Shimano Stradic FM: sizes, specs and what changed from the FL
Illustrative image, not the exact model.
The Stradic FM is the current US Stradic. Shimano calls it the newest addition to its CoreSolid lineup, it won the freshwater reel category at ICAST 2023, and it is sold in five sizes from the 1000HG to the C5000XG at $234.99 to $264.99.
This page covers what separates the 2500, C3000 and 4000 on paper, what the FM added over the Stradic FL, and where the Stradic sits between the cheaper Ultegra and Nasci and the lighter Vanford in Shimano's spinning lineup.
Shimano Stradic FM sizes and specs
| Model | Size | Gear ratio | Line/turn | Weight | Max drag | Bearings | Mono (lb/yd) | Braid (lb/yd) | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST1000HGFM | 1000 | 6:1 | 30" | 6.5 oz184 g | 7 lb3.2 kg | 6+1 | 2/270, 4/160, 6/110 | 10/95, 15/75, 20/65 | $234.99 |
| ST2500HGFM | 2500 | 5.8:1 | 34" | 7.8 oz221 g | 20 lb9.1 kg | 6+1 | 8/140, 10/120 | 10/150, 15/145, 30/100 | $254.99 |
| STC3000XGFM | C3000 | 6.4:1 | 37" | 7.9 oz224 g | 20 lb9.1 kg | 6+1 | 6/230, 8/170, 10/140 | 10/200, 20/140, 40/105 | $254.99 |
| ST4000XGFM | 4000 | 6.2:1 | 40" | 9.7 oz275 g | 24 lb10.9 kg | 6+1 | 10/200, 12/160 | 15/230, 30/180, 50/120 | $264.99 |
| STC5000XGFM | C5000 | 6.2:1 | 40" | 10.2 oz289 g | 24 lb10.9 kg | 6+1 | 12/195, 14/165 | 20/260, 30/235, 40/185 | $264.99 |
Stradic 2500 vs 3000 vs 4000: which size fits
Shimano's US page does not assign species to each size, so line ratings and Shimano Japan's descriptions are the best guide. The 2500HG and C3000XG share the same 20 lb drag rating and nearly the same weight; the real difference is spool capacity and speed. The C3000 holds 6 lb mono at 230 yd and is rated for braid up to 40 lb, while the 2500 is rated for 8 to 10 lb mono and braid up to 30 lb. In Shimano Japan's chart for this reel, the 2500-class and C3000 spools share a 47 mm diameter and differ in depth.
The 4000XG is where the Stradic changes character: drag rises to 24 lb and the braid rating reaches 50 lb. The C5000XG uses the compact 'C' body (one size smaller than the spool number suggests) and trades the 4000's heavier braid rating for more mono capacity.
- 1000HG: the light-line model for trout, panfish and other small fish, rated for 2 to 6 lb mono.
- 2500HG: the finesse size. Shimano Japan calls its 2500S the standard bass Stradic; the US only gets the high-gear (HG) version of this body.
- C3000XG: Shimano Japan describes the C3000 as a model you can use for anything from freshwater to saltwater. At 6.4:1 it is the fastest ratio in the US lineup.
- 4000XG: Shimano Japan's standard surf model in this series.
- C5000XG: the largest US Stradic. Shimano Japan lists the C5000XG for light shore jigging and light shore casting.
Stradic FL vs FM: what actually changed
The FL arrived in 2019 and brought MicroModule Gear II, SilentDrive and X-Protect to the Stradic. The FM kept the HAGANE Gear, HAGANE Body and MicroModule Gear II, then added five features, four of which also appear in the feature list of Shimano's flagship Stella FK:
- InfinityXross: a gear-tooth shape that spreads load over a wider area of the drive and pinion gears.
- Infinity Drive: the main shaft rides on a low-friction bushing instead of the pinion gear, aimed at winding under heavy load.
- DuraCross drag: washer material Shimano rates at more than 10x the durability of conventional washers.
- Anti-Twist Fin: a polymer fin near the line roller meant to cut slack and uneven winding with mono and fluorocarbon.
- Labyrinth-type X-Protect: water resistance that does not add rotational weight.
Buying an FL on sale vs a new FM
Both generations were sold in the same five sizes, so an FL owner can replace like for like. Launch coverage reported the FM at the same MSRP as the FL, but Shimano's current US list price is $234.99 to $264.99. If a discounted FL turns up, the trade-off on paper is the gearing, drive and drag updates listed above; the size, drag class and HAGANE construction carry over.
