Capt.Bob

I agree J F, why I said my personal reels, I let my customers now the disadvantages, but for me I prefer them wet, and I have to say the difference is marginal with the new carbon drags, but if it aint fair weather, I usually got better things to do!! My main purpose of referencing wet drags is I highly doubt grease suddenly stopped the guy's drag from working??

If you need the larger frame of the 2500 with it's extra weight and are going to use it for other techniques, I would go with the 3000 for it's extra capacity, you can use cheap backing and if you ever want the capacity it is there and handle knobs are the same, like Mike said. Now that is only for the Ci4+,,, but every other Shimano 2500 and 3000 have the same frame like Mike said, but depending on Stradic or Sustain use different handles. I hated the huge Saltwater T handle on my Sustain 3000 FE, over the smaller T handle on the 2500FE, but for drifting on Lake Erie for Open water Walleye, wanted the capacity, the Stradic 2500FJ uses the same handle knob as the 1000FJ, and the 3000FJ uses the same T handle the Sustain 2500FE uses,,,,very confusing. I am just putting this out there for those that aren't familiar with the different models of Stradics and Sustains. Now to answer the OP. Depends on the rod you are using. I want a well ballanced and as light a reel to do that with the rod I am using. I prefer the 1000 size Stradic or Sustain for Finesse fishing for Bass and Walleye fishing. The main reason I bought the 1000FA Ci4+ was less weight, to pair up with the extremely light rod I built for this type fishing. It is much lighter than the 2500, 3000, and holds plenty of line for this type of fishing. The rod I used before for this type of fishing, was a 6'3" MXF L.E. I use a Stradic 1000FJ on, and it is balanced perfect and does not balance as good with the 1000FA Ci4+. Possibly why both posters mentioning using over 7' rods, prefer the larger heavier frame. I would try the reel's on the rod you want to use with these reels, either when properly matched to the rod your using are excellent, I would have never said that about the original Ci4, I tried them and sold them, in favor of the FI and even smoother and more powerful FJ. I have only had this new Ci4+ out twice, but after over a dozen Bass on weightless power craws, It is everything the original never was, and very close to the same performance as my 1000FG Sustain, but lighter!!!

For over 15 years Berkley Fireline was the only braid I would use, (and when others were introduced I tried em) because every other braid made was so poor when fishing rocks and timber, Walleye and Smallmouth terrain where I do most of my fishing. To this day no braid will take what Firline infused will, and I believe it is a little more sensitive, yes it frays but is not solid strands like braid so it doesn't loose it's strength like braid when it looks like a tattered rag. It's big drawback is the feel running through the eye's running thru the rod guides, it has the best knot strength of any line I have ever used, you can count on it breaking anywhere but the knot, why I learned to use a leader for everything, that is my fuse, even 20 lbs. mono will allways break before 20# Fireline when joined with an improved blood knot. Spiderwire I have tried 2 or 3 different kinds of their braids, and will never ever buy it again. Viscous Fluorocarbon I would never use to spool a real, and the only line they make I would use and I do and like it. Is there Elite leader line, I use there 100 and 130# for built up saltwater and musky leaders, their other lines I have been very disappointed in. I have tried most every braid out their, until they came out with Sufix 832, I was using Fireline Crystal, the infused line is the toughest micro fiber line I have ever used but hated the feel of it running thru my guides, 832 eliminated this and was the only braid I ever used that would control abrasion well enough to warrant my change. Diawa Samuri would be the only other braid I would use because of its ability to resist abrasion also, but for the money, 832 does everything I want it to do.

I prefer a MF 7' rod for anything under 3/8 oz "except when I'm fishing HEAVY cover" for all heavy cover and jig's and some rig's over 3/8 oz I prefer a 7' MHF. If I were looking for a rod in the $100.00 range I would be getting a St. Croix Premier, full cork handle, with one piece reel seat, and a good lightweight sensitive rod.

