Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted December 27, 2012 Global Moderator Posted December 27, 2012 Got a bunch of gift cards for Christmas and would really like to get a better reel for my shakyhead rod. Right now I have a Pfluegar Supreme MGX but I'd like to put it on my wacky rig rod and get a new one for my shakyhead rod. I'm really leaning towards the Patriarch or C14 but I know the other two are solid reels also. I have no bias towards either company so if anyone knows of a good deal on another good reel let me know. Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted December 27, 2012 Super User Posted December 27, 2012 The patriarch is a butter smooth reel..at first. Over a short few months it really lost its smooth effortless feeling. My stradics (fI and FJ) are just as smooth if not smoother than the day i got them. The Ci4 just wasnt for me. Quote
PABASS Posted December 27, 2012 Posted December 27, 2012 I still own and use one of the original stradics that came out of japan and it still works like they day I got it. Purchased another Stradic FJ this year and love it even more, smoother, lighter and casts further then the older model. I use my stradic for shakeyhead action as well and it does a fine job, however I cant speak of the other reels. Quote
Fontana Finesse Man Posted December 27, 2012 Posted December 27, 2012 I have a stradic CI4 that I use on my shaky head rod and love it! Took a little bit to get used to it, but once I did it is an awesome reel. I have never tried the patriarch so in all fairness I can't compare, but I would be hard pressed to give up my CI4 for any other reel to shaky head fish. Quote
jerzeeD Posted December 27, 2012 Posted December 27, 2012 I love my Patriarch so far. I have had it for 7-8 months and fish it regularly. So far, so good. Quote
Super User 00 mod Posted December 28, 2012 Super User Posted December 28, 2012 Ci4 is my favorite spinning reel I own! Jeff Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted December 28, 2012 Super User Posted December 28, 2012 Assuming the 2500 series reel or other manufacturer equivalent I would say it would be a toss up between the stradic FJ and the CI4. Both of these reels share the same drag and bearing quality from what I understand. The CI4 is 2 ounces lighter while the FJ has a few features not found in the CI4 but are found on the higher end reels like the sustain and Stella. I believe the FJ is more of a refined reel with a very long life span similar to the older shimano chronarch d series casting reels. I have heard many say the phfleuger reels are nice for a few years but the drag and smoothness faded with regular use. However I still have a president reel I have used for walleye and panfish and it is still kicking just fine. I am in the same boat as you are except I need 2 new spinning reels. Going to get both the CI4 and FJ reel. I also will pick up the new okuma RTX reel which I believe should be hitting the market soon as an upgrade for an older reel. The RTX is 6.6 ounces and should be a solid reel and the best thing about the reel is it will be priced under $100. Hope this helps! 1 Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted December 28, 2012 Author Global Moderator Posted December 28, 2012 Well sounds like the Shimanos are solid like they usually are. I really like the look and feel of the Pfluegar but I've had 2 Supreme XT's and it took me less than a year to rip the guts out of both of them. Both times I was fishing a shakyhead and set the hook and the reels made a terrible grinding noise and then I couldn't even hardly fight the fish in and the reel was unusable after that. I'm afraid the same thing will happen with the Patriarch since they seem to be fairly similar. I'm sure I'll get to Bass Pro this week so I'll have a chance to hold all of them and talk to the guys there about what they hear and if any of them get returned often. Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted December 28, 2012 Super User Posted December 28, 2012 I've yet to own any Shimano that hasn't needed some kind of repair, mine are used in saltwater, repairs aside an excellent performing reel and my stradics are my favorites. My 3 supremes are used i freshwater, never a problem , very good reel but won't buy another, I'm getting way too many windknots. I'm bouncing something else in my mind and may take a shot if I can find one locally, an Okuma trio hi speed 20, has a whopping 18# drag on a 8.8 frame that can be used as a crossover into salt water too. I'm really not committed one way or the other now. I'm buying a 5000fj for my next inshore outfit, decision is made, that will be on an 8' Okuma cedros mh, I really like the metal reels seat and hoods. Quote
skeletor6 Posted December 28, 2012 Posted December 28, 2012 Assuming the 2500 series reel or other manufacturer equivalent I would say it would be a toss up between the stradic FJ and the CI4. Both of these reels share the same drag and bearing quality from what I understand. The CI4 is 2 ounces lighter while the FJ has a few features not found in the CI4 but are found on the higher end reels like the sustain and Stella. I believe the FJ is more of a refined reel with a very long life span similar to the older shimano chronarch d series casting reels. I have heard many say the phfleuger reels are nice for a few years but the drag and smoothness faded with regular use. However I still have a president reel I have used for walleye and panfish and it is still kicking just fine. I am in the same boat as you are except I need 2 new spinning reels. Going to get both the CI4 and FJ reel. I also will pick up the new okuma RTX reel which I believe should be hitting the market soon as an upgrade for an older reel. The RTX is 6.6 ounces and should be a solid reel and the best thing about the reel is it will be priced under $100. Hope this helps! You really should be looking at the two new Stradics. If a lightweight reel balances better than get the ci4 if weight is not an issue than go with the fj. That post is spot on! Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted January 2, 2013 Author Global Moderator Posted January 2, 2013 Well you guys talked me into the CI4. Went with the 2500 size paired up with a LTB 6' 10" M/F "shakyhead" rod. Looking forward to giving it a test run tomorrow. 1 Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted January 2, 2013 Super User Posted January 2, 2013 Well you guys talked me into the CI4. Went with the 2500 size paired up with a LTB 6' 10" M/F "shakyhead" rod. Looking forward to giving it a test run tomorrow. Nice get! When you have a chance be sure to give us an update on your findings...I think you will be happy with that reel! Quote
G_money Posted January 2, 2013 Posted January 2, 2013 Clayton you will like the C14 quite a bit. I prefer my Stradic FJ to the C14 I had...the C14 is light but felt like it flexed sometimes under a load...the frame isn't quite as solid. I also had the same experience with the Pflueger, mine was a Supreme Magnesium and it lost its smoothness after about 3 trips. Quote
BassThumb Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 Well you guys talked me into the CI4. Went with the 2500 size paired up with a LTB 6' 10" M/F "shakyhead" rod. Looking forward to giving it a test run tomorrow. Great choice. That's my favorite spinning reel. For future reference, the Saros is also a very nice reel for the money. I have one that's 3 three season old and it still fishing like it's brand new. Quote
Super User Hi Salenity Posted January 3, 2013 Super User Posted January 3, 2013 I love my Patriarch so far. I have had it for 7-8 months and fish it regularly. So far, so good. I also got a Patriarch (the 1000 size) I've only used it for about 15 minutes and so far it's great but I'm not going to jump up and down saying it's the best reel ever before I actually catch a fish with it . One thing I do like about it has a nice long handle for a small reel. Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted January 3, 2013 Author Global Moderator Posted January 3, 2013 Well I caught about a dozen on it today and I loved it! Had one ripping drag that just came off that I wish I could have landed or at least seen. Very smooth, light, and easy to fish. Didn't catch any monsters but I had this fatty that was probably 2.5-3lbs that gave it a good breaking in. Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted January 3, 2013 Super User Posted January 3, 2013 Nice fish! Glad the reel seems to be a good fit for your intended use. I am jealous you have open water lakes to fish as all of our waters are frozen! Quote
G_money Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 Well I caught about a dozen on it today and I loved it! Had one ripping drag that just came off that I wish I could have landed or at least seen. Very smooth, light, and easy to fish. Didn't catch any monsters but I had this fatty that was probably 2.5-3lbs that gave it a good breaking in. Clayton is that La Cygne? Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted January 3, 2013 Author Global Moderator Posted January 3, 2013 Clayton is that La Cygne? Sure is, I posted on the full day in the Fishing Reports forum too. Quote
JCiurej34 Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 Bluebasser86, How does the CI4 balance with that rod? I was wondering because I have the same exact rod, and I need a new reel for it. Quote
thehooligan Posted January 4, 2013 Posted January 4, 2013 Nice fish and reel choice. I have my ci4 on a 7'2 cumara and love it Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted January 4, 2013 Author Global Moderator Posted January 4, 2013 Bluebasser86, How does the CI4 balance with that rod? I was wondering because I have the same exact rod, and I need a new reel for it. I liked how it felt but I think I usually go for a different feel than most others do. I would guess it would probably balance an inch or to above the reel seat and would be considered tip heavy by most. The whole combo is 9.9 ounces so it's extremely light weight and comfortable to fish with. Quote
jignfule Posted January 4, 2013 Posted January 4, 2013 I bought the Ci4 to put on my NRX. I wanted to go a light as possible and it is a fine set-up, but my Stradic fh is noticablly smoothier than the Ci4 even though it's much older. I do own a President and believe it's one of the best reels for the $$$$, but I don't fish with it that much and have run into a few issue with it. If I were to buy another reel it would probably be another Sustain. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted January 4, 2013 Super User Posted January 4, 2013 I do not own a CI4, but I have had the opportunity to fish a couple briefly. My initial impression was that these reels were VERY comparable to the Stella 2500FE. Maybe you should have the reel serviced even though it may be brand new. Mike at DVT will tell you if there is anything fundamentally wrong with the reel. If that is the case, I am sure Shimano will exchange yours for another new one. Otherwise, the cleaning should resolve the issue (maybe too much grease). Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.