Shimano Stradic CI4+ or Diawa Ballistic lt

[Jared Herman]

Which one is better for light drop shot fishing. Im looking for a smooth drag and smooth retrieve

[kschultz76]

They’re likely very close to each other in performance and quality, and really comes down to preference. I have a couple of the two latest versions of the Stradic CI4+. I continue to those them over the Daiwa because they have a real bearing under the line roller not a bushing. I’ve been amazed at the way they manage line. Although I haven’t checked schematics on the latest Ballistic LT to see if Daiwa went back to a bushing. 

[Nathan.bass.canada]

Ci4+ all day. Probably down south less important but up north (canada) daiwa has horrible customer service. 

[haggard]

While I don't have any experience with the Daiwa, I do have a CI4+ (1000 size) on a L/F rod and I liked it so much I bought a CI4+ (2500 size) for my M/F. Smooth retrieve yes, smooth drag yes. I haven't use it for drop shot yet.

[WRB]

I have owned serial spinning reels over the years from the original Cardinal 4, Daiwa SS 1300 and since the the early 90's Shimano Stractic. The 1st Stratic was a Boys and Girls auction item for my son when he was a 10 year old boy, I was using SS1300's back then.

My son is now 35 and his favorite reel is the Stractic 1000 he has fished with for 25 years and caught his PB 13.2 lb LMB on a slip shot rig 5" worm with. Together we won several charity tournaments over the years using finesse spinning. I use 2 Stractic 2500's and caught hundreds of big bass on these reels. What is amazing they all have original drags and parts, nothing breaks! 

If I was buying a new spinning reel today it would be the Ci4 Stractic.

Tom

[Columbia Craw]

I looked very carefully at both models. I went with the Ballistic LT, the main reason being the Stradic has no reverse lever so back reeling is not an option. I would have preferred the line roller on the Ballistic be supported by a bearing but line twist has not been an issue. The LT (3000) balances perfectly on my DS rod. Ultra smooth retrieve and drag.  Both reels are quality. 

[Falkus]

Ci4+ and dont look back. 

[TBAG]

I've never tried the Daiwa but own a Stradic Ci4+ and it's an amazing reel.

[Hulkster]

the tackletour review of the ballistic mentions that it is only average in handling line twist.

 

Daiwa used to be the best in this regard.

 

why did they remove the line roller bearing?

 

its a no brainer if you ask me - no line roller bearing = get the stradic, 

[burrows]

Only use and own one  spinning reel that I use for bass fishing and it’s a stradic.

[Moray]

I have 2 of the Ci4’s and love them. To be honest I’ve always been a Shimano guy and have never tried Diana reels. I have 2 older model Stadics as well that have served me well for many years.

[burrows]

1 minute ago, Moray said:

I have 2 of the Ci4’s and love them. To be honest I’ve always been a Shimano guy and have never tried Diana reels. I have 2 older model Stadics as well that have served me well for many years.

I never tried any of the Diana reels either ?

[Moray]

Gotta love autocorrect!?

[LxVE Bassin]

I have the ballistic LT and love it 

[Yumeya]

Stradic.

 

But I do want the new Exist

[punch]

I own a Stradic CI4, a Ballistic LT, and a Tatula LT. I gotta say out of the 3, i'd save a bit of money and go with a Tatula LT off ebay. The Tatula LT is as good as the Ballistic, and quite a bit cheaper. You're just not getting a sealed gearbox, but they share the same polished main gear. All 3 are amazing reels, but for the price to performance the Tatula is really hard to beat. 

 

Between just the Ballistic LT and the CI4.. man that's a toss up. They are both killer. I honestly couldn't pick which one I like better because they both bring me a lot of joy. I guess you'd have to break it down to aesthetics and pick the one that looks/feels better to you. You're getting a fantastic spinning reel either way.  

 

I dropshot a LOT and I personally use a Tatula LT 3000 on my main dropshot rig. It's amazing... Cody Meyer runs a Tatula LT 3000 for his dropshot setups if that says anything. 

[onenutinthewater]

3 hours ago, punch said:

I own a Stradic CI4, a Ballistic LT, and a Tatula LT. I gotta say out of the 3, i'd save a bit of money and go with a Tatula LT off ebay. The Tatula LT is as good as the Ballistic, and quite a bit cheaper. You're just not getting a sealed gearbox, but they share the same polished main gear. All 3 are amazing reels, but for the price to performance the Tatula is really hard to beat. 

 

Between just the Ballistic LT and the CI4.. man that's a toss up. They are both killer. I honestly couldn't pick which one I like better because they both bring me a lot of joy. I guess you'd have to break it down to aesthetics and pick the one that looks/feels better to you. You're getting a fantastic spinning reel either way.  

 

I dropshot a LOT and I personally use a Tatula LT 3000 on my main dropshot rig. It's amazing... Cody Meyer runs a Tatula LT 3000 for his dropshot setups if that says anything. 

I also own all 3 and have had stradics for years. It seems like every year or 2 I end up sending one in for repairs and they just send a new one so I can never really be rid of them.

I really love the Tat but have only  the smallest version on a trout stick.

If I ever need another spinning reel I would go with a larger version of the Tat.

[Darren.]

I've owned Stradics from the FI to CI4+ and would choose the 

CI4+ every day. Just a smoother, better feeling reel in all regards,

of course to my hands. YMMV.

 

I'm also a fan of Daiwa, but I've not owned a single LT reel, tho

I have heard/watched YouTube vids that really like them.

 

Probably a "take-your-pick" decision. If I were jumping in, I'd likely

opt for another CI4+, or a Ballistic LT (simply because I want a reel

that will work in fresh/salt).

[waymont]

I’m another guy for the tatula LT 3000. But make sure to get the shallow spool version. 

[A-Jay]

On ‎11‎/‎13‎/‎2018 at 11:14 AM, punch said:

I own a Stradic CI4, a Ballistic LT, and a Tatula LT. I gotta say out of the 3, i'd save a bit of money and go with a Tatula LT off ebay. The Tatula LT is as good as the Ballistic, and quite a bit cheaper. You're just not getting a sealed gearbox, but they share the same polished main gear. All 3 are amazing reels, but for the price to performance the Tatula is really hard to beat. 

 

Between just the Ballistic LT and the CI4.. man that's a toss up. They are both killer. I honestly couldn't pick which one I like better because they both bring me a lot of joy. I guess you'd have to break it down to aesthetics and pick the one that looks/feels better to you. You're getting a fantastic spinning reel either way.  

 

I dropshot a LOT and I personally use a Tatula LT 3000 on my main dropshot rig. It's amazing... Cody Meyer runs a Tatula LT 3000 for his dropshot setups if that says anything. 

Me too ~ 

?

A-Jay