Stradic Ci4 Owners 2024

MarkH024 reply :

All you guys using the Ci4 happy with it? This is my next possible buy and just want to get some positive feedback for reassurance before i do. Planning on pairing it to a LTB as a drop shot set up.

00 mod reply :

Yes. Best bang for your buck. Other will come recommending cheaper reels but mine is my favorite spinning reel.

Jeff

BradGuenette reply :

Best bang for your buck has got to be the stradic FJ it's a much more advanced reel compared to the ci4. Personally the only thing the ci4 has going for it is it's weight. The FJ has many more features especially x-ship. Don't get me wrong the ci4 is still a amazing reel, but the FJ is a true work horse, and also comes in at a cheaper price.

Koofy Smacker reply :

I thought long and hard about buying that reel and ended up going with a patriarch 30x on a 6'10" Legend Xtreme. Weighs over an ounce less than the Stradic, a lot less frame flex and is simpler in design to work on yourself. Just my .02

Bluebasser86 reply :

I love mine so far. I was torn between that and the Patriarch but after tearing the guts out of two Supreme XT's I went with the Stradic and have not been disappointed.

Koofy Smacker reply :

On 2/4/2013 at 11:30 AM, Bluebasser86 said:
I love mine so far. I was torn between that and the Patriarch but after tearing the guts out of two Supreme XT's I went with the Stradic and have not been disappointed.

Supreme XTs and the Patriarch are nothing in common. Full magnesium body with a solid titanium main shaft through it. The lower end Pflueger gear uses straight up pot metal on thei gears which is probably why you tore the guts out of them (I still have 5 yr old presidents that are running strong so Im not sure what you did to them) but the Patriarch is built with durability and weight in mind. The Ci4 had wayyyy too much flex for me. Pick one up and flex the body towards the reel stem. Youll see what im talking about really fast

S Hovanec reply :

I'm a fan of the CI-4. I can't buy in to this whole frame flex thing. You're fishing line that's 6#, maybe 8# tops. If you load up the rod enough to flex the reel, the line will break or the rod will blow up first. just my opinion tho.

kickerfish1 reply :

On 2/4/2013 at 11:09 AM, DirtNasty said:
Best bang for your buck has got to be the stradic FJ it's a much more advanced reel compared to the ci4. Personally the only thing the ci4 has going for it is it's weight. The FJ has many more features especially x-ship. Don't get me wrong the ci4 is still a amazing reel, but the FJ is a true work horse, and also comes in at a cheaper price.

Spot on! If weight is a concern get the CI4, otherwise the FJ is more advanced and feature packed. I am guessing the FJ may balance better on your St. Croix rod.

NorcalBassin reply :

I have the Ci4 and FJ and love them both. I use the Ci4 2500 on my wacky Senko rod (NRX 852) with 8 lb Tatsu and have never felt any flexing in the reel. You'll win with either one, so just go with your gut.

Bluebasser86 reply :

On 2/4/2013 at 11:55 AM, Koofy Smacker said:
Supreme XTs and the Patriarch are nothing in common. Full magnesium body with a solid titanium main shaft through it. The lower end Pflueger gear uses straight up pot metal on thei gears which is probably why you tore the guts out of them (I still have 5 yr old presidents that are running strong so Im not sure what you did to them) but the Patriarch is built with durability and weight in mind. The Ci4 had wayyyy too much flex for me. Pick one up and flex the body towards the reel stem. Youll see what im talking about really fast

I set the hook with a shakyhead and both the reels gears slipped so bad that it stripped out the main gears in the reels. The Supreme XT is a magnesium body also, not sure if the shaft is titanium or not but it was a great feeling reel, very smooth and light. It was a struggle for me to decide because I really wanted the Patriarch but after going through 2 of their higher end spinning reels in less than a year I just couldn't take the risk. I'm sure it's a great reel and I'm not trying to knock Pfluegar, I still have and fish 2 Supreme MGXs, and obviously they're a proven company that's been around forever, it just wasn't a risk I was willing to take. I guess I don't put enough torque on the handle of my CI4 to flex the handle or just haven't noticed it.

loodkop reply :

I have my Ci4 on my dropshot (daiwa cielo) rod and it balances perfectly. No complaints about performance either.

tomustang reply :

I have one for ultralight (1000), would I buy another one for full retail? No. Sure is a nice reel though.

