TiNuts

If you look closely at the outside edge of the side of the bearing, you'll see a little clip that goes around the bearing with a small gap at the ends. Basically take the hook and dig out one of the ends and gently pull it out. Then stick the hook into the gap of the shield and pull it off. I've found white gunky stuff caked on the shields and cages (Abu Garcia bearings). I can't say that I think it will perform any better than just soaking, but I feel better about it. It's not something you should have to do every time you clean them. I pulled these pics off google.

I used to advocate for not using the tool. I have a couple reels where the pin isn't too tight and had no problems getting it out without the tool. Next reel I got, the pin was pretty tight and I bent the heck out of it. Had to wait about 2 months (over the summer) to get a replacement pin. Get the tool, it's worth it. I also recommend removing the bearing shields. I've done the soaking them thing, but I've found a bit of build up/gunk that's won't make it out without removal of the shields, even on essentially new bearings. I use a small treble hook to remove the clips and it works pretty well.

^^^This. When I first started using spinning reels as a kid I also turned it upside down for this very reason. Until a decade later when I learned you could switch the handle around.

My vote is for the bass pro 100mph gear. They have a 100mph jacket that's supposed to be for warmer weather. I think it's relatively new as I don't recall seeing it before.

The only difference I could see was the FA spool was a little bigger than the FAML and it wasn't by much. Just enough to be noticeable while knowing there was a difference. I didn't see any difference that would make it more suited for microbraid than the other.

Cabelas puts their guide wear on sale every now and again. That's the time to go bargain with the manager at BPS. I got about $100 off the entire 100mph suit that way. You can usually find the 100mph pieces on eBay also.

Omens are very nice rods for the money!!

I saw last years Ci4s on clearance for $150 at my bass pro. Pretty tough to beat that with a pflueger.

I don't have a truck. Just a 97 2 door civic.

I have not. Not even eBay, unless they made up for it with shipping.

What about when drag is pulled? I see what you're saying about the solid unit when put together. My revo sx has a bearing on the shaft under the spool that the shims but up against, I'm assuming for when drag is pulled.

I believe the shims wear as you use the reel, eventually needing replacement.

While I agree these reels should've been perfect out of the box and returned, I bought them about an hour away. So I took a shot and put a few drops of oil in each one. Silenced them both with a quickness. Like they weren't properly lubed on the line. Thank you for all the replies. And yes, me and the old lady are fine! She doesn't know about the reels yet though.

Thanks hog sticker. I will look into the fjs.

Ha ha. Fortunately my wife isn't into expensive jeans and shoes. Or jewelry for that matter. I lucked out in that department.She does, however, like to order workout DVDs and shakes and crap. I suppose that isn't a bad thing.

This is my issue with the pure fishing reels. They all seem to be identical reels, just different bearing count and different cases. Therefore, if one has issues, than I'd expect the rest to have issues. My father in laws patriarch feels almost identical to my revo, which has this same rubbing at a certain point, which you can feel. I can feel the same thing in his patriarch, at the same spot, you just can't really hear it as much.

Apparently chewing my a** turns into chewing I disagree. Funny.

Ha ha. She's zero lesbian now. My father in law has a ci4 and a patriarch and I thought the ci4 was a bit nicer of a reel. He does too. I thought about a patriarch or a revo premier, but I wasn't impressed compared to the stradic a and even cheaper shimano reels.

Ok. I will take them back. That sucks because I was really excited for these reels. Any recommendations for a spinning reel that doesn't make rubbing noises and is smooth? She just chews I disagree when I tick her off. She wouldn't buy a new husband. She has her hands full as it is. She'd probably just go full lesbian after me.

So I bought two new Stradic Ci4+ 2500s. I got home and both of them are noisier than hell. Both have identical noises which is a sort of rubbing sound. The rub always occurs at the same point in handle rotation. One reel is slightly louder than the other and actually sounds like there is a catching with the rub. My revo sx spinning reel makes this same d**n noise which is why I upgraded to the stradics (or so I thought). I don't feel it in the handle, it's just quite annoying. I've played with the Ci4s before and they've always been quiet and smooth, or I can't hear them over background noise in the store. Is this a normal noise for current spinning reels? Does anyone have a comparison between the revo and stradic? ie: did I really upgrade, or just pay more $ for no benefit? Thanks!

I did catch this monster right before I left.

Here's a basic review as I didn't have time to test as thorough as I wanted. I used a 7'0" med fast microguide carbonlite and the 7'1" *** black. I used the same reel, lure, and line and just swapped the rods. The reel is a 3rd gen revo sx with 12# Pline flouroclear. I used a 1/4 oz red eye shad. I wanted something that vibrated to help gauge sensitivity and I caught a handful of fish with it a couple weeks ago. The lake I used has a soft bottom with some trees randomly about. Both rods felt pretty much the same as far as working the lure goes. The amount of vibration I felt was near identical, with the *** feeling maybe just a touch more sensitive. Casting was near identical, but the *** felt like it was easier to be accurate, but I had no problems casting the Carbonlite where I wanted. I did prefer the feel of the cast with the ***. Unfortunately I didn't catch any fish so I decided to purposely run the lure through weeds to simulate a strike, catching a fish, whatever the best I could. The *** felt like it had more back bone and it was easier to rip it out of the weeds than the carbonlite. Throughout the day I could tell the carbonlite was a little softer than the ***. I didn't do an actual balance test, but I do know the revo3 sx on the 7' med carbon light balances on my finger at the reel nut. The *** balances tip heavy compared to that, however the carbonlite feels to me tip light while fishing it. The regular guide carbonlite may feel more natural to me. The *** feels just a touch tip heavy while fishing. This, of course, is subjective and different people will prefer different balances. If I were planning an all day trip, I'd grab the carbonlite as it is noticeably easier in my wrists after a bunch of casts (I have crappy joints). The carbonlite is noticeably lighter than the *** of course. The overall quality of the *** seems to feel better, however I had to epoxy the reel nut back together (the top trim ring, and then the carbon cover thing a few days later) on the *** after about 5-6 months of owning it. Not a big deal, just something to note. I've never had any problems like that with the carbonlite and I've owned it for about a year. I will say I've yet to have the same problem with any of my other omens. To sum it up, I'm going to give a slight nod to the ***, however I really like how light the carbonlite is. For $100 for the *** and $120 for the carbonlite micro, I'd get the ***. When the carbonlites are on sale though, that makes it a tougher call. Customer service is awesome on both accounts. 13 apparently gives you a free hat for warranty returns, where as bass pro does not, however you can walk into bass pro with a broken rod and walk out with a new one. I think you will be happy with either rod. I could buy one or the other with no regrets. I hope this helps. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask. I am not a seasoned fisherman by any stretch of the imagination, and these rods are the two nicest rods I have ever owned or fished.

I was actually thinking about doing this same comparison today as I do have both rods.

That's why I said should have nothing to worry about. I've also had very positive dealings through eBay, but I've also had very negative dealings through eBay. There's always an inherent risk when dealing through eBay. I've also had negative experiences through established vendors (not from this site), but the likelihood of a negative experience through the sponsor vendors or big box stores is probably small enough that one doesn't necessarily need to worry.

Just deal with the sponsors of this site, the big stores (bass pro, academy, etc) and you should have nothing to worry about.