pauldconyers Posted June 9, 2020 Posted June 9, 2020 I've never been a spinning reel guy but lately I have been thinking I need to bite the bullet and get one. I would use it for bass fishing primarily but I would like to have the ability to go after crappie or pan fish if I so chose. With it I will probably throw a wacky rig worm, shakey head, light t-rigs, ned rig, possibly a small jerk bait or fluke, vertical jigging, might learn a drop shot one day. Probably will throw 15 pound braid on it as well. I am not looking for a technique specific spinning rod/reel here, I am looking for a spinning setup that will handle all spinning applications here. I was wanting to stay around the $100 mark and was looking at a lot of good looking options from Daiwa. I have always been a Shimano guy though and now seeing that Bass Pro will be selling the Shimano Stradic CI4+ for about $150 I am considering bumping up my price to get such a reel. Not knowing much about spinning reels I wanted to ask for a few opinions on this reel from you guys. I did not want to just blindly buy a higher end Shimano without some opinions and feeling like the additional $50 was worth it versus a Daiwa Fuego or BG or something. I was thinking I would go with the 2500 size. For the types of baits I would be throwing and using 15 pound braid is that a good model to go with? Quote
TBAG Posted June 9, 2020 Posted June 9, 2020 I have a couple on my finesse and ned rig setups. You can't go wrong for $150. I don't even need one but will more than likely buy a couple just for backups at that price. Quote
Super User jimmyjoe Posted June 9, 2020 Super User Posted June 9, 2020 I have two ci4+ 2500 FA reels, and I love them. I also have an FB series reel, and had one that I returned. It is my opinion that the FB series has much poorer quality control than the FA series had. If I needed that size reel again, I'd go metal (brand new). Probably the Daiwa BG2500 for the money. Possibly the Stradic 2500FL. But ..... I'd get a used Ci4+ FA series Stradic, also. I wouldn't worry about that. You're not paying for my opinion, so take it for what it's worth. ?? jj Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted June 9, 2020 Super User Posted June 9, 2020 Given the choice between a CI4 or a Stradic FK or FL, I'd take the FK/FL all day. Wasn't impressed with the 3 CI4s I've had. Still holding on to one of them just because I built the rod specifically for that reel. Quote
pauldconyers Posted June 9, 2020 Author Posted June 9, 2020 24 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said: I have two ci4+ 2500 FA reels, and I love them. I also have an FB series reel, and had one that I returned. It is my opinion that the FB series has much poorer quality control than the FA series had. If I needed that size reel again, I'd go metal (brand new). Probably the Daiwa BG2500 for the money. Possibly the Stradic 2500FL. But ..... I'd get a used Ci4+ FA series Stradic, also. I wouldn't worry about that. You're not paying for my opinion, so take it for what it's worth. ?? jj What are the differences between the FB and FA models? When looking at the two how do I tell the difference, or is it just written on the reel somewhere? Quote
HenryPF Posted June 9, 2020 Posted June 9, 2020 10 minutes ago, pauldconyers said: What are the differences between the FB and FA models? When looking at the two how do I tell the difference, or is it just written on the reel somewhere? Pretty much nothing (handle) Quote
Super User WRB Posted June 9, 2020 Super User Posted June 9, 2020 I don’t think you need to pay a premium for a composite light weight reel. If you want to use this reel for crappie and bass using braid main line with a leader my suggestion is 1000 size reel. Lighter weight because it’s smaller size. You have several good spinning reels under $100. Shimano Sahara F1 is a good choice. Tom 1 Quote
Super User Tywithay Posted June 9, 2020 Super User Posted June 9, 2020 1 hour ago, pauldconyers said: What are the differences between the FB and FA models? When looking at the two how do I tell the difference, or is it just written on the reel somewhere? FB has the newer Hagane Concept. It also has a magnumlite rotor for much lighter startup inertia. To me, the FB feels a lot more rigid and refined than the FA. If I was forced to pick a Shimano, I still prefer the Stradic FL, but for $150, the CI4+ is an excellent deal. I'll probably grab another one just because. Quote
Gazz Posted June 10, 2020 Posted June 10, 2020 I got my recent Ci4+ full price and then of course I find out it’s going on sale. I may just get another one. I love it for the $230 I paid and $150 makes it impossible to pass on for me. I run mine with 15 lb braid to leader as well and it has been really nice so far. Only a few days use but I’m obsessed with it already. With that being said, I have heard amazing things about Shimano’s cheaper options. The Nasci is supposed to be a really nice reel right around $100 and my buddy has a Sahara that is a great reel as well. I would personally go with Ci4+ again but that’s just me. Quote
Super User Teal Posted June 10, 2020 Super User Posted June 10, 2020 It a darn good reel.i have 1 I got 6 years ago. It will last...but in also still have a Sahara that I love had a loooooong time. 1 Quote
pauldconyers Posted June 10, 2020 Author Posted June 10, 2020 10 hours ago, S Hovanec said: Given the choice between a CI4 or a Stradic FK or FL, I'd take the FK/FL all day. Wasn't impressed with the 3 CI4s I've had. Still holding on to one of them just because I built the rod specifically for that reel. What are the differences between the FK and FL models? Quote
