I have $500 - this is what I decided

[MUSLENUTZ]

I need a light precision spinning rod from the shore. 7ft MF Shimano Expride with a Stradic Ci4 2500. Best set up under $500 that’s light weight, sensitive and that’s quality. Prove me wrong before I buy!

[Tywithay]

I think the Tatula LT gives the Ci4+ a good run for its money and it's lighter. You can't really go wrong either way. People can give you a hundred suggestions about the best this or that because they objectively like their favorite gear, but it doesn't necessarily mean it'll work best for you. The two items you've chosen are well-liked by nearly everyone, so I say go for it. 

[Bass Rutten]

Used gloomis nrx ($350-400) + $100 reel of choice.

[camman]

second on the Tatula LT.  I switched my Shimano Stradic CI4 to all Tatula LT's

[mrpao]

I have the expride 7' med spinning rod.

It's a great rod. You will like it.

I also have both the stradic ci4+ and tatula LT. Both are great reels as well. You can't go wrong with either.

[DomQ]

Get the stradic fl, I think it's better then anything else in its price range

[RoLo]

 

Expride rod with a Stradic reel? 

That should result in a happy camper ?

 

Roger

[MUSLENUTZ]

48 minutes ago, DomQ said:

Get the stradic fl, I think it's better then anything else in its price range

Honestly. I think I might have to order the rod first anyway. At that point between those two it will come down to balance more for me probably. 

1 hour ago, camman said:

second on the Tatula LT.  I switched my Shimano Stradic CI4 to all Tatula LT's

Why?

[camman]

so my experience was with the CI4's not the new ones CI4+.  I bought 2 reels and used them equally.  When I first bought them they were super smooth.  After about a year, 1 of them started to grind a little and I sent it to Shimano for work.  I forgot what they did but when it came back it was smooth again.  Maybe a year later the other reel started to wobble a bit.  I used one that they repaired more and that one held up fine.  Fast forward a little while later the Tatula LT's came out.  I bought one and used it for a year with no issues.  I ended up selling my CI4's and bought a second Tatula LT.  Both have seen a lot of use and still smooth and are probably 3 years old.  One did land a 10lb Striper and the drags have held up fine.  They are lighter than the CI4's so depending on what rod you put it on will impact the overall balance.

 

 

[MUSLENUTZ]

I appreciate your info. I was a looking at Daiwa. I have the curado dc and the reel is awesome. Everyone has told me that if you’re spending money Around the 5 mark spend extra get shimano and if you want the best value for the Money. People also said get Daiwa that it is the brand to go with. I think at some point I’d look at Daiwa. Only going on what I’ve talked to people about and using my two curado reels I lean more that way. I’ve spent $2-$300 on combos and always regret it. Their stuff definitely looks cool and clearly has a strong reputation. I only look into gear as I’m about to buy. I don’t follow gear as much as I fish it. Too many hobbies, so I rely on this forum a lot. Thanks brother. 

[LCG]

I would recommend checking out the Stradic FL and compare it with the Ci4+ and the Daiwa Tatula Lt. I think they are all great reels, but the lighter reels just don't seem to balance with any if the rods I have tried. I went with the FL and it's been a great reel so far. Solid and smooth. Obviously not a lot of experience with it yet, being as it's a new product, but at least check it out in person if you get a chance. 

[JustJames]

I was in the market as well and considered those 3 reels pretty hard.

Ci4+ is good the most expensive of the brunch. Ci4+ is 4 years old and might due to upgrade soon. I also agreed with @cammanI feel the same with my old ci4 not +.

stradic FL is also good, I like long stroke spool, aluminum body and thanks to MGL rotor the weight is pretty reasonable but still the heaviest.
Tatula LT, is smooth, ATD drag is nice for light line fishing, drag sound is just so so and smoothness is feel dry, only come in XH gear.

End up ordered Ballistic FW 2500S-C because I don’t need those Magseal, and since I orderes from Japan I got to choose Shallow spool and 5.2 gear.

[Ogandrews]

A used nrx with a Shimano nasci would be a nice combo but if I had $500 for a spinning rod I’d probably go with a poison adrena and an ultegra or a st croix legend elite or old model xtreme both the same blank and a Shimano nasci

[Tywithay]

1 minute ago, Ogandrews said:

A used nrx with a Shimano nasci would be a nice combo but if I had $500 for a spinning rod I’d probably go with a poison adrena and an ultegra or a st croix legend elite or old model xtreme both the same blank and a Shimano nasci

That's not a bad idea either, but I'd take a Fuego LT over the NASCI. After owning both for about a year, the Fuego fishes a lot better for me. I sold the NASCI.

[Ogandrews]

Just now, Tywithay said:

That's not a bad idea either, but I'd take a Fuego LT over the NASCI. After owning both for about a year, the Fuego fishes a lot better for me. I sold the NASCI.

