Higher end spinning reel advice? 2024
Matt_3479 reply :
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)
TBAG reply :
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.
redmeansdistortion reply :
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.
PatrickKnight reply :
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.
roadwarrior reply :
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.
Matt_3479 reply :
On 2/5/2019 at 10:00 PM, 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.
On 2/5/2019 at 11:05 PM, 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.
roadwarrior reply :
$700 new
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Stella_FJ_Spinning_Reels_/descpage-SSTT.html
Matt_3479 reply :
On 2/6/2019 at 1:51 AM, roadwarrior said:$700 new
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Stella_FJ_Spinning_Reels_/descpage-SSTT.html
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
Dwight Hottle reply :
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.
JLBBass reply :
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.
Matt_3479 reply :
On 2/6/2019 at 3:07 AM, 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
The Bassman reply :
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.
Matt_3479 reply :
On 2/6/2019 at 6:35 AM, 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+
The Bassman reply :
I'd go with the Stradic unless you just want a black reel for another 75-100.00.
punch reply :
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.
iabass8 reply :
FishTank reply :
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.
TBAG reply :
d**n, those Excences are so good looking.
Preytorien reply :
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
Matt_3479 reply :
On 2/6/2019 at 6:48 AM, 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
punch reply :
On 2/6/2019 at 10:22 AM, 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.
Darren. reply :
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.
The Bassman reply :
On 2/6/2019 at 10:22 AM, 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.
Matt_3479 reply :
On 2/6/2019 at 10:31 AM, 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.
PatrickKnight reply :
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.
Matt_3479 reply :
On 2/6/2019 at 7:24 PM, PatrickKnight said: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.
Thank you! It looks like I’ll probably just get another stradic ci4+. I currently have one, fish it and love it. My dad has the new stradic fk and that’s also an awesome feeling reel! Would be willing to step up but doesn’t seem like the sustain is worth the addition cost and the exsence is more then double which is too steep right now.
punch reply :
See, you're quickly learning that there's low end, mid range, high end, then REALLY high end.
A lot of people think that $200 real is high-end, but there's a whole nother world out there of the true "top shelf" stuff.
Matt_3479 reply :
On 2/6/2019 at 10:18 PM, punch said:See, you're quickly learning that there's low end, mid range, high end, then REALLY high end.
A lot of people think that $200 real is high-end, but there's a whole nother world out there of the true "top shelf" stuff.
Yah obviously! I want a nice set up it after tax the exsence would be 900 dollars in Canada, and the Stella would be 1200 dollars. That’s above my level as I don’t use spinning gear much anymore. The stradic ci4+ is already 350 dollars out the door so to step up when I don’t use much spinning gear it would have to be a great sale or used. But if the exsence ci4 is basically a glorified stradic ci4 then for an extra 175 I can’t see it worth it!
18RangerZ520L reply :
I've got four Stella FJ 3000's on Conquests and those combos are beyond amazing.
Get the best reel you can afford is my only advice. Good luck. 
punch reply :
On 2/6/2019 at 11:17 PM, 18RangerZ520L said:I've got four Stella FJ 3000's on Conquests and those combos are beyond amazing.
Get the best reel you can afford is my only advice. Good luck.
Only 4?! Come on man, step it up.
Matt_3479 reply :
Thanks everyone, for now I think I’ll stick with the stradic ci4+. I don’t see the exsence ci4+ worth it, and can’t afford the exsence. The sustain seems too mixed reviews most swaying saying it’s not worth the addition cost either. Now to narrow down a rod!
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