Review: Shimano Stradic Fj Vs. Shimano Stradic Ci4+

[tcbass]

I needed 2 spinning reels for my two new Cabelas Tournament ZX bass spinning rods (7'1" worm models). I couldn't decide on the Shimano FJ or the Ci4+. I started a thread on here and heard good things about both, some saying the Ci+4 was worth it and others saying it wasn't. I ended up getting one of each in 2500 size. I paid $186 for the Ci4+.

 

 

Well, I wish I would have went with two Ci+4's. It is an incredible reel! Mind you, the FJ is a great reel but the Ci4+ seems to be a tad bit smoother and it feels amazingly lighter, in fact, it feels like it isn't on the rod! It should be known that the Tournament ZX bass spinning rods seem to feel a weight lighter then they are rated for also, so a MH actually feels like a Medium. And these rods feel amazingly light yet have enough backbone to never feel underpowered and I've caught bass up to 4lbs with them.

 

 

This rod and reel combo of the Cabelas Tournament ZX bass rod and Shimano Ci4+ reel feels like a dream! A dream! I never thought you could get two components to work so well together. I am so pleased with this combo, I don't know what to say. I never thought a reel could be so nice!

 

 

So if you are looking for a new reel, you'd be hard pressed to find another as good as the Shimano Ci4+.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I give the Shimano Stradic Ci4+ a 10 out of 10 and the Shimano Stradic FJ a 8 out of 10.

 

 

I paired my reel with Sufix 832 neon lime braid (recommended to me from a poster on here) and it seems to be great. It is smoother and more supple then the Power Pro that I'm used to. Is the neon lime more visible then the hi-vis yellow? I'm not sure, I'll have to look at them side by side, which I will hopefully be able to do this weekend. I definitely like the Sufix 832 over the Power Pro so far.

[tomustang]

You can always return the FJ.

[Capt.Bob]

I was never a fan of the Ci4, it was not as refined as the FJ, only lighter, the FJ had a better drag and a smoother reel in my book, I have to say the Ci4+ has taken care of both issues, it is as smooth and the drag is even better than the FJ now. As far as the Sufix 832, I was never a fan of power pro and really don't think there is a way to compare it to 832. If you really want another Ci4+ I am sure the FJ would be returnable for exchange.  Enjoy!!!  

[CJV]

CI4+

[dam0007]

I was never a fan of the Ci4, it was not as refined as the FJ, only lighter, the FJ had a better drag and a smoother reel in my book, I have to say the Ci4+ has taken care of both issues, it is as smooth and the drag is even better than the FJ now. As far as the Sufix 832, I was never a fan of power pro and really don't think there is a way to compare it to 832. If you really want another Ci4+ I am sure the FJ would be returnable for exchange.  Enjoy!!!  

Alot of people didnt realize the FJ had x ship and the original ci4 didnt, hence the smoothness of the fj. The + now has x ship. #win

[Jaynoob]

I own both and use both for saltwater ( sorry guys im a saltguy trying to play in the fresh water ) for snook and other species. My ci4+ 4000 on a custom rod i have has caught most of my snook last season and i always reach for that rig. The reel is carbon fiber thats stronger then the original and the x ship feature makes a big difference, but i think the rapid fire drag is what i like the most and the fj doesnt have that feature at all. its light and strong, how do you beat that?

[Smallmouth Hunter]

I own both and use both for saltwater ( sorry guys im a saltguy trying to play in the fresh water ) for snook and other species. My ci4+ 4000 on a custom rod i have has caught most of my snook last season and i always reach for that rig. The reel is carbon fiber thats stronger then the original and the x ship feature makes a big difference, but i think the rapid fire drag is what i like the most and the fj doesnt have that feature at all. its light and strong, how do you beat that?

carbon fiber IS graphite. They are the same thing. Graphite is an allotrope of the element carbon.

[tcbass]

I own both and use both for saltwater ( sorry guys im a saltguy trying to play in the fresh water ) for snook and other species. My ci4+ 4000 on a custom rod i have has caught most of my snook last season and i always reach for that rig. The reel is carbon fiber thats stronger then the original and the x ship feature makes a big difference, but i think the rapid fire drag is what i like the most and the fj doesnt have that feature at all. its light and strong, how do you beat that?

I haven't read anywhere where it says it has rapid fire drag?

[Jaynoob]

I haven't read anywhere where it says it has rapid fire drag?

