How Far Up The Line (Shimano Guys Look And Speak)

[WiregrassRiverRat]

I have been a lews guy since the beginning. I just love that I can buy a 89 dollar reel and be happy .. or can spend 199 (full price) and have an awesome one... but now I am looking at spinning gear.. and I feel that lews falls short.. so I am looking at the symetre and saros stradic fj.. but then I started looking at shimano baitcasting line.. and seeing the show off your gear page with all the core reels and high end diawa.. and then for even the strongest of shimano supporters so much lack of support for the newer curado and citica and how the caenan at the price of the speed spool is barely ever mentioned.. so some of my questions.(shimano daiwa etc..)

 

How far up in the Shimano line in baitcasters do you feel you have to go to get a quality reel?

 

Why do you stick with a company that continues to cheapen their product and then charge more?

 

I like being brand specific and so going with the shimano spinning reel makes me consider at least looking at shimano baitcaster .. but then again seeing how most have to spend 199 full price for the lowest of the quality reels of a company.. I just dont see where it is worth it.. 

 

Hope this doesnt offend anyone.. just trying to consider my options and always had some questions.

 

 

[bootytrain]

Who cheapened their product and charged more? Instead of listening to haters who talk bad about a product without even using said product(and that's probably 99% of people on the internet who complained about the Curado G) you should try one decide for yourself. As far as where to start? I'd probably go for the best reel you can afford.

[roadwarrior]

The new Curado will be introduced next month. Rumor has it that both

the E and G will go for +/- $100 on closeout.

[Crankinstein]

The lowest in shimano I have is the citica 201e and the highest is a core 101mg. I personally feel like they have quality in all of the reels and that higher end just offer extras like light weight, casting distance, and smoothness as well as just more refinement of the same tech found in lower line ups. I still use my citica quite a bit and it has never let me down. I agree with the above post as far your question goes, spend as much as you want and the quality will always be worth more whether its a $129.99 citica fishing like a $150 dollar reel or a 349.99 core fishing like a $500 reel. Just my opinion though

[Darren.]

I think the issue came mostly with the change of the Curado and Chronarch, the latter being more like the previous Curado but with a white paint job...etc.

 

The other issue with the spinning reels was the change of certain parts from alloy to plastic. And yes, a lot of Shimano fans were upset over the perceived cheapening of the reels. If you read another form (TT), there's a Shimano rep that explains some of the changes made.

 

A friend of mine, and huge Shimano fan, BPS fishing manager, really likes the new Stradic FJ, said his Shimano rep assured that if the new plastic piece (can't remember what that piece was off hand) ever fails, Shimano would fix it free, they're that confident in the construction and parts used.

 

Just my take on the issue. I'm a Shimano fan, but also a Daiwa fan now. I don't have the money to throw around to every brand and manufacturer out there to be able to compare and contrast quality differences, etc. So pretty much found two I really like and will probably stick with (so long as the bait monkey stays in its cage where my wife put it).

[Gaerith]

For spinning I wouldn't buy anything below Symetre, because I want x-ship.  BC's I tend to not buy below the $100 price point regardless of brand, because I want something I know will work well.

 

My first *nice* reel was a Shimano and after trying a few other brands I find myself coming back to Shimano.  One big reason is that they feel so...polished and well made.  Then again, I have 0 complaints with the other reels I own, so I probably just have a soft spot for 'em. 

 

Another big reason is that I don't like where the monopoly that is Pure Fishing is going.  I would rather give my money to their competitors to keep things...competitive.

[F14A-B]

About spinning reels... The statement I will make is on shimanos... Last spring I bought a Saros 4000 and really loved the spec. Sheet on it... But after spooling it up and fishing light salt in Florida .. On a trip... Frame flex was pretty bad.. That's Ci4+ and I don't like it..(ci4+) at least on the 4000 size... A 1500 I would think you wouldn't notice. Returned mine... Got a magnesium framed reel and put 65$ back in my wallet to boot . That was a pfluger and I never ever owned one before and it has been flawless.. I mean some pretty hard use too. I wish you luck on you're search, you don't always have to spend bank on fishing equipment ! Good luck and as always,

Happy fishing

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Whether it's Shimano or any other line, $100> gets you into longer lasting, better performing reels. IMO Pflueger spinning reels are hard to beat on a bang-for-your-buck basis especially from the President model and up. 

[F14A-B]

Let me add... I cannot for sure remember it may have been ci4.... Ci4+ was quickly introduced afterwards , also I love Shimano's reels but just not the ci4 material.

