a1712 Posted June 10, 2015 Posted June 10, 2015 Anyone had experience with the Shimano Stradic CI4+ 2500HGS Complex. It looks to have a nice color scheme. Fished Mon. out of a boat that had 7 Complex CI4 2500HGS F6's on the deck. 3 of them were mine and the other 4 were my buddy Mike's who is a full time Guide. All 7 just replaced Complex BB's, monster nice Spinning Reel at $200. Brian. Quote
Preytorien Posted June 10, 2015 Posted June 10, 2015 Well after close to 10 trips on my Stella and landing some nice size fish I can definitely say the Stella FI is one amazing reel. Tested it against a buddies Stella FE and the FI is smoother. Fished it side by side with my ci4+ and I once thought my ci4+ was buttery smooth but now it seems semi rough when picking up the Stella right after. Is it worth it? My honest opinion is a fresh water spinning reel should never be sold over $500 unless made of platinum and diamonds. I just can't see enough benefits to the techs added in a spinning reel unlike a baitcaster. I got mine for a really good deal but it was still over $500. Even with my opinions, my Stella is definitely worth it to me lol. Why is it worth it, well it puts a smile to my face every time I use it knowing it performs just as good as it looks. It does not make fish jump in the boat but it makes me enjoy fishing even more knowing I'm focusing on the fish, lure, and my gears. Well this post keeps getting off track with color coordinating but I guess I can contribute with a picture of my setup. Hey it even color matches! Wow.....all I can say is wow. That's a gorgeous rig! Quote
Maico1 Posted June 10, 2015 Posted June 10, 2015 To answer your question a Stella is worth every penny it costs and then some provided you own one. Now that does not mean everyone has to agree about owning a Stella it just says they are one sweet reel and you will appreciate it more and more as they stand the test of time as well. Just like a Conquest 50 they are built like tanks and can be handed down to your Grandchildren if you so choose. I for one enjoy my gear to the fullest and feel there is something to be said about enjoying yourself while out on the water. So my advice to you is buy what you can and enjoy it to the fullest because is not that what it is all about, but only you can be the judge as to what works for you....... 3 Quote
Bass&PanMan Posted June 10, 2015 Author Posted June 10, 2015 Well after close to 10 trips on my Stella and landing some nice size fish I can definitely say the Stella FI is one amazing reel. Tested it against a buddies Stella FE and the FI is smoother. Fished it side by side with my ci4+ and I once thought my ci4+ was buttery smooth but now it seems semi rough when picking up the Stella right after. Is it worth it? My honest opinion is a fresh water spinning reel should never be sold over $500 unless made of platinum and diamonds. I just can't see enough benefits to the techs added in a spinning reel unlike a baitcaster. I got mine for a really Is that the Destroyer X7 Spinning 6'6" Parry Arc rod ? It certainly looks awesome but tell us what you use that setup for ? What line do you use ? Quote
bass1980 Posted June 10, 2015 Posted June 10, 2015 6'10 X7 Simoom. Drop shot, fat ika, and walleye fishing. 15lb PP with 8lb leader 1 Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted June 10, 2015 Super User Posted June 10, 2015 I am not going to read through this thread. I am going to simply state that no way would it be worth it to me. 1) I don't use a spinning reel often enough to justify that kind of expense. 2) I don't have a spare kidney left. Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted June 10, 2015 Super User Posted June 10, 2015 I apologize for derailing the original topic earlier. The only one that can say if its worth it is you. Some people drive an Acura and some drive a Honda. They both get you to work, one just gets you there a little smoother. I will own a Stella someday, but until then, I'm happy with my Sustains, Stradics and Twinpowers. Quote
thehooligan Posted June 10, 2015 Posted June 10, 2015 I dont use spinning reels anymore, but if i ever decide to it will definitely be a stella. I was fortunate to have a stella 1000fe and its an amazing reel. The ci4+ will take care of business, but the stella will keep you grinning all day long Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted June 10, 2015 Super User Posted June 10, 2015 Snook, this isn't a smart remark at you but I dont think the guys at Shimano that design the SW Stella give a rats hiney what Alan Hawke says about the Stella. I looked up the financial numbers for Shimano, 2014 I think, and they credited the new Stella with a lot of their worldwide sales so the way they see it, people are happy with the new Stella. All they said about the new Stella was that it was met with a very positive reception. Go to page 2 http://www.shimano.com/content/dam/corporate/Financial%20Information/Summary%20of%20Financial%20Results/Summary%20of%20Financial%20Results%20FY2014-Q3.pdf Shimano may not care but people that buy reels seem to pay a lot of attention to reviews. His reviews are quite detailed, not a one liner based on a few outings. One may agree with him or not, but he puts a lot of time and energy into them. This is his last Stella review, just about all his reviews are similarly done in the same fashion. http://www.alanhawk.com/reviews/13SW.html Quote
