10 hours ago, MUSLENUTZ said:

I love having great stuff available. I like different brands and variety in life. We are lucky to have great products available to us.  There will always be fan boys, but you’re going to get what you pay for. 

Yeah I feel you. Clones are sometimes close enough and cheaper. In this case, a Ballistic LT isn't any cheaper than a Stradic Ci4+ (or Vanford for that matter). But at least you get almost the same reel whether you're a Daiwa fanboy or a Shimano fanboy. I wouldn't consider myself a fanboy for any brand but I only have so much money to spend on fishing gear and have tended to spend my money with a few brands consistently because I generally enjoy the quality I get for what I pay. One brand I keep wanting to love but every time I get a rod from them I'm unimpressed.

UglyFord LT

2 hours ago, bwjay said:

Yeah I feel you. Clones are sometimes close enough and cheaper. In this case, a Ballistic LT isn't any cheaper than a Stradic Ci4+ (or Vanford for that matter). But at least you get almost the same reel whether you're a Daiwa fanboy or a Shimano fanboy. I wouldn't consider myself a fanboy for any brand but I only have so much money to spend on fishing gear and have tended to spend my money with a few brands consistently because I generally enjoy the quality I get for what I pay. One brand I keep wanting to love but every time I get a rod from them I'm unimpressed.

I’d rather spend the most I can and have the rod n reel for longer without issues. I’m not one who needs to upg or buy new that often. There is only so much you can change and I find success is more geared towards the person than the gear. The product lasting and performing the longest is what I’m paying for along with the best performance and weight for the comfort of my body and day on the water I can get. 

4 hours ago, bwjay said:

Yeah I feel you. Clones are sometimes close enough and cheaper. In this case, a Ballistic LT isn't any cheaper than a Stradic Ci4+ (or Vanford for that matter). But at least you get almost the same reel whether you're a Daiwa fanboy or a Shimano fanboy. I wouldn't consider myself a fanboy for any brand but I only have so much money to spend on fishing gear and have tended to spend my money with a few brands consistently because I generally enjoy the quality I get for what I pay. One brand I keep wanting to love but every time I get a rod from them I'm unimpressed.

For the same price you can get yourself a JDM Luvias LT. For a little bit more, a Certate LT ?

 

5 hours ago, Jason.Domingo said:

For the same price you can get yourself a JDM Luvias LT. For a little bit more, a Certate LT ?

 

At this point, I don't think I'd trade my Certate LT for a Stella. It's probably my favorite reel, spinning or otherwise. 

1 hour ago, Tywithay said:

At this point, I don't think I'd trade my Certate LT for a Stella. It's probably my favorite reel, spinning or otherwise. 

Yes, couldn’t agree more. Although I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on an Exist ?