The Best Spinning Reel in 2024 | Stradic vs Sustain vs Slammer

Today I did a reel review of the shimano stradic, sustain, and the Penn Slammer. I gave my opinion on which is the best backwater inshore fishing reel of 2024!
#reelreview #review #fishing

[@bhaubert]

Hard to disagree with anything you said, but a few thoughts. 1. Shimano roller bearings - agree they can get noisy. After I rinse my reels, I wipe them down with a microfiber cloth and specifically clean the roller. No issues since I started doing that, takes a second. If they do get noisy, you can clean and service them in just a few minutes. Fwiw, I had roller issues with Daiwas too. 2. Penns - I have two and pretty much only use them for live bait chunking or offshore. Too heavy and clunky for inshore IMO 3. Reel size - I noticed you had a 2500. Shimano makes the C3000 size reels which is the same reel size as their 2500s with a slightly larger spool and the T-handle. I bring this up as you mentioned weight and line capacity. C3000 is the perfect inshore size for me. 4. Overall, after owning all major brands I've started switching all my reels over to Shimano. I feel the quality, weight, precision, serviceability and performance are just right for me at about every price point.

[@christian_masterson]

I agree tbh. After using my sustain the slammer is definitely super heavy. Tossing gulps in close combat mangroves isn’t an issue. But long days it can wear you down

[@adamwhite9186]

Back the roller bearing screw out a couple turns and drop some oil in the gap you made between the line roller and bail wire. Tighten the screw back up and wrap a piece of mono on the roller and cycle the oil through the bearing for 30 seconds or less. If you do this every 10 - 15 trips, you'll never have a bearing issue again. Another thing I do with reel before it goes into service is back out every single screw and put a light coat of marine grease on the threads. When you tighten the screw back up, the grease will essentially make a water tight gasket type seal. Also like mentioned in another comment is the Penn is a great charter reel. I have 22 slammers, and spinfishers in various sizes that I use with clients. They're way too heavy for repetitive casting with artificials all day long.

[@christian_masterson]

Good info. Thanks

[@OfficialRobDoherty]

Awesome table talk video. You asked for things that people may want to watch……. Go basic, knot trying, why this knot versus that knot for this technique. Rod reviews. The difference in IM 6, IM 8, IM 10 graphite rods. Graphite vs glass blended rods. You got this. Your videography and editing is on point! You will be the person that helps more people than you even know in getting into this sport!

[@christian_masterson]

Thanks Rob. Nice seeing you here again. Those are great suggestions!

[@OfficialRobDoherty]

@@christian_masterson dude, you keep it up. I’ll be reviewing you again soon sir.

[@christian_masterson]

🤙

[@Jgrant0]

Been loving your fishing videos man, this was a nice little change up though, if you keep making other videos off the water would love if you could make a video covering what goes through your mind when your fishing. 1.How you personally look for fish 2.Fav lures & how you work them 3.lure choice Just throwing out a suggestion man, absolutely love the videos

[@christian_masterson]

Thanks for the input. I’ll def do that down the line!

[@roblavazza2201]

I have 3k and 4K stradic on star rods- love them. I have a 3500slammer on 8’ star rod for grouper and snapper. Love it!

[@christian_masterson]

Good to hear!

[@sarahmasterson9289]

Thanks for the great information!

[@christian_masterson]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Mike-ny5xf]

I have a 5000 Sustain and a VS50 badass reels I love them.

[@christian_masterson]

Good stuff!

[@1800KLIENFELD]

Stradic. Sustain. Saragossa. All amazing reels you just need to service them every year at the end of the season. I have 6 stradic 5000s and 3 gossas. I’ll take these over a clunky penn reel any day. Shims are way smoother and great for finesse fishing.

[@christian_masterson]

For sure

[@Centaur227]

Got the shimano nasci 3k a few months back and I’ve had no complaints so far, just another option at a little lower price, I gotta check out the sustain tho 🤙🏼

[@christian_masterson]

For sure

[@artificialslinger9730]

@@Centaur227 just upgraded my youngest daughter to a Stradic from the Nasci. That Nasci is a work horse for the price point.

[@mtiller16]

I can't recommend my slammer 3500 dx enough. Definitely worth trying and shop local to get it!

[@christian_masterson]

I love it.

[@potatoesGDITB]

I have the 4500 slammer 4 and 5000 shimano vanford. The slammer is like the ak47 of reels. If it stops working you can always club the fish to death with it.

