Pflueger Patriarch 25 vs Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 1000?

[Bill Babler]

I send both my Shimano's and Daiwa's in for factory service.  I have also in the past had Bass Pro clean them.  They have in the past 2 years gone into the bucket however and I no longer let them service mine.

At the time of the binding however both the tech's for BP in Springfield and the Tech's for Shimano in Irivine California told me it was a lube problem.  As I said after the fix I had zero issues, and both companies will return broken or worn parts with the reels.  Never returned any parts and to this day I have between 8 and 12 that are still in service that were purchased in the 2005 to 2010 time frame.

These were purchased with my  Pro discounts thru Orvis as travel outfits and came with Orvis take down spinning rods, which are also excellent and we have used them in Alaska for years, so I know my time frame. 

I'll call Irvine and speak to a tech today about the gear issue and see what he says.  If it was that now that it is no longer a issue I'm sure they will tell me.

[Seth]

@Bill Babler so do you think it's even worth spending the extra $100-120 for a Shimano Stradic or Daiwa Ballstic over the Fuego? Another member said they really like the Daiwa BG model as well. The biggest difference that I'm seeing comes down to weight. The BG is quite a bit heavier, but the Fuego isn't too far off in weight from the Stradic CI4 and Ballstic models and it's only like $20 more than the BG.

The Daiwa reels seem to hold quite a bit of line with their deep spool design. Are you putting backing on the reels before hand or just filling it up from the start with whatever main line you are using for trout?

[Bill Babler]

I'd just buy the Fuego or the Exit, and yes I'm just filling the spool up with the line I'm using.  I only use 4 different lines on my spinning reels and this is just me so I'm not trying to cause a controversy.  I use mostly Maxima but do use some BP Excel.  I use Excel in 4 and 6 lb. and I use Maxima in 5lb and 8 lb.  Maxima does make a 3 lb. but I have not used it.  One of the main reasons I don't use backing is when using the smaller reels, the 1 and 1.5 and 2000 series is I can pretty much if need be throw all the line on the reel, and any splice or knot can be a problem regardless of how well I make it.  On my Stella's which are 2500 series spooled with 6lb. on a 7'2" Falcon I can throw it to the knot, so again I don't splice.

Caught the big fish  on Excel in 4lb. green.  It is good line and really inexpensive which usually does not belong in the same sentence.  I go thru a ton of line and have close to 70 spinning reels spooled so  if it works to my expectations price does matter to me.  I use the Maxima on my bass stuff, as the 5 lb. Maxi for swimbait's and ned's is  super strong and will throw a country mile.  It also costs a load of money, it is a very expensive line.

Maxima for years has been know as a base line in the aspect that all others were judged by it.

[Seth]

Thanks Bill! I've been using Pline, Trilene XL and the SOS line in 2-4# test for several years and am not really partial to any of it. It all seems to work the same to me. I finally gave in and bought a spool of 2# Maxima, but haven't really got a chance to use it much since Taney has been running so much water this winter. It's pretty well been a 4# line and 1/8oz jig for me all winter.

[Alex Heitman]

Has anyone tried the maxima fluorocarbon line? 

[Quillback]

After reading Bill's comments on 5 lb. Maxima, I went out and picked up a spool.  I have been using it as leader for my braid setups for throwing Ned stuff or other lightweight stuff.  really good line that hasn't let me down so far.

Saw some comments on the BG over on BBC, seems to be pretty positive, sounds like a great reel.  Good comments on the Fuego too.  

[Terrierman]

Been a 4 lb. Maxima guy for a long time.  I also like P-line flouroclear.

[Seth]

49 minutes ago, Terrierman said:

Been a 4 lb. Maxima guy for a long time.  I also like P-line flouroclear.

I bought a spool 3lbs P-line Floroclear to try this weekend. A few weeks ago I was trying out a Riffle custom rod and he had a Shimano Nasci spooled up with 3# Gamma Touch fluorocarbon. That 3lbs setup was awesome! It felt like I was casting 2#, but you could tell it was stronger as I never broke off any fish on the hook set like I tend to eventually do with 2# if I don't retire after a bunch of fish. I'll be curious to see if the Floroclear is as good as the Gamma Touch. It's definitely a lot cheaper!

[snagged in outlet 3]

2 hours ago, Seth said:

@Bill Babler so do you think it's even worth spending the extra $100-120 for a Shimano Stradic or Daiwa Ballstic over the Fuego? Another member said they really like the Daiwa BG model as well. The biggest difference that I'm seeing comes down to weight. The BG is quite a bit heavier, but the Fuego isn't too far off in weight from the Stradic CI4 and Ballstic models and it's only like $20 more than the BG.

The Daiwa reels seem to hold quite a bit of line with their deep spool design. Are you putting backing on the reels before hand or just filling it up from the start with whatever main line you are using for trout?

I'm trying to NOT spend my way out of cabin fever and you guys aren't helping....

[Seth]

I ended up going with a Shimano Stradic FL 1000. It's quite the step up over the Pflueger President. Hopefully it ain't cursed because I never did catch a decent fish on it during the tournament. One of the worst days of quality I've had on Taneycomo in a long time. It would have been a good day for a CAM style tournament for sure.