Which Stradic for Avid X Rod?

[fishwizzard]

On 9/18/2017 at 8:01 PM, Fishing_FF said:

 He said that while the Ci4+ is truly awesome, it is so lightweight that it is hard to find a rod light enough for it. 

 

I have a pair of Ci4+'s and agree.  Both of these reels replaced far far heavier reels on a pair of custom spinning rods I had built.  The builder was provided with the reel weights and he built them to balance around those numbers.  When I swapped in the lighter Ci4+'s the difference in balance was very noticeable.  On one of the rods the difference didn't bother me and after a few hours of fishing it the combo felt as "balanced" as ever.  The other rod, for which the reel weight change was far greater, felt incredibly tip heavy and the balance point was several inches in front of the reel seat.  I added weights to the butt with tape and was surprised to see that only like 5/16-3/8oz was enough to shift it back to where the rod felt comfortable again.  At some point I will get unlazy and send the rod back to the builder to have a bit of weight added.  

[rosshilk]

I have the fk it’s a quality reel for sure, but I always am wondering if it would have been worth the extra dough for the ci4. To be honest I will probably end up with one of those as well in the long run.

 

The FK has smooth drag and good casting distance. It is also one smooth peice of equipment. You really can’t go wrong on either selection.

[Fishing_FF]

Here an update to which reel got put on the Avid X. 

 

I had to to my Nasci to the local rod and reel shop (Kel’s) for repair as I noticed the gear wasn’t smooth. Turns out, mine was included in the bad batch Shimano had manufacturing issues with the gears. It’s cover under warranty so no issues.

 

While there, I asked about the rod balancing and the reels. Both of the reel repairers recommended the Ci4+ as it was a more solid and smooth reel. One even commented, “Both are nice, but the Ci is a $200 reel where as the eBay price for the FJ is more appropriate for its value.”

 

They weren’t as concerned about the balance, saying it was more matter of personal preference. They of course offered to open the bottom of my rods to add weight if I wanted, but said it wasn’t necessary. I appreciated the honest versus most places just selling something. 

[aquaholik]

On 9/15/2017 at 7:11 PM, HookRz said:

The Ci4 is a great reel. But if you value a balanced rod the FK is the way to go. Or add weight by tricking out the rear grip. St. Croix succumbed to the bass market when they put out the X. Love the guide train. Hate the short split grip. Totally tip heavy with the Ci4, even in the shorter lengths. 

 

Targeted bass marketing, selling what it "kewl" has made tackle buying a mine field. 

 

Great piece of advice that likely falls on deaf ears.

 

Don't purchase the Ci4+ 3000(7 oz) until you feel how it balances on this rod. Rod balancing is far from fictional, especially if you are casting and jigging all day long. Fighting the tip heavy feeling all day long is no fun and not only wear you out, it kills the overall sensitivity of the entire setup.

 

I own 2 of the latest Ci4+ FB in the 3000 and 4000. While the Ci4+ 3000 FB balances fine on an Avid Inshore 7ft Medium action(full cork behind the reel seat), take the advice on the short split grip. There will not be enough weight on the rear of the rod and your rod tip will nose dive where you grip the rod to fish with.

 

I also own a JDM 3000 FK with the 5:1 gear ratio and used that heavily for 2 years. I've burned the felt drags and replaced with carbontex and did a myriad of improvement to the FK ( handle bearing upgrade, bearing on the spool support, bearing on the rear of the worm drive). It's a beast of a reel and it's amazing that with constant 3-5 lbs drag for two years, there is zero wear on the drive gear and pinion gear. It's a solidly constructed and well aligned aluminum reel.

 

Nothing bad to say about the Ci4+(gave away my 3000 to my brother) and it will work fine if the setup is balance but I've seen people use this on a heavier and not balance 7ft rod and they are constantly fighting the setup all day long. They pick my setup and the feel is night and day difference.

 

I have the 2017 Sustain along with the 2016 Twinpower and 2015 Stella in the 3000 size. Those hardly get used because of how solid the Stradic FK feels fighting a fish under load. Zero flex and with the lower gear ratio and a 30 mm aluminum knob, absolutely powerful for it's size and weight.

 

With the 2500 FK on Ebay from American Legacy for $126, it's a no brainer, especially with the 20% off coupon. Net cost is $101.60 shipped! Bought two just to rotate my braids used on the 3000 size reels. If you have the right tool and trick the reel out, it's the best value there is in spinning reel right now. Don't bother with the Nasci since it's not a screw in handle design.

 

It's good enough for commercial fishing casting jig all day long and handle 2-4 lbs hard pulling Pompano with ease.

 

[Fishing_FF]

1 hour ago, aquaholik said:

 

Great piece of advice that likely falls on deaf ears.

 

Don't purchase the Ci4+ 3000(7 oz) until you feel how it balances on this rod. Rod balancing is far from fictional, especially if you are casting and jigging all day long. Fighting the tip heavy feeling all day long is no fun and not only wear you out, it kills the overall sensitivity of the entire setup.

 

No worries.....when I go pick up my Nasci (5.0:1 ratio mounted on a Mojo Bass for lures that need slower retrieve), I’ll be taking the Avid X with me. I took it into BassPro to the reels on it, but this shop has some demo models that are spooled. They said I could even bring a couple lures and throw them outback for the shop. They also have a rod balance that I can try. It is a rubber cap that flat lead weights and/or quarters can be put into to try shifting the weight back. 

[Chris at Tech]

18 hours ago, aquaholik said:

With the 2500 FK on Ebay from American Legacy for $126, it's a no brainer, especially with the 20% off coupon. Net cost is $101.60 shipped! Bought two just to rotate my braids used on the 3000 size reels. If you have the right tool and trick the reel out, it's the best value there is in spinning reel right now. 

My wife hates you for posting this 

[fishwizzard]

18 hours ago, aquaholik said:

 

 it's a no brainer, especially with the 20% off coupon.

Uh, what coupon is this?  

 

As stated above, I have a rod that needs a bit more weight than a Ci4+ 2500 on it.  

[aquaholik]

1 hour ago, fishwizzard said:

Uh, what coupon is this?  

 

As stated above, I have a rod that needs a bit more weight than a Ci4+ 2500 on it.  

PCOLUMBUS2017 but it only works with certain seller.