New Shimano Reels Question 2024

gall reply :

i was looking at the new shimano spinning reels that are coming out and my question is do any of them have either a waterproof or sealed drag? i know the old saros did but its not saying anything about the new ones does anyone know i'm thinking about buying one but not until i find out about the drag

mod479 reply :

No idea if it does, cant find the answer online either.

If you're gonna get the new saros, why not spend a little extra coin on a Stradic FJ? It's slightly lighter, has X-ship, same number of bearings, has gotten excellent short and long term reviews, and you know the drag is waterproof. I love mine, the white paint is irredescent green and looks awesome up close.

thehooligan reply :

On 9/14/2012 at 4:23 AM, mod479 said:

No idea if it does, cant find the answer online either.

If you're gonna get the new saros, why not spend a little extra coin on a Stradic FJ? It's slightly lighter, has X-ship, same number of bearings, has gotten excellent short and long term reviews, and you know the drag is waterproof. I love mine, the white paint is irredescent green and looks awesome up close.

I second the stradic fj, i have the 1000 on my dobyns dropshot rod and its smooth as butter, awesome reel.

gall reply :

ill have to take a look hows the drag on it? is it sealed and also is it a smooth drag? i have a pfluger surpreme xt and ive noticed the drag isnt like my old shimano sahara the drag on that couldnt be more smooth

Capt.Bob reply :

On 9/16/2012 at 7:53 PM, gall said:

ill have to take a look hows the drag on it? is it sealed and also is it a smooth drag? i have a pfluger surpreme xt and ive noticed the drag isnt like my old shimano sahara the drag on that couldnt be more smooth

Any of the Stradics will have a drag that is as smooth as butter and will rival a level wind drag. I upgraded my old Stradics this year and even my old Stradics FH, FI, MgFB MgF all had Super smooth drags, now there all waterproof the FJ is the way to go. It is worth a little nore cash for a lot more reel.

gall reply :

thanks for the advice i still have my sarhara and that thing was a tank im extremely disappointed with my pfluger and i wish i just stuck with shimano now i know what type of reel im getting overall how do you like the ci4?

rockchalk06 reply :

If its not sealed I just use a heavier grease and it helps some

00 mod reply :

ci4 has waterproof drag, and despite the opinions of some others on here, I still say is the best bang for your buck as far as a spinning reel goes! Lightweight and smooth as butter, I have the 2500 paired with a Pinnacle spinning rod and it is AWESOME!!!! whole setup weights 10.5 oz.

Jeff

J Francho reply :

I have three CI4 2500s. All have been upgraded to Carbontex Drags from Smooth Drags. I run them dry, since I sometimes operate in freezing conditions. Great reels, light and capable.

gall reply :

how do you change out the drags on a reel?

J Francho reply :

Have a pro do it for you

gall reply :

how much would it cost and do you have any links? i wouldnt mind having my pfluger redone

fishking247 reply :

it's a fairly simple process. buy the appropriate drag washers and do it yourself. it will save you money. i'm sure you can google how to change a drag on a spinning reel and figure it out

J Francho reply :

On 9/19/2012 at 3:33 AM, gall said:

how much would it cost and do you have any links? i wouldnt mind having my pfluger redone

Have Mike at DVT do it: http://www.bassresource.com/ads/www/delivery/ck.php?oaparams=2__bannerid=228__zoneid=8__cb=6d37b5f815__oadest=http://www.delawarevalleytackle.com/

SirSnookalot reply :

Shimano makes a good product, that said my comparable sized supreme (35 or a 2500) has caught many inshore fish that can really test that drag, I have never upgraded a drag on any reel, but if you think it's makes a difference go4it. Having a drag problem catching bass with your supreme may be an isolated problem and not the norm. The purpose of a drag is not to stop a bull elephant in full gallop, but tire it out, you may be expecting too much.

A simple phone call or email to Shimano will give you a definitive answer whether the saros has a waterproof drag or not, it's a very good reel. I own reels from quite a few mfgs, but I have more Pfluegers (5), Shimanos(4) and Abu sorons (4) than anything else, the drags on all 3 brands all work well, each reel is butter smooth. The max drag is a misleading number as you don't tighten it down all the way, the sorons do have the most max of those brands, as I say it doesn't mean anything, I'm setting the drag to the line. The Pfluegers and sorons may get a wind knot once in a while, the Shimanos have never had one, just the way it is, I don't make recommendations, it's your money.