[deputybc]

I have had every baitcaster that shimano has made. With that being said I have sold everyone of them and replaced them with Lews. As for spinning reels a $39 Dollar Pfleuger Trion is better than most of the shimano reals. I gave my $499 stella reel to my son and replaced it with a supreme pfleuger with 10 bearings.

[J Francho]

Let me add... I cannot for sure remember it may have been ci4.... Ci4+ was quickly introduced afterwards , also I love Shimano's reels but just not the ci4 material.

 

Saros is graphite, not CI4. 

[Hogsticker]

Get what you like, buy what you can afford. These threads can get out of hand, and you will never get all non bias responses. The previous response made me chuckle. Gave a Stella to your son and bought a Plueger as it had 10 bearings. Pflueger makes nice bang for your buck spinning reels, but I'm shocked to see that people still believe if a reel has more bearings it must be better, even if the bearings used are total crap. Quality and innovation is what keeps me with Shimano and Daiwa. To me, OEM reels are a dime a dozen. My E series Citica is still the best 120 bucks I ever spent on a reel. No cookie cutters for me. You can spend 100 bucks on a Shimano spinning reel and it will last you a very long time and bring you years of enjoyment. My dad has Shimano spinning reels dating back to the early 90s that are still getting used. Let me know where you're Lews is in 20 years.

[WiregrassRiverRat]

Get what you like, buy what you can afford. These threads can get out of hand, and you will never get all non bias responses. The previous response made me chuckle. Gave a Stella to your son and bought a Plueger as it had 10 bearings. Pflueger makes nice bang for your buck spinning reels, but I'm shocked to see that people still believe if a reel has more bearings it must be better, even if the bearings used are total crap. Quality and innovation is what keeps me with Shimano and Daiwa. To me, OEM reels are a dime a dozen. My E series Citica is still the best 120 bucks I ever spent on a reel. No cookie cutters for me. You can spend 100 bucks on a Shimano spinning reel and it will last you a very long time and bring you years of enjoyment. My dad has Shimano spinning reels dating back to the early 90s that are still getting used. Let me know where you're Lews is in 20 years.

not to spawn argument but my grandfather has an original bb-1 that still works fine.. I think gear lasts as long as you take care of it..  I never broke a guide on a rod until I spent money on a duckett and a guide flew off easy.. up to that point it was the most expensive rod I owned...  I am just wandering what gives on some of the prices of shimano and diawa stuff

[bootytrain]

not to spawn argument but my grandfather has an original bb-1 that still works fine.. I think gear lasts as long as you take care of it..  I never broke a guide on a rod until I spent money on a duckett and a guide flew off easy.. up to that point it was the most expensive rod I owned...  I am just wandering what gives on some of the prices of shimano and diawa stuff

That Lews BB1 your grandfather has was made by Shimano. Just look at it this way, if Lews took their top of the line model and priced it $650 like the Calais DC do you think people would buy it? The only way Lews can compete is if they take a higher spec reel and put it in a lower price bracket. That's what Abu has been doing with their Revo line for a few years.

[WiregrassRiverRat]

That Lews BB1 your grandfather has was made by Shimano. Just look at it this way, if Lews took their top of the line model and priced it $650 like the Calais DC do you think people would buy it? The only way Lews can compete is if they take a higher spec reel and put it in a lower price bracket. That's what Abu has been doing with their Revo line for a few years.

that being the case... why would you pay for a core100 if it had similar quality and specs as a tourney pro for 100 dollars or more less...? I am just trying to figure this out

[J Francho]

Take a few of these reels apart after a year's worth of use, and you can quickly see which reels are what.  The results are actually surprising, and the good ones don't rest along specific price points, model numbers, or even brands for that matter - only time shakes out the good ones. 

[bootytrain]

that being the case... why would you pay for a core100 if it had similar quality and specs as a tourney pro for 100 dollars or more less...? I am just trying to figure this out

The core100 is made of magnesium, frame and both side plates. That's why it costs what it does. The all aluminum version was the now defunct Chronarch D which was priced at 299. I've never fished the 100 but I have the Core50. I can't speak on the performance of the lews, core 100 or chronarch d, because I've never fished them, but this where personal preferences come in. But I do think they should have at least put bearings in the handle on the core100.

[tomustang]

so I am looking at the symetre and saros stradic fj..

The Sahara is a good reel but for $20 more the symetre is where I'd go. You can find the stradic cheaper than retail but the stradic is fantastic reel for the money but much more.

How far up in the Shimano line in baitcasters do you feel you have to go to get a quality reel

The citica. And that hasn't changed unless they discontinue it.

