New High End Spinning Reel Help.....

[FishTank]

So I am in the market for a new spinning reel.  I have owned several over the years of all different kinds but have yet to buy a high end reel.  My current spinning reels are the Shimano Stradic FL and FJ.  Both have served me well but are just about shot.

 

I am looking at the Shimano Vanquish, Exsence, Stella, and from Daiwa the Certate LT and Luvias LT. 

 

I have put in hand an old Stella and I use to own a Shimano Sustain about 12 years ago.  Both of the these were amazing but things have changed since then I have lost touch with some of the new spinning gear technology and need some advice.

 

2500 or 3000 size?  What is the "C" stand for in the Shimano numbering (ex. C3000 MHG)?  Looking at specs, are the spools smaller now on some reels?  Can anyone explain the Exsence line of reels? They seem to be like the Tatula of spinning reels in the JDM reel market.  I am going to pair it with a G. Loomis NRX 803S for weightless senkos and light jigs.  So which reel?

 

Thanks again.....

[jimmyjoe]

5 minutes ago, FishTank said:

 Looking at specs, are the spools smaller now on some reels?

 

   For some Daiwa reels, yes. I don't know about any others.

   https://daiwafishing.com.au/pages/light-tough

   Halfway down the page.        jj

[Tim Kelly]

Honestly, there's nothing much to not like about any of the reels you mention. If you generally prefer one brand over the other, then choose the one from that brand at the price you can manage, they're all great reels at that price point. 

 

If it were my choice I'd have the Certate, but any of them would be excellent, but then so are the $200 reels from both companies.

[Jason.Domingo]

My wife owns a 2500 Vanquish. The C I believe stands for Compact and it is quite small. The spool is quite shallow as well, not even 100 yards of 8lb fluoro. Its a powerful reel though, she hauled in what had to be at least a 6 or 7 with no issue, no flexing , nothing. She had her doubts when she first got it because of the size but she loves it. 
 

Side note..my wifes only 5ft tall lol

[JustJames]

C mean compact, typically bigger spool on smaller frame, 3000C may be the same body as 2500.

D deep spool arbor

S shallow spool

SS super shallow spool

M? Medium shallow spool?

SP/PG super low speed gear low speed

HG/XG/XH high speed
If no letter at all mean stardard.

For exsample I have Ballistic FW 2500S-C

meaning I have 2500 shallow spool (compact) on smaller body than 2500 which is 1000 body. No letter on speed mean I have standards 5.2 gear reel.

 

 

[JustJames]

Okay I have nothing else to do. Let see if I can translate these Da vinci code. Lol

This is from Stella which cover a lot model than Exsence.

C3000MHG - 6.0 gear(HG). 47mm spool size, PE1 190m(M). Weight 210gram(C)

C3000SDHHG - DH (double handle) everything else pretty much the same but line capacity is PE1 120m(S), weight 5 gram more for double handle

C3000XG - 6.4 gear(XG), PE1 400m (no letter standard spool) everything else same

C3000 - 5.3 gear, PE1 400m (No letter standard gear and spool) 210 gram (C)

3000MHG - pretty much the same only 5.8 gear? and 225 gram 15 gram (.5oz) heavier (no C)

 

More explanation. Lol I have too much fun now.

6-9kg? Drag capacity

47/17 spool width/height

 various number is line retrieving is CM

45/55 handle length 45 for double handle.

12/1 bearing

 

I hope I guessed all these correctly or close, d**n I’m not Japanese.

[evo2s197]

8 hours ago, Jason.Domingo said:

My wife owns a 2500 Vanquish. The C I believe stands for Compact and it is quite small. The spool is quite shallow as well, not even 100 yards of 8lb fluoro. Its a powerful reel though, she hauled in what had to be at least a 6 or 7 with no issue, no flexing , nothing. She had her doubts when she first got it because of the size but she loves it. 
 

Side note..my wifes only 5ft tall lol

A SHIMANO REEL WITH A DAIWA BEANIE! ??

[RoLo]

 

I have two Shimano Stellas, and if I didn't look down to see the reel,

I couldn't tell the difference between a Stella and a Stradic.

 

Roger

[WRB]

Why not have your reels professionally servived? Not much can go haywire with your current reels. Rebuild a few bearings and drags. 

If you "want" something new then that is another story.

