The new Shimano NASCI reel

[Travis Gasper]

I saw the video from ICAST about the new Shimano NASCI and thought it looked awesome, especially for the $99 price. I think I'm going to put one on my new 7' medium St. Croix Avid rod for wacky rigging. Has anybody used the NASCI yet, and what are your thoughts on it?

[d-camarena]

Its definetly the best reel at that price point. I havent fished one but i got to touch one, very high quality. Feels sort of like last gen stradic, not the fk but the fj

[Big-Bass]

Looks like a great reel.  I may look into a 2500 for myself.  I haven't seen one yet but online they look nice.

[Travis Gasper]

I was able to play around with one in the store and it feels amazing. Smooth as butter! I just wish I knew someone that has used one before I go ahead and buy it. 

[fishballer06]

This reel is supposed to be the replacement for the Symetre, and I believe it's a little more saltwater friendly. 

It's a Shimano, I'm sure it's great. 

[21farms]

if anyone can confirm that the 2500 and the 3000 sizes share the same body but only differ in spool depth and gear ratio, i'd really appreciate it. i find 2500-size spinning reels are perfect for me but i want the faster, 6.2:1 gear ratio of the 3000 over the 5:1 of the 2500. thanks.

[Travis Gasper]

1 hour ago, fishballer06 said:

This reel is supposed to be the replacement for the Symetre, and I believe it's a little more saltwater friendly. 

It's a Shimano, I'm sure it's great. 

Yup, that's what I've heard too. I have the Symetre and I really like it. The NASCI felt very well balanced on the Avid when I was at the store. 

Just now, 21farms said:

if anyone can confirm that the 2500 and the 3000 sizes share the same body but only differ in spool depth and gear ratio, i'd really appreciate it. i find 2500-size spinning reels are perfect for me but i want the faster, 6.2:1 gear ratio of the 3000 over the 5:1 of the 2500. thanks.

I would also really like to know this. I have the 2500-size Symetre but I want the faster gear ratio of the 3000 for the NASCI. 

[Big-Bass]

I was able to handle the NASCI reel today at Bass Pro in PA.  What an awesome reel!  The cold forged handle made the reel really feel solid and it looks sort of like a Stella.  I also felt the new Ci4+ which as awesome but for the money, I don't see how the NASCI can be beaten.  I may get one just to have it...it was that nice for the price!

[curtis9]

What material is the reel made out of?

[EvanT123]

4 hours ago, curtis9 said:

What material is the reel made out of?

X2; usually if they don't tell you it's graphite. Also anyone know f the handle is direct drive?

[Big-Bass]

Not sure the material but honestly the reel felt really solid...in fact more solid than many higher priced reels.  The cold forged handle gave the reel a really rigid feel and it seemed to be well made.  I would be hard pressed in this price range to find something similar after looking at a lot of reels.  Feels like a $150+ reel.  

[timsford]

It's got an aluminum body

[EvanT123]

2 hours ago, timsford said:

It's got an aluminum body

Interesting because on the detailed specs page on the shimano website it doesn't mention anything about that. Where the sustain, stradic fk and stella it says hagane body.

[DenhamBruce]

I'm fairly certain its a graphite frame. That's while I'll always go Daiwa because their $60  and up reels all have an aluminum body while Shimano makes you pay 200 bucks for a stradic before getting a reel made out of aluminum.

[timsford]

2 hours ago, DenhamBruce said:

I'm fairly certain its a graphite frame. That's while I'll always go Daiwa because their $60  and up reels all have an aluminum body while Shimano makes you pay 200 bucks for a stradic before getting a reel made out of aluminum.

I stand corrected sorry guys. I looked on tackle tour and the shimano rep said it had a graphite body. I'd much rather put a few bucks with it and just get a daiwa procyon off the auction site. Aluminum vs graphite and virtually the same weight in each size. Imo I'd rather have aluminum over graphite any day

[EvanT123]

3 minutes ago, timsford said:

I stand corrected sorry guys. I looked on tackle tour and the shimano rep said it had a graphite body. I'd much rather put a few bucks with it and just get a daiwa procyon off the auction site. Aluminum vs graphite and virtually the same weight in each size. Imo I'd rather have aluminum over graphite any day

I hear ya man. Wasn't doubting you just hadn't read or heard it was metal from any of the usual sources. I'm excited for the new daiwa bg. All metal and direct drive handle for $100 due out September. 

[21farms]

i just live-chatted with TW. they said that, as far as the new NASCI reels are concerned, the 2500-size and 3000-size bodies are different now; the rep said that the 3000- and 4000-sizes now share the same bodies only differing in their spools and that the 2500 is on its own, smaller frame.

[Travis Gasper]

Very interesting. I wonder how much bigger frame the 3000 NASCI is compared to the 2500 Symetre. Also, I see the NASCI doesn't have an anti-reverse switch. Kinda disappointing but not a deal breaker.

[Bdpme420]

I have recently purchased one of eachI have recently purchased one of each basic models2500 and 3000. They are absolutely wonderful! A friend of mine has the new model Stradics  and these reels are every bit the same quality. I don't bass fish but I live on the West Coast and fish for steelhead at least 200 days out of the year.  For the 2500 series I would use on a light rod for small presentation drifting applications. For the 3000 I would use float fishing applications as it tends to pick up line a little bit quicker. Like I said both great reels $200 quality for sure

[Cary Pipes]

I own a nasci.it is hands down best cazting spinning reel ive ever owned.

[webertime]

Daiwa BG is aluminum and direct drive.  And $75.