mrpao

Not really sure what's the deal with the name. I guess shimano wanted a name that stood out. Something different. For many years just about all of shimano's spinning reel names started with a "S" - sienna, spirex, Sahara, stradic, stella, etc. While all their casting reels started with a "C" - curado, casitas, chronarch, core, etc. I guess shimano is not restricted to any names, so they wanted something different this go around. I find the name silly myself, but they can name it whatever they want. Shimano is a Japanese company, so that name could mean something else in Japanese. Who really knows.

I'm assuming this is a spinning rod that he has. What his price range? That would help out.

More info on price range and what you have would be helpful. You say you're looking for something bigger. But compared to which Penn fierce?

If it was better looking I would probably get one. I find it pretty ugly. The colors just don't match well. Shimano should have made it all one color. The black nose piece really cheapens the look. It's like putting black plastic trim pieces all over a nice car. It just makes it look cheap. I still have a few 70 series in arsenal, so I just stick to those.

After I spool up a fresh spool, I'll walk it put in my yard about three times to get rid of the twist. Really helps out. After several outings, I'll do the same thing again to get rid of any twist that has occurred. I rarely have any line twist issues on my spinning reels because of this.

I looked at the Soare 500 as well but its a shallow spool and would not hold enough line for me. The 1000s doesn't hold much line either. I just prefer the regular 500 and 1000 size spools for my small reels.

I have way too many spinning reels already. But I'll probably end up with at least two Vanfords to try out. Like most people on here the monkey is always on my back.

I wonder if we will actually get the low gear ratio 1000 size? I prefer the lower gear ratios. It seems like it has a lower start up inertia. Also will in actually weight 5.3 oz? The stradic 1000ci4+ is suppose to weigh 5.6 oz. Both of mine weigh 5.8 oz. Looks like there will also be a 500 size. Great for those of us who like ultra light reels. About time shimano has a decent quality 500 size reel. Will definitely have to get one to try out.

I believe most stock bearings are stainless steel already. You could order some of daiwa's corrosion resistant bearings for the coastal models to put into your reel. I would not recommend full ceramic bearings. They are super loud and will sounds like your reel is about to break.

U can also use a line conditioner like the KVD conditioner. It will soften the line up some. Personally I don't like going above 8 or 10 pound test on my spinning reels when it comes to fluro or mono. There's just too much memory.

Lews and Abu use a larger diameter knob post. Most of the time they are interchangeable. Shimano and daiwa use a smaller diameter knob post. Sometimes shimano knobs will fit on daiwa handles but not the other way around. It with be easier to change out the whole shimano handle with a lews handle then to replace just the knobs. You will need a handle shaft spacer though. They are pretty cheap on Ali Express.

I use the 1000 size for most of my bass fishing. I like the lighter weight and slower line take up. I use 6 pound test on my 1000 size quite often but will go up to 20 lb braid if I'm throwing around docks or other cover. My biggest complaint is the tiny short handles on the 1000 size shimano reels. Come on shimano. Give us longer handles. It took years for them to put longer handles on the baitcast reels. How about longer handles and bigger knobs on the spinning reels too. I'm tired of these tiny flat knobs on the smaller reels.

Looks like rock bass

How old is the reel? The grease could be gunked up and binding up the gears. May just need to be cleaned and oiled.

I have two of the 6'10" ml rod and use one for drop shots 1/8 -3/16. I don't feel like it's a moderate action. It feels fast to me. I throw smaller jerkbaits on the other one. I think a stradic ci4+ would be a better reel for that rod. I have both of mine paired up with stradic ci4+ 1000. The rod is very lightweight and the stradic FL 2500 may feel awkward on it. A 2500 ci4+ should pair nicely though.

Also. Your height has nothing to do with rod length. Rod length should be based on what you are using the rod for and storage area. Longer rods usually mean longer cast, but also harder to store and move around. I have a smaller boat so I prefer rods around 7' or maybe just a bit longer like 7'2" due to lack of room. So I don't break rod tips or smack my fishing partner in the head. Fishing from shore, I prefer only around 6'6" long so I don't get tangled in all the trees and brush.

I always leave my spools with a slight side to side play. I just use the brakes and my thumb. I set all my reels like this. Never really used the spool tension knob much.

I would go with the ballistic just to be safe since it is more sealed. Or try the stradic FL if you don't mind a little extra weight. I think you'll be happy with either of these reels. Or you could just rinse your reels and rods off each time you use them to keep them salt free. If you go this route then any reel should work fine.

I keep a blade bait tied on year round. They are great to drop down into deeper water when I see fish on the fish finder. Also great to cast to schooling bass because they are easily bomb casted.

I have noticed that on my two 20 metaniums. It seems to be the same way with my four bantams mgl. They have to be really tightened down to get enough drag pressure to drag fish in.

I have dunked some of my older shimano spinning reels while river wade fishing. Never had any issues, just kept fishing them.

Awesome shots there of the pike jumping.

I normally replace all my knobs with the daiwa rcs or slp style I knobs. I usually do the black or cork colors. They pretty much match just about any reel. I replaced the handle on my coastal sv with a carbon fiber handle and black rcs style I knobs. I like it much better than the thin rubber knobs that came on it.

I usually use 50 to 150 size. I use core 50's and aldebaran 50's. I also use bantam mgl 150's but their frame is pretty small. My conquest 100's and Core/metanium 100mg7's have slightly larger taller frames. The new metanium also have a pretty small frame with a 150 size spool. I do have another metanium ordered from Japan with the 70 size spool. I prefer smaller framed reels and spools most of the time since i usually dont need to make bomb cast often.

If I catch a catfish while bass fishing, it normally goes in the livewell. They are some good table fare.