!

[@maasai-]

Sea Break19 Most of ur comments r true but still there’s a good tech. For tp which is infinity drive instead of micro module for stradic , now how durable n efficient this is , i guess only time could tell, i have stradic 5000 fl , an ammazing reel for the price , u can land gt upto 15kg with ease African maasai

[@maasai-]

Sea Break19 Yes my mistake tp has got micromodule gear 2 along with silent drive , again it is somehow a tiny upgrade to stradic fl though. Allready stradic fl is an awsome reel for the price n overall performance , landing gt’s around 15kg\20kg with ease is not a light game but rather close enough to the end of mid game spectrum . For the long run n daily basis i wouldn’t say the reel is the right one still ,but at such good mid game range without flexing n smooth drag the reel passed the marks for light n mid game fishing .

[@hea4nothin]

Shimano reels has gorgeous design(body) all around I have the Sedona all the way to Twin Power except Stella (not there yet) 😂

[@Hemtzy]

Thanks for the vid. Would you recommend a 2017 c3000hg in 2024? I'll be targeting bass, steelhead/trout, and salmon in fresh water. Best, Tom

[@robbiejohnson3698]

Mark do you think in the future adding Florida fishing reels to the store and TFO tac rods

[@sharonyosef6386]

salt strong,every video you are doing is a bingo. just would to say thank u.

[@Toey69]

Hi great channel. I’m after some advice please if possible. I have purchased a Shimano zodias travel rod 7foot. I’m planning on fresh water fishing only here in Australia with lures & plastics, I require a reel to suit. If I stretched my budget I could get the sustain. But also looking for the best bang for my buck. Any recommendations greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[@stripervince1]

Did my homework and watched videos and reviews for a month. I wanted a new fresh water spinner for lake/river stripers pike and musky. I settled on a sustain 5000XG 2017 model. 6.2 to 1. It is now on a St. Croix 7 ft med heavy action S glass spin rod. The entire combo weights less than a cup of coffee. The drag feels nice and smooth, but drag knob feels like cheap plastic. It was either a sustain 5000 or a saragosa 5000. I don't wanna say I'm disappointed, It's a lot smaller than I thought it would be also. My first impressions are, it's beautiful, super lightweight and smooth and silent, but feels very cheap and incapable a landing a 25 lb striper. I watched lots of videos and plenty of guys fishing the ocean with these catching 50-60 lb yellows and Mahi, but I dunno. I'm goin to the river at 3 am and I'll let you know what I think. It's to early to judge without catching a fish, but I'm thinking the saragosa might have had a little more heft and beefyness to it. Time will tell.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the feedback and for watching!

[@donnastormer9652]

Thank you for the review, I have been fishing the CI4 , now Vanford since it’s inception, and I don’t know what happened, but I certainly am not happy with my Vanford anymore. I am starting to research the Sustain and the twin power. Have you done a review on the twin power? I typically fish 20 hours a week mostly in a yak . I love theses lite reels!

[@Saltstrong]

Thank you for your question! We have a massive library of fishing tips on our website along with a search feature to let you quickly filter down to find help you're looking for, so just go to www.saltstrong.com/ and use the Search feature in the top menu. Note: If you don't see the exact answer you're looking for, just leave a comment in the post that most closely matches up with your search and one of our coaches will respond to your question... our coaches only make time to answer questions that get submitted to our website.

[@jonesene55]

What 2500 series reel would you suggest pairing with a bullsbay banshee 6'8" rod medium light ?

[@Saltstrong]

The Daiwa BG 2500 or BG MQ 2500 are excellent choices

[@Ali-sv3vy]

Thanks you’re doing great job guys , I’m wondering what’s the comparison between it and Shimano stradic fl to make it more expensive ?! 🤔

[@cober155]

More bearings and MGL rotor

[@arsalmonar]

I have dozens of Stradic CI4+ 4000 reels and Sustain 5000 reels. BOTH are great. The Stradic 4000 is just as good as Sustain but if you move up to the 5000 series, you will DEF want the Sustain BC the Stradic 5000 is CRAP!

[@vnicknguyen]

I love my sustain paired with a 7'0 medium light fast action rod. Thing slings and is so lightweight.

[@tramac]

Is Shimano sustain 5000 good for jigging because of its 6,2:1 ratio?

[@ivanjovanovic4502]

Hi there,good job guys! One question,2500 and 3000 have a same body Size but just different Spools?

[@billkreitner9884]

How would you compare it to the Stradic?

[@Zyl0n_yt]

@salt strong wheir do i get it with line wher in fl are you located? whats the best reel in this price range

[@TheMass33]

I have the 3000HG and absolutely love it. Funny cause the Ci4+ is next for the upgrade then the Sustain. Sustain will be end of 2021 probably.

[@Mr._L30.]

