Capt.Bob

Good choice for both worlds, spinning and casting!!

Sustain has more bearings and an aluminum frame, the rotar was the only thing to get the C!4 material. All European reels Asian wherever have some variance and are not the same as the USA reels, that is why they are different models. Kinda like a Corvette is not an Impala but the are made by Chevrolet!

Time will tell if the U.S.A. market gets the same treatment for the Stradic CI4 in 2013, as the Asian model Rarenium CI4, time will tell, but in 2012 it didn't.

I gotta agree with you RW it was a hell of a reel in 2009, thats when those reviews were done, but now, three years later, and all the new Stradic and Sustains got upgraded to the X SHIP design, and that did improve smoothness, and power!! not to mention an updated spool material (according to Shimano Tech Support) to help withstand the use of braid. Maybe the CI4 will get the upgrade treatment in the future, but right now its gearing and spool are old technology, so the only advantage is weight, and that really isn't going to make up for the power and smoother mechanics for me. The Stradic FJ and Sustain FG are both getting more and more feature handed down from the Stella!! I am sure they wont leave there CI4 out in the cold, I look for it to be upgraded any time now!

Maybe others have never used the Shimanos!!

The Stradic definatly has better specks and power for big Snook and Reds, permit Bones??? * Model: ST-3000FJ Spinning Reel * Line retrieve per crank (in): 35 * Line capacity (# Test/ yd): 6/230, 8/170, 10/140 * Max drag (lb): 15 * Gear ratio: 6.0:1 * Weight (oz): 9.3 Curado 50E Specs. are a little light for salt water. Model - CU50E Line Capacity (Power Pro) - 20/115, 30/105, 40/80 Line Capacity (mono) - 10/105, 12/85, 14/70 Bearings - 5+1 Gear Ratio - 6.4:1 Line Recovery - 25" Per Turn Max Drag - 10 lbs Weight - 6.9 oz Retrieve - Right Hand This is why I would suggest the Stradic, you get better line recovery, 35" compared to the Curado's 25" per handle turn, the 15 pound max drag for stopping bigger fish with limited line capacity, which by the way the Stradic holds 140 yards of 10lb mono compared to 105yards for the 50E. I would prefer the Stradic for these conditions, to choose the Curado I would have to go to the 200 size. This was why I made my recommendations, because of specs. But Reel type preference is personal and another mater, just don't make it more suited.

I've never had a problem on any rod with any type of guides, and I've used it on about all possibilities.

No doubt, the Stradic FJ 3000 would be my choice, same frame and size as the 2500, holds more line, but has a better handle (my preference, wish the 4000 used the same one), and the new FJ's are ssssssoooooo ssssmmmmmooooooottthhhhh on bigger fish!!

I had a Stradic CI4 and got rid of it, It was plenty light but felt cheap to me and was not as smooth as my MgFB's, after I found a very unbiased review on the new FJ series Sradic's, I bought the new FJ 1000, I am very impressed and am sure it is a better reel!!!! If I were you I'd save some cash and for about $50.00 less than the CI4, I'd buy the New Stradic FJ 3000 same size as the 2500 but holds more line and even though it's 2 oz. heavier than the CI4, it is much smoother, more powerful, and has more features with the dual supported mainshaft, the X Ship is very noticeable!! The new Stradics really are back on top of the spinning reel list, the X ship really is noticeable, more so bringing in larger fish!! Read this I did and am glad I tried one, I will in time replace all my other stradics with the new FJ series! It is smoother than my Sustain FE. http://www.tackletou...ostradicfj.html Street price is about $135.00 New.

I was just wondering if you are using braid or mono?? I use the Avid AVC70MM for both, cranks and spinners, and as you said the Avid cranckbait rod is a true KEEPER! but I seem to get great results using it with Braid for spinners, and it is I would think a little slower to load than the MHM. I don't use a trailer either, straight up with just the skirt. If using it with mono, even fluorocarbon you may want to try it with braid, I use Braid 100%. Now what I realy found that made this medium moderate action a jewel in the rough for me was a early spring Walleye rod!!!! I fish the Maummee river off Lake Erie, THE LARGEST WALLEYE RIVER RUN IN THE WORLD!! It is very fast water and you really have to stay on bottom and let it drift, any reeling and forget it. The thing is it is moving so fast that the fish have very little time to get the Floating jig, (a Floating Jig with a twister tail is the preferred bait) and this rod seems to be soft enough to give them time to get the jig in there mouth and I don't even set the hook. The rod has good feel and I know when it's bouncing along the bottom when the rod starts to load, I simply raise it and lift back, if it is a snag it usually drifts on or if it is a fish the head shakin starts, and the fun is on, and with fish up to 10# the battle can be tremendous, on the med. action!! I tried this for smallies in the river and if the current is fast it works great, but you really need fast water or I go to my AVS70MF when the current slows.