[@christian_masterson]

😂😂

[@dannyd-rockmahaffey3087]

Great video Christian...Ive always been a shimano fan,,almost embarrassed how much money I have in em,,lol

[@christian_masterson]

That’s funny haha

[@artificialslinger9730]

So I'm go from beginning of video to end. 1. The Shimano Stradics you have in the video is the last gen models the FL. The new FM model has been out for awhile now. I definitely recommend getting one to put all the reels on that same level for the review. 2. The line roller bearings on any reel is the first thing to go due to it being the most abused part on any reel. That being said if you take some grease ( Shimano drag grease , clenzoil grease or reel butter grease ) and coat the bearing on both sides and put it back together that grease makes a make shift seal. I haven't lost a Shimano line roller bearing in about 5 years or so now. That being said all the newer Shimanos. Stradic FM , Vanford , twin power Fe , all have a better built and more consistent line roller bearing but I still do the grease trick. Now if you use it consistently I'd would probably do the grease trick at least every 2 months. ( 2 minutes to do ) 3. I was a huge Penn back when they were their own individual company. Absolutely loved my 430 440 450ssg spinfishers. I just got rid of my last one a few years ago. It was over 20 years old in about a 9/10 condition. All parts were still original from the day I bought it. Unfortunately Penn sold off in the late 90s early 2000s and have completely went down the drain in quality and selection. I personally know a few guys who were sponsored by Penn that switched over to Shimano and daiwa because of how bad they have gotten. Penn is also the heaviest reels out of the top 3. Only thing Penn is really good for is beginning anglers and guides to use for clients imo and in my experience. 4. The sustain FJ is about to be replaced by the newer model I believe next year or the year after which will be the FK. I definitely recommend trying the new Stradics FM. Because it's honestly better then both the stradic FL and sustain FJ you have In the video. There's a few things they did to the new Stradic that pretty much eliminates Shimano having the sustain in their line up anymore outside of the name. The sustain has always and will always been a Stradic with a few tweaks that's honestly not worth the extra $100 difference. 5. If you want a super lightweight reel check out the new vanford. They have upgraded and fixed the flex issues that the old one had ( still wouldn't use it for structure though ) 6. Stop buying your Shimanos from the states. Buy them straight from japan. You have zero taxes and free shipping and get them in about 2 to 3 days. ( Only buy one reel at a time other wise the dept of homeland security tags it and you have to pay a fee for having it shipped from over seas ) Stradics are selling between 170 and 180 right now. Vs $229.99 plus taxes here in the states I just picked up 3 new twin power fes for $300 each vs $449.99 plus taxes here in the states Picked up a Stella FK for $520 vs 799.99 plus taxes in states. I did the math. One twin and one Stella from Japan together is still about $35 cheaper then one Stella here in the states. So what you paid for your sustain here in the states I got the twin power Fe for about $70 less and ita a by far better reel. Especially in the spec dept. ( Shimano has their specs on their site if you wanna compare ) Love your fishing videos dude. Keep up the great work

[@christian_masterson]

Thanks man. What website do you use to get reels directly from Japan?

[@artificialslinger9730]

@@christian_masterson there's a few Asian portal fishing JDM tackle heaven Digitaka I've shopped them all. I just go based on prices on which I order at the time

[@christian_masterson]

Gotcha

[@artificialslinger9730]

@@christian_masterson once you use them and see how awesome it is you'll never buy another Shimano or Daiwa in states again 😂. I've saved so much money buying from Japan

[@christian_masterson]

I’m looking now. Looks nuts haha

[@leejones2793]

Hay mate if you back fill the spool the drag won't slip on the stradic

[@christian_masterson]

I have. The word slip wasn’t correct. It is inconsistent I meant.

[@Jgrant0]

If it’s something you’d be interested in catch and cook videos are always good too

[@christian_masterson]

For sure. I’m planning on camping in winter a lot. Will prob catch cook every night

[@kurtbentson6111]

Treat yourself to a Saltist 3000MQ you will have a new favorite

[@christian_masterson]

I’ve heard good things about it for sure

[@Jessica37323]

You have 1 real saltwater reel there which is the penn slammer. Sorry but none of those reels are completely sealed! The penn is simi sealed. Only 3 reels are completely sealed and they are Van staal, Zee bass and Visser. All other reels are semi sealed or have a IPX rating.

[@christian_masterson]

👍

[@caitlinm-zq6ww]

Wow

[@christian_masterson]

🫡

[@AndyRoman-z4c]

I am going to buy a Stradic

[@mattsnookman34224]

Bg has the best bang for your buck.

[@christian_masterson]

My buddy has one. He loves it