Capt.Bob

I was well aware of the differences in these reel's. Most people weren't aware of many of the differences in the various Stradic models, many think XSHIP is a dual supported pinion gear with the use of 2 bearings, which is a design used with some Stradics as long ago as 10 or more years ago, and is much more involved than a bearing replacing a bushing. The original Ci4 was brought out after the introduction of the FI, which also does not have XSHIP, the FI was smoother than the original and to me had better cranking power. The point of the FJ being the Ci4+ is as good and has as much cranking power, but it comes with a more convenient drag to boot. Yes it is the same drag as the Sustain, but uses a spool bushing which can be changed to a bearing which will duplicate the Sustain drag system. Just the same as with a good rod, weight doesn't mean everything if the rest of the performance doesn't compliment it, to me the Ci4+ has matched the weight bennefits with the rest of it's performance, this truly puts the Ci4+ on a level between the Stradic FJ and the Sustain FG, something the Ci4 failed to do with the FI at the time it was introduced.

I have never had a single problem with different diameters. I don't care if it #10 braid to 25# mono or 10# mono to 65# Braid, I use the same knot to tie backing to main line as I do for my leaders, an improved blood knot. I use 30# 832 on my Casting reels and never tie anything to the braid than a leader, that may be 25# big game or it could be 8# Flouro. Same for spinning my Light outfits get 10# 832 with leaders anywhere from 2# flouro, to 8# mono. Maybe I just use a better knot for the purpose than those that do have problems, but I have never had a problem. As far as math, I save that for taxes, I simply put however much braid I want on my reel and then tie the backing on to fill it, then I use a drill attached to the spool to take it of the reel, transfer that to another spool and then tie the backing to the reel and it comes out better than math. I say that because my full spool preference is never exactly what the spool says anyway. The leaders allow me to go with whatever kind and size of line is best for what and where I am fishing at any particular time.

The ST Croix Avid at around $165.00 to $180.00 street price, falls in that price range, and as I have always felt myself, there is no rod made anywhere under $300.00 that compares to the Avid, for some applications I prefer the Avid over rods costing much more. The St. Croix Premier for around $90.00 to $110.00 is hard beat with any other rods costing less than $200.00, Those are the only rods I would consider in those price groups.

I have shipped and received many rods, well over a 100, from individuals to Manufacturers, only once have I had a problem and that was because the guy shipped the rod loose with about 4 or 6" of excess tube for it to bounce around in, he gave me my money back when I sent it back, as for fedex, usps, ups you name it, the closest I came to having a broken rod other than that one instance was a G. Loomis, 12 or 15 years ago before they became Shimano, and the Cardboard tube was crushed, it was about the bottom 12" or so of the tube with the plastic cap stapled in. The rod was perfect, I don't know how as it looked like it was drove over, but that was the only time I had one look like there was going to be a problem. I must say I have never gotten a rod in as light a tube as the one in the picture appears to be, and hardly ever use PVC, really don't see the need when you use the proper cardboard tube. Hope you get it taken care of ASAP!!!! Then let us know what them fish farts smell like???????

Without seeing the reel it is hard to say but a simple clean and lube may be all that is needed. You can probably have it cleaned inspected and lubed, and if any parts are needed cover them for less than 1/2 the cost of a new one, so if you really want to keep it and be sure, let a pro do the work. If you decide it isn't worth 20 to 35 bucks, buy a new one and do what others said, carefully take it apart "with the schematic in front of you" and go thru the cleaning and inspection process, usually bad bearings and broken parts can be easily detected, and you may find it can be saved by simple clean and lube. BUT be prepared to realize even if you save it doing it yourself, most quickly discover when they do this, that those of us who do reel repair work "FAR TO CHEAP" and it is extremely cheap to have someone else spend all the time and materials to take care of your servicing hassles!! or you could be one of those that enjoy it and find it is doable themselves, if not your not out anything!! Good Luck with however you decide to tackle it.

I was never a fan of the Ci4, it was not as refined as the FJ, only lighter, the FJ had a better drag and a smoother reel in my book, I have to say the Ci4+ has taken care of both issues, it is as smooth and the drag is even better than the FJ now. As far as the Sufix 832, I was never a fan of power pro and really don't think there is a way to compare it to 832. If you really want another Ci4+ I am sure the FJ would be returnable for exchange. Enjoy!!!

