Which Stradic for Avid X Rod? 2025
Fishing_FF reply :
About 2 weeks ago, I picked up St. Croix Avid X 7' medium power fast action as a plastics rod. I don't have the money right now, thanks to a little storm that paid us a visit in Florida. It will take a few weeks of cover the expense of what I had to spend to repair the house, so I figured I would ask input on which Shimano Stradic spinning reel would be best on the rod.
Would I be good with FK or should I spend the extra $30 for the Ci4+?
Thanks!
J Francho reply :
It's totally worth the $30 for the CI4+. I have three OG CI4 reels, 2x 2500 and a 3000. Still serving me well after several years.
DaveT63 reply :
I personally think the FK will do you just fine. I have one of the original CI4 reels, and prefer both the FJ and the FK. But as always, YMMV.
Scrapiron reply :
I have the new Ci4+ FB on an Avid X and it's worth it over the Stradic FK. It's such a great match.
Darren. reply :
I agree with @J Francho, drop the $30 extra on the CI4+.
The FK is no slouch, a great reel. I've got one, but I also have
the new CI4+ and wow. For $30 more, I'd take it every day.
I own 2 FI, 1 FJ, 1 FK, 1 CI4+ (all 1000 models).
HookRz reply :
The Ci4 is a great reel. But if you value a balanced rod the FK is the way to go. Or add weight by tricking out the rear grip. St. Croix succumbed to the bass market when they put out the X. Love the guide train. Hate the short split grip. Totally tip heavy with the Ci4, even in the shorter lengths.
Targeted bass marketing, selling what it "kewl" has made tackle buying a mine field.
Bent reply :
I bought a Stradic a few months back, and at the time I thought long and hard about whether or not to go for the Ci4+. Before you take the plunge be sure to spend some time hunting for a good deal - I found a brand new FK 2500 for $120 on eBay, but had a harder time finding a similar deal on the Ci4+. At that price I couldn't pass up the FK, and I'm very satisfied with it.
Also, sorry to hear about the damages to your home, best wishes to you and yours during the recovery.
Fishing_FF reply :
On 9/16/2017 at 8:16 AM, Bent said:
Also, sorry to hear about the damages to your home, best wishes to you and yours during the recovery.
Thanks. My damages weren't enough to meet the insurance deductible (2% value of the house), so I consider myself lucky. My family is safe, and the house did its job keeping them safe. That's all that is important.
Plus, there are many far worse off than me.
Hulkster reply :
Stradic 3000FK
3crows reply :
Never owned a spinning rig before but I got the CI4+ 2500. It is noticeably lighter than the standard Stradic, which while nice, is not as nice as the CI4+. It is incredibly light and smooth. Mine is on a JC Falcon.
I could care less about this fictional rod balance thing. The length, construction, grip all influence balance, where exactly should it balance, a six footer vs a seven?
Darren. reply :
On 9/16/2017 at 1:43 PM, 3crows said:Never owned a spinning rig before but I got the CI4+ 2500. It is noticeably lighter than the standard Stradic, which while nice, is not as nice as the CI4+. It is incredibly light and smooth. Mine is on a JC Falcon.
I could care less about this fictional rod balance thing. The length, construction, grip all influence balance, where exactly should it balance, a six footer vs a seven?
Fictional? Your last sentence concerning construction, grip,
etc., are true, and do influence balance. But when you add
the reel is where preference comes in. There's tip-light,
tip-heavy, tip-neutral. Rod length? You can have a tip-heavy
6 foot rod just like a tip-light 7 footer. The reel plays a critical
part in the balance. Where do you hold the spinning reel? Is
the balance (where the rod, with reel, resting on your finger,
balances parallel to the ground) 8 inches above the reel seat?
or almost where you rest your index finger?
Ever heard of fisherman's elbow? Just like tennis elbow. A
rod that is heavy in the tip, by my experience, exacerbates
the injury for soft plastic techniques which involve shaking
the tip.
So balancing a rod isn't fictional, it's got practical use, and is
very much a "to each his/her own" type of thing.
3crows reply :
On 9/16/2017 at 8:57 PM, Darren. said:Fictional? Your last sentence concerning construction, grip,
etc., are true, and do influence balance. But when you add
the reel is where preference comes in. There's tip-light,
tip-heavy, tip-neutral. Rod length? You can have a tip-heavy
6 foot rod just like a tip-light 7 footer. The reel plays a critical
part in the balance. Where do you hold the spinning reel? Is
the balance (where the rod, with reel, resting on your finger,
balances parallel to the ground) 8 inches above the reel seat?
or almost where you rest your index finger?