Super User J Francho Posted June 10, 2015 Super User Posted June 10, 2015 I keep a few Stellas in the toolbox in the truck, in case I need to change a tire. You have to chock the wheels with something! They're just the right shape. 5 Quote
Super User *Hootie Posted June 10, 2015 Super User Posted June 10, 2015 I doubt if Marlon Brando would think Stella was worth that much money. You young guys won't even understand that comment....lol. Hootie 3 Quote
doublest Posted June 10, 2015 Posted June 10, 2015 I doubt if Marlon Brando would think Stella was worth that much money. You young guys won't even understand that comment....lol. Hootie Maybe shimano would rename it the Blanche to suit him, she was better looking anyway. Go with the wind Quote
Super User J Francho Posted June 10, 2015 Super User Posted June 10, 2015 Frankly my dear, I don't give a d**n. Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted June 10, 2015 Super User Posted June 10, 2015 I don't think the Stella is worth the money when you compare it to a Daiwa Certate. Currently JDM Stella is $499 for a 14 Stella 2500. The Certate is $265 for a Daiwa 13 2500. I only own shimano bait casters for the record but I have five certates. I have fished with a friends stella I can't tell the difference between them & a certate. Just my opinion. If you really want a stella go for it. Quote
Kidflex Posted June 10, 2015 Posted June 10, 2015 Alan hawk is well known and respected for his detailed reports on high end reels. Many people regard his findings as scripture. Most people will not and do not venture into the world of "enthusiast" tackle and never understand the performance vs price issue. Although very small differences in performance to the average angler it is what keeps the enthusiasts slobbering over the latest and greatest. I appreciate what goes into high end reels and get a lot of satisfaction from them. More so than my mid tier stuff. Maybe I just try to justify it in my head because of the money involved but it makes me happy none the less. Bottom line only you can decide if it is worth it. I do agree with the daiwa certate comment. It is every bit as good as a Stella for cheaper. Quote
Bass&PanMan Posted June 10, 2015 Author Posted June 10, 2015 I don't think the Stella is worth the money when you compare it to a Daiwa Certate. Currently JDM Stella is $499 for a 14 Stella 2500. The Certate is $265 for a Daiwa 13 2500. I only own shimano bait casters for the record but I have five certates. I have fished with a friends stella I can't tell the difference between them & a certate. Just my opinion. If you really want a stella go for it. Is the Certate for $265 (Daiwa 13 2500) the latest model ?If so, would you kindly PM me where I can buy it from. Quote
John G Posted June 10, 2015 Posted June 10, 2015 Is the Certate for $265 (Daiwa 13 2500) the latest model ? If so, would you kindly PM me where I can buy it from. Did you bother to check out the link that I gave you in the second post of this Thread? Quote
Bass&PanMan Posted June 10, 2015 Author Posted June 10, 2015 Got it https://japanlureshop.com/reel/shimano/shimano-spinning.html?dir=desc&limit=all&order=price First time I tried the URL, I got a DNS issue. It must just have been bad timing. Me thinks there will be lots of JDM fishing gear coming my way Quote
John G Posted June 10, 2015 Posted June 10, 2015 Got it https://japanlureshop.com/reel/shimano/shimano-spinning.html?dir=desc&limit=all&order=price First time I tried the URL, I got a DNS issue. It must just have been bad timing. Me thinks there will be lots of JDM fishing gear coming my way Welcome to The Darkside! Be warned, once you go there, there is no coming back! LOL 2 Quote
Bass&PanMan Posted June 10, 2015 Author Posted June 10, 2015 Oh I know, I'm into JDM for my golf clubs. My driver cost over a $1k so why not a rod and reel Quote
Super User *Hootie Posted June 10, 2015 Super User Posted June 10, 2015 Welcome to The Darkside! Be warned, once you go there, there is no coming back! LOL John, you're kind of like....well,....a pusher....lol. Hootie 1 Quote
John G Posted June 10, 2015 Posted June 10, 2015 John, you're kind of like....well,....a pusher....lol. Hootie I only push because someone pushed me first. LOL 1 Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted June 10, 2015 Super User Posted June 10, 2015 I would pm you the info but John G already took care of it. Enjoy your new reel. Quote
BasshunterJGH Posted June 10, 2015 Posted June 10, 2015 I was real close to pulling this trigger on a Stella for my new DS rod, then the new Twinpowers were released. That's where I threw my money. Plus, the Stella wouldn't have matched the new rod as well! What rod is that for? Quote
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