Abu Garcia Vs. Shimano Spinning Reel

[albassslayer]

I got a general question out there for y'all just to get some feedback.. I'm currently upgraded all my rods and reels. Last year I got a Stradic FJ and absolutely love it, but I have been hearing some great things about some of the new Abu reels. I am a fan of sticking with what I know, but I like finding the best thing that fits my personal needs, so I like trying new things as well. So, What do y'all prefer a shimano spinning reel or abu? What is your favorite brand and model for them, if you prefer something other than Shimano or abu? And finally what is some experiences y'all have had with them? 

 

Right now the top reel on my list is the Stradic FJ or Stradic Ci4.

Thanks ahead of time! 

[roadwarrior]

We have this Chevy/Ford "debate" all the time, but it usually is just general brand preference

and mostly targets baitcasters. There is a poll runing here on the first page just a few lines down.

So, brand preference may carry over to spinning gear for some members, but it seems to me that

Shimano has a commanding lead in this category.

 

If you are looking for something different,  00 Mod anf J Francho often point to one of our sponsors,

Pinnacle. The new mdels introduced last year are a giant leap from their entry level gear. Everyone

that has given these reels a shot has been impressed.

 

 

 

 

[Capt.Bob]

We have this Chevy/Ford "debate" all the time, but it usually is just general brand preference

and mostly targets baitcasters. There is a poll runing here on the first page just a few lines down.

So, brand preference may carry over to spinning gear for some members, but it seems to me that

Shimano has a commanding lead in this category.

 

 

 

X2 Since you have an excellent example with the Stradic, try an Abu and see for yourself, this is the only way to truly know the difference. As RW said you will only get personal preference here, and most have not compared all to really judge the difference.

[thehooligan]

Stick with the stradic fj or ci4

[clayton86]

I fish the Stradic Ci4 2500 and Revo premier 20 side by side many times that I go out. Many times I grab the revo not because I'm a revo guy as most know but the handle on the Stradic is just to d**n skinny for my liking its like holding a #2 pencil for a reel knob. I have a fat knob off a Stella to put on it just been lazy.

Honestly they both are very very close in feel and weight. One is spooled with 20# 832 suffix and the other had the tuff line sample that was going around. The drag is upgraded on the Stradic as well both reels have good drags iv caught trout and some 10-20lb carp on both reels both species ripped drag like nothing and it performed flawless even in freezing temps when I was catching trout.

[flippin and pitchin]

Why move away from something you love ? That's why the divorce rate is so high.

[dam0007]

Rumor has it they will be revealing Ci4 Stradic with X drive at I cast. I would wait. I own Ci4 and love it. However I've never even held a abu reel. Do plan on trying one out one day.

[martintheduck]

I've always used Shimano for spinning gear and AG for baitcast gear. I've never had problems with either, so I stick to it. Plus, I hear horrible things about shimano downgrading the quality of their baitcasters.

[derekxec]

no need to try anything else shimano is the best its like having a hot dog when you could just keep having lobster tails

[albassslayer]

I know I was mainly going to get a personal preference when starting this forum. I mainly wanted to find out if anybody had flaws with Abu spinning reels. I realize a lot of people dont use spinning reels a lot, but I use them in a lot of situations just because it forces me to slow my presentation down. It isnt that I was trying to stray from something I love the stradic, it was more because I picked up an abu at gander mtn and it felt really nice. To what roadwarrior, I have never tried a pinnacle spinning reel, in fact I just got my first pinn reel about a month ago. I got the optimus xt in the lowest gear ratio, and man did it impress me. First time fishing with it I caught an 10lb 8lb and 4lb along with a lot of 1 to 2 lb bass. Its drag was flawless and had enough power to get all of them in with no problem. So I have no doubt that the spinning reels are good as well I just havent ventured out to trying one yet. Thanks for the comments so far keep them coming. 