CountryboyinDC Posted June 10, 2020 Posted June 10, 2020 4 hours ago, pauldconyers said: What are the differences between the FK and FL models? The FKs are the discontinued non-Ci4 Stradics. I got a new FL on discount when the vendor sold more FKs than he had in inventory and substituted the FL. It seems to have a longer (maybe wider, I'm not sure what that dimension is called, but it's not the round dimension). Otherwise, from reading the feature list and handling the reel, they seem to be the same. I haven't fished that yet. I put a Ci4 on a rod a while back, and it felt cheap/light. I traded for the FK, no problems. I know it's not, but I feel the same way about a Chronarch MGL baitcaster I have. I don't know why, I just don't like the feel. Quote
Super User Mobasser Posted June 10, 2020 Super User Posted June 10, 2020 18 hours ago, WRB said: I don’t think you need to pay a premium for a composite light weight reel. If you want to use this reel for crappie and bass using braid main line with a leader my suggestion is 1000 size reel. Lighter weight because it’s smaller size. You have several good spinning reels under $100. Shimano Sahara F1 is a good choice. Tom I agree with WRB on this. Unless you just want to spend the money, you don't need to buy a stradic to get a good spinning reel in the 100 dollar range. Shimano Nasci is right around that price, or the Shimano Sahara at around 80 dollars. My newer Sahara is size 2500. Light, smooth, and very good drag. Perfect for bass fishing Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted June 10, 2020 Super User Posted June 10, 2020 That $150 sale price at BPS is very tempting. I have always had a question about what is this reel made of? The description reads "G free body" which I can assume the "G" means graphite. Ok so it's not graphite then what is it made of? My old Shimano Symetre is made of aluminum. The description on the package reads "Aluminum body" Why can't they just say, carbon, aluminum, magnesium, whatever, instead of that cryptic "G free body" stuff? Quote
The Maestro Posted June 10, 2020 Posted June 10, 2020 37 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said: That $150 sale price at BPS is very tempting. I have always had a question about what is this reel made of? The description reads "G free body" which I can assume the "G" means graphite. Ok so it's not graphite then what is it made of? My old Shimano Symetre is made of aluminum. The description on the package reads "Aluminum body" Why can't they just say, carbon, aluminum, magnesium, whatever, instead of that cryptic "G free body" stuff? Ci4 sounds better than plastic. 1 1 Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted June 10, 2020 Super User Posted June 10, 2020 6 minutes ago, The Maestro said: Ci4 sounds better than plastic. Just go with a Supreme for $105 - magnesium body. ( I got one on my wish-list ) Quote
thunderblack Posted June 10, 2020 Posted June 10, 2020 Fishing almost all stradics, Ci4, and a couple tatula LT, kage reels. I cant imagine someone not liking a Ci4 at this price pt. 1 Quote
pauldconyers Posted June 10, 2020 Author Posted June 10, 2020 2 minutes ago, thunderblack said: Fishing almost all stradics, Ci4, and a couple tatula LT, kage reels. I cant imagine someone not liking a Ci4 at this price pt. The Tatula LT has be intriqued. I think I am looking at the FL, the Ci4+ and the Tatula LT. How do they compare? Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted June 10, 2020 Super User Posted June 10, 2020 29 minutes ago, The Maestro said: Ci4 sounds better than plastic. Thanks. Carbon tetraiodide. You learn something new everyday. Quote
thunderblack Posted June 10, 2020 Posted June 10, 2020 All are great reels but prefer stradic. I like the fact they work for inshore use. They are very comparable.slight edge to Ci4....my opinion Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted June 10, 2020 Super User Posted June 10, 2020 4 hours ago, thunderblack said: I cant imagine someone not liking a Ci4 at this price pt. All 3 of my CI4s felt geary. Don't have that feeling in the metal Stradics. Quote
Super User Tywithay Posted June 10, 2020 Super User Posted June 10, 2020 6 hours ago, NYWayfarer said: That $150 sale price at BPS is very tempting. I have always had a question about what is this reel made of? The description reads "G free body" which I can assume the "G" means graphite. Ok so it's not graphite then what is it made of? My old Shimano Symetre is made of aluminum. The description on the package reads "Aluminum body" Why can't they just say, carbon, aluminum, magnesium, whatever, instead of that cryptic "G free body" stuff? G Free Body design moves the center of gravity by shifting the worm shaft oscillation, to improve balance. It's on all of the newer Shimano spinning reels, aluminum included. Quote
bryand82487 Posted June 10, 2020 Posted June 10, 2020 How do the new ones compare to the originals that were not the “+” version? I have three of the originals and love those. Quote
LCG Posted June 10, 2020 Posted June 10, 2020 6 hours ago, pauldconyers said: I think I am looking at the FL, the Ci4+ and the Tatula LT. How do they compare? Went through the same dilemma back around Christmas. Played with all of them in store and went with the FL. The aluminum body just felt better to me and it is amazingly smooth. The drag is silky and lays line great. Very happy with the FL. Plus the ultra light reels don't seem to balance well on any rod I use, if that's important to you. In the end they are all very nice reels and should last a long time. 1 Quote
pauldconyers Posted June 10, 2020 Author Posted June 10, 2020 Why is the Ci4+ priced higher than the FL? What about it is supposed to be superior? It seems like a lot of guys like the FL better. Quote
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