Suggestions On A New Shimano Egg Beater

[cyclonebass]

Shimano just released their new Stadic CI4 for $200. I know it is priced high, but it only weighs 7.0 oz, which is as light as the $530 Diawa Steez reel. I own the Stadic and it is awesome. I can fish with it all day and not feel any fatigue and it is very smooth. As for durability, only time will tell how well the reel will hold up. I fish with nothing but Shimano products and this could easily become my favorite reel.

[Wayne SW/MO]

have Daiwa Exceler spinning reels in three different sizes, and I like them a lot

My son has a couple of these, and he likes them real well.

I think Curado's are great, I have four of them, but like Ham says, I don't think their spinning reels live up to their reputation.

[Champ188]

Edwin,

I have to echo Wayne's suggestion on looking at the Johnny Morris Signature spinning reel. I bought one last spring and it's fabulous. It's the only non-Shimano reel I own but again, it's been a darn fine reel so far.

[Dutch]

I own only Shimanos. If you want Chronarch level then get the Stradic 2500. I have 4 Stradics and wish all of my beaters were them.

[Gavin]

I swore off Shimano's a couple years ago...Guess there fine if your fishing out of a bass boat, but they dont hold up to canoe or kayak fishing. Get em wet, and they start to bind up. I have two Diawa Exceler's and they are good...bail springs are weak though..Fine for me cuz I close the bail by hand most of the time, but my wife doesnt and she hates them. Have a couple of U.S. Reel Supercasters that I got for half off about a year ago and they are working fine so far. Cheers.

[edwin]

I've never had a single problem with any of the Shimano reels I own...bait caster or egg beater. Looks like the Stradic is it. Thanks for the input.

[Ham]

The Shimano spinning reels binding when wet (think rain or spray) is kinda like frogg Toggs failing miserably. No one seems to believe you until it happens to them. I've been there done that with Shimano spinning reels and frogg Togg raingear. I'm done with both.

I hope the Stradics serve you well. I loved my Shimano spinning reels UNTIL they froze up.

[Quillback]

Funny you mention the Frogg Toggs, I had a brand new pair, put them on one rainy day, after a couple of hours wearing them, I look down and see the inseam is split open from crotch to knee on one leg, I wasn't doing anything strenuous besides the usual fishing stuff - no more of that lousy rain gear for me, cheap Walmart stuff works just as good.

As far as Stradics, I own one, works fine except for a slight grinding noise caused by the spool rotating, hopefully this does not mean there's an eminent failure brewing, probably when I have that once in a lifetime 12 lb bass on, I can see it now, GRRRNNNCH (sound of reel freezing up) SPROINGGG (parts fly off) SNNAAAPPPP (Line breaks) - 12 lb bass swims away.

I also have a couple of Johnny Morris's finest, good reels so far and I do belive they are on sale. Outdoor Life, or one of those mags, recomended them as good value for the money.

[Brennan]

I have two stradic spinning reels that have got to be 10+ years old. Still smooth as silk. I clean and care for them at the end of each season but nothing more than that. Also switched from Daiwa baitcasters this year to the new green curados. I have 5 and I am absolutely in love with them. I think Shimano makes a fine product and have no complaints. I am looking at the new CI4 stradic, but we'll see.....

[Gavin]

My Stradic's worked well for a season till they started to bind...Hope you have better luck with them.