Go Light, Stay Tough, the Shimano Stradic MgFA (continued)
 

Drag: Shimano could have easily packed in the same drag found in their standard Stradic into the Mg model and no one would have complained. Surprisingly they didn’t, and decided to give anglers a little more for the money, and proceeded to soup up the drags a significant amount. On the 2500 size reels the Mg on paper delivers 15lbs of drag versus the standard Stradic’s 12, and the 4000 size reel yields 20lbs versus the standard’s 18lbs.

The drag system

In our lab tests at full lock we were able to achieve 16.2lbs on our 2500 size test reel, more than enough for freshwater, and a decent amount for smaller saltwater species. The one downside of the Mg’s drag system is it is not a sealed drag, something we did like very much about the Sustain.

The inside of the magnesium frame is also treated

In our lab tests at full lock we were able to achieve 16.2lbs on our 2500 size test reel, more than enough for freshwater, and a decent amount for smaller saltwater species. The one downside of the Mg’s drag system is it is not a sealed drag, something we did like very much about the Sustain.

The factory oil on the drivetrain

When fishing for hard hitting Spotted bass I would let the drag out halfway to prevent line breakage, but towards the end of the day I decided to buckle down and see what would happen.

The underside of the drive gear

The drag stopped fish in their tracks, and while bigger 3lb spots would pull some drag, it was never much more than a few inches. Even when stressed the drag felt smooth and did not shudder.

The idle gear is machined for very tight tolerances

Edge: The Stradic MgFA is the clear winner here, it delivers more counter pressure than the standard Stradic, the Sustain, and even the Stella!