I have only owned one spinning rig for bass, a Pfleuger President 6940 and a Berkley Lightning rod medium. I have several baitcasting rigs, including a couple of fairly expensive rigs. But I loved the spinning rig. Dropped that sucker in the lake and have not been able to snag it. So, what now?

I keep seeing Shimano Stradic as a good model. I tell ya... the reviews on that reel are about as good as it gets. But, heck, I loved the President! I have no idea how much more, if any, I would like a Stradic. What do you think? I used the President for quite a few uses, but also for my favorite bait... weightless fluke. I don't fish very deep any more. Lots of shallow lakes and ponds. Any thoughts on a rig, and is Stradic "that" good? CI4+ is what I have looked at. Of course, it costs much more than a President! Then, I have to buy a rod!

Thanks.

Get the president and spend the extra money on the rod! 

It really depends on budget.  The president is a fine reel, but I definitely prefer the Stradic.  If you can say what you are wanting to spend on the combo, we may be able to make a good recommendation.

If you are wanting best bang for the buck I would go with a Pflueger Supreme XT size 30 which can be had for ~$120 and a St. Croix Rage 6'10" MXF which you can get for $90.  For just over $200 you have a very nice performing combo.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pflueger-1323781-Supreme-XT-Spinning-Reel-Size-30-6-2-1-Gear-Ratio-/262305418216?hash=item3d129f0be8:g:YDgAAOSwDuJWugBt

http://stcroixrods.com/shop/freshwater/rage-spinning-rods/

If you want to go all the way, I have this combo and absolutely love it...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Shimano-Stradic-2500-HGFK-Spinning-Reel-/151991333065?hash=item236363b0c9:g:EaAAAOSwezVWykpE

https://www.*.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=GLoomis%2DGLX%2D783SJWR&e=Y 

I actually own them both and prefer the regular Stradic over the ci4+...and the Loomis GLX is perfect for it...although I am sure I would prefer the NRX.

11 hours ago, livemusic said:

I keep seeing Shimano Stradic as a good model. I tell ya... the reviews on that reel are about as good as it gets.

Shimano advises that the consumer not open the new Stradic's or maintain them themselves.  They feel they are too complicated for a non authorized service center to handle. The "Core Protect" special feature is damaged by non shimano certified repairmen.  To keep your warranty from going void you have to send it in to a authorized regional service center.  Not a feature that makes me want to go out and buy one.  Same goes for Daiwa's mag oil feature.  The consumer cannot open it up for even a simple lube.  What good are expensive reels made so that you have to spend more money with the manufacturer to maintain it during its entire product life.  

2 hours ago, 0119 said:

Shimano advises that the consumer not open the new Stradic's or maintain them themselves.  They feel they are too complicated for a non authorized service center to handle. The "Core Protect" special feature is damaged by non shimano certified repairmen.  To keep your warranty from going void you have to send it in to a authorized regional service center.  Not a feature that makes me want to go out and buy one.  Same goes for Daiwa's mag oil feature.  The consumer cannot open it up for even a simple lube.  What good are expensive reels made so that you have to spend more money with the manufacturer to maintain it during its entire product life.  

Meh...Outside of probably a Stella I would never send a reel in for warranty work anyways.  Generally parts that fail are not that expensive and I prefer to do work myself.  I would think most enthusiasts are the same way.

52 minutes ago, EllisJuan said:

Meh...Outside of probably a Stella I would never send a reel in for warranty work anyways.  Generally parts that fail are not that expensive and I prefer to do work myself.  I would think most enthusiasts are the same way.

Yeah that's my point. You do the work..... warranty is void, core protect that you paid for is gone, it's just a coating.  With mag oil, open it, seal is over.

15 hours ago, livemusic said:

I have only owned one spinning rig for bass, a Pfleuger President 6940 and a Berkley Lightning rod medium. I have several baitcasting rigs, including a couple of fairly expensive rigs. But I loved the spinning rig. Dropped that sucker in the lake and have not been able to snag it. So, what now?

I keep seeing Shimano Stradic as a good model. I tell ya... the reviews on that reel are about as good as it gets. But, heck, I loved the President! I have no idea how much more, if any, I would like a Stradic. What do you think? I used the President for quite a few uses, but also for my favorite bait... weightless fluke. I don't fish very deep any more. Lots of shallow lakes and ponds. Any thoughts on a rig, and is Stradic "that" good? CI4+ is what I have looked at. Of course, it costs much more than a President! Then, I have to buy a rod!

Thanks.

I think a President with a Mojo bass rod in either medium or medium heavy would make a fine spinning rod to fish a fluke.

Really even a Triumph would work well for that.

I have a Mojo 6' 8" "Wacky Style" that makes a great fluke rod. I have a 35 Pfluegar Supreme XT with 20lb braid on it. 

I picked up a Kistler KLX 6'9" M rod a year or so ago and I love that thing.  It's beefier than a standard M but I really enjoy throwing flukes, senkos, trick worms either weightless or with the 3/32 keel-weighted Owner.

This rod is paired w/ a 2500 Stradic FJ and 10lb Sufix braid.

On 2/29/2016 at 11:17 AM, Chris at Tech said:

I picked up a Kistler KLX 6'9" M rod a year or so ago and I love that thing.  It's beefier than a standard M but I really enjoy throwing flukes, senkos, trick worms either weightless or with the 3/32 keel-weighted Owner.

This rod is paired w/ a 2500 Stradic FJ and 10lb Sufix braid.

Chris, I had just sent you a message, asking if you liked the KLX Spinning Medium. So, it looks like I have my answer.

I would be matching it up with a Shimano 2500 Saros. I use 15lb Seaguar Smackdown braid with 8lb Seaguar Tatsu Fluoro.