Shimano Biomaster SW or Stradic FK
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Popper and Topwater Fishing
Forum Description: If you're into a bit of action on top, this is the forum for you
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=126992
Printed Date: 05 Jun 2026 at 12:54pm
Topic: Shimano Biomaster SW or Stradic FK
Posted By: Fishthat
Subject: Shimano Biomaster SW or Stradic FK
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2018 at 8:00pm
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Hi all, I'm in need of some advice, wanting to pick up either a 4000 or 5000 in either a Shimano Stradic FK or a 2013 Shimano Biomaster SW. Will be used for casting metal lures and the odd pilchard. Just seeing what you guys think before I make a purchase. Thanks  |
Replies:
Posted By: The Tamure Kid
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2018 at 10:17pm
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I have the Stradic 4000 and a 2016 Biomaster SW 6000 XG (from Digitaka, in Japan, as you can't get the 6000 size in NZ or Australia). The Biomaster is a quite a bit more grunty than a 5000 - reflected in the higher drag rating, and the extra 120g or so in weight. I presume you're either importing the Biomaster or buying it second hand, if it's the 2013 model? I use the Stradic for my heavier soft baiting, and it's a lovely reel for that. Smooth drag. And the Biomaster for light top water. The Biomasters are slightly faster retrieve than the equivalent Stradic, which is a bit of an advantage for lure fishing i think. You are probably aware the 4000 and 5000 are the same reel, but with a slightly bigger spool giving more capacity and faster retrieve. |
Posted By: Fishthat
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2018 at 10:36pm
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Yes, looking at Digitaka, reading a review that Alan Hawk did, apparently the 2016 6000 Biomaster SW is the more waterproof out of them all according to review, which should be correct. I would get the 6000 16 Biomaster SW but it's a bit heavy for the rod I'm am putting which ever reel I get on. Yes, according to the specs only 5g differences between the 4000 and 5000 13 Biomaster SW, but as of the 5000 Stradic FK, is it the egg handle that makes it weigh more or is the body/rotor bigger than the 4000? |
Posted By: OuttaHere
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2018 at 9:17am
| Everything is the same between the 4000 and 5000 Stradic FK except the spool, drag stack and handle. Off the top of my head the 5000 gets carbon fibre drag washers whereas the 4000 has felt ones. The egg handle is way, way nicer than the paddle. |
Posted By: Structfab
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2018 at 10:13am
| I'd been using the old model Biomaster SW6000HG for PE4 topwater over the spring and it landed a tonne of kingis around the 10-15kg mark. Quite impressed for such a cheap reel. Got smoked a couple of times in some real shallow water situations, where I had to change to my PE8 set to muscle the fish in. |
Posted By: Fishthat
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2018 at 11:18pm
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I do like the egg handles too, the 5k Biomaster only has the eva ball handle looking from what I can see. Yes, leaning towards the Biomaster 5k now. Thanks for the feedback  |