30# Braid in heavy weeds, I think it cuts weeds better I found the heavier Braid I went the more it didn't cut the weeds, in open areas with little weeds like around docks I add a 6-8' 20# fluorocarbon leader.

Not RW but I think if you got the money the saros is a step up, an FI Stradic in sheeps clothing, I have both and would rather have a saros any day. But know your getting close the price of the New Stradic FJ, and I also have one of them. They are in my opinion as nice as my Sustain FE. Cost is the key, you get what pay for, you have to decide where to stop. If you can't afford $135.00 to $140.00 on the new FJ Stradic, iI'd have trouble buying a reel thats 20 billscheaper than the Stradic FJ. The Symetre at $75.00 makes the Saros about a $40.00 jump I'd spend another $20 and get the FJ Stradic.

where I shop new, Symetre $65.00 street price, $110.00 Premier = $175.00 am I missing some thing. Even if it was $200.00 Like I said it would be more than TWICE the outfit, and in a couple years could be sold to upgrade and recoupe 75% of his investment. with the outfit he got I would sell on an auction while new and go with this route.

What RW said, a Symetre will take a beatin and keep tickin very smooth with a descent drag, It would have matched up good with a 6'6" or 7" St. Croix Premier. Between you 180 budget and 2 bills, but twice what the wally world setup is.

what to expect on Lake Erie, the Small Mouth were just caught wile perching on the same Perch rigs I was using for the Perch, a Loomis 6' Light action IMX and a 1000 Stradic, we kept a couple smaller Bass to go with the excellent eating Perch. The Yellow Perch run from 10" to 15"

only one choice, St. Croix Legend Elite. LES63MXF best all round Smallmouth rod at any price, and double duties as a light line finesse rod for large mouth, and great Walleye rod. But hands down the very finest rod I have ever used for Smallmouth!!! With a 1000 size Stradic or Sustain, it weighs less than 11 oz. and is the most sensative outfit I have owned in 58 years.

I'm sorry but I think unless you are basing your opinion on a reel after you have used it, it don't hold much water. It just means you like or don't like the way it feels "to you" out of the box and nothing to do with how it "performs". Its like fondling a rifle at a gun shop, when you leave the store with it you only know that you liked the way it looked and felt, until you shoot it you have no idea how well it will perform! No "been there done that" factor.

I said a St. Croix Avid because I think that is as inexpensive rod as you can get and call it a refined setup, the other options to get into the same quality rod from other makers with a lifetime warranty is about the same $150.00 to $180.00. It is not sensible to spend $100.00 or more to save a little and have a rod that in 1 to 5 years later can get broke and it is just a throw away. plus when you want to sell it and buy a top of the line rod like a Legend Elite ( as smalljaws67 put get the big engine with all the options model) You wont get half what you paid out of the no name premium rod. or the entry level cheapest rod from the same maker. The mojo in a couple years wont recoup half the original cost.The Avid will get most of your original price back, You get better guides reel seat a lighter more sensitive rod, simply more bang for the buck. If you are happy with it and ever break it it gets replaced no cost!! win win Same as with the reel you get a Tournament Pro or Curado and it will be a better longer lasting reel than the less expensive Speed Spool or the cheaper Shimano's. I like the Lews after buying one, when I sold the three Curados and Castiac I had I got almost all my inital investment back, I believe I sold my Curado 200B for more than I paid for it. BANG FOR THE BUCK! If you ask the best for any one of those purposes, I would have said Legend Elite and Shimano CTE100DC or CTE200DC, to go first class with all the so called options that would be well over $850.00 to m$950.00 so for $300.00 to $350.00 you are getting the best bang for your buck not the best product available.

you'll find your answer hear. http://lews.com/history.htm

ROD it aint the braid! The cherrywood I had one about 25 to 30 yeras ago on a abu 5500 and loved it. But man do you know how much rod technology has changed since then!! A St. Croix Premier would astound you, I mean about anything at wall mart would be more sensative. You owe it to yourself to buy a Pfluger IM8, a Bionic Blade, an Extreme, a Compre, or spend a little more and get a St. Croix Premier, you won't believe what your missing, and only one of those will break a 100 dollar bill. But believe me its your rod.