There is nothing better than having it your way!! Enjoy,,,,,,,now, THE PIC'S??????

The Avid will give you far better feel than the others you mentioned regardless what power they are in. It is materials over the power, and not just the material a blank is made of, there are many components that determine a rods sensitivity. You can take the most sensitive material there is to build a rod, and build it with cheap junk components and it wont be as sensitive as a rod with mediocre material for sensitivity built with high quality components and great balance. The Avid is a very well built rod and quite sensitive, in my opinion it is the best rod built for the money. I think you would have to pay over $300.00 to find a better rod.

No question the Symetre, an excellent reel, very smooth and durable!

Like said, the Rage is no comparison to the Avid, I personally think the Premier is a more sensitive and better feeling rod in a comparable power and actions to the Rage, I had a MLXF 6'10" Rage it was gone after one outing. The Legend Tournament is a very nice rod, but I hate the split handle I have a 6'8" MXF and it is definitely a very lightweight sensitive rod with great backbone, If you are looking at LTB your only choice is the "MLXF" as the bass version is not available in "MLF". The Walleye version "LTW" is available in a MLF. I also have Avid's, Legend Elite's and Legend Extremes in MLXF and MLF, each MLXF is not only faster action but has a little more power, the MLF is a little closer to ML rods you mention power wise. I have said it before and I still believe the Avid @ around $180.00 is awful hard to beat, weight, strength, and sensitivity wise, unless you turn to rods costing over $300.00, and I still believe it today. I just built a 6'6" Legend Elite blank in MLF, and it is unbelievable at how lightweight and how sensitive it is, but a $320.00 rod. Still as great as it is, I am now building a 6'6" LF for light lining weightless plastics, tiny jig's (-1/8 oz) and some live bait vertical jigging and tight lining aps. Lightweight, and sensitivity will be important, and it is being built on an Avid Blank!!! I think they are that good. For a factory built rod I would save $50.00 - $80.00 on your target price and have the better rod and go with an Avid, that would be my suggestion, but please don't think you know the qualities of an Avid or a ScIII blank after using a Rage, it is nowhere near the rod the Avids are, like I said the Premier with a ScII in a comparable model is a lighter, more sensitive rod, and caries the same warranty, in my experience anyway!

Pay attention to keep your line tight when closing the bail, and close it manually. I think you problem is loose line and reeling when it is not winding on the spool. 40# is heavier than I use on any spinning tackle for freshwater.

When it comes to Spinning reels I like mine to wear Shimano badges, I have never been disappointed in their Spinning Reels, I can't say that about other brands, but I am hard on them and use 1000 for what most use the 2500 and 3000 for. For 70 bucks the Sahara is available, and in my opinion a step up from the sedona, for a few bucks more I would look at the Symetre or Saros.

The Marine grease would be my suggestion, but there are better options, from most tackle shops and probably cheaper.

For around $120.00 St. Croix Premier, I would need more than $150.00 to better than that for me. If you look around a like new Avid would be very hard to beat for under 200 bucks, new or used.

There are many lubes that will protect, but the right lubes for spool bearing are few. The TSI-301 should be used cautiously, and kept away from plastic and some synthetics as it contains solvents. The only place I use it as the lubricant is on Ceramic spool bearings, and for those that like the noise it is great. I also notice you are from the same area I am, years ago Mobil 1 was tried, but I found out quickly, there is a huge difference using it in this climate in June and August, But in Dec. thru April when temps can be close to freezing or below it SUCK'S. Even on Sinning reel bearings, it creates a lot of resistance and is worthless on spool bearings in these temps, it's like turning every brake on and using to much tension adjustment all at the same time. There are many good choices intended for spool bearings that work great all year long.

Solo -- Robert Plant, as a group -- Crosby Stills & Nash

The St. Croix in any Legend model will be a rod you cherish for years, I would be very surprised if you were not delighted with it. I to would suggest the MH over the H, and find them slightly heavier than they are rated, I have never been disappointed in any of the St. Croix rods I have owned. ENJOY!! and let us know how you feel after you fish it??

There is no help, for the Cowboy's. Some one wrote a song warning folk's "MAMA'S DON'T LET YOU BABIES GROW UP TO BE COWBOY'S" Jerry Jones didn't listen, but he might have thrown money at it, that's all he knows how to do!

