Ultegra 5500 or Saragosa 8000

[Jaybennie]

Hi all, I'm looking for a reel to match my Poseidon 11.6 ft ultra light. I'm going to be using this outfit primarily for scratching, not much spinning! Everyone seems to like the Ultegra for scratching. My concerns are reliability, as I have heard mention of a weak gear or something. What are the reasons for choosing the Ultegra, and which one, there are many models?
The Saragosa is a similar price range, how does it compare, and is it suitable for scratching? Is it more reliable? Line capacity comparison? Does it handle a dunking better?
Thank you
John

[Half-Pint]

The saragosa is designed as a jigging reel. It has a fairly slow retrieve rate. Therefore you will battle to retrieve over rocks and other structure where you need to keep the bait on top of the water. The Ultegra has caught many big fish without failing and I doubt that scratching will result in damage to the reel.

The only problem with the Ultegra is its flipping hard to service! This means that most people tend to be pretty slap with maintenance. Hence the problems with being dunked

[REEFMAN]

Guys like the Ultegra because it has a long cast spool.
As HP said, it is difficult to service and has to be lubed thoroughly, especially the handle cup. See this thread... http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=8358.0
I use the Ultegra 5500 on my Poseidon Ultra light - nice setup. But lube the reel properly to prevent hassles.

[Jaybennie]

Thanks for the replies, guys! I am more enlightened. The diff amount of Ultegra models is stupifying! Which is the correct model. XSB, XTA, XTB....................Too many options, not enough info!!!!! Can anyone help with this?

[REEFMAN]

Don't think the XT models are available in SA.

Here is some info on the XS models... http://www.basilmanning.co.za/reels/fixed-spool-reels-spinning/shimano-ultegra.html

I have the Ci4 body version (XSA)

[Jaybennie]

To put another spanner in the works, I can get the Stradic 8000 fj (the white one), for R100 less than the Ultegra. Would this be a better buy, does it hold the same amount of line? Want to make sure I get the right tool for the job, remember, this will be for scratching!
Input will be greatly appreciated, before I spend my hard earned ront's!

[MIKE PIKE]

Stradic fj is nice but the Ultegra seems to hold a bit more line .

[Half-Pint]

I dont think line capacity will really be an issue. I think the 5000 stradic takes 200m of 30lb braid. The 8000 should fit 300m at least in my experience the Stradic is a much stronger reel

[MIKE PIKE]

   the stradic's are very smooth and solid .

[Jaybennie]

Thanks for the input guys, really appreciate it.

[CLS]

I have the Stradic 5000 and it holds 300m of 25lb braid, very nice reel hod no problems and fought a few decent fish. Good luck on your choice.

[REEFMAN]

JB... you can't compare the Stradic FJ series to the Ultegra series... they're not even in the same class. Stradic streets ahead. (but doesn't have a long cast spool), which shouldn't make a difference to scratching.

[Nish]

I have been using the ultegra xsb 14000 for almost a year now and its simply an amazing reel. Feels comfortable on my 13.8 ft assassin beach master and my 11ft Loomis . It holds 600m of HMP 50 lb braid on the 14000 spool and around 400m of 30lb Rovex mono on the 10000 spool.