Wow! thanks for all the replies fella's. I've definitely come to the right place for answers. The reel is still on sale at Reeds. Which is what sparked my interest in posting this. If I was going to buy a symetre or stradic around $90-$140, why not spend the extra 20 to get the ci4 at $159.99(free shipping) while it was on sale. The main reason I'm thinking of going this route is because it seems like much better value at its sale price. From what I have read on this board better Rod > Reel majority of the time. So I was hoping to pick this up now on sale, and try to pair it with an Avid6'8mf if I could catch it on sale somewhere or used in the coming weeks. So would pairing this with a clarus would be a waste though? I was originally going symetre/clarus until I saw this reel on sale! I blame Roadwarrior for pointing the sales out! I'll be lurking here like a lunker bass awaiting your replies.

These forums rock!

bass4you

Despite all the people saying it might be overkill....Honestly you got it right. You'll have a great first set up and will be extremely happy with it.

Just so you know...that combo is going to SPOIL you.    ;D

I just want to spend my money the right way.  I know with a more inexpensive setup I could have saved and got more tackle to start out.  I don't want to regret not buying the better reel for $40-60 more.  To me that's not that much more cash for what I've read is an outstanding piece of equipment.  If I decided to not stick to the sport my father-in-law would inherit a sweet reel.  I'm not trying to impress him or anything by getting such a nice reel to start, but I did find it at a much discounted price and I think he'll appreciate the fact I did my homework.  Seems like with fishing you always keep upgrading until you get a setup you like.  I'd rather just buy the best setup I can get and not worry about upgrading my spinning rig later.  I work pretty hard so I don't mind spoiling myself every so often.

Can extra spools be purchased later on?  I thought I read that a symetre or stradic spare spool would fit this reel somewhere on these forums.  Or is it better to buy another setup instead?  I think I'll be going with #6 Yo-zuri Hybrid Ultra soft and some soft plastics (Senkos, kreature, ika's, Zoom trick worms, Strike King rage tail baby craws) to get me started.  Any other lures that are great to fish for beginning anglers like myself on a spinning setup?  Is it gamakatsu hooks or nothing?  What else compares?

Thanks again for all the help,

bass4you

Yes an extra spool can be brought...Contact shimano and they will sell them.You can ALWAYS get extra parts for the reel.

on doing your homework.

I just want to spend my money the right way. I know with a more inexpensive setup I could have saved and got more tackle to start out. I don't want to regret not buying the better reel for $40-60 more. To me that's not that much more cash for what I've read is an outstanding piece of equipment. If I decided to not stick to the sport my father-in-law would inherit a sweet reel. I'm not trying to impress him or anything by getting such a nice reel to start, but I did find it at a much discounted price and I think he'll appreciate the fact I did my homework. Seems like with fishing you always keep upgrading until you get a setup you like. I'd rather just buy the best setup I can get and not worry about upgrading my spinning rig later. I work pretty hard so I don't mind spoiling myself every so often.

Can extra spools be purchased later on? I thought I read that a symetre or stradic spare spool would fit this reel somewhere on these forums. Or is it better to buy another setup instead? I think I'll be going with #6 Yo-zuri Hybrid Ultra soft and some soft plastics (Senkos, kreature, ika's, Zoom trick worms, Strike King rage tail baby craws) to get me started. Any other lures that are great to fish for beginning anglers like myself on a spinning setup? Is it gamakatsu hooks or nothing? What else compares?

Thanks again for all the help,

bass4you

For the price you are getting the reel at it's a great first setup and I started out with cheap rods and reels before discovering the board as well. I did as much reading as possible and upgraded all of my first year equipment to the best that I could afford the same way you are doing by catching things on sale or clearance.

Yah I'm a pretty savvy, patient shopper.  ;D

Is it overkill for your first reel?  Probably.

At that price though, I can't blame you.  Good deal on a fantastic reel.

Yah I'm a pretty savvy, patient shopper. ;D

  Unless a person is well off you gotta be.  I have some high end equipment,  but didn't pay retail for any of it.  I also probably shouldn't have bought some of it.  You only live once,  right?

I have both the Avid AVS68MXF and the shorter AVS63MLXF.  I prefer the latter, with the CI4 2500 for most finesse work.

I think its overkill. you don't know enough or can appreciate the advantages of a CI4 yet. Get a Sahara, spend some coin on a good rod, and the rest on baits.

I totally Disagree with this..

If you can afford the C4I/Avid combo then go for it... having a mid higher end setup in the hand is great for a nub... you will have a high quality setup that fishes well and provides pride of ownership.. If it was me I would get a Daiwa Fuego A new off Ebay for the same price. (Im a HARD core Daiwa Dude.)

Go with the Avid as the rod.. you will enjoy it much better then the other...just so you know The Dicks are offering 20% off St. Croix At the Jax FL store It may be nation wide I dont know?

But get and enjoy the best outfit you can afford.. like one fella said dont skimp on the rod to afford the reel tho... The C4I and a Avid will make you smile.. Even if it is a Shimano.

I just want to spend my money the right way. I know with a more inexpensive setup I could have saved and got more tackle to start out. I don't want to regret not buying the better reel for $40-60 more. To me that's not that much more cash for what I've read is an outstanding piece of equipment. If I decided to not stick to the sport my father-in-law would inherit a sweet reel. I'm not trying to impress him or anything by getting such a nice reel to start, but I did find it at a much discounted price and I think he'll appreciate the fact I did my homework. Seems like with fishing you always keep upgrading until you get a setup you like. I'd rather just buy the best setup I can get and not worry about upgrading my spinning rig later. I work pretty hard so I don't mind spoiling myself every so often.

Can extra spools be purchased later on? I thought I read that a symetre or stradic spare spool would fit this reel somewhere on these forums. Or is it better to buy another setup instead? I think I'll be going with #6 Yo-zuri Hybrid Ultra soft and some soft plastics (Senkos, kreature, ika's, Zoom trick worms, Strike King rage tail baby craws) to get me started. Any other lures that are great to fish for beginning anglers like myself on a spinning setup? Is it gamakatsu hooks or nothing? What else compares?

Thanks again for all the help,

bass4you

Gammys are Great hooks... I ONLY Fish Owner hooks tho.. a lot of people will agree with me about Owner hooks being the best hook you can buy...they cost more but they stick easy and hold better IMHO then ANY other hooks... Trokar is a joke... Sharp yes (Sharper then Owners I cant tell) tips roll over on everything but the Flipping hook. FISH OWNERS!