Check the suffix (STC3000XGFL vs STC3000XGFM) to know which one you are buying. The previous FK generation, from 2015, used a C3000HG instead of the C3000XG.
Where the Stradic sits in Shimano's lineup
One step down, the Ultegra FD ($179.99 to $199.99) is pitched by Shimano as CoreSolid construction with flagship technologies at an accessible price. Its official feature list names CoreSolid, InfinityXross, InfinityDrive, the Anti-Twist Fin and X-Protect; the Stradic's list adds DuraCross and HAGANE Body, and the bearing count goes from 5+1 to 6+1. Further down, the Nasci FD also lists Infinity Drive and the Anti-Twist Fin at $124.99 to $144.99.
Above the Stradic, the Vanford A is the MagnumLite (CI4+ body) alternative, and the Sustain FK starts at $389.99. The Stradic vs Vanford comparison lines up the weights size by size.
Stradic generations (US model codes)
| Code | US year | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| Stradic FK | 2015 | Redesigned around Shimano's HAGANE concept with an all-aluminum HAGANE body. Added G Free Body, which moves the oscillation mechanism 19 mm closer to the top of the reel. TackleTour reported the new rotor as 200% more rigid than the previous FJ model's. US models (from Shimano's US parts listing): ST1000HGFK, ST2500HGFK, STC3000HGFK, ST4000XGFK, STC5000XGFK. |
| Stradic FL | 2019 | Added MicroModule Gear II and SilentDrive. Added X-Protect water resistance. Five models: 1000HG, 2500HG, C3000XG, 4000XG and C5000XG. The C3000 changed from HG (FK) to XG. Launch MSRP was $199.99 to $229.99. |
| Stradic FM | 2023 | Added InfinityXross, InfinityDrive, the DuraCross drag, a labyrinth-type X-Protect and the Anti-Twist Fin. Won the New Freshwater Fishing Reel division at ICAST 2023. Expected at retail around October 2023. Launch MSRP was reported as $199.99 to $229.99. Shimano's current US MSRP is $234.99 to $264.99. |
US vs Japan (JDM) version
In Japan this reel is sold as the 23 Stradic (23ストラディック).
- The US Stradic FM page and Shimano Japan's ストラディック page use the same global product ID (a075f00003slvodqas); the Japanese page's promo video is titled "23 STRADIC PV".
- Shimano Japan lists 14 models: C2000S, C2000SHG, C2500S, C2500SXG, 2500S, 2500SHG, C3000, C3000HG, C3000XG, 3000MHG, 4000, 4000MHG, 4000XG and C5000XG. The US table lists 5.
- Only C3000XG, 4000XG and C5000XG appear under the same designation in both markets. The US 1000HG and 2500HG designations are not in the Japanese table; the shallow-spool S, SHG, SXG and MHG variants are Japan-only.
- Both markets list 6+1 bearings for every model (Japan writes it as 6/1).
- Japanese list prices (本体価格, before tax) are 27,700 to 31,000 yen.
More on Japanese-market models: JDM reels explained.
Official videos
Where to buy the Shimano Stradic FM
Related comparisons
FAQ
Which Shimano Stradic size is best for bass?
The 2500HG is the usual finesse-bass size: Shimano Japan calls its 2500S the standard bass model of this Stradic. The C3000XG weighs almost the same, has the same 20 lb drag and holds more line, so it suits anglers who also want heavier braid or occasional saltwater use.
What is the difference between the Stradic 2500 and C3000?
Same drag rating and almost the same weight. The C3000XG has a deeper spool (rated for braid up to 40 lb versus 30 lb on the 2500) and a faster 6.4:1 ratio versus 5.8:1 on the 2500HG.
Stradic FL vs FM: what is the difference?
The FM (2023) added InfinityXross, Infinity Drive, DuraCross drag, the Anti-Twist Fin and a labyrinth-type X-Protect to the FL (2019) platform. Sizes are the same in both: 1000HG, 2500HG, C3000XG, 4000XG and C5000XG.
Can the Stradic FM be used in saltwater?
Shimano's US page does not label the FM as freshwater or saltwater. It lists X-Protect water resistance, and Shimano Japan describes the C3000 as usable from freshwater to saltwater and the 4000XG as its standard surf model.
How much does the Stradic FM cost?
Shimano's current US MSRP is $234.99 for the 1000HG, $254.99 for the 2500HG and C3000XG, and $264.99 for the 4000XG and C5000XG. Sale prices vary by retailer.
Sources (5)
Specs and facts on this page come from the manufacturers' published specifications and the pages below, checked on 2026-10-11. We have not hands-on tested these reels; this is a spec-based comparison.