Ever heard of fisherman's elbow? Just like tennis elbow. A
rod that is heavy in the tip, by my experience, exacerbates
the injury for soft plastic techniques which involve shaking
the tip.
So balancing a rod isn't fictional, it's got practical use, and is
very much a "to each his/her own" type of thing.
The key words being "preference" and "feel" with my preference being the lightest rod and the lightest reel and this balance thing can fall where it may as I do not think it is of particular concern. With rods now being from 4.5 feet to 10 feet and grips of full construction or split of all differing lengths unless significant weight is added to the butt or to the reel or they start putting a cavity in the handle to add lead for balance it is a jabberwocky.
The CI4+ is noticeably lighter than the standard model. I cannot imagine I would purchase a heavier reel to get a seven foot rod to balance vs a six. I just going to get the lightest reel I can afford as long as durability is equal, same with the rod.
gall reply :
I have an fk on the 6'8 mojo end and I love the overall weight and feel I don't notice any tip heaviness with this setup I was thinking about getting another 2500fk and getting a kistler 7 ml combo granted I never tried the new ci4 but buddy has the of model and it is light yes but I have always has regular stradic and I absolutely love them
bigfruits reply :
i cannot go back to aluminum spinning reels for fresh water fishing after fishing with Ci4+. i have all of my fingers above the reel seat so balance is never an issue on any of my spinning rods.
Fishing_FF reply :
Thanks everyone for the input!
Its all tied up, 5-5 for Ci4+ vs FK.
Both seem like solid reels.
The Avid X is definitely my nicest rod. Prior I've always just matched gear ratio to rod power/actions for whatever it was going to be dedicated to (plastics, crank baits, topwater, finesse, etc). I never checked before to see what feels best, but after the feedback provided, I'll take the rod in to see which reel feels best on the rod.
Thanks again everyone!
HookRz reply :
On 9/18/2017 at 1:25 AM, Fishing_FF said:Thanks everyone for the input!
Its all tied up, 5-5 for Ci4+ vs FK.
Both seem like solid reels.
The Avid X is definitely my nicest rod. Prior I've always just matched gear ratio to rod power/actions for whatever it was going to be dedicated to (plastics, crank baits, topwater, finesse, etc). I never checked before to see what feels best, but after the feedback provided, I'll take the rod in to see which reel feels best on the rod.
Thanks again everyone!
I'm betting on the FK, unless you balance out the handle.
Frankly, my Avid X MXF 6'8" with a Ci4 2500 was the "hero" rod today. Fishing jigworms on outside weedlines was the ticket. It has about 3/8 oz. added to the tail end. Maybe a touch more. When you pick it up vertically you notice the weight. Put it in fishing position it seems to float in your hand. More so than with just a heavier reel.
I wish I had experience with the particular rod you have. Closest thing I have is a 2 piece Avid X MLF. Its got a Shimano Saros 2500 on it. Didn't add any weight and it's fine. Pretty sweet trunk rod in the company car. 
Quarry Man reply :
ci4 its lighter and looks great. either reel will be great.
Chris at Tech reply :
Do you have a tackle shop where you can feel them on your rod in person? As a few others have already mentioned, my guess is the FK will balance better but ultimately go with your preference. Either will be more than adequate.
I'd personally go FK and use some of the money saved on carbontex drag washers so you can have some fun in the salt with the same rig
3crows reply :
Again, not only is the Ci4+ lighter overall but it performs better than the standard model. A noticeable difference exists with the force needed to start the rotor turning. The Ci4+ is noticeably easier to turn.
PatrickKnight reply :
I would go with the FK (I did on my last Stradic purchase). Even this reel was to light to balance the rod it was on (Doybns Sierra 703) so I could not imagine trying to balance a Ci4. I went with a 3000 size.
Fishing_FF reply :
On 9/18/2017 at 7:22 AM, Chris at Tech said:Do you have a tackle shop where you can feel them on your rod in person? As a few others have already mentioned, my guess is the FK will balance better but ultimately go with your preference. Either will be more than adequate.
Yes, I spoke to the fishing department manager at my local BPS today. He said he has both the FK and Ci4+ in stock, and actually prefers anyone seriously considering a Ci4+ to bring in their rod before purchasing. He said that while the Ci4+ is truly awesome, it is so lightweight that it is hard to find a rod light enough for it.