OK!! I love spending other guy's money. Just kiding but I have fished with most Loomis and St. Croix rods out there. the Loomis IMX and GLX are good rods but I favor the Avid over the IMX and think the best rods on the planet at any cost say Legend Elite on them!!! If I own one rod that I would never ever part with the very last rod I would still have is the ST. Croix Legend Elite in a 6'3 Medium Extra Fast action. It weights 3.2 ounces and with a new Sustain at 6.5oz is just an absolute Small Mouth destroyer. light enough to have a ball on small fish but enough backbone to tame my PB a 7lb 6oz Lake Erie hog. I have caught Walleye on this rod over 8 1/2 lbs. If you like rods with only half the handle on it get the Legend Extreme, same weigh at 3.2 oz. but it does not have the full cork handle, I cant stand the feel of the half a handle fad I want full and Premium Cork just me! you may like the new ones, but I feel it is just a fad, looks cool, even if it is uncomfortable. I think at 6'3" it is short enough for most bank situations but it gives a little more casting distance than a 6' important when you have to work in tight spots. I also have the 6'6" legend Elite in fast action but it aint in the same league as the LES63MXF one absolute have to have if you are a serious smallie fisherman in my book. I assure you that you wont regret it!!! and in the Legend series it is a true medium rated rod! Oh ya I forgot, it is the most sensitive rod on the planet! You need to at least hold one to understand.

ww2farmer have you tried using a little slower action, I don't fish heavy weed but do use a AVC70MM, I think the moderate action over my fast action 7' medium Avids gives me better hookups, and only use a trailer sometimes, most days I get by without the trailer on the Moderate action, but usually have a lot more misses on the fast action??? just a thought!

I agree with sirsnookalots answer, 15 lbs test braid I use on 2500 size Shimanos, 10 lbs. test braid on 1000 size and 20 lbs. test on 4000 size reels, max drags on my Stradic and Sustains are 1000/7 lbs, 2500/15 lbs, and 4000/18 lbs. I use 30 lbs on my 4000 once in a while for Pike and Muskie in Heavy salad, the lakes I fish for them and where I fish for them are very weedy, but 42 lbs Muskie to 50+ lbs. in heavy vegetation is a huge difference from bass and snakeheads in the same or less slop. I would imagine if you are using a Medium weight rod, it is tated for 12 lbs. line or lighter. If you use heavier than the rated line be careful not to over load the rod, it was designed to handle lines with the lbs test it is rated for, I never found a chart that said this but I also match my reels size to my rod weight. 1000's on ultra light to med. 2500's on light, to medium, and 4000's on medium heavy to extra heavy. Then change weight leders for the rod or application. it has worked for me using Synthetic lines every since they came out!! As for Dicks, well everyone I've been in I have found there employees know less about sporting goods than my grand kids, who are mostly preteen, and will give you advice like they been there done that!! They couldn't even tell you how to get there!!! Sorry but I don't shop at Dick's, find a Bass Pro or Cabelas and support the ones that are trained and have experience in the area's they work in, most can give good advice. It is there specialty! If you shop at Dick's I would know what I want before I go in.

I would get the Tournament Pro, same reel with one more bearing that you wont notice, I don't. But with the carbon handle and the fact it is a half oz lighter I do like, the extra bearing is just another added tweak. But you wont regret either, just don't get the MG or you will loose centrifugal breaking! all three have magnetic.

I fish a lot of lakes some clear some stained, some no pressure some heavy pressure, I hve found gin clear lakes with heavy fishing pressure usually benefit from the stealthier approach. I catch bigger fish on these water when I use fluorocarbon, I catch about the same number of fish without fluoro but for me SIZE MATTERS. I don't even change my approach anymore as I haven proven I don't catch smaller, or fewer fish, using a fluorocarbon leader. I guess I just aint much of a gambler. I definitely use a moderate forgiving action for spinners and cranks.