Shimano Symetre 2500 FJ fishing reel how to take apart and service

[@RickMahoney2013]

Dennis maybe the most important thing you ever say have a sense of humor and take your time we all are not perfect words for all of us to remember in life.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks Rick - Yeah - I laugh at myself from time to time always proving I am human!

[@angler181]

Thanks for the excellent video. I've had a couple of these for 15 years, and when I special have added another 3. One of them is 3000, one is 4000 and 3 are 2500. I have caught 125cm barramundi with these. My wife caught 110 cm barra using the 2500 model. Just watched your video whilst cleaning my reels for the second time ever. Everything is sooooo smooth. Much appreciate your efforts

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks for sharing! glad to have helped - Best wishes - Dennis

[@JamesBarton-gi5uz]

Wow I would’ve been lost without this video!!! Thank You! Fantastic Work!!!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad it helped! Thanks for the note and for watching - Dennis

[@JerryNettik-d6r]

Perfect video. I'm about to overhaul a Shimano Symetre reel that was found in the mud at the bottom of a lake. The reel/pole combo was down there for at least 1 season, maybe longer. That clutch may need to be cleaned. We'll see how it goes.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Best wishes on the rebuild. It sounds like you have your work cut out on that one. Yes - flush out the clutch and make sure it is dried before reinstalling it - Dennis

[@seymourwrasse3321]

good looking little reel, it looks well built

[@2ndChanceTackle]

It is! Nice intermediate reel for a variety of fishing. I have the 2500 Sedona and use it in all kinds of places.

[@PhillyJohnny]

My father in law has 5 of those older Symetre’s. They are among the best quality reels for the price I have ever fished. Take care of them and they will easily last you 20 years.

[@anthonyozella624]

I have been using my Symetre 4000 for 23 years , always maintained it annually. It only failed once when the anti reverse froze the water temp was 37 and the air was in the teens! I dismantled it (all those little pieces) thank goodness for KZbin vids! It works fine now that was 7-8 years ago. I have been using it primarily for Steelhead fishing on the Salmon River ,NY every fall the week before Thanksgiving!

[@PhillyJohnny]

@@anthonyozella624 I believe it!! Shimano released a new version of the Symetre a couple years ago and it’s more like a entry level Sienna. Not nearly as red fined as the Symetre FJ. I periodically search for these on eBay without much luck.

[@graham2592]

Thanks for the video Dennis. Just picked up one these in used, but excellent condition($50.00 AUD $33.00USD Feels very smooth as if it has not been worked to hard. Your video will help me keep it that way. Keep up the good work ....very helpful. Cheers from Oz

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Great to hear! Thanks for the note - Best wishes from whatever it is we are called up here! - Dennis

[@secretbassrigs]

Great front drag reel for the money back in the days.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You got that right! Well made and dependable. I like the reel.

[@surfcat2051]

I have a Spirex 2000 from the late 90's, still use it . I got a newer version in 2017 or there about but it was the front drag version. After a few months it started binding. Nothing wrong when I opened it. I read that this was a problem with reels made at the Malaysia factory cause of lax quality assurance. Shimano knew about it but they didn't want to replace the reel when I contacted them. I managed to mess around with a couple shims on the main gear shaft and it improved the performance. I have since stopped buying from Shimano.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

It only takes one bad experience to lose a customer. I think the quality control issue is that so many of these are made that they only check a handful and as the recent video showed with the extra screw in the case, they are not perfect. Add in the variances in tolerances of parts and it happens. I haven't see that many OC issues with Shimano, but it does happen. Thanks

[@anthonystokes9794]

I paid $20 for that reel in a closeout bin at the local Ollies store. That reel stacked the line up towards the top, hence more washers. Love that reel, caught a 14 inch red on if prior to sending it in

[@2ndChanceTackle]

More washers would cause the line to stack on the bottom. Hmmm. Try to remove a few when you get it back. That should even it out. Thanks again - Dennis

[@michaelallen6548]

What happened to the mysterious washer that appears on your work surface at 6:24? Where does it go?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Hmmm - I will need to check. It probably went back on the reel and that segment was likely edited out - Thanks for noticing

[@anthonycolbourne4206]

It goes on the threaded knob bit that holds the handle in place.

[@seymourwrasse3321]

It's a shame they don't teach the simple things in school, anymore, they don't even teach cursive. I was in the auto tag office and the lady asked the young man ahead of me, to sign his name on the line and he didn't know how

[@secretbassrigs]

Public Schools lowering standards for low standard parents and low standard communities. November can't come fast enough.

[@secretbassrigs]

@@seymourwrasse3321 the constitution is written in cursive isn't it? Lol! 👍

[@seymourwrasse3321]

@@secretbassrigs 👍

[@christopherjenkins2373]

Dennis, I like this reel. If I can find one in a surf fishing size I’m going to get one. If]t’s not a candidate for my collection but it should be a great reel for surf and inshore (in a larger size.) i’ve never seen one of these Symetre reels in a size larger than 4000. I love that it has an AR override. I have a Shimano Sedona and a Sonora in the 4000 size that I really like. They can be used in so many fishing environments. Speaking or reel grease, that Daiwa GS-9 I just got had three different types of grease in it two of which I could not identify. It was almost packed with it. It was silver in color that looked almost metallic. Have you ever seen a grease like that? Have a Daiwa Emblem X 5500T reel that also has a worm gear setup for the oscillation of the axle shaft. (It is a Pit or Carp type reel) I really like most of the reels I’ve seen and used with this kind of oscillation. This was an awesome video. I must have missed it when I was so sick recently. Everything is much better now.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I think the metallic stuff could be come kind of graphite compound. I would bet it is not a fishing reel lubricant.

[@christopherjenkins2373]

@@2ndChanceTackle I was pretty sure if wasn’t reel grease. I only use Penn grease for most of my reels and Super Lube for all my Mitchell’s. - Chris

[@glennmcleod4751]

Great looking reel but I still like the simpler ones better...

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Fair enough!

[@pettan021]

Hi! Nice informative video. I have the exact same model and have been using it for many years. I was wondering if you know how to remove the knob on this model? The rubber has come of and needs to be fixed. But I can’t find a screw hole. Greetings from Sweden

[@2ndChanceTackle]

That handle knob is messed on. You can drill it out and replace it with an aftermarket knob if you like.

[@alexmarks8285]

What's the best way to clean/maintain these quick without a full teardown?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Hose the reel done with fresh water, or sit it in a bucket of fresh water after each use. Use a little oil to help keep it running. Remove the spool and put a drop of oil on the axle shaft as it comes through the rotor. Remove the handle and side cap and put a drop of oil on the two bearings. Keeping it clean and a little oil will help between full servicing of the reel. - Dennis

[@anthonycolbourne4206]

That sure is a collection of odd pieces. It would be interesting to work in the product design department and see the progress of how and why all of these pieces were added the way they were.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I've wondered about that. Penn used a lot of interchangeable parts. Others have a unique part for each reel. Go figure!