All you guys using the Ci4 happy with it? This is my next possible buy and just want to get some positive feedback for reassurance before i do. Planning on pairing it to a LTB as a drop shot set up.

Yes. Best bang for your buck. Other will come recommending cheaper reels but mine is my favorite spinning reel.

Jeff

Best bang for your buck has got to be the stradic FJ it's a much more advanced reel compared to the ci4. Personally the only thing the ci4 has going for it is it's weight. The FJ has many more features especially x-ship. Don't get me wrong the ci4 is still a amazing reel, but the FJ is a true work horse, and also comes in at a cheaper price.

I thought long and hard about buying that reel and ended up going with a patriarch 30x on a 6'10" Legend Xtreme. Weighs over an ounce less than the Stradic, a lot less frame flex and is simpler in design to work on yourself. Just my .02

I love mine so far. I was torn between that and the Patriarch but after tearing the guts out of two Supreme XT's I went with the Stradic and have not been disappointed. 

I love mine so far. I was torn between that and the Patriarch but after tearing the guts out of two Supreme XT's I went with the Stradic and have not been disappointed. 

Supreme XTs and the Patriarch are nothing in common. Full magnesium body with a solid titanium main shaft through it. The lower end Pflueger gear uses straight up pot metal on thei gears which is probably why you tore the guts out of them (I still have 5 yr old presidents that are running strong so Im not sure what you did to them) but the Patriarch is built with durability and weight in mind. The Ci4 had wayyyy too much flex for me. Pick one up and flex the body towards the reel stem. Youll see what im talking about really fast

I'm a fan of the CI-4.  I can't buy in to this whole frame flex thing.  You're fishing line that's 6#, maybe 8# tops.  If you load up the rod enough to flex the reel, the line will break or the rod will blow up first.  just my opinion tho.

Best bang for your buck has got to be the stradic FJ it's a much more advanced reel compared to the ci4. Personally the only thing the ci4 has going for it is it's weight. The FJ has many more features especially x-ship. Don't get me wrong the ci4 is still a amazing reel, but the FJ is a true work horse, and also comes in at a cheaper price.

Spot on! If weight is a concern get the CI4, otherwise the FJ is more advanced and feature packed. I am guessing the FJ may balance better on your St. Croix rod.

I have the Ci4 and FJ and love them both. I use the Ci4 2500 on my wacky Senko rod (NRX 852) with 8 lb Tatsu and have never felt any flexing in the reel. You'll win with either one, so just go with your gut.

Supreme XTs and the Patriarch are nothing in common. Full magnesium body with a solid titanium main shaft through it. The lower end Pflueger gear uses straight up pot metal on thei gears which is probably why you tore the guts out of them (I still have 5 yr old presidents that are running strong so Im not sure what you did to them) but the Patriarch is built with durability and weight in mind. The Ci4 had wayyyy too much flex for me. Pick one up and flex the body towards the reel stem. Youll see what im talking about really fast

I set the hook with a shakyhead and both the reels gears slipped so bad that it stripped out the main gears in the reels. The Supreme XT is a magnesium body also, not sure if the shaft is titanium or not but it was a great feeling reel, very smooth and light. It was a struggle for me to decide because I really wanted the Patriarch but after going through 2 of their higher end spinning reels in less than a year I just couldn't take the risk. I'm sure it's a great reel and I'm not trying to knock Pfluegar, I still have and fish 2 Supreme MGXs, and obviously they're a proven company that's been around forever, it just wasn't a risk I was willing to take. I guess I don't put enough torque on the handle of my CI4 to flex the handle or just haven't noticed it. 

I have my Ci4 on my dropshot (daiwa cielo) rod and it balances perfectly. No complaints about performance either.

I have one for ultralight (1000), would I buy another one for full retail? No. Sure is a nice reel though.

Here is a little info..........http://tackletour.com/reviewchimanostradicci4.html

I have three.  I appreciate the light weight, and fast retrieve rate.

I have a 2500 ci4, a 1000 stradic fj, and just ordered a 1000 ci4 friday. I love both reels, the fj is definitely a smoother reel with the x-ship, but im a nut about weight and can truly appreciate the ci4.

 

Ive hooked into some huge pickerel and bass and have never dealt with flex with the ci4, i think its an amazing spinning reel, especially for how cheap you can find them on ebay.

 

I went to the local shop to play with the patriarch and wasnt impressed at all. For the money, i still think the stradic fj & ci4 are the best reels on the market, if you have a bit more money the sustain fg is my recommendation. You get the lightweight and x-ship.

I have three.  I appreciate the light weight, and fast retrieve rate.

John,

What rods did you pair up with these reels?  Are they 2500?

The 3000 is on a 9' steelhead rod, right now.  The two 2500s are on Avids, a AVS63MLXF and AVS63MXF.  I have two copies of the AVS63MLXF, and the 3000 goes on that rod in summer.

Thanks for all the feedback so far everyone. Appreciate it. 

Thanks for all the feedback so far everyone. Appreciate it. 

 

 

The 3000 is on a 9' steelhead rod, right now.  The two 2500s are on Avids, a AVS63MLXF and AVS63MXF.  I have two copies of the AVS63MLXF, and the 3000 goes on that rod in summer.

Come on post a pic of that reel with that sweet knob you got on them.......

I think I saw it in another thread. He's got the corked Hawgtech knobs or something correct?

I think I saw it in another thread. He's got the corked Hawgtech knobs or something correct?

Correct , If I remember correctly a dude was making them up after he fitted up his own reel.

Scott Hovanec made them for me.  He's a member here.

 

FJ

Hey John, looks like you use those things a little bit!

 

Here's mine.....not nearly as abused and John's!!

I just lost a lightly used CI4 on ebay for $140 at the last second. Almost punched my monitor out. lol