I bought one in a pawn shop this morning for 15.00. It needed a new spool(pitted bad) and when I checked the gear ratio I came up with about 3:8.1. I purchased a new set of gears to bring it up to 6:3.1. I was not aware that these reels came with a gear ratio that low. Anyone else have any info as to what I actually bought? It only has two bearings and says CI-200 on it. I now have alittle over 55.00 in this real. Did I throw my money away or what? Is it worth what I spent rebuilding it?

Another thing I failed to mention. I also bought a Castaway JT66 rod for 15.00 at the same shop. All of my rods are Allstar, Falcon, or American Rodsmith. Anything to this rod. It was attached to the above reel. Thanks

Is it the newer version citica or the older model?

Be honest i didn't know they came that low either.

    The reel is a 5:1 ratio.  It is an older model.  I have owned them and they fine reels and are worth the $15.  The only money not worth it was the changing of the gears.  

    The Castaway rod what they call a Jerk and Twitch (JT)  I am a big fan of Castaway rods.  They were born out of All Star about 20 years ago by the Kistlers. (now Kistler Rods)  I have owned many of Castaways standard graphite rods.  The have been among the lightest and most sensitive standard graphite rods I have ever used.  If it is an HG-40 (it will say it on the blank) even better.  Either way if you got that as part of a combo for $15,  I should be so lucky.

Grimlin I was told it was a 1994 model. I fish a lot of Curados, guess I will try it out on something or just set it on the shelf with the others. The guy I bought the parts from said he had never seen one with a ratio like this one.  Any other info?

Dave I cannot see any other markings on the rod. The stenciling is in blue if that helps. Guess I will try it out on something and see how I like it.  The combo was for 30.00, guess it was not to bad after all. Thanks

Pitting sound unusual unless it's been used for trout and reds.  If that's the case it may need the bearings replaced as well.  

Still a great deal.  Especially on the rod.  www.castawayrods.com. click on standard graphite freshwater.  Scroll down the the JT6'6".  The picture used for all of the rods in the Jerk and Twitch.  You can see what a deal you fell into,  if only $30 just for the rod.

It was 30.00 for both as a combo. I just looked it up. If this rod is 159.00 I guess I did OK. Think I will hang on to it. Thanks for the web address

I mean,  even if you were to throw away the reel (throw it to me),  you still got a great rod for $30.

I think I will keep it. I spooled the reel this morning and it is pretty smooth even with just two bearings. I do think it has been used in saltwater as the spool had a large pitted section eaten out of the lip. I replaced the spool and the gears and it seems to work great here in the yard. Might be another story on the lake. We'll see. If I don't care for it I will let you know. We will work out something if you want the rod

fishfor---I have one of the CI-200's I picked up on eBay and really like it, especially the lower gear ratio.  It makes a great deep crankbait reel, lots of power.  I wouldn't change the gears.  I did swap out the 2 spool bushings with some ABEC bearings I got from http://heartlandtackleservice.com/default.asp.  Sure there are others and probably ReelMech that has them.  The bearings made the reel as smooth as my new model Citica's, maybe even a little smoother.

Way too late. I swapped the gears yesterday afternoon. I have other 5:1 reels for some deep cranking though. If you need the extra set of gears let me know. I will never use them. No Charge. FYI, there were no bushings on the spool shafts. It had the bearings.

Those reels come with only 2 bearings, the Anti-Reverse and a spool bearing on the right side.  Left end of spool had a bushing.  Previous owner must have swapped them out I guess----your good fortune again---lol.

If you want or need the gear set send me your address and I will mail them to you.

Appreciate the offer, but don't need it, mine is working fine.