There is another store I know would allow me to put both reels on my Avid X, but it is over an hour drive vs a 20 minute on to BPS.
On 9/18/2017 at 11:54 PM, PatrickKnight said:I went with a 3000 size.
Yes, I'm looking at the 2500-3000 size.
All my other reels, oddly enough all are Shimanos, are either 2500 or 3000.
My one outlier is a Sahara FB4000. It was my first purchase years ago before I knew better. I honestly have to load half the spool with 30-40lbs mono backing so it doesn't use up an entire spool of PP Slick 8. Even then, it gets close to taking the entire 150 yards. 
Fishing_FF reply :
Next Friday is my big payday from the fire department, so I made a trip down to BPS to check out the FK and Ci4+ on the Avid X. I was shocked as neither balance the rod out. They didn't have a FK 4000 but the Ci4+ 4000 wasn't close.
I spoke with a rep at St. Croix, who said that unfortunately there isn't a $200 or higher Shimano that will balance out the rod. I asked about adding weight in the butt cap or applying lead tape at the base around the blank. She said both would void the warranty on the rod. Her recommendations were to go with an Ultegra or which to a Penn or Quantum as all 3 can be found in heavy enough models to balance the rod.
MickD reply :
On 9/16/2017 at 1:43 PM, 3crows said:Never owned a spinning rig before but I got the CI4+ 2500. It is noticeably lighter than the standard Stradic, which while nice, is not as nice as the CI4+. It is incredibly light and smooth. Mine is on a JC Falcon.
I could care less about this fictional rod balance thing. The length, construction, grip all influence balance, where exactly should it balance, a six footer vs a seven?
I agree with balance comment. Especially when I hear talk about a rod by itself "balancing well."
Hulkster reply :
the shimano website lists the weight difference for the 3000 Stradic FK vs ultegra as 0.2 oz.
I don't think that well help.
that being said, I have stradic 3000FK on an 7'1" Loomis E6X which is a very similar rod to the Avid and it is slightly tip heavy, but when you put line on it and take it out on the water it somehow works.
it feels awesome. That slight tip heaviness allows you to really get a 'whip' on the casts and you end up casting like a rocket. I love it.
You may find that out on the water, the 3000 size FK stradic feels quite nice.
mcfishing620 reply :
Ci4. I have a 3000 JDM model in 5.1 gear ratio, and it's MUCH less effort to reel than the 6.2. I actually returned the 6.2. Also have a Ultegra 3000 JDM in 5.1 for farm pond fishing and it's a good reel too.
fishwizzard reply :
On 9/19/2017 at 8:01 AM, Fishing_FF said:He said that while the Ci4+ is truly awesome, it is so lightweight that it is hard to find a rod light enough for it.
I have a pair of Ci4+'s and agree. Both of these reels replaced far far heavier reels on a pair of custom spinning rods I had built. The builder was provided with the reel weights and he built them to balance around those numbers. When I swapped in the lighter Ci4+'s the difference in balance was very noticeable. On one of the rods the difference didn't bother me and after a few hours of fishing it the combo felt as "balanced" as ever. The other rod, for which the reel weight change was far greater, felt incredibly tip heavy and the balance point was several inches in front of the reel seat. I added weights to the butt with tape and was surprised to see that only like 5/16-3/8oz was enough to shift it back to where the rod felt comfortable again. At some point I will get unlazy and send the rod back to the builder to have a bit of weight added.
rosshilk reply :
I have the fk it’s a quality reel for sure, but I always am wondering if it would have been worth the extra dough for the ci4. To be honest I will probably end up with one of those as well in the long run.
The FK has smooth drag and good casting distance. It is also one smooth peice of equipment. You really can’t go wrong on either selection.
Fishing_FF reply :
Here an update to which reel got put on the Avid X.
I had to to my Nasci to the local rod and reel shop (Kel’s) for repair as I noticed the gear wasn’t smooth. Turns out, mine was included in the bad batch Shimano had manufacturing issues with the gears. It’s cover under warranty so no issues.
While there, I asked about the rod balancing and the reels. Both of the reel repairers recommended the Ci4+ as it was a more solid and smooth reel. One even commented, “Both are nice, but the Ci is a $200 reel where as the eBay price for the FJ is more appropriate for its value.”
