Fox Stratos reel

[pingu]

well i've had and been using these reels for a little while so thought would do review(brought for france but slowly becoming fave toys)



Richard style now, heres the official jargon
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FOX STRATOS FS 10000
The Fox Stratos FS10000 reel has a body size smaller than a standard 8000 size reel but the spool size is larger measuring 60mm in dia. and 30mm wide.
The spool has quick release button, built in line clip and a micro adjustment front drag.
It stays pre adjusted even when removed from the reel which is very useful when switching from one breaking strain of line to another. Both spools are supplied with reducers that wrap around the spool halving the line capacity when required. The slow oscillation gives fantastic line lay and offers friction free casting as the line actually has to travel less distance across the face of the spool, the rotor rotates around the spool 22 times on one oscillation of the spool from front to back.
The 16 high quality stainless steel ball bearings and one roller bearing give silky smooth performance and make the reel a pleasure to use.
The gearing mechanism has been fine tuned to give perfect meshing aiding power retrieve, critical when fishing in heavy situatons like snags or weeds.
The free spool system operates with the lever pushed forward against the reel stem for casting, playing, etc. and is pulled backwards towards the angler to disengage, giving the advantage of not having a protruding lever whilst the reel is in a normal position. It also features an adjustment knob with a positive click to give an audible indication when tensioning the system.
The reel is supplied in a bag with a spare spool.

Features
Fox free spool
Dynamic balance prolfile
Twist free roller
Mesh tech gearing system
Anti backlash system
Spool reducer
Sure grip soft touch fittings
Micro line lay adjustment
Hex spool drive
Slipper stealth clutch
Supa slow gear cycle
Magnetik lube system
Range casting clip
Spare spool

Line capacity without reducer
0.3mm dia. - 10lb - 548m
0.34mm - 12lb - 395m
0.39m - 15lb - 304m

Line capacity with reducer
0.3mm - 10lb - 395m
0.34mm - 12lb - 304m
0.39m - 15lb - 2434m

Gear ratio - 4.75:1
Weight - 625g
Ball bearings - 16
Roller bearing - 1
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ok my take on them

these reels are not cheap at rrp £119

but there are loads of deals about(I got 3 for price of 2)

these are solid, high ratio'd cranking machines that have fantastic line lay , they take a huge amount of line (even with reducer in) and feel incredibly powerfull and will almost certainly tackle anyfish I am ever going to catch
had quite a few pike on them but no carp yet
casting is spot on again due to line lay





the spool is as heavy as the reel itself and feels unbalanced when not on a rod, but all feelsgreat when on
although prefer rear drag the clutch mechanism on these is easy to use and smooth



I have had 1 minor problem in that I had to unscrew the clutch/drag on the top one cold morning as line fed under the top plate after side casting in strong wind(had clutch really loose) on doing back up I managed to cross thread the spindle( 1 quick call to Fox customer service and new spool next day )

and although not a problem I also find that although tightens up well and is secure the thread for reel handle can be fiddly to undo with cold wet hands at the end of a session ( milling on edges could be deeper, or my fingers less pudgy)


overall i would say 9/10 (purely because I still prefer rear drag)

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Cracking bit of info and pics mate -- thanks

[Norfolkboy]

Looks a lovely reel mate.

[Barrie C]

Great report, I think 3 of these for my Birthday!

Were is the venue that photo is taken of the rods in action? that looks a great place

[pingu]

trenchford resvoir
trenchford lake tommorrow

[baitmaster]

nice review Dave but is that dirt i can see on your reels i hope you will get them nice a clean for France (shame on you TTA commanda and chief )

tightlines
kevin

[pingu]

Originally Posted by baitmaster

nice review Dave but is that dirt i can see on your reels i hope you will get them nice a clean for France (shame on you TTA commanda and chief )

tightlines
kevin

thats because they get used

the 3rd ones still as shiney as a shiney thing

comander in chief eigh sure I learnt from you

[baitmaster]

yes i sadly must confess i once was up there with the great TTA,S of all time with all the latest shiney,s and gadgets and all matching tackle
but now my tackle is no longer as shiny as it once was and the gadgets are long out of date so i now skulk in the shadows .

tightlines
kevin

[Barrie C]

Kev,

with the amount of headlights you have got, you can't possible sulk in the shadows!