Tom

PS, my PB spinning reel/rod LMB is 13.2 lbs using a older Stractic, hard to beat the drag system.

[Tywithay]

Can't speak on the Shimano stuff because the last high end one I had was the Stella FE. Do have a Stradic FL, but you already know where it stands. On the Daiwa side, I bought an Exist (model right before the LT) and a Certate LT. I sold the Exist. The Certate LT is far and away the best spinning reel I've used. I'm sure the Stella and Exsence are fantastic, but for the money, I don't know that anything beats the Certate.

 

Exsence is a line of reels geared towards sea bass. The BB reels are like the lower tier, then CI4+ is essentially the same as the Stradic in the US. The top Exsence model is magnesium, similar to the Vanquish and Stella. Baitcasters are similar, there's a BB, then the SS DC, and a high end 4x8 DC. They're all based on other platforms, but geared for the sea bass.

 

The C in Shimano stands for compact. Basically a C3000 is a 2500 body with a 3000 spool. 3000 with no C is a 4000 body and a shallower spool. If it ends in S, ie. 2500S, then it's a shallow spool. M is a medium-shallow spool.

[soflabasser]

29 minutes ago, RoLo said:

 

I have two Shimano Stellas, and if I didn't look down to see the reel,

I couldn't tell the difference between a Stella and a Stradic.

 

Roger

Shimano Stradics are one of my favorite reels.

[Jason.Domingo]

1 hour ago, evo2s197 said:

A SHIMANO REEL WITH A DAIWA BEANIE! ??

Her baitcasters are Daiwa’s so there.

[evo2s197]

11 minutes ago, Jason.Domingo said:

Her baitcasters are Daiwa’s so there.

That's a little better then.

[FishTank]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Why not have your reels professionally servived? Not much can go haywire with your current reels. Rebuild a few bearings and drags. 

If you "want" something new then that is another story.

Tom

PS, my PB spinning reel/rod LMB is 13.2 lbs using a older Stractic, hard to beat the drag system.

I have looked into it.  The parts alone total for both reels are about $125 minimum.   One needs a new bail assembly, 3 bearings, and drag washers.  The other needs the main gear, pinion, the same bearings and drag washers.   I have taken them apart and reassembled and could make them like new but the outside of both reels have started to rust as well (which is my fault). One other thing I have yet to figure out on the FI is why the drag will come loose occasionally after I catch a fish, especially on one that's big or fights hard.   I have gotten into the habit of checking it after each catch so not a huge deal.   

 

I would also agree on the drag. I caught my personal best, 10lb 2oz. with the 2500 Stradic FJ on a St. Croix Avid 6' ML and 6lb test.  I thought I had a state record breaker.  So I may hold on to this one, just for sentimental reasons. 

[FishTank]

Well with everyones help I ordered the Shimano Vanquish C3000 XG.   I will let you all know how it works out once it gets here from Japan. 

[FishTank]

Well it arrived today......  I like it but I don't think the price tag fits the reel.  It's really smooth, super light, strong and cast a mile but I think I was expecting more.   It is pretty fast for a spinning reel and I find myself ripping the bait from the fishes mouth.  I think it will just take some time to get use to.  

 

Where this reel excels though is bring fish in.  It is just fun to fish.  This I can't truly explain in words.  You just kind of have to experience it for yourself.  So I guess overall, if it increases my fishing fun, it's a keeper but I probably could have gotten away with another Stradic.

 

I did get the job done tonight.  I caught about 6 little ones and this guy.

 

[JustJames]

16 hours ago, FishTank said:

So I guess overall, if it increases my fishing fun, it's a keeper but I probably could have gotten away with another Stradic.

 

Totally agree with this, the new Stradic ci4+ come with everything you might need for spinning reel, except 2 roller ball bearing. The more you spend, you might only get lighter handle and spool or more bearing count, better cosmetic but the main important you enjoy the gears you choose and have fun with it.

I’m on kind of budget type, so The new Stradic ci4+ is as high dollar reel I would go. If I ever have xtra money to spend, of course Stella here I come.

BTW, that is one beautiful and classy reel. How is the magnesium feel compare to CI4+?

[Randy Price]

IMO, The Stradic and Avid series are both the best ROI in each companies line.  You can spend more and get "better" but not for what it costs, again MO.