My soron 20 is probably my favorite of all, I use it for bass and inshore fishing. Not that I'm in the market now, but my next purchase may be a new stradic.

gall reply :

thanks for the advice and the drag for my surpreme will be like this either no line at all getting out or way to much where i cant even reel it in i really like the look of the shimano and even when i had my shara ive dunked it a few times by accident and still never had an issue

SirSnookalot reply :

On 9/20/2012 at 10:49 AM, gall said:

thanks for the advice and the drag for my surpreme will be like this either no line at all getting out or way to much where i cant even reel it in i really like the look of the shimano and even when i had my shara ive dunked it a few times by accident and still never had an issue

Sounds like an isolated issue and not the way that reel normally performs. Before I would abandon ship on it, I'd send it in to Pure Fishing, a good chance it will be repaired or replaced at their expense. As a rule their customer service is excellent with a fast turnaround time.

gall reply :

thank you so much for the advice and the only other thing i noticed is when im casting baits like small cranks and top waters sometimes i heard a pop and starting reeling in to see a knot has formed my old shimano never had that happen you think its because the propulsion and all the other things on shimano that i never had that problem?

mod479 reply :

On 9/20/2012 at 7:42 PM, gall said:

thank you so much for the advice and the only other thing i noticed is when im casting baits like small cranks and top waters sometimes i heard a pop and starting reeling in to see a knot has formed my old shimano never had that happen you think its because the propulsion and all the other things on shimano that i never had that problem?

Flip your bail by hand, dont just start reeling, that could be your issue there. As for the drag sticking? Sound like it needs a good cleaning/lube, or maybe something let go inside... Wont know 'til someone takes it apart.

Did you decide on a new reel yet?

Hooligan reply :

@ OP The reels in question are a sealed waterproof drag.

In comparison to the pflueger reels that I've fished and handled, the shimano has a much better system. The only Flooger reel with a sealed drag is all the way up in the Patriarch XT. There are a couple of reels that say they're sealed waterproof, but they are not, because they rely solely on the spool tension cap. Other than that, they're a decent reel.

The biggest thing that shimano has over any other spinning reel is line management. They twist less, cast further, and perform better with line lay than even the new Certate. They've also got the features patented incredibly well, which is why you see only Shimano doing the things they do on spinning reels. The bail, the spool lip, Propulsion, SR Concept, Aero Wrap... the list goes on. I mean, really, who was the first company to use direct drive arbors on spinning reels? If you said VanStaal, you're wrong, it's Shimano; and now everyone is mimicking that little bit...

gall reply :

i always mainly close it i get the nails on the chalk board when people turn the handle to shut the bail and ive greased and oil still same issue and after much thinking im going back to shimano the ci4 4300 i went to bps today and felt it and see how it felt i fell in love

retiredbosn reply :

No bass will ever test your drag like a Snook!

mod479 reply :

You can't go wrong there, the Ci4 is one of the best deals out there in terms of spinning reels. I've got 3 now of varying sizes, and they've been flawless all season long.

Bring your rod to bass pro if you can and put a 2500 or 3000 on it first, then try the 4000 and decide! The 2500 balances better with rods under 7' in my opinion. Not sure what you're using for a stick, although I think I recall you saying a fenwick elite tech smallmouth rod? With my 4000 Ci4, it didnt feel right until I put it on a 7'6" Dobyns.

00 mod reply :

My 6'8'' spinning and 7' spinning rods have 2500 size.

Jeff

J Francho reply :

I can't imagine needing anything other than 2500 size reel for bass, unless you are looking to set up a spinning rod for frogging.

SirSnookalot reply :

On 9/22/2012 at 2:04 AM, retiredbosn said:

No bass will ever test your drag like a Snook!

]

I guess I have a tad of experience in this area, snook are very formidable much like redfish and ocean striper of the same size, pound for pound they do not compare to a jack crevelle or a tarpon.

Back on subject, the stradic is really a fine reel, IMO they have the best line management. A little pricey for my tastes for a freshwater reel, my supreme has handle jacks, tarpon and snook as easily as my stradics.

fishking247 reply :

4000 is way to big for bass. 2500 or 3000. the 3000 is same size as 2500 except it has a greater line capacity. i use 2500's for braid and 8lb mono and i use 3000''s when using 10lb mono

Capt.Bob reply :

I suggest you check out the new FJ series Stradic before you buy the Ci4, the Ci4 has thee old FI Stradic drivetrain, the New Stradic FJ is much smoother, I have both.

SirSnookalot reply :

On 9/22/2012 at 3:15 AM, J Francho said:

I can't imagine needing anything other than 2500 size reel for bass, unless you are looking to set up a spinning rod for frogging.

More about the rod than the reel for frogs, I agree that the 2500 reel is more than enough for bass. I don't see the need to jump up to the next sized spinning reel, line capacity and a stronger should be of no issue and most would frown using a heavier reel. If I were interested in ci4 and had plans of using the reel for larger species as well, then I'd pick the 4000, the extra 2 oz isn't much, most of my reels are heavier than 9.3 oz, to me that's light.

J Francho reply :

The rod is important, but you must consider the whole system - rod, reel, and line. The bigger spool works better with larger diameter lines. Froggin' generally calls for 50-65# braid, and with a diameter of 12-14# mono, the extra circumference helps manage line better. Throw in five more pounds of max drag, and it's a no brainer. I've set up several people with this alternative to casting gear, and the system works. Anything else bass related, a 2500 is plenty.

