MDRookie Posted November 18, 2016 Posted November 18, 2016 I came across an Avid 6'6 ML at a good buy and now need a reel for it. I am thinking of picking up a Shimano Sahara 2500.. when they become available at BP for $49. Would this be a good match for this rod or does the rod deserve a better reel? Is a 2500 series the correct size? Quote
I.rar Posted November 18, 2016 Posted November 18, 2016 I have a stradic 1000 fk on my 7' ml/f avid x and love it. It's plenty reel for the rod. Quote
EvanT123 Posted November 18, 2016 Posted November 18, 2016 If the rod is a regular avid I would go with a 2500. The first stripper guide on my factory 7' mlf avid is a size 30, its huge! A bigger diameter spinning reel will probably make better use of that guide train. The avid x uses smaller k series type guides and a smaller reel maybe better for that type of guide train setup. Quote
Super User fishnkamp Posted November 18, 2016 Super User Posted November 18, 2016 That is a pretty light rod. Take a good look at an Okuma RTX30. I have a friend that matched an Avid X 6'8M xf rod up with a RTX 30 and it balanced really nicely. I liked it so much I purchased one for a medium 6'6 Quantum I put together myself. The reels are very light, have a high retrieve and ipt is almost equal to my Daiwa 8-1 baitcaster. All in all it matches nice. They can be found online for around $70. 2 Quote
MDRookie Posted November 18, 2016 Author Posted November 18, 2016 Yes, It's a regular Avid. Thank you. I played with a Stradic CI4 2500FA last week at BP and loved the way it felt but am having a hard time with the cost. If I were to pull the trigger on a Stradic... should I go with a 2500 or 3000? Is there anything else as light as a Stradic? What else should I look at.. maybe meeting somewhere in the middle (~$100)? 6 minutes ago, fishnkamp said: That is a pretty light rod. Take a good look at an Okuma RTX30. I have a friend that matched an Avid X 6'8M xf rod up with a RTX 30 and it balanced really nicely. I liked it so much I purchased one for a medium 6'6 Quantum I put together myself. The reels are very light, have a high retrieve and ipt is almost equal to my Daiwa 8-1 baitcaster. All in all it matches nice. They can be found online for around $70. Thanks Bob... I'll give it a look! Quote
Chrisran99 Posted November 18, 2016 Posted November 18, 2016 I have a Stradic 2500 FJ on my Avid 6'6" MLF, the balance is great. If your wanting to keep the price down check out the Symetry in the 2500. I have herd they are being phased out, so I'm sure you can get a deal on one. 1 Quote
Super User fishnkamp Posted November 18, 2016 Super User Posted November 18, 2016 Watch out for the Symetry reels they have been having some trouble with them binding up. Shimano does not seem to have a solution. This makes me nervous, since my wife uses one on her frog rod. MD Rookie if you want to play with my reel I can bring that reel out to you. Put it on your rod and see how you like its feels. By the way, we are all packed and leave for Dallas Fort Worth Saturday and go watch the Ravens play the Cowboys Sunday. Soooo glad we bought that bag of chips and pulled that sticker off that bag. 1 Quote
Big-Bass Posted November 18, 2016 Posted November 18, 2016 Shimano NASCI 2500 or 3000...or even the 1000 size. Great reel for the money. Enjoy! Quote
Hulkster Posted November 18, 2016 Posted November 18, 2016 Nasci 3000. same size as 2500 with better handle grip (T knob) and more line capacity than the 2500. same reel otherwise. same weight too. Quote
smr913 Posted November 18, 2016 Posted November 18, 2016 If you don't need the extra line capacity I would go with a 1000 sized reel. I have a 1000 Ci4 on a 7' Light St. Croix and it has been my new favorite toy. Quote
MDRookie Posted November 19, 2016 Author Posted November 19, 2016 7 hours ago, smr913 said: If you don't need the extra line capacity I would go with a 1000 sized reel. I have a 1000 Ci4 on a 7' Light St. Croix and it has been my new favorite toy. What line do you have on the spool? What do you use this set up for? I'm still learning what rods are best used for this and that.... Quote
Super User Darren. Posted November 19, 2016 Super User Posted November 19, 2016 Another fan of 1000 size Shimano Stradics, but when I had an Avid (6'3" MXF) I felt it was quite tip-heavy. For me that is not cool, but some don't mind that. I exchanged/upgraded to a Legend Tourney 6'3" MLXF and was much happier. Broke that rod and it is now about 5'8 3/4" but still awesome . Anyhoo, Stradics are fantastic. A 2500 would probably balance better on a 7 footer, IMO. 1 Quote
