Citica 201G6

[FishTank]

Anybody have a Citica?  I picked one up for, I hope, a steal.  I stopped by my local Dicks Sporting Goods and they had an additional 25% off clearance.  Bottom line, I picked one up for $44 with tax and the sales guy spooled it with some 50lb Powerpro.  I intended to eventually Frankenstein this reel.  I'll start with the bearings and work my way through it.  

 

They also had a Daiwa Lexa 100HSA for $75 and Shimano Crucial Rods for $90. If my wife was not with me, I would have gone hog wild.

 

Thanks for you thoughts on the Citica....

[flyfisher]

no matter what series $44 is a great price....

[iabass8]

Those were on clearance months ago for the same price at DSG. I can't believe you actually found one still in a store. Good find sir!

[dam0007]

He'll yeah it's awesome! I strongly suggest calling shimano and have em send you a set of Chronarch knobs. Their beefier and more comfortable of a material than the ones in the citica. You could also grab a couple bearings too for them. Other than that congrats!

[FishTank]

I took it out for a quick test on the pond behind my house and it's not bad.  It's kind of a do all, no frills, basic reel.  It cast well.  The retrieve is OK.  It could do with a better set of spool bearings.  The material it is made out of is not the best and the breaking system is cheap but effective.  I am not knocking the reel.  It will work perfectly for my intentions.  For the original price, I would still say it was worth the money.  

 

I caught a couple of dingers so I can't say how the drag is but it pulled these small fish in nicely.

 

 

He'll yeah it's awesome! I strongly suggest calling shimano and have em send you a set of Chronarch knobs. Their beefier and more comfortable of a material than the ones in the citica. You could also grab a couple bearings too for them. Other than that congrats!

 

You're right the knobs are just OK.  A tackle shop on the other side of town carries parts.  I'll make a trip that way one day this summer and pick some up.

[FishTank]

Those were on clearance months ago for the same price at DSG. I can't believe you actually found one still in a store. Good find sir!

 

I saw them too a month ago but they were $69.97 on clearance.  When I picked mine up today I was told they had 2 more at another Dicks on the other side of town.

[dam0007]

I saw them too a month ago but they were $69.97 on clearance.  When I picked mine up today I was told they had 2 more at another Dicks on the other side of town.

if you go and they have any lefties buy one I'll give you 64, the 20 to cover gas and shipping. I'm ticked I sold one of mine lol I bought the last 2 from my DSG earlier in the year. Gonna stop tomorrow to check out the crucials.

[FishTank]

if you go and they have any lefties buy one I'll give you 64, the 20 to cover gas and shipping. I'm ticked I sold one of mine lol I bought the last 2 from my DSG earlier in the year. Gonna stop tomorrow to check out the crucials.

 

I am not sure when I will hit that side of town but if I do I will pm you and follow up with you.  One word of caution on the Crucial rods, the one I had (6'8" MH Fast) when they first came out broke on the second day I used it.  It cracked 1 foot from the top.  I did not do anything special, just tried to set the hook on a fish.  When I took it back to BPS, they had several of them with the same issue.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Shimano uses decent bearings. I suggest flushing them before replacing. A Super Tune and Carbontex drag and a bearing in place of the bushing at the base of the crank shaft are good bang for the buck performance improvements for that reel.

[Raul]

Shimano uses decent bearings. I suggest flushing them before replacing. A Super Tune and Carbontex drag and a bearing in place of the bushing at the base of the crank shaft are good bang for the buck performance improvements for that reel.

 

Exactly, not a whole lotta cash, after all, you have already saved a lot of money by buying it on clearance.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Also, you have to keep expectations within reason. Adding $100 worth of bearings, grips etc to a $100 reel doesn't buy you a $200 reel necessarily

[new2BC4bass]

Shimano uses decent bearings. I suggest flushing them before replacing. A Super Tune and Carbontex drag and a bearing in place of the bushing at the base of the crank shaft are good bang for the buck performance improvements for that reel.

 

You answered one of my questions for the work you will be doing on my Curado 51E. 

[FishTank]

Shimano uses decent bearings. I suggest flushing them before replacing. A Super Tune and Carbontex drag and a bearing in place of the bushing at the base of the crank shaft are good bang for the buck performance improvements for that reel.

 

Got ya...  There is a ton of grease and oil on this reel.  I have put through it's steps and as is, it's not bad but once I clean it up and oil it again, I think it will be vastly improved.  I just figured at the price I paid for it, why not try to improve it a bit.  Once I get the reel apart, the super tuning is not such a big deal.  The Carbontex drag would be awesome for this reel.  As far as the bushing you mentioned, do you have a part number for the bushing and the bearing.  And just curious, how would replacing the bushing with a bearing effect the performance of the reel.

[dam0007]

I am not sure when I will hit that side of town but if I do I will pm you and follow up with you.  One word of caution on the Crucial rods, the one I had (6'8" MH Fast) when they first came out broke on the second day I used it.  It cracked 1 foot from the top.  I did not do anything special, just tried to set the hook on a fish.  When I took it back to BPS, they had several of them with the same issue.

stopped to pick it up tonight and they only had the casting rods in stock no spinning. Wanted the 7'1" m/f. Had the store manager search the system he couldn't find one in the north east or through corporate. Sucks