Love Shimano, I have retired two of them that still perform well but they have put in their work. I’ve upgraded though but also slowly switching to Penn.

[@Mr._L30.]

No One's Business I still can’t get away from my Shimano’s and looking for others. They are luxury in your hands, light, strong and smooth. I just ordered a Spheros, 9.9 oz. at 24lbs of drag, the Penn Fierce III 5k I have, 19oz at 25lbs of drag.

[@luigigreen9823]

@@artificialslinger9730 Penn will outlast any reel

[@Mr._L30.]

No One's Business my wife will contest to me taking care of my gear, Penns are workhorse that will tire you out, but if you want quality, smoothness and not be tired at the end of a trip, I’m sticking with my Shimanos and yes, they are all saltwater ready too.

[@keith1848]

How would you compare the Sustain FJ 5000 to the Daiwa Saltist MQ 5000?

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the question. Check out the full blog on our website and post a question there and our coaches can respond directly. You can find it here: www.saltstrong.com/articles/shimano-sustain-inshore-spinning-reel-review-unboxing/

[@snookerson9292]

If you would like? I can do a Stella FG V.S. New exist! I have both of them.

[@gogivunka]

My reels Certate MQ 5000D, Shimano Vanford 4000, Daiwa Arity MQ 3000, Daiwa MQ Ballistic 3000 and now Shimano FJ Sustain 2500hg.....1. Daiwa Ballistic 2. Shimano Sustain and then the rest....i hope this helps you decide what to buy;)

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks!

[@benjones3819]

Any idea what the difference between the XG, HG and just normal 3000 is? Not sure which to get

[@Hemtzy]

Gear ratio - line retrieve per crank. Normal being the lowest Then hg And xg the highest gear ratio. They are popular in Japan , where anglers like to cast at a specific location and retrieve quickly

[@lhez]

Do you know if I can use a 5000 spool on the 4000 reel?

[@henriksjolund8162]

Shimano for the win!

[@thefishnmusician9667]

Is this dunkable reel in saltwater?

[@georgeyurick3456]

Right a bigger handle is a must for a great reel

[@Hihahafookyasi]

I put a gomexus knob on my stradic ci4. Give it a shot they work great and are light

[@pain2174]

Try the exsense,bat man stella

[@jamesleadbeatter3632]

How's it going now

[@jacobestabrook9938]

My sustain 5000 makes a quiet clicking noise when I feel any idea what that is I’ve only used it liek 4 times

[@Saltstrong]

We are sorry to hear this, we would recommend reaching out the manufacturer directly. They provide great customer service and will be able to help!

[@frankieknuckles9610]

I think it should be next larger model for salt water. Like to see larger more comfortable handle also.

[@itanamullik]

I have had a stradic fl for around a year, it's not got too much use still looks and feels brand new. I also just got a sustain around a week ago, it hasn't had any use but it feels less smooth and like it takes a little more pressure to wind... its lighter and the drag sounds more pristine so i am hoping it will loosen up with use, but has any one else experienced the winding to be less smooth than stradics ?

[@Saltstrong]

We actually don't sell Shimanos in our shop anymore. But if you'd like to check out the full blog on our website and post a question there, our team can let you know if they have any experience with the issue you're having. You can find the full blog here: www.saltstrong.com/articles/shimano-sustain-inshore-spinning-reel-review-unboxing/ And if you're a Salt Strong Insider, feel free to post a question in the Community. Other members may have experienced the same thing and may have some input.

[@mkarazli]

this is japanese or malaysian production?

[@barrydeacon3551]

I’ll stay with my Stradics..thank you

[@jerano4469]

for me noone comes even close to shimano in quality - it is what i have experienced over and over - now i just stay with shimano.. stradic and up are the best buys if you ask me..

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@BigK_ThirdCoastReds]

First thank you for the review. Now please pray tell what reel do you think would be a better fit... i.e. as in "price point" other than this reel. Thank you for your time and as always... Tight Lines and Full Limits To Ya 🎣

[@BigK_ThirdCoastReds]

@Mark Goodson My wife of 32 yrs really does listen when I talk, sometimes... For my B-day in January she bought me a Stradic 2500HG-FL. I live on the Upper TX Coast and it's performing great! I've caught Flounder, Specks and slot Reds with no problems. End of day rinse and for me once a month drop of oil and away we go.!!! Tight Lines and Full Limits To Ya 🎣

[@sallehzulkefli738]

I think sustain is a little bit expensive in its classof reels.

[@igofishing5179]

It look like Florida fishing product Osprey ce 2500 with a ridiculous price!🤷‍♂️

[@Saltstrong]

To get 20% off of this reel (which is a significant amount!), plus get our best fishing spots and tips, click here to join us in the Insider Club: bit.ly/3fsaRhp

[@ztbi]

Is the noise annoying or something?

[@jimmydavis110]

I have tried this product. I think ill stay w/ lews