All-Purpose Spinning Reel ~$250

[eagon06]

Hey guys,

 

Looking for some more opinions. Looking to get a new reel for my sc legend 7'mf when it gets here this week. I have been fishing a pflueger supreme over the past few years and have been quite fond of it but looking to get something for the new setup. This will be my all purpose rod as I use it to troll, flip, crank, jig, the whole shebang. Been considering a few different models, wondering if there is one that is considered above the rest.

 

-Pflueger patriarch

-Shimano stradic CI4

-Abu Garcia Revo

-Daiwa Ballistic

-Quantum EXO

-Shimano Sustain but this might be a little above my price range

 

Otherwise if there is anything else that I am missing but just wondering if any of these will be in a class above the others, or if there really will be a major difference from my supreme compared to one of these.

 

Once again, thanks for the help!

[roadwarrior]

The CI4 has been updated:  http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/reels/spinning/Stradic_CI4_.html

[eagon06]

I saw that, doesn't seem like there are many reviews out on it yet though.

[MichiganFishing1997]

Message thehooligan I'm pretty sure he just got the new CI4

[J Francho]

 

Otherwise if there is anything else that I am missing but just wondering if any of these will be in a class above the others, or if there really will be a major difference from my supreme compared to one of these.

 

The Stradic, EXO, and Ballistic will be lighter than your Supreme.  "Smoothness" is often subjective.  Shimanos use a fast gear ratio for increased line pickup, where as Daiwa and some others use a larger spool, so the feel can be different.  Any of those listed would be good choices.  I have three CI4s, and love them.

[thehooligan]

I'd go with the new ci4 2500. Great reel

[kschultz76]

I have a new Stradic CI4+ in 2500 as well as a Stradic FJ 2500. I highly recommend either reel, both are smooth, cast well, and manage line very well so far. If your prefer lighter weight go for the CI4+, it will be sweet with that St Croix rod. Depending on how well your rod balances you may prefer the aluminum framed FJ.

IMHO and experience the Sustain isn't worth it, the CI4+ has all the same features and is two bearings short of a Sustain - one under the spool and one in the knob. I've used both and if I closed my eyes I couldn't tell the difference.

I was interested in the Ballistic as well as I was a Daiwa fan, but I couldn't find enough positive feedback on them to invest that kind of money, and found too much negative feedback.

I'm not a Shimano loyalist, these are the first Shimano's I've owned, but all my research made them the right choice for me.

[0119]

Revo comes with a spare spool, something Shimano and Daiwa don't provide.  My Revo Inshore has easily handled salty fish up to 30lbs.  They are stiffer than Shimano/Daiwa, but like a good gun, they work in.

[Koofy Smacker]

I personally went with the patriarch over the ci4 and have never even began to thought i made the wrong decision. A lot more connected feeling through the gearing than the ci4

[skeletor6]

The new ci4 2500 size would probably be best. Shimanos x-ship and propulsion line management system are top notch and patented. The 2500 size is the perfect all around bass fishing size too.

[SirSnookalot]

For freshwater fishing I use 3 supremes, they do everything I need them to do and they perform flawless and as smooth as any of my more expensive reels used in saltwater and none of them have ever required anything but a drop of oil, each reel is well over 3 years old.  One of these supremes ( 35 ) was used in saltwater for 18 months catching snook and jack crevalles, not to mention all the bass caught on it too. 

Don't accept my history on this reel as being the best reel, as best is merely subjective, but this reel has endured time, salt conditions and hundreds of some pretty hard fighting fish.  For freshwater I like Pflueger.

[eagon06]

I personally went with the patriarch over the ci4 and have never even began to thought i made the wrong decision. A lot more connected feeling through the gearing than the ci4

 

DId you have previous experience with the ci4?

[Arv]

For freshwater fishing I use 3 supremes, they do everything I need them to do and they perform flawless and as smooth as any of my more expensive reels used in saltwater and none of them have ever required anything but a drop of oil, each reel is well over 3 years old.  One of these supremes ( 35 ) was used in saltwater for 18 months catching snook and jack crevalles, not to mention all the bass caught on it too. 