Super User fishnkamp Posted November 19, 2016 Super User Posted November 19, 2016 You actually did cast my Quantum Escalade 6'8" rod, That was the one I showed you that Dicks sold. That rod has my Okuma RTX30 on it. I use it to throw Sencos, and lightly weighted texas rigs. However it would throw lots of other baits too. I like your choice of rod. The one you choose specs as 6'6" medium light fast action rod. It suggests using baits 1/8 to 3/8 4 to 10 pound test and the rod only weighs 3.7 ounces so a light reel will balance it best. Bryan's choice was an Avid X 6'8" Medium fast and it weighs 3.8 ounces so it will balance the same. Quote
MDRookie Posted November 19, 2016 Author Posted November 19, 2016 Is that the one I cast into the tree? LOL I read all the reviews on Amazon for the RTX and the only couple of minor gripes were that it's not smooth out of the box.. but does break in.. and some notice a little bit of wobble. Why would it not be smooth out of the box? This reel does not seem to be available at any of the local chain stores to take another look.... I cannot find a Symetre 2500... did they make one? A NASCI 3000 seem too big and heavy to me... I am leaning toward a Stradic CI4 2500FA at the moment... Quote
Super User fishwizzard Posted November 19, 2016 Super User Posted November 19, 2016 If you just want a "normal" Stradic reel then check out ebay, a lot of the time you can find deals on the older models. I also handled a new Ci4 recently and am gunning to replace my two spinning reels with them, so I do see where you are coming from. In any case, with BF coming up it might be a good time it buy. Quote
MDRookie Posted November 19, 2016 Author Posted November 19, 2016 What do you consider a "normal" Stradic reel? Quote
Super User fishwizzard Posted November 19, 2016 Super User Posted November 19, 2016 Oh, like the non-Ci4 ones. The FH, FI, FJ, FK line. They are great reels in and of themselves, but are not as light as the Ci4 ones are. I believe the gripe with them is a lack of part's availability as they get older, but the FJ's at the very least are still good to go and I have seen them go for around $100 if you get lucky. 1 Quote
Big-Bass Posted November 19, 2016 Posted November 19, 2016 I have a 3000 NASCI and it is by no means too heavy. It's the same size as a 2500 NASCI but with a faster ratio and different handle. A 2500 Stradic weighs 8.3oz. and a 3000 NASCI weighs 8.8 (so does the 2500 NASCI). I strongly recommend this reel for $100 but that's just my opinion. Not sure of many other even near that price range that can match the features of this reel. Quote
MDRookie Posted November 19, 2016 Author Posted November 19, 2016 4 minutes ago, Big-Bass said: I have a 3000 NASCI and it is by no means too heavy. It's the same size as a 2500 NASCI but with a faster ratio and different handle. A 2500 Stradic weighs 8.3oz. and a 3000 NASCI weighs 8.8 (so does the 2500 NASCI). I strongly recommend this reel for $100 but that's just my opinion. Not sure of many other even near that price range that can match the features of this reel. Everywhere I've found the Stradic... shows a weight of 7oz. One example here: http://www.baytackleonline.com/Shimano-Stradic-CI4-2500FA-Spinning-Reel-p/stradic-ci4-2500fa.htm Quote
Big-Bass Posted November 19, 2016 Posted November 19, 2016 Oh yes, the Ci4+ weighs that. Sorry I thought you meant the FK which won the ICAST 2015 Best of Show. I plan on getting a 2500 Ci4+ too (the 2016 model) since the older model has some dated technology that has been surpassed by some of the lower priced reels in the Shimano lineup. Sorry for any confusion with the reel weights. Best wishes on a great reel for your needs! Shimano makes a great reel! Quote
smr913 Posted November 21, 2016 Posted November 21, 2016 On 11/18/2016 at 6:59 PM, MDRookie said: What line do you have on the spool? What do you use this set up for? I'm still learning what rods are best used for this and that.... Right now I have 15# Power Pro braid with a 8# FC leader, but once I can get a spare spool will have one with 6# FC as a back up. I use this setup as my wading rod in a small river near my house. Mostly throwing 1/15oz Ned Rigs, size 7 rapalas, 3" grubs & 4" worms with 1/16-3/32 oz lead. 1 Quote
MDRookie Posted November 21, 2016 Author Posted November 21, 2016 Thanks for all the replies! I went to BP yesterday and looked at reels. I tried the Nasci and it felt great. I think I'm going to save some $$$ to put toward line by pulling the Sedona 1000FE off my St. Croix UL rod to use with this new Avid for now. I will purchase a 500 size Sahara which will be on sale Wednesday ($49) for the UL rod. Make sense? I'm still new and learning... I think this rod would be used like described above by smr913 and would be considered a finesse set up? I've never used braid but would like to give it a try. Any other braid line I should consider? Thanks again...... Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted November 22, 2016 Posted November 22, 2016 Pick up your Stradic CI4 on a black Friday deal. You might be able to get one for under $200. Quote
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