TackleTour

I'm looking for another higher end spinning setup for primarily throwing finesse swimbaits and shakeyheads. The new Sustain has piqued my interest. However in my research I'm seeing the Exsence ci4+ from Japan for roughly the same price. The Exsence looks like it has a much shallower spool, so I'm wondering how well this reel casts considering I want to be able to launch 1/4oz swimbaits.

How do these models compare to the Stradic ci4+ or FK? I own the FK and FJ for comparison, but I was wondering if anyone here has experience with all of these models and can compare them for me. Thanks.

It's hard to find anything better than a Stradic Ci4+, unless it's the Stella.

basshtx wrote:It's hard to find anything better than a Stradic Ci4+, unless it's the Stella.

The sustain is a nicer reel than the CI4+ in every way, unless you count weight.

basshtx wrote:It's hard to find anything better than a Stradic Ci4+, unless it's the Stella.

The Exsense is a significantly better reel than the CI4+. I have the Stella FJ, Exsense, and CI4+. The gap between the CI4+ and Exsense is larger than the gap between the Exsence and Stella.

Heart set on shimano?

RMCatchNrelease wrote:Heart set on shimano?

Was wondering the same. High end spinning is the one category where I think Daiwa is still competitive with Shimano. Have the newest Stradic Ci4 and love it, but my next spinnning reel will be a high end jdm Daiwa

Samuel_b wrote:

RMCatchNrelease wrote:Heart set on shimano?

Was wondering the same. High end spinning is the one category where I think Daiwa is still competitive with Shimano. Have the newest Stradic Ci4 and love it, but my next spinnning reel will be a high end jdm Daiwa

The new monocoque bodied Certate and Exist reels look super slick and should be amazingly solid.

There is an Exsence Ci4+ that isn't quite as high end as the magnesium framed Exsence. I think it is more of a hybrid of the Ci4+ and $500 range Exsence if I remember correctly.

The Exsence Ci4+ has 3 more bearings than the Stradic, I think one in the handle knob, one under the drag, and an extra on the levelwind. The Exsence Ci4+ does NOT have micro module gears nor does it have quite as many bearings as the original Exsence version (12 total). I don't know the main gear differences of the 3 models, I figure the Exsence Ci4+ and Stradic Ci4+ are very close though. The micro module equipped $500 range Exsence main gear isn't "micro", I think it is the gear driving the worm oscillation system. The could be more to the gear differences, this is just what I remember seeing. I think all 3 have aluminum main gears.

RMCatchNrelease wrote:Heart set on shimano?

I could be swayed to a Diawa, but do they offer anything that compares in the sub $300 category? I'm not looking to drop $500 plus for reel for a fairy wand.

DirtyD64 wrote:There is an Exsence Ci4+ that isn't quite as high end as the magnesium framed Exsence. I think it is more of a hybrid of the Ci4+ and $500 range Exsence if I remember correctly.

The Exsence Ci4+ has 3 more bearings than the Stradic, I think one in the handle knob, one under the drag, and an extra on the levelwind. The Exsence Ci4+ does NOT have micro module gears nor does it have quite as many bearings as the original Exsence version (12 total). I don't know the main gear differences of the 3 models, I figure the Exsence Ci4+ and Stradic Ci4+ are very close though. The micro module equipped $500 range Exsence main gear isn't "micro", I think it is the gear driving the worm oscillation system.

Yes, I was interested in the ci4+ version of the Exsence. I saw a video on YouTube that compared it to the Stradic ci4+ and it basically showed me what you brought up. It's basically a Stradic ci4+ with a few more bearings put in it, a different spool, and obviously the paint job.

My concern with the Exsence ci4+ is that the spool holds 110m of 8lb line, where as the Sustain holds 155m of 8lb line. Is this going to drastically cut down my casting distance?

DirtyD64 wrote:
My concern with the Exsence ci4+ is that the spool holds 110m of 8lb line, where as the Sustain holds 155m of 8lb line. Is this going to drastically cut down my casting distance?

The line capacity will not cut down your casting distance unless you can spool the reel on a cast. Where casting difference comes in to play is the size of the spool. A larger circumference helps with casting distance and line management.

fishballer06 wrote:

RMCatchNrelease wrote:Heart set on shimano?

I could be swayed to a Diawa, but do they offer anything that compares in the sub $300 category? I'm not looking to drop $500 plus for reel for a fairy wand.

DirtyD64 wrote:There is an Exsence Ci4+ that isn't quite as high end as the magnesium framed Exsence. I think it is more of a hybrid of the Ci4+ and $500 range Exsence if I remember correctly.

The Exsence Ci4+ has 3 more bearings than the Stradic, I think one in the handle knob, one under the drag, and an extra on the levelwind. The Exsence Ci4+ does NOT have micro module gears nor does it have quite as many bearings as the original Exsence version (12 total). I don't know the main gear differences of the 3 models, I figure the Exsence Ci4+ and Stradic Ci4+ are very close though. The micro module equipped $500 range Exsence main gear isn't "micro", I think it is the gear driving the worm oscillation system.

Yes, I was interested in the ci4+ version of the Exsence. I saw a video on YouTube that compared it to the Stradic ci4+ and it basically showed me what you brought up. It's basically a Stradic ci4+ with a few more bearings put in it, a different spool, and obviously the paint job.

My concern with the Exsence ci4+ is that the spool holds 110m of 8lb line, where as the Sustain holds 155m of 8lb line. Is this going to drastically cut down my casting distance?

The spool diameter is the same so your distance won’t change. I had a Exsence CI4+ and sold it. It felt the same as the Stradic to me.

Stella FJ

Exsense


Exsence CI4+
Stradic CI4+

In relation to the spool diameter/casting comment, that is why some of the bass pro's will mention using 4000 size reels now. You can cast further and have better line management with the larger spool. I think a 2500/3000 has been fine, so I have never seen the need to put $$$ on a larger 4000 reel. I do use a 2500 size on a 6'Light rod and it seems to throw decently further than friend's UL/L rods with similar line and lures; they're using 500/1000 sized reels.

I would like to know more about the Shimano spinning reel micro module gears. From what I remember, it would be similar to if a baitcaster had regular toothed gears but the smaller plastic gears behind the main gear are "micro" toothed. I don't know for sure, but I think the main gears aren't what the "micro module" refers to on high end Shimano spinning reels. Now I wonder if they will eventually make the worm drive gear teeth smaller on casting reels too one day...

basshtx wrote:It's hard to find anything better than a Stradic Ci4+, unless it's the Stella.

A 17 Shimano complex will kick its ass

hoohoorjoo wrote:

basshtx wrote:It's hard to find anything better than a Stradic Ci4+, unless it's the Stella.

The sustain is a nicer reel than the CI4+ in every way, unless you count weight.

And the Stella is better than the Sustain in every way...

What I meant was the Ci4+ is pretty much the best bang for your buck. Weight is a big factor for me when selecting reels.

No luv here for Shimano Twin Power?? I have the 08 and the 15 in c3000, solid reel. Not sure if there's a new one comin out this year or not....