I just picked up two of these (2500 model) at Academy. There were two, I think accidentally, in the mark down bin for $39.96 and a few more in clam shells at $49.XX. The reel is blue and silver, has a 6:1 speed gear ratio and is decently smooth for a 3 bearing reel, it is Shimano after all. It feels like a cheap version of my Stradic CI4+.

 

So looking online, I do not really see this reel anywhere. Is it new, discontinued, a distributor special, mostly non-USA market?

 

I plan to use them for light inshore saltwater and freshwater kayak bass fishing. I hate ruining nice stuff in saltwater and of course what goes into a kayak does not always remain in a kayak nor come back with the kayak ;).

 

Anyone else have these?

 

J 

They have them at scheels just not the HG and I've been eyeing them for quite some time now looks like it would make a nice reel for an extra weightless plastics combo.  I can't find any either that are the HG. I wonder what the difference is between the HG and normal.  If it is something special or rare after all nice find.  The normal one looks and feels like a nice reel for $50 though so i might pick one up.  Good Luck!

3 minutes ago, ratherbfishin1 said:

They have them at scheels just not the HG and I've been eyeing them for quite some time now looks like it would make a nice reel for an extra weightless plastics combo.  I can't find any either that are the HG. I wonder what the difference is between the HG and normal.  If it is something special or rare after all nice find.  The normal one looks and feels like a nice reel for $50 though so i might pick one up.  Good Luck!

 The HG is 6:1 and the non-HG I see on-line and elsewhere is a 5:1 gear ratio, and a different color. The HG seems to be a rare bird. 

 

Well, it is Academy so it cannot be really rare or special but it does seem to be a nice reel.

The silver old model was the best spinning reel i ever had i owned two. The blue and black i have not tried,and I was interested as well if this new model was as good.