First off welcome to BR and the sport of fishing!!! The ultra light is more fun and well suited to smaller trout and is quite capable of the fish you state, you should learn to use your equipment to help you tame and stay hooked up on a fish, with the lighter setup. The ML in my opinion for the fishing you are talking about "bass under 14" and comparable trout) it will work and is going to take a lot of fun out of those size fish over an UL. Your not in a tournament and should be fishing to have fun fun, and believe me the Ultra light with a 14" bass is more fun to me than a ML with that size fish, it takes a lot of the chalenge out of keeping them on, if both are hooked good the Ultra light with light line will be more challenge and you will learn to use your equipment more than a heavy stick that your just bulling fish in. I personally think if you are going to catch the majority of fish smaller than a 14" Bass or a comparable species under that size, The Ultra Light is hard to beat. If 14" is minimum and a 20" is common, maybe a ML, but it is going to take any fun out of the fish smaller than 14", an alternative is a Light Action, but when your new to the sport an Ultra Light should be in your arsenal, This is just one fish I have landed on an UL that was larger than I intended to try on the UL. I landed this one on a BPS 5' UL w/6# braid and a 4# Fluorocarbon leader, it was the challenge that made it sweet, we fished Dale Hollow for a week and caught 10" gills, and Crappie up to 16" all were fun but this is one I will remember about that trip over all the others, it comes to mind first when I think about that trip If you are not fishing for money the main goal should be having fun, the UL will make it more fun and anymore that is what fishing is all about to me!

Not only stole it, I hope you gave her a kiss when you got done,,,,,,Just guess'n but was the man of the house at work and the misses running the sale????? add some 10# Sufix and your choice of Fluoro ir mono leaders between 6 and 10# and your set with one D Y N O M I T E outfit. That baby is is a sweet light jigging (under 1/2 oz) outfit along with the other suggestions!

Hope he works out, but only time will tell. My team needs a lot of help, but not sure I regret them not getting Johnny Football.

Get some "SEVEN DUST" if you can't find the dust the liquid works but the dust is better. SEVEN is the most deadly thing there is for bee's. I have been where you are. The County Extension agent is who put me on it. The dust will stick to their feet and legs so before they die when they go back to the nest they track it in and then infest the rest. Trust me worked better than hornet spray bug be gone!! Good Luck with them little suckers!

No matter what rod or reel combination you should try it in a shop if you want to determine it's balance with any reel, to be sure of what you are putting together. The split handle does almost nothing to balance a rod over the full handle, I have tried this and you can in a store, just take a reel that is over 1 oz different and it wont move the balance point 1/8", it will be so little to hardly notice. The missing cork in a typical split grip approx 5" is only about 1/10 oz. and Eva foam is oh so slightly lighter as to be of no notice. if you need to add weight to any rod to balance it, most would be very surprised just how much it takes if you don't move the reel seat. But if you move the reel location 1/8" the difference is huge. Best to try it before you buy it to avoid unpleasant surprises, especially when you start paying over $200.00 to add a rod to your favorite reel to create your perfect setup!! The difference in split or full grip alone, on the same rods, means very little when you are changing a rods balance point regardless of the reel. and good choice, the GL2 is a rod I would never recamend, I personally like the Avid but if you like the split grip's, you will be very happy you didn't buy the GL2. Enjoy!

For 100 bucks I would go with St Croix 5' UL Premier, very light and responsive and extremely sensative this would be the one I would go with if I only had 100 dollars, http://www.tackledirect.com/st-croix-premier-spinning-rods.html this would be the one I would go with if I only had 100 dollars, but for only 40 bucks more you can't beat the Avid with it's lifetime warranty I am very happy with my ULF 5' Avid. http://www.tackledirect.com/st-croix-avid-avs-series-spinning-rods.html

Walleye are my favorite, live bait on finesse rig's, spinning gear with MF to LF rods and 1000 to 2500 size reels jigs with bucktails, plastics and sometimes tipped with minnows . Smallmouth is probably what I fish for more than Walleye, but that is only when the freezer is full. I like using grub's and jigs and usually fish the same outfits for both. If I am using cranks for either, it's done with a medium Fast or Moderate action casting rod's. I fish for everything from Salmon to Blugills and love it all, but the Walleye and Smallmouth are my favorite.