Maico1 reply :

Here is a little info..........http://tackletour.com/reviewchimanostradicci4.html

J Francho reply :

I have three. I appreciate the light weight, and fast retrieve rate.

thehooligan reply :

I have a 2500 ci4, a 1000 stradic fj, and just ordered a 1000 ci4 friday. I love both reels, the fj is definitely a smoother reel with the x-ship, but im a nut about weight and can truly appreciate the ci4.

Ive hooked into some huge pickerel and bass and have never dealt with flex with the ci4, i think its an amazing spinning reel, especially for how cheap you can find them on ebay.

I went to the local shop to play with the patriarch and wasnt impressed at all. For the money, i still think the stradic fj & ci4 are the best reels on the market, if you have a bit more money the sustain fg is my recommendation. You get the lightweight and x-ship.

MarkH024 reply :

On 2/4/2013 at 10:51 PM, J Francho said:
I have three. I appreciate the light weight, and fast retrieve rate.

John,

What rods did you pair up with these reels? Are they 2500?

J Francho reply :

The 3000 is on a 9' steelhead rod, right now. The two 2500s are on Avids, a AVS63MLXF and AVS63MXF. I have two copies of the AVS63MLXF, and the 3000 goes on that rod in summer.

MarkH024 reply :

Thanks for all the feedback so far everyone. Appreciate it.

Maico1 reply :

On 2/4/2013 at 11:33 PM, MarkH024 said:
Thanks for all the feedback so far everyone. Appreciate it.

On 2/4/2013 at 11:28 PM, J Francho said:
The 3000 is on a 9' steelhead rod, right now. The two 2500s are on Avids, a AVS63MLXF and AVS63MXF. I have two copies of the AVS63MLXF, and the 3000 goes on that rod in summer.

Come on post a pic of that reel with that sweet knob you got on them.......

MarkH024 reply :

I think I saw it in another thread. He's got the corked Hawgtech knobs or something correct?

Maico1 reply :

On 2/4/2013 at 11:53 PM, MarkH024 said:
I think I saw it in another thread. He's got the corked Hawgtech knobs or something correct?

Correct , If I remember correctly a dude was making them up after he fitted up his own reel.

J Francho reply :

Scott Hovanec made them for me. He's a member here.

Aluma-Bass reply :

S Hovanec reply :

Hey John, looks like you use those things a little bit!

Here's mine.....not nearly as abused and John's!!

MarkH024 reply :

I just lost a lightly used CI4 on ebay for $140 at the last second. Almost punched my monitor out. lol

thehooligan reply :

My ci4 1000 just came in the mail 30 minutes ago, looks great on my phenix m1. Headed out now in 28 degrees to do some dropshotting :grin:

J Francho reply :

On 2/5/2013 at 2:17 AM, MarkH024 said:
I just lost a lightly used CI4 on ebay for $140 at the last second. Almost punched my monitor out. lol

Try this service: http://www.auctionsniper.com/?who=eE9TmkwvpBKNbVGjISfWUg%3d%3d

MarkH024 reply :

On 2/5/2013 at 2:48 AM, J Francho said:
Try this service: http://www.auctionsniper.com/?who=eE9TmkwvpBKNbVGjISfWUg%3d%3d

Thanks for the heads up.

BenB54 reply :

I got my 2500 last fall and love it.

jignfule reply :

I own a Ci4 and a FH. I like the weight of the Ci4 but I think if I were to buy another reel it would be the FJ or another Sustain.

tracker01 reply :

To me it is all about the "WEIGHT". I use mine for smallie's. Never missed a beat.

00 mod reply :

On 2/4/2013 at 11:22 PM, MarkH024 said:

John,

What rods did you pair up with these reels? Are they 2500?

I know you did not ask me, but mine is paired with a Pinnacle 70ml and it is FANTASTIC. 2500 size!

Jeff

MarkH024 reply :

On 2/5/2013 at 10:01 AM, 00 mod said:

I know you did not ask me, but mine is paired with a Pinnacle 70ml and it is FANTASTIC. 2500 size!

Jeff

Thanks Jeff. Is that a drop shot set up for you? I was planning on the LTB610MLXF. I have all Croix rods but was considering changing it up.

S Hovanec reply :

On 2/5/2013 at 10:26 AM, MarkH024 said:
I was planning on the LTB610MLXF. I have all Croix rods but was considering changing it up.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it! I fished the 69mlxf for years. GREAT dropshot blank! I have a 5s610mlxf in the works right now, but I'm gonna get a Sustain for it. My CI4 is on a 6'10" Mag-Light North Fork at the moment.