Yeah I'm looking at the box right now and it says rapid fire drag system. It's a nice feature to have but honestly you won't realize how much you love it until you go back to a reel that doesn't have it. The sustain has it also but the drag disc's are different then the ci4+.

[Capt.Bob]

Alot of people didnt realize the FJ had x ship and the original ci4 didnt, hence the smoothness of the fj. The + now has x ship. #win

I was well aware of the differences in these reel's.  Most people weren't aware of many of the differences in the various Stradic models, many think XSHIP is a dual supported pinion gear with the use of 2 bearings, which is a design used with some Stradics as long ago as 10 or more years ago, and is much more involved than a bearing replacing a bushing. The original Ci4 was brought out after the introduction of the FI, which also does not have XSHIP, the FI was smoother than the original and to me had better cranking power.

 

The point of the FJ being the Ci4+ is as good and has as much cranking power, but it comes with a more convenient drag to boot. Yes it is the same drag as the Sustain, but uses a spool bushing which can be changed to a bearing which will duplicate the Sustain drag system. Just the same as with a good rod, weight doesn't mean everything if the rest of the performance doesn't compliment it, to me the Ci4+ has matched the weight bennefits with the rest of it's performance, this truly puts the Ci4+ on a level between the Stradic FJ and the Sustain FG, something the Ci4 failed to do with the FI at the time it was introduced.  

[Capt.Bob]

Yeah I'm looking at the box right now and it says rapid fire drag system. It's a nice feature to have but honestly you won't realize how much you love it until you go back to a reel that doesn't have it. The sustain has it also but the drag disc's are different then the ci4+.

As I said you are right it is the rapid fire drag and the same as the Sustain, including the drag washers both use the same material and are interchangable, they are not only the same dimensions they are exactly the same material. The spool bearing is used on the Sustain and a bushing is used to support the spool on the Ci4+, this is an item I will upgrade with aftermarket abec 5 bearings from Boca on the Ci4+, and can't on the FJ and other Stradics,

[tcbass]

What size reel is it?

 

 

 

2500.

 

 

 

 

Could maybe go with a 1000 but the 1000 doesn't have the Rapid Fire Drag.

[tcbass]

I own both and use both for saltwater ( sorry guys im a saltguy trying to play in the fresh water ) for snook and other species. My ci4+ 4000 on a custom rod i have has caught most of my snook last season and i always reach for that rig. The reel is carbon fiber thats stronger then the original and the x ship feature makes a big difference, but i think the rapid fire drag is what i like the most and the fj doesnt have that feature at all. its light and strong, how do you beat that?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yep, there's the Rapid Fire Drag you were talking about. It says it on my box too. I did return the Stradic FJ and will be picking up another Ci4+ when they go on sale.

 

 

 

 

What does repairable clicker mean? Does it break often? lol

[Jaynoob]

Yep, there's the Rapid Fire Drag you were talking about. It says it on my box too. I did return the Stradic FJ and will be picking up another Ci4+ when they go on sale.

What does repairable clicker mean? Does it break often? lol

Yep, there's the Rapid Fire Drag you were talking about. It says it on my box too. I did return the Stradic FJ and will be picking up another Ci4+ when they go

What does repairable clicker mean? Does it break often? lol

Mines hasn't broke yet but I assume anything that's user repairable is a good thing. I rather fix something myself then send it back or wait for them to ship a part to me.

[War Eagle 44]

I've never had one break but then again I don't fish my spinning reels all that much and to further the point, when I do I'm still only using them for bass so the drags don't get "stressed" like they do by hard fighting salt species so it's nice that the salt guys have this option available to them.

[SirSnookalot]

Despite the breakdowns I've had with my stradics, they remain some of my favorite reels.  The breakdowns had nothing to do with the actual performance of the reels, but bail problems that were easily fixed.  My 4000 reels are not used for bass, in 5 years of use the stock drags still work fine, a real easy fix when the need arises.  My objection to a ci4 reel is a round handle knob, I like a paddle style better.

[Capt.Bob]

Despite the breakdowns I've had with my stradics, they remain some of my favorite reels.  The breakdowns had nothing to do with the actual performance of the reels, but bail problems that were easily fixed.  My 4000 reels are not used for bass, in 5 years of use the stock drags still work fine, a real easy fix when the need arises.  My objection to a ci4 reel is a round handle knob, I like a paddle style better.