[bootytrain]

Get what you like, buy what you can afford. These threads can get out of hand, and you will never get all non bias responses. The previous response made me chuckle. Gave a Stella to your son and bought a Plueger as it had 10 bearings. Pflueger makes nice bang for your buck spinning reels, but I'm shocked to see that people still believe if a reel has more bearings it must be better, even if the bearings used are total crap. Quality and innovation is what keeps me with Shimano and Daiwa. To me, OEM reels are a dime a dozen. My E series Citica is still the best 120 bucks I ever spent on a reel. No cookie cutters for me. You can spend 100 bucks on a Shimano spinning reel and it will last you a very long time and bring you years of enjoyment. My dad has Shimano spinning reels dating back to the early 90s that are still getting used. Let me know where you're Lews is in 20 years.

Yeah.. My ex gf bought me a pflueger spinning reel a few years ago solely based on bearing count.. It has 10 but it still wasnt as smooth as my Sonora that has 3 or maybe 4 bearings lol.

[craww]

As tomustang said, start at the citica and go up from there. The "D"s were tanks and the E's were far better than anything in they're price range. Don't know anything about the G, other than its going away and is based on the caenan platform. They can be had brand new for $60 right now.

 

Much has been said about the curado's. There's a reason the "greenies" (CU-200s) are still on boat decks everywhere. Traditionally chronarchs were special reels. I have a 12 year old all original SF purchased from a buddy that used it on several tournament tours years ago. I can get that spool going with less effort than any reel I own (its a pitching beast).

 

Another thing to consider is resale value. It's like buying a car. If you plan on keeping it for a long time, maybe the Hyundai (pure fishing) and its 100K warranty and bells and whistles at a better sticker price are worth it, to you. A comparable Honda or Toyota (shimano/daiwa) SUV may lack a few gadgets here and there, but will bring a lot more when you part with it because of the name/reputation.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

I would take shimano over lew's every single day of the week. Lew's was a bad experience 3 times over, and I will not go down that path ever again. 

 

Shimano has been very good to me, and that is why I am a shimano fan. I love daiwa as well. Some of you are going to think "he is just a shimano fan club member who has never tried other reels" but that is not the case. I have tried abu, lews, daiwa, shimano, pflueger, and pinnacle, and the only two that impressed me were Daiwa and shimano.  Pinnacle was so far below the quality I hoped, and I will never buy from them again (optimus xi-hs).

 

If you are looking to try a shimano reel, the curado G will be on sale for around $75, and the chronarch E for 99. I would go for the E or an older shimano like the D series, which IMO were the best.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

As tomustang said, start at the citica and go up from there. The "D"s were tanks and the E's were far better than anything in they're price range. Don't know anything about the G, other than its going away and is based on the caenan platform. They can be had brand new for $60 right now.

 

Much has been said about the curado's. There's a reason the "greenies" (CU-200s) are still on boat decks everywhere. Traditionally chronarchs were special reels. I have a 12 year old all original SF purchased from a buddy that used it on several tournament tours years ago. I can get that spool going with less effort than any reel I own (its a pitching beast).

 

Another thing to consider is resale value. It's like buying a car. If you plan on keeping it for a long time, maybe the Hyundai (pure fishing) and its 100K warranty and bells and whistles at a better sticker price are worth it, to you. A comparable Honda or Toyota (shimano/daiwa) SUV may lack a few gadgets here and there, but will bring a lot more when you part with it because of the name/reputation.

The greenies were awesome reels. I don't know how they are so good, but they can outfish most reels on the market today. I have never used a reel that can cast a 3/4 oz rattletrap as far as the old greenie. I can just about spool it on a cast.

[Rangerphil]

Shimano stradic fj on eBay for under 140.00! This is the best spinning reel for the money on the market today! Of course that is just my opinion!!

[South FLA]

Whether it's Shimano or any other line, $100> gets you into longer lasting, better performing reels. IMO Pflueger spinning reels are hard to beat on a bang-for-your-buck basis especially from the President model and up

Ditto

[Hogsticker]

The specs may seem the same on paper, aside from a magnesium frame. Real time differences can be seen on the water in terms of performance and longevity. We are talking stamped mass produced parts vs. Machined quality high tolerance parts. I have no problem with Lews reels, they are good, but to me there is a noticable difference between good and great. When comparing Lews highest offering to say a Core, the Lews just doen not have that "it" factor that I personally desire. A person can't draw this conclusion until they have actually used both reels for a fair amount of time. Just making claims based off specs is useless, however most of the reviews you see are exactly that. Why pay 100 dollars more for a Shimano when I can get the same thing rolled into a Lews package? It boils down to labor, quality control, quality of parts used, etc.