Capt.Bob reply :

On 9/23/2012 at 1:56 PM, SirSnookalot said:

More about the rod than the reel for frogs, I agree that the 2500 reel is more than enough for bass. I don't see the need to jump up to the next sized spinning reel, line capacity and a stronger should be of no issue and most would frown using a heavier reel. If I were interested in ci4 and had plans of using the reel for larger species as well, then I'd pick the 4000, the extra 2 oz isn't much, most of my reels are heavier than 9.3 oz, to me that's light.

I'd agree with snook, the 2500 holds plenty of line and for any bigger species, the 4000 is welcome and gives you a stronger drag from 15# max on the 2500 to 20# max for the 4000, and believe me I have ran out of drag in the spring time fishing the Mighty Maumme river catching Walleye over 10 lbs. and Drum and Carp over 30, a flooded river adds to the fight in a hurry when your fishing rapids and downstream shallow raceways into deeper pools the fish head to.

SirSnookalot reply :

I use 15# braid for frogs in Florida slop and it's on a supreme 35, bit less the max drag of the same sized stradic but more than ample to handle bass. I do not use a dedicated combo for frogs, I use the same med 8/17 rod. Prior to freshwater use this outfit was used for snook mainly in the surf. Not enough line to use in the inlet, current is way to strong and the fish are very strong too. Even my 4000 reels locked down won't stop fish. I ran after that permit in my avatar nearly 300 yds to avoid being spooled with the drag nearly locked down, technique is what lands fish, the reel is not the most important component, especially in bass fishing.

Bassn Blvd was with me the other day, I introduced to him to a guy that landed a 38# jack crevelle on a 50 year old rusted out Mitchell with a pos rod, he knew what he was doing. As Bassn is talking to the guy he then lands a 15-20# snook on that same outfit that I would't pay $2.00 for. Landing bigger fish is all about who is holding the rod and reel, not the gear itself.

Capt.Bob reply :

come to Erie@ the Maumee river in the spring, think what you want, but when you are in the freezing white water of the LARGEST TRIBUTARY of all the great lakes. you don't run down sh@! people try it every year in a lot better shape that you snook. you can read about them in the obituaries. A bolder littered flooded river is a lot different than an inlet! I use a 2500 and a 4000 when the river can go up or down 8 to 10 feet, flow will put to shame a florida tide! If I can get em slowed enough to bring the in to a eddie or tangle up into some shorline brush I I have a chance with the bigger ones in high water. Been both places, the frozen flooded whitewater is a whole different animal.

gall reply :

thanks for all the advice i will probably go with the 2500 my only question is how is the size over all im not a big of really small reels thats why i went with the 35 xt just cause i liked the little bit larger size the 2500 just seemed to small for my liking and i only run 10# where i fish theres a lot of bad snags and rock and thats why i run something a little bit heavier but i regret ever jumping from shimano they imo are great reels and all the advice from you guys really helped out

gall reply :

or maybe the 3000 because my sahara was a 3000 and it was the perfect size

Hooligan reply :

There is zero size difference in the body, diameter, and size of the spool. The only difference is that the spool is deeper on the 3000 to allow for greater line capacity.

SirSnookalot reply :

Quote
come to Erie@ the Maumee river in the spring

Why? I'm catching great bass and other species in January wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

mod479 reply :

On 9/25/2012 at 10:26 AM, gall said:

or maybe the 3000 because my sahara was a 3000 and it was the perfect size

The 3000 will hold plenty of 10# line like you want. The 4000 is still pretty light, just bigger.

gall reply :

i saw the 3000 holds 140 of 10# and i noticed with the pfluger the 2500 was a lot smaller and just felt weird when i said 4300 i meant the 3000 series that was a typo on my part but the one thing i did like about the supreme was the extra spool but since i usually only run co-polymer like p line im not to worried about the spare spool and im mostly using finesse techniques for mr smallmouth

J Francho reply :

The 3000 is the same size as the 2500, but with a deeper spool for more line.

gall reply :

thanks for the tip i gotta say kudos to this website there is so many helpful and knowledgeable people on this website and gave me so much help

fishking247 reply :

for 10lb mono or fluoro the 3000 is better. if youre using braid or 6-8lb mono the 2500 is the way to go.

J Francho reply :

All you get with the 3000 size reel is 20 extra yards of line capacity. Otherwise it's the exact same reel. How much line do you need? 120 yards is plenty.

J Francho reply :

One small thing, the 3000 series has a larger knob. Forgot about that. Mine have custom cork knobs.

gall reply :

yeah i was looking it wont show any of the handles they say come with but i really like those custom grips

J Francho reply :

Just use google images, and type in the different models.

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