"I know I don't have the hookset my Dad did, but it must be kind of wimpy because I have never broken a knot or a rod setting the hook. What can I do to be more manly? I already have hairy arms legs, and chest. :teeth:" If your dad was using mono, trust me your hooksets are harder. One thing I learned when going to braid after 30 years using mono was to calm down and use my wrist, with no stretch you don't need the feet leaving the floor of the boat to set the hook. Much different from mono, there are many who blame their knot for failing, when this was the cause and will cause most knots to fail with braid. only knot I use on braid is an improved blood knot. This is because the only thing I ever tie to braid is mono for 5 or 6 wraps on the spool for backing, or a 2 to 12 foot piece of Fluorocarbon or mono for my leader, depending on the water clarity I'm fishing. There is never anything else tied directly to my braid.

On all my personal reels I run tuned drags, spinning and casting, w/ carbontex drag washers, and all are ran wet with Cal's light dag grease, after tuning and being greased they are smooth as silk and slightly heavier than factory, max drag on any of my reels are never used as I am usually running lighter rods and line for the species I am perusing. Freshwater reels with Carbon drags are not necessary, I have ran dry but think they are slightly smoother overall ran wet, this is just my personal preference, but many factory drag washers need grease to operate correctly, and Cal's and Shimano is the best drag grease I have found.

Like aavery2 said, two totally different systems, and the magnetic has very little affect on the beginning of the cast, but more than centrifugal at the middle and end of the cast. I suggest starting at 5 after setting tension knob. Everyone is different but my Super Duty is set on 0 with jigs when flipp'n and 3 for most 3/8 to 3/4 oz lures, when the wind comes into play or wind resistant lures like spinnerbaits, I turn the dial up as needed. The Super Duty is a very forgiving caster as long as your throwing 3/8 oz or better.

This is the very first thing I would check. If it isn't the problem, and it is 2 months old, I would return it for warranty repair. The very next thing I would do is never leave the drag cranked down when not using it. I am not saying in 2 months it ruined the drag, but it sure did it no good. You should always back your drag off when not in use, buy leaving everything under pressure you weakening components prematurely. To keep the drag operating at its optimum for the long haul this is best.

I think your right Dwight, and believe if he would have just stayed there 4 years ago, he would still have won 2 titles, at the least been in the finals as much as he was in Miami. Anyway, I really think the heat can forget anything for quite a while. They dedicated way to much to Bosh to build anything around him, Pacers will be right up there with Chicago I think and Cleavland will be following them both next year, while Carmelo enjoys being at home to watch em at least after the first round. I really think if Rose can stay healthy, they are next years eastern champs, but everybody don't have to agree with that, but am pretty sure everyone will agree the Spurs, Clippers, and Thunder will all be capable of dominating anything the East can deliver their way for a couple years, at least. Huston could have been there with those three but,,,,,like I said, Miami ruined that by over paying Bosh!! Just the way I see it, and that's coming from a depressed Celtic's fan, But the Spurs have always been my second favorite team since they came into the league, They were my big hope to beat the Lakers every year, and have most of the time!!! I say watch out for the Clippers and Bull's next year! But the power teams are in the west for right now, and that can change big time in a year, we know none of these teams are going to stay right where they are with their rosters right now????

Come'n at you, may God bless you with his healing!!! prayers sent your way!!!

832 is all I will use, spinning or casting, I have used the Samuri and like it but didn't think it held up to line abrasions as well as 832, which I have never fished a braid that was as good at holding up to abrasion as 832. The Samuri was better than either power pro at holding up to abrasion, just didn't work quite as well as 832, but a very good braid.

Musky

When a reel starts binding up, as the OP stated,,,,,it is a good indication water is where it shouldn't be, or it stirred up the bottom and there is something more serious than water contaminating it, I would service it,,,,,if I cared about further damage,,,,,,,,

If it was submerged and you can feel a difference the next time out, it has been contaminated with water. Regardless if it is freshwater or saltwater, neither one has a place inside your reel. You should tear it down dry it out and relube.

