what size reel should i pair it with

[Boots]

finally spending my christmas money i got a 6' st croix premier light spinning rod and i was thinking about getting the new shimano stradic ci4, what size do you think would be best the 2500 or the 1000, all my other shimanos are 2500 but i'm thinking the 1000 might feel better.  what do you suggest?

[Nine Miler]

I think the 1000 size will be too small.

[Hammer 4]

I would agree, Unless your fishing for smaller panfish, ect.

I think the 1000 size will be too small.

[Big Bait Fishing]

a 2500 size spinning reel works just as good with 2 or 4 lb line . i spool my 2500's with 2-6 lb. line all the time since i also like to fish crappies( 6 lb.) blue gill(2-4 lb.)and trout (2-6 lb.) with the 2500 size you get more line options , 6-8 lb. line doesn't do so well on a 1000 size reel ........

[Fishes in trees]

It depends on what feels right on the rod.  If the smaller one feels better, go for it.  BPS catalog shows it holding 110 yards of 6 lb test.  So you could probably put 8 on it, for sure you could drop down to 4 lb test, or go up to 20 lb braid, that would be a hoot.  If you can catch a fish that will tear up that reel, you could be a hero.  It comes with a spare spool.  Go with 6 on one spool for your genuine finesse stuff and put 20 lb power pro on the other spool - then just dare the fish to try to tear it up.

You might bust the rod before you tear up that reel.  So what, St. Croix has a good warranty.

[Stasher1]

Personally, I'd much rather spend $200 on the rod and $100 on the reel. I'd take the Premier back and exchange it for an Avid or LTB and pick up a Symetre instead of the CI4. The sensitivity difference between the Premier and Avid is substantial.

Of the choices listed, though, I'd opt for the 2500. The 1000 would probably be fine functionally, but the rod will feel noticeably tip heavy with a reel that light.

I have the same rod paired with a Pflueger Arbor 7430 (8.5 oz) and the combo balances very well and is only slightly tip heavy, which is the way I prefer my spinning rigs.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

You'll probably want a 2500 size reel for that, but I suggest bringing the rod when shopping so can see how it feels. Vice-versa when rod shopping.

[Boots]

i think i will go with the 2500 incase i want to use it with my falcon rod as well. i use 10 pound test braid and 6 pound test braid, the fish i catch don't get that big (my best was only 4 pounds in my life for freshwater fishing)

[scrutch]

just went thru this same question a few weeks ago on here...overwhelmingly the response was 2500.   got a 2500 and chose right...in fact its almost still too small...good luck!

[maineman]

I don,t know but a 6ft. lite rod i think would match up better with the 1000 size reel. Now you could take the $200 reel money and buy the 1000 and the 2500 symetre,s for the other rod. Than again the c14 is sweet!

[scrutch]

I don,t know but a 6ft. lite rod i think would match up better with the 1000 size reel. Now you could take the $200 reel money and buy the 1000 and the 2500 symetre,s for the other rod. Than again the c14 is sweet!

you raise a good point, it is only a 6' rod. IMHO the Ci4 might be too light for it to balance well and I've heard it isnt as smooth as it should be for $200.

[BassThumb]

I think it depends on what you plan to use the rods rod, bass fishing or panfishing? If you are going to be fishing crappies and sunnies with 4 lb line, as I do, you'll be fine with a smaller reel. If you're looking for a finesse bass fishing rod, than I think you should return the rod and go with a ML power rod as the very minimum. A 2000 or 2500 sized reel would be a good fit for that.

I think a 2500 feels ways too heavy on my L power rods. I own two 6' light power fast action rods. One is the very same St. Croix Premier 6' LF. Mine were purchased as panfishing rods but I sometimes use them for fun with 1/16 oz tubes when bass fishing. That's all a 6' L power rod is good for in bass fishing, an underpowered novelty rod to play around with once in a while. A 6' 6" or 7' ML Fast Premier would be better suited I think.

[roadwarrior]

I highly recommend the 1000 series for

the combination you are building. I have

the Stella 1000FA saddled to an AVS66MLF.

The match is made in heaven!