Don't accept my history on this reel as being the best reel, as best is merely subjective, but this reel has endured time, salt conditions and hundreds of some pretty hard fighting fish.  For freshwater I like Pflueger.

Not to jack the thread, but which supreme? I've been considering one for a new set up.

[SirSnookalot]

Not to jack the thread, but which supreme? I've been considering one for a new set up.

8035, it's not a saltwater reel and that's why I switched it over to fresh, but I had no problems for a year and half.  Somewhere down the line each and every saltwater reel I have owned runs into some kind of problem, I'm pretty fussy on how they perform.

My freshwater spinning reels just do not catch the same kind of fish under the same kind of conditions, they always are performing as they should.

[Raul]

I´m a die hard Shimano fan, if you decide to get a Shimano you won´t be sorry, I have several Shimano spinning reels, however ......when it comes to how they feel and work Daiwas are superb, actually one of my favorite reels is a Daiwa Revros 2004, the equivalent in Shimano, the Sahara feels not that great after I´ve used the Daiwa.

[JCiurej34]

I would recommend the Shimano Stradic FJ or the new Stradic CI4+. I would lean more towards the FJ only because there are not a whole lot of reviews on the new CI4 yet but I'm sure it's a good reel anyway.

[Capt.Bob]

Shimano hands down for your St. Croix!! On a medium action the 2500 size would be my choice, and for the money I have all FJ's over the Sustain, I can't see, feel or find 100 dollars worth of wow in the Sustain over the Stradic. The new CI4+ I am not experienced with, but the old model CI4 is not as smooth or as efficient as the FJ, the new CI4+ with Xship should have changed that!! Once you mate that St. Croix with one of these 3 reels in 2500 size, I can asure you that you won't be looking back and will have a super spinning outfit that is,,,,ASS GOOD AS IT GETS!!!!! Enjoy!!    

[kschultz76]

Shimano hands down for your St. Croix!! On a medium action the 2500 size would be my choice, and for the money I have all FJ's over the Sustain, I can't see, feel or find 100 dollars worth of wow in the Sustain over the Stradic. The new CI4+ I am not experienced with, but the old model CI4 is not as smooth or as efficient as the FJ, the new CI4+ with Xship should have changed that!! Once you mate that St. Croix with one of these 3 reels in 2500 size, I can asure you that you won't be looking back and will have a super spinning outfit that is,,,,ASS GOOD AS IT GETS!!!!! Enjoy!!

I have the new CI4+, it is as smooth as the Sustain and FJ. Close your eyes and between it and a sustain you wouldn't know the difference. The FJ has a little bit lighter handle rotation but not smoother, which I attribute to the heavier graphite rotor compared to the CI4+ rotor. I wasn't sure I'd keep the CI4+ when I got bc I liked my FJ so much, but after a spooled it up and fished it on my SC Xtreme a few times I was sold.

[DaveT63]

On my main rod, the one I use about 35% of the time I fish, I started out with a CI4, moved to a Patriarch, then switched that out for an FJ.  Still have all three, and I love my CI4 a little better than the Patriarch, but the X-ship in the FJ makes it the smoothest spinning reel I have ever used.  I will be on the lookout for the CI4+ before too long, likely to replace the Patriarch.

 

That said, of the three reels, it would be hard to go wrong.

[eagon06]

With the CI4+ having the X-ship, I think I'm going to pull the trigger. Now I just need to find somewhere having a labor day sale or a decent online coupon code...open to suggestions

[eagon06]

TW has 15% off but of course it doesn't apply to Shimano....hmm, revo? patriarch? shoot lol

[kschultz76]

CI4+ is still worth it even if its not on sale.

[gravestone]

IMO Diawa Tournament SS is the best reel for the $$$$$. I have 2 Shimano Symetre's 2 Stradic's & 1 Sustain. I'll take the Diawa Tournament over anyone of those reels.

[thehooligan]

IMO Diawa Tournament SS is the best reel for the $$$$$. I have 2 Shimano Symetre's 2 Stradic's & 1 Sustain. I'll take the Diawa Tournament over anyone of those reels.

 

Get your hands on a new ci4+, sustain fg, or stradic fj. You wont be using that old daiwa anymore.... 

 

Having owned all three reels, i really think the ci4+ is the sweet spot and worth every penny.