This is what I would choose. 50-100 Running Charters and furnishing equipment I always had good service and no complaints from customers with the rods I furnished. they were well under $80.00 the older BPS Bionic Blade, I'm sure they have changed in the last 5 years but were a steel for the money in my business . 100-150 I would spend my money on St. Croix premier, usually can be had for less than $125.00 150-200 I would be going for St. Croix's Avid, and think this is the best priced rod ever Bang for Buck! 200-250 & 250-300 I have no idea with any rods in this price range, I just find for me, if the Avid won't do it, I need to spend more than $300.00 to get more performance than it offers. 300-400 This is for me when I go for the St. Croix Legend Elite, I think I could spend more money but I haven't found a better rod unless it was a one of a kind custom. over 400 I would have one built on a Legend Extreme or Elite blank, building something I can't buy off the shelf. This is the only way I would buy a new Legend Extreme, as it would have to have a full cork handle, as I have found little difference in it and the Legend Elite, and have never found anything I liked better at any price. I actually don't know how I could find a better rod than I would have built using these blanks for more than $400.00. Function is all I build a rod for and don't want "bling" just light, sensitive, strong, and balanced rod. I have a custom Builder who will take no new clients and sells to customers around the world, that has always been able to make that happen. Everyone is different, but after nearly 60 years I have personally found these rods in these price ranges to be the only ones, I have never been disappointed in, and for me, I think for the money, these rods offer more than any other rods near their price range.

Was there at one time with the early runs of Fluorocarbon and swore it off too. Stren, Berkley, Seagaur Red Label, just didn't like em. Now I use it anytime gin clear water is present, I have had great success with filler spools of Invisx, and Abrazx and am quite happy with it, I use 10' to 12' leaders when I do use it, and attach to 832 Sufix, so for me cost is low, and with all the praise roadwarrior gives Tatsu, I am going to check it out next. If it is as durable and soft as Invisx or Abrazx it will be a good investment, and if it is better it will be as sweet as 832 when I tried it over other braids. I hesitated to try 832 because of price, and wasted a ton on other braids. I hope Tatsu is to Fluoro what 832 is to Braid,,,I will find out.

Im just hopen for another real winter like we had last year. This is what winter was like 40 years ago, and one reason I live in NW Ohio. temps were perfect but could have used a little less snow. I made for a great hunting season, and an excellent spring Walleye and Crappie season here.

Heavier weights should be no problem 3/8 to 1/2 oz. But don't think or expect to take any Baitcasting reel and use it like a pro if you are not used to casting one. The weight you state with a 3/16 oz and 14# line is not that difficult to get 20 30 yards with those reels. But under 3/8 oz on a MH rod is not ideal, and 3/16 would be a real challenge for a beginner with a MF rod. I can't comment on the Tournament with stock lubed bearings or the line you are using, but mine with 30 lbs 832, and flushed bearings on a MF rod would easily cast 25 yards with a 5" finesse worm and a 1/8 oz weight.

Exactly what I would do, 832 10# and Seaguar 10' 6 or 8# AbrazX leader,,,,

Yes, but sorry all you worried about me closing the doors on St Croix, but I will use everything I pay for, it might brake a foreign company, but I think St. Croix has displayed quite well for over half a century that it is capable of handling its finances on it's own and quite capable of making money while offering benefits most can afford but won't!! As long as it uses American labor to do it!! But I appreciate your concern! Just got a new Stradic Ci4+ 1000FA, everything the original wasn't, maybe I will by a new 6'6" light LE blank while I can still get the Lifetime warranty,,,,, give me a reason to get rid of my IMX 6' LF, just to help cover their expenses of honoring my warranty last year of course,,,,, Next time you have a wreck and it's your fault, save me some premium costs will ya, and be responsible and pay all the damages yourself,,,,,

I think you missed your point, mine is I do way more than MOST to support this company, I just thought maybe if you didn't understand, the picture would help,,,,,,guess I was wrong!! You win my dealings with ST. Croix show no support and they would go broke if they had more customers like me,,,,,OK U win!! now I feel bad,,,,,,

