Matt_3479 Posted February 5, 2019 Posted February 5, 2019 So as season approaches I’m selling off one of my 2 piece spinning rods to a buddy and purchasing a new 1 piece. Still up in the air on which one but looking at possibly the nrx 872s, legend elite 7’ medium fast, or try one of the megabass Rods. I’m looking for a more universal rod, but primarily will be throwing small tubes, weightless senko’s, maybe some flukes or ned rig. I picked up the glx 822s dsr early December I would guess which covers my drop shot, and have a glx 852c for some of the heavier finesse stuff (finesse jig, light weighted t-rigs, shakey head, neko rig. but I stumbled across a couple good deals on higher end reels. I was going to go with another stradic ci4+ as I love the one I currently have but came across a brand new sustain hgfi for the same price as the stradic and an exsence for a great price but still pretty hefty. What’s your thoughts on these two reels over the ci4+? Worth the upgrade? 20 dollars difference for the sustain, and 125-150 more for the exsence which I believe is roughly 125-200 off regular price (super hard to find in Canada to compare prices) Quote
TBAG Posted February 5, 2019 Posted February 5, 2019 I can't answer your question, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Stradic Ci4+, I love mine and sometimes find myself wanting to actually fish a ned rig or a weightless Senko even if the bite isn't tough, just because I want to use that reel. Quote
redmeansdistortion Posted February 5, 2019 Posted February 5, 2019 I have no experience with the Shimano spinning reels, but they do look nice. I typically buy Penn spinners as they are tough as nails, super easy to self service, and replacement parts are readily available if need be. Parts availability is something I always consider when buying a reel, it's tough when you spend good money on a reel and have it relegated to a doorstop when you can't find parts. I have a Battle II 3000 and a Conflict II 2500. Both are fine reels but the Conflict is much lighter. Quote
PatrickKnight Posted February 5, 2019 Posted February 5, 2019 Skip the Sustain, but the Exsence is a noticeable improvement over the Ci4+ and would be a much better fit to a truly high end rod than the Stradic imo. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 5, 2019 Super User Posted February 5, 2019 Another option to consider: Gently used Stella. I have four including the original FA series. My average cost is less than $300 for six or seven over the years as I have upgraded to newer models over time. If you are patient these reels pop up in our Flea Market occasionally. Quote
Matt_3479 Posted February 5, 2019 Author Posted February 5, 2019 2 hours ago, PatrickKnight said: Skip the Sustain, but the Exsence is a noticeable improvement over the Ci4+ and would be a much better fit to a truly high end rod than the Stradic imo. I love my ci4+ and would be happy with another but would be interested in trying something different. I wasn’t sure if the sustain was worth the money over it and the exsence is a huge step above and wasn’t 100% sure on if I’m willing to spend that kind of money but a lightly used one maybe. What is it about the sustain that makes it not worth the money. 1 hour ago, roadwarrior said: Another option to consider: Gently used Stella. I have four including the original FA series. My average cost is less than $300 for six or seven over the years as I have upgraded to newer models over time. If you are patient these reels pop up in our Flea Market occasionally. I’ve considered it a lot but the cheapest I can find in Canada used is closer to the 650-675 dollar range as it’s a 1000 dollar reel here. I found one that is broken for 400 to put it in perspective for you. The exsence i believe is a 650-750 dollar reel but don’t know any store that carries them. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 5, 2019 Super User Posted February 5, 2019 $700 new https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-SHIMNOREEL.html?from=basres Quote
Matt_3479 Posted February 5, 2019 Author Posted February 5, 2019 That’s a US site with US pricing. To purchasing there it would be converted to Canadian at 957.75 plus shipping pushing it at the 1000 dollar reel. And sticker price in Canada is 999.99 Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted February 5, 2019 Super User Posted February 5, 2019 If you want Stella quality for a lesser price give a look at the Daiwa Certate models. I call them the poor man's Stella. Buy them from a Japanese vendor, JDM. Quote
JLBBass Posted February 5, 2019 Posted February 5, 2019 I fish with a pair of new model Pflueger Patriach 3500XT's, and a pair of Shimano Stradic ci4+3000's, and love'em both. I choose these because of the "weight" of them. They both go around 6.7oz's. Personally, that's about as good quality as I would need. Quote
