Shimano Stradic Ci4 Review

I recently made a "quick" stop at my favorite local tackle shop here in St. Catharines, ON to pick up some LiveTarget Lures. I did find all the lures I was after, but I also found something else. I found myself standing there with the Shimano Stradic Ci4 spinning reel in my hands! It was one of those situations where you instantly fall in love! I've only felt that love one other time in my life, back in March 2012. I could not let myself walk out of Peter's Tackle & Live Bait without that reel, so after playing with it for a few minutes I told Brandon at the counter "I'll take one!"

2 minutes after I bought it I had to open it and play with it in the van!

Let me tell you a little bit about why I instantly fell in love with the Stradic Ci4. It has very little to do with my two fishing idols and personal friends Simon Frost, a Canadian Open of Bass Fishing Champion, and Dave Mercer of Facts of Fishing TV swearing by them. The "Ci4" stands for Carbon Interfusion, with the number 4 referring to the number of electrons in the Carbon atom. In non technical terminology, it means reinforced carbon fiber... in a fishing reel! That being said, this reel will NEVER rust! It contains no metal to rust.  The result of using carbon is an extremely light weight reel. This reel matched on Shimano's Cumara series of rods incredibly light!

Such a great looking Carbon Fiber reel

Ci4 matched up on my 7'2 Cumara. Extremely light!

The Ci4 is designed as a finesse presentation reel, so I use nice light line on mine. I have it spooled now with 8-pound test Fluorocarbon line Vicious Fishing. The Ci4 can hold 140 yards of 8-pound test. If you like light line finesse fishing, it will accept 200 yards of 6-pound test! The Ci4 is extremely smooth with its six Shielded Anti-Rust Bearings, and one Roller Bearing. It really is as smooth as a babies bottom. Here is the most amazing thing about the Stradic Ci4, are you ready? It only weighs seven ounces! YES! SEVEN OUNCES! That is 2.2 ounces lighter than the new Stradic FJ.

I strongly, strongly urge any angler looking for a new spinning reel for finesse fishing to take a look at the Shimano Stradic Ci4. It will allow you to feel more soft bites when fishing a Drop Shot, Shaky Head, Wacky Worm and so on! I can't wait to get another one. I truly am in love with this reel. I have fished it four times since I bought it, and have had nothing but success! When I bought it, Ashley of She Loves To Fish told me I would love it, and she was correct! It's amazing!

The first Shaky Head victim of my Stradic Ci4, a chunky Largemouth from a local pond!


Until next time, Tight Lines!




-Brooksy