Shimano Stradic C5000XG (2023 model) spinning reel initial impressions - around £220 here in the UK
I have used a bunch of different spinning reels for my saltwater lure fishing over a number of years now, and a select few of them really stick out as being particularly good for various reasons. The previous generation Shimano Stradic 2500HG-FL spinning reel is one of those reels. I reviewed it here back in 2020 and I still have the reel in pristine condition here at home (I learnt very quickly to keep a close eye on the line roller assembly and grease it fairly regularly). I recently changed the handle over to one of those very lovely third party Gomexus Power Knob EVA 38mm round-style knobs, but however much better I think it makes the reel feel when I am fishing with it, nothing changes the fact that it’s a hugely impressive bit of kit whatever handle shape you prefer…………..
For sure the slightly more expensive 2024 Shimano Vanford reels are a bit lighter than their Stradic counterparts, but on balance I think I’d probably take a Stradic over a Vanford. I have had nothing but good lure fishing experiences with a few of the previous generation Vanford spinning reels I might add, but for some reason the stem on the reels is a smidgen shorter than on the Stradics and it slightly digs into my knuckle that sits to the rear of the reel stem. Please be aware that I have not handled any of the newer 2024 Vanford reels so I don’t know if this is still the case.
This is not a Vanford reel, but it’s where I can feel the reel-stem on those reels digging into that specific knuckle
Anyway, I recently got my hands on a brand new and rather good looking 2023 Shimano Stradic C5000XG spinning reel. I haven’t fished with it loads yet so I have called this blog post an “initial impressions” rather than a full review, but if and when I can report back to you way further down the line with this reel, I am going to hazard a guess that not much will have changed. I look after any gear I use and I will oil and/or grease various easy to get at parts of the reel when I think it’s required, plus my rod and reel get hosed down after every session, but this Shimano Stradic C5000XG feels like an incredibly accomplished spinning reel to me so far.
This Shimano Stradic C5000XG weighs 311g loaded up with braid, so it compares to another of those spinning reels which I think is a true classic, the Penn Slammer IV 2500 which weighs 326g loaded up with braid. Yep, you can obviously go for a smaller Stradic and save some weight, but I don’t obsess about this kind of stuff and the reel feels really good on the sort of lure rods I want to strap it to for my fishing. My understanding is that with each successive generation of a line of spinning reels, Shimano leaches more technology down to them from the more expensive stuff, but I haven’t done a compare and contrast thing. Of course there’s a bit of difference fishing with a lighter 2500 Shimano compared to one of their C5000 versions, but unless I am imagining things then this newer 2023 Stradic feels a touch “tighter” than the older one which is a bloody good reel anyway. We are splitting hairs here, but the pickup from a handle not turning to you starting to turn the handle feels a touch easier on the newer reel for example. Bear in mind though that I might have convinced myself of that because I obviously can’t prove it!
I could have gone for a 4000 size Stradic, but as you know I prefer a round handle on a spinning reel if at all possible. Shimano in their wisdom firstly don’t exactly shout out that their C5000 reels are the same body-size as the 4000 versions - save for a slightly larger spool - and you wouldn’t realise unless you go looking that the 4000 Stradic has a t-shape handle whereas this C5000 has a round, grippy rubber handle which I really rather like. If I had gone for the 4000 or indeed 2500 or C3000 versions I’d have changed the handle over to the third party Gomexus Power Knob EVA 38mm.
It will come to no surprise to most of you here that the line-lay was perfect out of the box. I went with a 150m spool of the brand new Varivas Avani Sea Bass Max Power PEX9 braid in the Max 33lb/PE#1.5, and as I thought, I had to use a bit of backing to fill the reel right up. From my very first cast there hasn’t been a single line management related issue with the reel - as you’d expect - and that includes casting various soft plastics rigged weedless and weightless into a fairly hectic headwind. A part of me would love to put this rather lovely Shimano Stradic C5000XG through exactly the sort of surf fishing especially that my Penn Slammer IV and Penn Authority spinning reels laugh at, but I don’t believe that Shimano are claiming a similar sort of water-ingress resistance as on the Penns so it wouldn’t exactly be fair. If money were no object I’d love to see how this Shimano Stradic C5000XG did actually stand up longer-term to saltwater flying around all over it and into it, but I shall continue to use the reel as I believe it’s meant to be used.
I can’t really tell you much more about this reel yet, and even then I guess that a lot of you can almost predict how this thing’s going to feel when you fish with it. Yes this Shimano Stradic C5000XG is smoother than a Penn Slammer IV 2500 when you sit at home and turn the handles, but when you’re out fishing and the wind is blowing and so on? I don’t think it makes a blind bit of difference out in the real world. I know that I can fill this Shimano Stradic C5000XG right up with braid whereas I can’t on the Slammer IV 2500 if I want trouble-free fishing, but I bet you my lures are going just as far on either reel. If there is any difference I reckon it’s negligible at best. Shimano is Shimano and Penn is Penn. They are different fishing tackle brands with different philosophies and principal markets. This 2023 Shimano Stradic C5000XG feels like a peach of a spinning reel. Time will tell and all that, but call me very impressed so far. You all have a good weekend as once again us rugby supporters live in eternal hope for an England team to stand astride the world once more………………
Disclosure - If you buy anything using links found around my website, I may make a commission. It doesn’t cost you anymore to buy via these affiliate links - and please feel entirely free not to do so of course - but it will help me to continue producing content. Thank you.