[SirSnookalot]

Not only do I own stradics but I own 4 Abu sorons (soron is the updated version of the cardinal 800 series), 20 2 40's and a 60, now a discontinued model.  I'll give the merits as well as the shortcomings with the soron reels, the pros are very smooth on retrieve, an excellent drag and built really well, and the finish looks like new used in sw.  My soron 60 is very impressive, 30# drag on 15 oz frame holding about 250 yds of 30 # braid, I use this reel strictly for casting for kingfish.  Alan Hawk reviews most sw reels and likes the sorons, in fairness he does rate the stradic as his #1 pick in the price range.

 

The negatives I've experienced are this, line twist with braid which I do not experience with the stradic.  Under windy conditions I've had braided line get caught under the spool and get wrapped around the shaft, knowing this I'm now very careful when casting so it doesn't really happen too often.  I thought 2 or my sorons developed a "geary" feeling, Pure Fishing replaced them and everything is aok.  I would have liked to see the 20 size with a bit more line capacity.  

 

Personally I'm as comfortable and confident whether I pick up one of my stradics or sorons.  I'm using these reels in saltwater, IMO if they stand up here they'll do well anywhere.

[tugsandpulls]

abu for life

[Mr_Scrogg]

I have 2 Shimanos. CI4 and an Ultegra Advance from Japan. The Stratic feela like its binding compared to the Ultegra. Its that effortless and smooth.

Wife has a Daiwa Tierra and it takes less effort than the Ci4, but its not as smooth. Ci4 feels like its in a crankcase of oil, Tierra feels like same crankcase, just no oil.

[Capt.Bob]

I have 2 Shimanos. CI4 and an Ultegra Advance from Japan. The Stratic feela like its binding compared to the Ultegra. Its that effortless and smooth.

Wife has a Daiwa Tierra and it takes less effort than the Ci4, but its not as smooth. Ci4 feels like its in a crankcase of oil, Tierra feels like same crankcase, just no oil.

That is because the Ultegra with it's standard lower gear ratio is the same reel "practically" as the Stradic FJ, older ones = FI, and so on, but the Ci4 is not known for it being as smooth as the new FJ. the Ci4 is known for it's lightness, the Ultegra is a Japanese model Stradic FJ with minor exceptions and available with shalower spool which saves on the amount of line required to fill the spool, and 5/1 standard gear ratio, it has enough capacity for full cast. If the Ci4 is as you said, I would have to believe it has issues. The C14 is not as smooth as the metal bodied reel w/X-SHIP, but should not be binding they are a pretty smooth reel, I have serviced them all and never found that issue with one.  

[albassslayer]

Not only do I own stradics but I own 4 Abu sorons (soron is the updated version of the cardinal 800 series), 20 2 40's and a 60, now a discontinued model.  I'll give the merits as well as the shortcomings with the soron reels, the pros are very smooth on retrieve, an excellent drag and built really well, and the finish looks like new used in sw.  My soron 60 is very impressive, 30# drag on 15 oz frame holding about 250 yds of 30 # braid, I use this reel strictly for casting for kingfish.  Alan Hawk reviews most sw reels and likes the sorons, in fairness he does rate the stradic as his #1 pick in the price range.

 

The negatives I've experienced are this, line twist with braid which I do not experience with the stradic.  Under windy conditions I've had braided line get caught under the spool and get wrapped around the shaft, knowing this I'm now very careful when casting so it doesn't really happen too often.  I thought 2 or my sorons developed a "geary" feeling, Pure Fishing replaced them and everything is aok.  I would have liked to see the 20 size with a bit more line capacity.  

 

Personally I'm as comfortable and confident whether I pick up one of my stradics or sorons.  I'm using these reels in saltwater, IMO if they stand up here they'll do well anywhere.

Thanks, that is great information. To anybody else on this thread if you dont talk to any saltwater fishers, you better start doing this. When it comes to reels and rods these guys dont play around and know what they are talking about. Like you said if it works in sw it will work anywhere. Im a bass fisher, but this is very good solid information. Thanks again!

[skeletor6]

I'm not sure if abu has x-ship, propulsion line management or many of the other features that the stradic FJ employs, but I believe that the FJ, for the price, is probably the best deal out there. It has many features that the stella has and I haven't personally read anyone having bad experiences with this reel.

I have not owned an abu spinning reel so I can't shed light on that issue. Daiwa would be my next choice for spinning reels though.