Give me a break!! Do you have any idea what you are talking about, or just justifying your ethics?? I will venture to say I support St. Croix FAR BETTER than most that are doing the ethics knocking and assure you they are not going broke because of me, Quite the contrary!! I just wonder how many of the dollars I spent for Lifetime warranties built into there prices everyone else has cashed in on?? You say poor St Croix,,,,I say poor Captain!! These are just a few Avids, Legend Elite's, Extreme's Tournament's, and Ultra's, the ones in the house not the 4 or 5 in the boat lockers or the ones I have sold off over the years, and 90% of them bought new. You guy's need to worry more about other things and realize you are no authority on my ethics!! I can bet money when I pass through the Pearly gates they aren't going to open the books and ask me about my warranty history with St. Croix, you should have far more important things to be concerned about. I can assure you St. Croix is well aware of the support they get from me, every time they ask mt zip code!!

Like I said, I gave $70.00 as for the replacement, that model had seen 5 updates, quite worth it and costing Croix very little, probably covers what St Croix has in materials. The fact is they think there is a reason for more than 5 or 10 years or that would be the limit. It is a senseless argument to say everybody abuses a warranty in any time limit, and is viewing one theory of use and not the whole picture, some Tournament fisherman put more use and abuse on a rod that I would never subject a rod to, and in one years time may use it as much as I do some of my 10 or 15 year old rods, and they don't deteriorate setting in the closet!! You have to think about more than the way you use your equipment. As for a built up blank, all my customs are warranted the same as the rods built by Croix, but since the only thing St. Croix builds is the Blank, that is all they cover, all components and labor are backeb by my builder for life! The way it should be when you pay a premium for an expert to build something better than is available for less with a lifetime warranty. If I abused my equipment or bought a couple rods and wore them out I could see your view, but most don't do that, I take care of my equipment and pay a premium to buy it once and that is what I expect when I pay that premium!

I don't tournament fish but always finesse fished unless it was for money, like I had to do when I was running Charters. I never cared for dragging and horsing fish to the boat, and prefered feeling the bite and playing the fish with as little on the line as possible, I like the lightest rod capable for the job, on the lightest line (leader) and the smallest reel capable of holding enough line and drag to get em stopped before I get spooled. Then use the lightest lure, bait, or rigging to get"r"done! If you aint getting paid to do it, it should be fun, and I like given em a chance, even when it's frustrating and their winning!! Enjoy sounds like you got that down though!!

"Having a lifetime warranty is nice, but I could live without one. I feel like the warranties have been built into the price for a lot of rods, but if manufacturers scale back the warranties will they also scale back the prices? Doubt it" Watch out, that makes sense!! Why would anyone pay extra for a warranty that is built into the price and not use it????? I hope they are not insane enough to think eliminating the lifetime warranty will change the price. But if you like paying for something you won't use, and think it is called ethical, so be it, I call it bad economics! Be real,,Look at this Avid X, same money as an Avid, the Avid rod or blank is lifetime, the X isn't, and uses less material and cheaper components to build it,,,,,,,buy ten then and go for it, makes sense to me!! But don't bash those for using what they pay for, and please come back to reality and realize, this is a company who has grown more, for longer, and imported less than any other company making the same products in the USA for the last half century, and are making money doing it! They appreciate your contribution I am sure, but I doubt they expect it. In over 20 years and 30 or more rods, so many used seldom who knows how old, and spending more than a few thousand dollars on their rods, I feel quite comfortable using my warranty twice regardless how old they were!!! I hope I don't bankrupt them, especially when last year they got $70.00 for the replacement, which was probably close to paying for the materials they had in the rod!! Be real,,,,,PLEASE!! I can't understand why anyone would not want what they pay for, but I see it everyday with a lot of imports people waste their money on,,,, I expect a 300 dollar rod to last longer than a 100 dollar imported rod, and have the gull to admit it, now since I also sleep well, I think I will take a nap,,,,,