I’ll have to give a fuego lt a try, I’ve got nasci on all of my spinning rods. The reels are good enough than I don’t feel the need to buy a higher end reel as I would rather put the money towards buying a better rod. As long as the reel has a smooth drag I think you get more out of your money by buying a much better rod when it comes to spinning.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

11 minutes ago, Ogandrews said:

I’ll have to give a fuego lt a try, I’ve got nasci on all of my spinning rods. The reels are good enough than I don’t feel the need to buy a higher end reel as I would rather put the money towards buying a better rod. As long as the reel has a smooth drag I think you get more out of your money by buying a much better rod when it comes to spinning.

Yep thats my thoughts as well when comparing $100 reels to $200 reels not much to be gained. That extra 100 can get you a much better rod.

--

Hook Up Tackle has demo NRX spinning rods for $415  get one and put the $85 on a Daiwa spinning reel when a sale some place has them 20% off or better.

[JustJames]

I do agreed with Daiwa LT at 100 price point especially 1000 and 2000 size reel. Once you go up to 2500-3000 the Zaion body plus spool support will give you more stable and less flex. I had Legalis LT 1000 and like it a lot before upgrade to Tatula, btw I don’t like magseal for freshwater reel, less thing to worry. Exceler LT is even cheaper, with screw in handle but cannot change the knob. (I also ordered Exceler LT 2000 as backup)

For shimano, I used to have Symetre 2500, that reel made me hate using spinning for awhile until I got ci4 and it was night and day. I don’t get tired after an hour of fishing. It balance better on my rod. BTW, I only finesse fishing with spinning.

[Ogandrews]

18 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

I do agreed with Daiwa LT at 100 price point especially 1000 and 2000 size reel. Once you go up to 2500-3000 the Zaion body plus spool support will give you more stable and less flex. I had Legalis LT 1000 and like it a lot before upgrade to Tatula, btw I don’t like magseal for freshwater reel, less thing to worry. Exceler LT is even cheaper, with screw in handle but cannot change the knob. (I also ordered Exceler LT 2000 as backup)

For shimano, I used to have Symetre 2500, that reel made me hate using spinning for awhile until I got ci4 and it was night and day. I don’t get tired after an hour of fishing. It balance better on my rod. BTW, I only finesse fishing with spinning.

The legalis lt is the only diawa reel I have ever owned and I was super impressed with it for the price. Ended up giving it to my girlfriend, used her combo last weekend and landed a 47” musky on it with an 8lbs mono leader so the drag is pretty decent.

[Gazz]

On 5/28/2020 at 9:36 PM, MUSLENUTZ said:

Honestly. I think I might have to order the rod first anyway. At that point between those two it will come down to balance more for me probably. 

Why?

Legend has it that if you put a Tatula on an Expride it will burst into flames and you will suffer the curse of the Ci4 for the rest of your days. 

[waymont]

I would suggest a Daiwa Tatula spinning rod (cork handle) in 7' medium, with a Tatula LT 3000 shallow spool reel.

These rods are fantastic, and the combo together is super light and sensitive. The rods remind me of my old Loomis SJR, but are a little bit lighter in weight and better balanced. You will have a lot of money left over for line, lures, etc. too.

[Teal]

On 5/28/2020 at 3:30 PM, MUSLENUTZ said:

I need a light precision spinning rod from the shore. 7ft MF Shimano Expride with a Stradic Ci4 2500. Best set up under $500 that’s light weight, sensitive and that’s quality. Prove me wrong before I buy!

@MUSLENUTZ what did you end up getting?   I'm all about the tatulas ans saving money, but that expride and stradic would make a SICK combo.   

[Gazz]

I actually just got my new Stradic in the mail and it feels really nice. I’m in the process of deciding on a rod for it as well. Still lost. 

[Boomstick]

On 5/28/2020 at 6:38 PM, Tywithay said:

I think the Tatula LT gives the Ci4+ a good run for its money and it's lighter. You can't really go wrong either way. People can give you a hundred suggestions about the best this or that because they objectively like their favorite gear, but it doesn't necessarily mean it'll work best for you. The two items you've chosen are well-liked by nearly everyone, so I say go for it. 

You might even be able to get a Ballistic LT for less than the Tatula LT. I got my girlfriend one for her birthday last year for something insane, I think it was $135 new off ebay if I remember right

[mrpao]

Which stradic did you get?

Go with the expride. It's hard to beat for the money.

I have the 7' med spinning and use it mainly for weightless senkos and worms.

If you want something lighter. Get the 6'10" med light. That rod is awesome for drop shots and shakey heads. 

[pauldconyers]

On 5/31/2020 at 11:33 AM, waymont said:

I would suggest a Daiwa Tatula spinning rod (cork handle) in 7' medium, with a Tatula LT 3000 shallow spool reel.

These rods are fantastic, and the combo together is super light and sensitive. The rods remind me of my old Loomis SJR, but are a little bit lighter in weight and better balanced. You will have a lot of money left over for line, lures, etc. too.

For my education why the shallow spool?