They weren’t as concerned about the balance, saying it was more matter of personal preference. They of course offered to open the bottom of my rods to add weight if I wanted, but said it wasn’t necessary. I appreciated the honest versus most places just selling something.
aquaholik reply :
On 9/16/2017 at 7:11 AM, HookRz said:The Ci4 is a great reel. But if you value a balanced rod the FK is the way to go. Or add weight by tricking out the rear grip. St. Croix succumbed to the bass market when they put out the X. Love the guide train. Hate the short split grip. Totally tip heavy with the Ci4, even in the shorter lengths.
Targeted bass marketing, selling what it "kewl" has made tackle buying a mine field.
Great piece of advice that likely falls on deaf ears.
Don't purchase the Ci4+ 3000(7 oz) until you feel how it balances on this rod. Rod balancing is far from fictional, especially if you are casting and jigging all day long. Fighting the tip heavy feeling all day long is no fun and not only wear you out, it kills the overall sensitivity of the entire setup.
I own 2 of the latest Ci4+ FB in the 3000 and 4000. While the Ci4+ 3000 FB balances fine on an Avid Inshore 7ft Medium action(full cork behind the reel seat), take the advice on the short split grip. There will not be enough weight on the rear of the rod and your rod tip will nose dive where you grip the rod to fish with.
I also own a JDM 3000 FK with the 5:1 gear ratio and used that heavily for 2 years. I've burned the felt drags and replaced with carbontex and did a myriad of improvement to the FK ( handle bearing upgrade, bearing on the spool support, bearing on the rear of the worm drive). It's a beast of a reel and it's amazing that with constant 3-5 lbs drag for two years, there is zero wear on the drive gear and pinion gear. It's a solidly constructed and well aligned aluminum reel.
Nothing bad to say about the Ci4+(gave away my 3000 to my brother) and it will work fine if the setup is balance but I've seen people use this on a heavier and not balance 7ft rod and they are constantly fighting the setup all day long. They pick my setup and the feel is night and day difference.
I have the 2017 Sustain along with the 2016 Twinpower and 2015 Stella in the 3000 size. Those hardly get used because of how solid the Stradic FK feels fighting a fish under load. Zero flex and with the lower gear ratio and a 30 mm aluminum knob, absolutely powerful for it's size and weight.
With the 2500 FK on Ebay from American Legacy for $126, it's a no brainer, especially with the 20% off coupon. Net cost is $101.60 shipped! Bought two just to rotate my braids used on the 3000 size reels. If you have the right tool and trick the reel out, it's the best value there is in spinning reel right now. Don't bother with the Nasci since it's not a screw in handle design.
It's good enough for commercial fishing casting jig all day long and handle 2-4 lbs hard pulling Pompano with ease.
Fishing_FF reply :
On 10/8/2017 at 2:14 AM, aquaholik said:
Great piece of advice that likely falls on deaf ears.
Don't purchase the Ci4+ 3000(7 oz) until you feel how it balances on this rod. Rod balancing is far from fictional, especially if you are casting and jigging all day long. Fighting the tip heavy feeling all day long is no fun and not only wear you out, it kills the overall sensitivity of the entire setup.
No worries.....when I go pick up my Nasci (5.0:1 ratio mounted on a Mojo Bass for lures that need slower retrieve), I’ll be taking the Avid X with me. I took it into BassPro to the reels on it, but this shop has some demo models that are spooled. They said I could even bring a couple lures and throw them outback for the shop. They also have a rod balance that I can try. It is a rubber cap that flat lead weights and/or quarters can be put into to try shifting the weight back.
Chris at Tech reply :
On 10/8/2017 at 2:14 AM, aquaholik said:With the 2500 FK on Ebay from American Legacy for $126, it's a no brainer, especially with the 20% off coupon. Net cost is $101.60 shipped! Bought two just to rotate my braids used on the 3000 size reels. If you have the right tool and trick the reel out, it's the best value there is in spinning reel right now.
My wife hates you for posting this 
fishwizzard reply :
On 10/8/2017 at 2:14 AM, aquaholik said:
it's a no brainer, especially with the 20% off coupon.
Uh, what coupon is this?
As stated above, I have a rod that needs a bit more weight than a Ci4+ 2500 on it.
aquaholik reply :
On 10/8/2017 at 9:00 PM, fishwizzard said:Uh, what coupon is this?
As stated above, I have a rod that needs a bit more weight than a Ci4+ 2500 on it.
PCOLUMBUS2017 but it only works with certain seller.
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