Product Review Shimano Stradic CI4 2500F

The Shimano Stradic CI4 2500F is a impressive reel with a aggressive design and modern colour scheme a far cry from shimanos earlier pearl white offerings.
Shimanos carbon infused material boasts weight production by 25% weighing it in at only 198 grams and you can really notice it after flicking lures at snags all day.


If I was to design a reel for bream this would be it matched up with a graphite 2 - 4kg rod.
In saying that it would have no problem handling trout,golden perch,redfin,carp,yellowfin whiting,snook, school mulloway, Australian Bass and a multitude of other Australian species.
The CI4 has a gear ratio of 6.0:1 and retrieves 86cm (34 inches) of line per crank.
The reel also boasts 7kg (15lb) of drag pressure which has aided me in the odd bigger fish jumping on my lure.


I have owned one for a little over 12 months now (pictured above) matched up on a 2-4kg Shimano Ian Miller Finesse Bream Raider and Suffix 832 8lb braid.
 I bought the reel with every intention of using it solely for bream in the Onkaparinga River and Port River here in Adelaide but have found myself using it also on Squid, king George Whiting and Australian Salmon up to 40cm.
 I'm yet to have a crack at freshwater natives with it but I can't wait to do so.
In no way have I babied mine and after 12 months everything still feels like new, the bail arm opens/closes fine the drag never slips or sticks and there are no funny noises etc.
I have opened the reel up once and was surprised at how clean the inside was, 
I was expecting it to be full of sand etc but there was not a grain to be found.


The only problem I've found with the reel is I'm so paranoid about leaving it in the car or unattended as at the time it cost $299 Australian dollars.
The cost does price a lot of anglers out of this reel which is a shame because it's a lovely reel.
why would someone pay that kind of money when they can get something under the $100 mark that does the same job? well for myself it was peace of mind that when I hook that PB fish my gear isn't going to fail me.

With the updated CI4+ now replacing the original any stock left in stores will be at a reduced price so it may be time to grab yourself a nice reel on the cheap or pick one up from another angler upgrading to the new reel. 

Below are a few pics of Fish I've landed on the Shimano Stradic CI4 2500F

               A few Salmon taken at The Bluff Victor Harbor South Australia

Winter Bream from the Onkaparinga River South Australia

I'd love to here some reviews from other anglers if you have one let me know in the comments!


Cheers

Damo

Introduction

G'day everyone, as an avid fisher for the most part of my life I've decided to start this blog to share my fishing stories and knowledge.
 I'm in no way a professional like the blokes you see on TV always catching great fish with endless funds and resources available to them but I will try my best.

 A little bit about myself, I grew up in  Mildura Victoria surrounded by vineyards and the great river that is the Murray for the most part with a few years spent in Echuca about 2 hours out of Melbourne before moving to Adelaide when I was 18.
I love old cars,motorcycles,hunting,camping, home brew and fishing.
Currently working as a relief chef which allows me more time to fish and lets me choose when I want to work, I quite like this job as it gives me a lot of freedom.
Single, no kids but I do have a Red Heeler/Ridgeback cross Rose who accompanies me on most my fishing outings and cracks it when I don't take her haha.
 Most of my Fishing experience up until my move to South Australia was freshwater targeting Murray Cod and Golden Perch with the odd Yabby and Murray Crayfish thrown in.
Since moving to Adelaide my fishing has expanded from soaking a simple bait on a paternoster rig to a full blown addiction that grows hungrier everyday.

As this is my first blog I hope I haven't made a d&*k out of myself but hey you never know unless you have a go.
So until my next entry, tight lines everyone.

Damo