MarkH024 reply :

On 2/5/2013 at 11:11 AM, S Hovanec said:
If it ain't broke, don't fix it! I fished the 69mlxf for years. GREAT dropshot blank! I have a 5s610mlxf in the works right now, but I'm gonna get a Sustain for it. My CI4 is on a 6'10" Mag-Light North Fork at the moment.

Well i just won a Stradic 2500 FJ on ebay but im still going to get a CI4. I can swap the fj with an old reel. Do the trade in at BPS and save some bucks for the CI4. Now to decide on that rod.

Bluebasser86 reply :

On 2/5/2013 at 10:26 AM, MarkH024 said:
Thanks Jeff. Is that a drop shot set up for you? I was planning on the LTB610MLXF. I have all Croix rods but was considering changing it up.

I have that rod and I love it. I have a Pfluegar Supreme MGX on mine. My 2500 CI4 is on a LTB 6' 10" M, their shakyhead rod, one of my favorite combos I've ever owned.

00 mod reply :

My setup is an all around setup. I use small shakey heads, drop shot, split shot rig, you name it. The Pinnacle fishes a power up, kind of like most St. Croix. The ML fishes like a M. I highly recommend it.

Jeff

MarkH024 reply :

I just scored a brand new CI4 2500 on ebay for $70 cheaper than retail. Now I need a rod.

00 mod reply :

Mark, I need one of those. To pair with another Pinnacle 70ml/f

Jeff

MarkH024 reply :

On 2/15/2013 at 1:27 AM, 00 mod said:

Mark, I need one of those. To pair with another Pinnacle 70ml/f

Jeff

Is that pinnacle rod a Perfecta?

00 mod reply :

Yep. But you gonna hand over one of those reels?

http://www.pinnaclefishing.com/shop/p-137-perfecta-dhc5.aspx#page=page-1

Jeff

MarkH024 reply :

The Stradic FJ I got is going to replace an older spinning reel of mine. The CI4 is for a new set up. Look on ebay Jeff, there is 1 or 2 more CI4's I was watching that are still at a good price point.

thehooligan reply :

Congrats, thats a great price.

Sherlock 60 reply :

On 2/4/2013 at 11:09 AM, DirtNasty said:
Best bang for your buck has got to be the stradic FJ it's a much more advanced reel compared to the ci4. Personally the only thing the ci4 has going for it is it's weight. The FJ has many more features especially x-ship. Don't get me wrong the ci4 is still a amazing reel, but the FJ is a true work horse, and also comes in at a cheaper price.

Today I picked up a dealer's last 2500 Stradic FJ for $125 at the Indianapolis Boat Sport and Travel Show. Almost went with the new Saros, which they were selling for $120, but when you compared the Stradic FJ features with the other options it was a no-brainer. My only issue was a bit more weight, but after I got it spooled up and on a Veritas 7' Medium rod is was smooth as silk and I look forward to fishing with the combo. The white on white color scheme concerned me a bit, but it sure looks fine to me now.

I have 3 Symetre reels and it is obvious that Shimano downgraded the new Symetre model a bit it keep it under $100.

kickerfish1 reply :

On 2/17/2013 at 9:32 AM, Sherlock 60 said:

Today I picked up a dealer's last 2500 Stradic FJ (discontinued model) for $125 at the Indpls Boat Sport and Travel Show. Almost went with the new Saros, which they were selling for $120, but when you compared the Stradic FJ features with the other options it was a no-brainer. My only issue was a bit more weight, but after I got it spooled up and on a Veritas 7' Medium rod is was smooth as silk and I look forward to fishing with the combo. The white on white color scheme concerned me a bit, but it sure looks fine to me now.

I have 3 Symetre reels and it is obvious that Shimano downgraded the new Symetre model a bit it keep it under $100.

Yes and no on the symetre. They did add x-ship to the symetre. As far as downgrades and other upgrades I am not sure as I haven't looked that closely. I handled one tonight and it felt solid and smooth. I have an early model symetre 2000 and it is still smooth and going strong. If you can think of any downgrades over previous models I would like to here them.

On a side note the Saros is intriguing... I may get one of these at some point in time. I like the features and material used in the reels frame.

2768

Stradic Ci4 Owners 2024

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