Matt_3479 Posted February 5, 2019 Author Posted February 5, 2019 2 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said: If you want Stella quality for a lesser price give a look at the Daiwa Certate models. I call them the poor man's Stella. Buy them from a Japanese vendor, JDM. I’m pretty happy with shimano products and thinking I’m going stay that route but will definately take a look at one next time I’m in the store. Who knows right. im not looking for Stella quality like I said that’s a 1000+ dollar reel in Canada. I saw the price of the exsence is 799.99 so at 450 for a used one with papers, reciept showing it’s only 2 months old it’s a wicked price! But that’s still 150-200 more then a ci4+ and the sustain. That’s why I’m curious if it’s really worth jt Quote
The Bassman Posted February 5, 2019 Posted February 5, 2019 Keep in mind that there's two versions of the Exsence, the CI4 model and the metal framed one. Big difference in price. I watched a video that showed that the CI4 was essentially a black Stradic. 1 Quote
Matt_3479 Posted February 5, 2019 Author Posted February 5, 2019 10 minutes ago, The Bassman said: Keep in mind that there's two versions of the Exsence, the CI4 model and the metal framed one. Big difference in price. I watched a video that showed that the CI4 was essentially a black Stradic. It’s the exsence ci4+ Quote
The Bassman Posted February 5, 2019 Posted February 5, 2019 I'd go with the Stradic unless you just want a black reel for another 75-100.00. Quote
punch Posted February 5, 2019 Posted February 5, 2019 If you got the money to spend get an Exsence. It's basically a cheaper, and arguably better Stella. Watch this video and you'll be convinced that there's really no reason to buy a Stella with Exsence out there. Quote
Super User FishTank Posted February 5, 2019 Super User Posted February 5, 2019 If you have the coin, the Stella is amazing. If it were my choice though, I would go with the Sustain. I had one years ago and sold it. I wish I still had it. Amazing reel. 1 Quote
Preytorien Posted February 6, 2019 Posted February 6, 2019 I sure like the look of the Exscence - but I have a Sustain and I absolutely love it. It's been rock solid and smooth from the day I bought it Quote
Matt_3479 Posted February 6, 2019 Author Posted February 6, 2019 3 hours ago, The Bassman said: I'd go with the Stradic unless you just want a black reel for another 75-100.00. Wouldn’t the exsence ci4 be an upgrade over the regular exsence? I’ll see if I can go get my hands on the exsence as it seems like it’s worth the step up over the stradic ci4+. If it sells before hand then I’ll be going with the stradic as the exsence is double the price. If the sustain isn’t worth the price upgrade then I won’t even bother playing with them Quote
punch Posted February 6, 2019 Posted February 6, 2019 6 minutes ago, Matt_3479 said: Wouldn’t the exsence ci4 be an upgrade over the regular exsence? I’ll see if I can go get my hands on the exsence as it seems like it’s worth the step up over the stradic ci4+. If it sells before hand then I’ll be going with the stradic as the exsence is double the price. If the sustain isn’t worth the price upgrade then I won’t even bother playing with them Shimano made an all black CI4+ for the Japan market and they unfortunately decided to call it the "Exsence Ci4+". It's not the real Exsence however. The actual Exsence has the same body as a Stella. It can be confusing. Quote
Super User Darren. Posted February 6, 2019 Super User Posted February 6, 2019 I've read (not here) that there's not *that* much diff between Stradic and Sustain. True or false, I can only attest to my CI4+ being an absolutely awesome reel. I do like Daiwa, but have not experience their mid-high end reels. Looks are great, tho. Just my .02. 2 Quote
The Bassman Posted February 6, 2019 Posted February 6, 2019 7 hours ago, Matt_3479 said: Wouldn’t the exsence ci4 be an upgrade over the regular exsence? I’ll see if I can go get my hands on the exsence as it seems like it’s worth the step up over the stradic ci4+. If it sells before hand then I’ll be going with the stradic as the exsence is double the price. If the sustain isn’t worth the price upgrade then I won’t even bother playing with them With the higher end Exsence you're buying a magnesium frame. I believe that above the price of a Stradic CI4+ you're getting diminishing return. I like what @Darren. said from hands on experience. I can second that. (And I still own the FA). I'm sure the FB is even better. 1 Quote
Matt_3479 Posted February 6, 2019 Author Posted February 6, 2019 8 hours ago, punch said: Shimano made an all black CI4+ for the Japan market and they unfortunately decided to call it the "Exsence Ci4+". It's not the real Exsence however. The actual Exsence has the same body as a Stella. It can be confusing. Really! Wow that would of been a huge waste of money then! I wish they had different model numbers. The box the exsence comes in says exsence ci4+ C3000mhg which I believe is the same model number as the regular exsence minus the ci4+ beside the name. I’m not willing to pay 150-200 more for basically the same reel. And unfortunately can’t justify 450 more for a new exsence. Quote
PatrickKnight Posted February 6, 2019 Posted February 6, 2019 Watch this before you buy a Sustain. It goes into really good detail about the differences between it, a Stradic Ci4, the Ultegra, and the Stradic FK. Basically all the Sustain has is the MGL rotor, X protect, and a carbon drag over the Stradic FK. 1 Quote
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