Want To Add A New Shimano Spinning Reel To My Collection... Questions!

[Roadblock]

Granted my collection is not big!

 

I own two rigs.

 

I've got a 1985 Shimano TX-110Q spinning reel that is still running strong! I've got it on a older 6 foot Ugly Stick that I bought not knowing it should have been longer!

 

Then I've also got a 2014 Shimano Curado 200I on a St. Croix 7 foot Medium/Heavy Eyecon rod.

 

I've been so impressed with the smoothness of my new baitcaster that now I want a newer spinning reel and rod. I'll probably just pick up a St. Croix Eyecon Medium-Light Eyecon as I already know the SCII rods work fine for me.

 

Thinking about a Shimano Stradic CI4+ or the standard CI4 if I can fine a good deal on one. I like the look of the older CI4 and I'm trying to pickup a used one right now as I really do not want to spend another $220+ on a new reel.

 

That said is there any reason I would really want the CI4+ over the CI4? Any features that just stick out on the newer + model?

 

Are there any cheaper Shimano reels I should look at? This will just be for smaller pan fish and small bass and more of a backup for when I birds-nest my Curado and I don't feel like fixing it on the spot! =D

 

Like I said, I've been using a 1985 Shimano spinning reel that cost like $50+ dollars in 1985 and it's still working well!

 

[*Hootie]

I was in the same boat, all casting equipment and no spinning. So yesterday, I decided to add a spinning combo. Didn't want to spend a lot of money in case I wind up not caring for it. I purchased a Shimano Sahara 2500fe, and a Shimano Compre rod. Will be trying it out tomorrow. We shall see. $180.00 for the combo.

Hootie

[hoosierbass07]

  I have a Shimano Stradic CI4+ spinning reel I bought over the summer.  I'm still evaluating it.  I also have three Shimano Sahara spinning reels and I really enjoy using them.  For the price you can't beat those Sahara's.  I also have a Shimano Symetre and I also like it too.  So far this year my first Sahara is still going strong even after my nephew dunked it under the water!  lol.  I tried cleaning it up and oiling it a little and so far it seems to be working good again.  I'll admit I bought the CI4+ because I'm a big spinning reel fan and I wanted one of the supposedly best spinning reels made.  Last year I made a video on the Sahara's because I was really impressed with them.  

 

 http://youtu.be/vBZMVADQ7Ns?list=UURluUIrsphVRknzhKZAKLJQ

[thehooligan]

Ive used the ci4 and ci4+ extensively and would definitely go ci4+

 

The x-ship and drag are huge improvements over the original ci4.

[Capt.Bob]

I had a Ci4 and sold it a week later! The Stradic FJ is a smoother, and to me a better reel, it has XShip which with bearings, support the pinion gear front and rear, but this has been done for years on multiple Stradic models. The big change with XShip is the relocation of the gears, which enables much better cranking torque, and smoother operation, especially under a load. This lets the reels with it show a huge improvement in cranking over previous models. I would suggest a Stradic FJ for my choice of the best spinning reel under $200.00 and can usually be had for less than $140.00.

 

The Ci4+ is a much improved version of the Stradic Ci4, it retains the light weight of the original Ci4 but does offer all the benefits of XShip, making it a huge improvement over the smoothness of the original Ci4, BUT,,, it doesn't stop there the the Ci4+ also includes the Rapid Fire Drag which is also used on the much more expensive Sustain a feature not found on the Stradic FJ models. This allows much quicker drag adjustment and to me my Sustain and Ci4+ seem to be smoother drag performance?? This may just be in my head but the Rapid Fire drag is a nice feature just because of the quicker response to drag adjustments. 

 

That pretty much sums up the big differences in what I consider the best spinning reels for most anglers in the Shimano freshwater line, without spending a weeks salary on a Stella. If the Stradics are to much , Ci4+ can be had around the $225.00 mark if you are patient can be had under $175.00, the FJ can be had around $140.00 new, which is in my eyes not only a better reel than the original Ci4 reel, but also cheaper than you can find a used Ci4 in great shape. But by all means if you don't want to spend $140.00 dollars the new Saros, Symetry, and Sahara reels which also have been upgraded to XShip technology are still excellent choices, and any of these reels are where I would turn to if I was looking for a quality spinning reel today!! Good Luck and be assured any will please,,,,,,,just depends on what you have to spend,,,,and how happy you want to be!!