Inhouse Review by Alex Julius
The award-winning Stradic 4000 FK and Revolution Travel Inshore Barra Spin combo arrived just in the nick of time to take with me on my latest African sojourn. The new Stradic is a beneficiary of Shimano’s “Hagane” engineering strategy, the core values of which are strength, endurance and silky-smooth unfaltering performance. The employment of 6 + 1 roller S A-RB ball bearings, rigid metal reel frames that resist flexing and special hard-wearing 3D cold-forged gears underpin Shimano’s Hagane commitment to the new Stradic.
I was also delighted to have available the new Revolution Travel Inshore Barra Spin 653 to compliment the Stradic. Packing down into a convenient three sections, it was easily stowed within my existing check-in luggage – with a couple of other Shimano travel rods – without the need for a separate bulky rod tube that could be easily lost or damaged in transit.
In The Field
The new combo was a great addition to my arsenal for fishing the lower Zambesi River in Zambia. Intensive casting sessions under the African sun for hard-hitting African Tigerfish was on the agenda. I can comfortably report that the new Stradic FK reel spooled with more than 300m of 20 pound PowerPro braid and Revolution Travel rod combo performed flawlessly throughout the trip.
The Stradic spins effortlessly at the lightest touch, and exhibits a “confident fishability” allowing you to concentrate on fishing and not be concerned that the slightest degree of inattention might result in a tangle or jam at a critical time, as is often associated with inferior tackle.
Multi-piece rods like the Revolution Travel Inshore Barra Spin are no longer a poor substitute for single piece rods. In fact, this rod performed just as well as a single piece with all the convenience that a three-piece stow-away can offer. The tip was light enough to provide good casting performance whilst the lower section provided plenty of power to control the powerful lunges of acrobatic Tigerfish and a knock-down battle with a thumping, air-breathing Vundu (African catfish).
Summary
The Stradic lineage is already highly regarded and the new model which is now the beneficiary of Hagane engineering will be retain if not increase its mantle. Combined with the Revolution Travel rod, they represent a fine combination of precision angling equipment. I also had the baitcaster version of the Revolution Travel on this trip, couple with the new Shimano Citica 200I.
http://www.shimanofish.com.au
Blog: http://www.shimanoshack.com.au
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