Very easily changed, not a huge investment either, the handle knob can be changed or the entire handle to the FJ style, and for your use snook I would upgrade the line roller bearing to a Ceramic hybrid, something I always do and the only bearing I upgrade on any spinning reel. but I think you have done that already with your other Stradic's if memory serves correctly,,,,,which is rarely my case!! The Rapidfire drag is much improved in every way from smoothness to adjust ability and would be a noticeable upgrade also, but I haven't yet will be changing mine to a carbon washer drag, all my other Stradics have been. For some of the Salwater species you are targeting I would think this would be a wise addition on all your reel's?

 

I have a fairly light custom built Avid in MHXF for a w/4000FG at the time, I had it built for trips to Florida and some pike and wiper fishing at home. I would love to put the 4000FA  Ci4+ on it but it is perfectly balanced with the 4000FJ, I don't care for the balance with the 3000FI Sustain' about an oz and a half lighter, which is still heavier than a 4000 Ci4+ and no more than that rod get's used I won't have it altered or build a new one in this weight.

 

But to many this wouldn't bother them and the benefits from the drag corrosion resistance, smoothness, and lightweight just might enhance your fishing style, and that's always a good thing.   

[SirSnookalot]

I did go the ceramic route on another reel.  I burned out one of the interior bearings on another brand, I went into Boca bearings and they suggested a ceramic so I bit.  Had 2 of them installed, while the reel is pretty smooth the bearings are not quiet, but still pleased with the performance of the reel.  

My stradics have served me well, I don't expect anything to last a lifetime here, when it's time I'm just going to replace them, at that point I'll start looking as to what's the "hot ticket".

[Tywithay]

Despite the breakdowns I've had with my stradics, they remain some of my favorite reels. The breakdowns had nothing to do with the actual performance of the reels, but bail problems that were easily fixed. My 4000 reels are not used for bass, in 5 years of use the stock drags still work fine, a real easy fix when the need arises. My objection to a ci4 reel is a round handle knob, I like a paddle style better.

For $10, you can get a pair of septon knobs. Pretty simple fix. I love the FJ, but the CI4+ is no question a better reel.

[War Eagle 44]

Very easily changed, not a huge investment either, the handle knob can be changed or the entire handle to the FJ style, and for your use snook I would upgrade the line roller bearing to a Ceramic hybrid, something I always do and the only bearing I upgrade on any spinning reel. but I think you have done that already with your other Stradic's if memory serves correctly,,,,,which is rarely my case!! The Rapidfire drag is much improved in every way from smoothness to adjust ability and would be a noticeable upgrade also, but I haven't yet will be changing mine to a carbon washer drag, all my other Stradics have been. For some of the Salwater species you are targeting I would think this would be a wise addition on all your reel's?

 

I have a fairly light custom built Avid in MHXF for a w/4000FG at the time, I had it built for trips to Florida and some pike and wiper fishing at home. I would love to put the 4000FA  Ci4+ on it but it is perfectly balanced with the 4000FJ, I don't care for the balance with the 3000FI Sustain' about an oz and a half lighter, which is still heavier than a 4000 Ci4+ and no more than that rod get's used I won't have it altered or build a new one in this weight.

 

But to many this wouldn't bother them and the benefits from the drag corrosion resistance, smoothness, and lightweight just might enhance your fishing style, and that's always a good thing.   

 

 

Really nice looking combo you have there, I'm one of those guys that can't stand for their gear not to match color wise so there's no way I'd be able to put a Stradic CI4+ on that rod from that stand point.

[tcbass]

Really nice looking combo you have there, I'm one of those guys that can't stand for their gear not to match color wise so there's no way I'd be able to put a Stradic CI4+ on that rod from that stand point.

Dang. That's crazy. lol

[War Eagle 44]

Yes the blue thread wraps on that rod would clash so bad with the red accents on the Stradic CI4+.

[Tywithay]

Yes the blue thread wraps on that rod would clash so bad with the red accents on the Stradic CI4+.

Blue and Red sounds good to me. Rock Chalk

[Capt.Bob]

I like gear that looks good as well as the next guy, but looks would not interfere with my decision to use other components on my gear, performance would be the key factor determining which to go with. I also think when I built this and added this useless wrap that does nothing but add eye appeal, the Blue with Gold border was kind of a neutral eye catching color, it rely isn't out of place with White reels, Silver Reels, Gold Reels, Black, but like I said, just to much less weight than this rod was built for.