Shimano Stradic Fk or Ci4 on a H&H Backcountry

 

I just went through this same decision at Christmas time. After a lot of searching I decided on the Penn Battle II in 2500 series and an H20 Express (believe it or not they make some nice rods that won't break the bank) rod with the microwave guides. You can spend more on a better rod but I am very happy with the H20. I think the Penn is a great reel.

 

Stradic FK or ci4, with a strong preference for the ci4...pair it with a Loomis Greenwater, or an H&H as mentioned above. I have a greenwater ML with a ci4 1000, and it's pretty correct.

 

Avoid Penn Spinfisher V

 

You mention yak fishing...can you clear the front w/ a 6.5' rod? Something to consider

 

I have a stradic 2500fk with a 7' Laguna liquid medium light and I'd probably buy it again if I lost it somehow. Although I would probably move up to a sustain and a custom Laguna so it would just be a more expensive version.

 

This ^^^ only because 10 days prolly isn't quite enough time to order a billystix

 

Stradik FK 2500 for sure (about $200) and rod of your choice. I have mine on a Billy Stix and love it, but as mentioned it would be hard to get in 10 days unless you happen to be near Gainesville, Florida. Plus they usually run about $300. You can get a good Waterloo, Castaway, All Star or Laguna Liquid (all >$200) off the shelf. Go to the store and see what feels best to YOU. The H&H Backcountry is a great rod if you can find one. I thought Josh quit making them.

 

Correction:
I checked the H&H site and Backcountry is still available.

 

Yeah I think H&H were at the boat show several weeks ago

 

I think there are plenty of good rodmakers out there so find one in your price range and looks and stuff like that and pick one based on what you read here. But things to think about on your rod is length and action. Probably a shorter rod will be easier to cast from a kayak and when wading so keep that in mind on length. Also if you are a lure chunker I would go with a med light and if you are a bait chunker I would go with a medium action. I like buying my rods from Academy because they are very forgiving on exchanges if you have a problem a month or 2 later with your rod.

As far as a decent reel I buy nothing but Shimano Sahara 3000's. $80-90 price range and a good quality reel for that price. I have found that when using a smaller reel such as a 2500 that you will have to respool more often and that is less efficient. Plus the drag is stronger on a 3000 vs a 2500 and that means it will last longer with less wear and tear. It also helps on those days you hook a jack crevalle or a big red or big ugly. Not to mention the 250 pound Manta Ray one of my customers hooked last fall in Snake island cove and we fought for 2 hours before it finally broke off. That was with a shimano sahara 3000!

 

Thank you for all the advice

Thanks to all.........I ordered a Stradik FK 2500 from American Legacy. They were on sale for $139 and were highly recommended above the C14 for salt water use. i really wanted a multi piece rod because I travel a lot. I also have a couple of other Loomis rods that I really enjoy fishing.

So I splurged and got a Loomis Escape: G. Loomis Escape Travel Fishing Rod ETR84-3 MLS-10 GLX. This is a 7ft. rod in medium light action that should double as a light inshore rod for Texas and a great smallmouth rod for South Dakota and Oregon and the Ozarks where I fish the most.

They came off this rod over $100 so I got in to this legitimate travel rod in the GLX series (32 inch cased) for around $500 and they included a nice reel case and extra spool for the Stradik and free two day shipping plus $25 certificate .

My first time dealing with American Legacy and I was impressed with their knowledge. Adam was the sales person I talked with. Hope it's Ok to recommend a dealer.

I also talked with Billystix and will order a rod from him. Just did not have time to get the rod in time for this trip. Seemed like a really nice guy and described to a tee what I like in a rod.

Thanks again. Maybe once I get a little smarter I can help others with this saltwater sport. Love the Texas coast!
Steve

 

Thanks to all.........I ordered a Stradik FK 2500 from American Legacy. They were on sale for $139 and were highly recommended above the C14 for salt water use. i really wanted a multi piece rod because I travel a lot. I also have a couple of other Loomis rods that I really enjoy fishing.

So I splurged and got a Loomis Escape: G. Loomis Escape Travel Fishing Rod ETR84-3 MLS-10 GLX. This is a 7ft. rod in medium light action that should double as a light inshore rod for Texas and a great smallmouth rod for South Dakota and Oregon and the Ozarks where I fish the most.

They came off this rod over $100 so I got in to this legitimate travel rod in the GLX series (32 inch cased) for around $500 and they included a nice reel case and extra spool for the Stradik and free two day shipping plus $25 certificate .

You did good!

My first time dealing with American Legacy and I was impressed with their knowledge. Adam was the sales person I talked with. Hope it's Ok to recommend a dealer.

I also talked with Billystix and will order a rod from him. Just did not have time to get the rod in time for this trip. Seemed like a really nice guy and described to a tee what I like in a rod.

Thanks again. Maybe once I get a little smarter I can help others with this saltwater sport. Love the Texas coast!
Steve

You did good! I paid $150 a week or so ago for a Stradic FK1000 w/ free ship. Great combo you picked!

 

Visit Tackle Town when you are in Rockport.

 

Tackle Town, my favorite fishing store on the Texas Coast. Great people willing to share their knowledge.

Steve

 

Penn battle and penn clash are great spinning reels but they are heavy compared to the new shimano stradic. I have both but for chunking lures all day I recommend the stradic. I have the C3000HG stradic and love it. Also have a shimano Ci4 that is also great and light. Pair it up with a Laguna liquid series rod and you will have a light set up. You can get the rod for under $150 and I got my stradic for $120 on eBay.


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Penn battle and penn clash are great spinning reels but they are heavy compared to the new shimano stradic. I have both but for chunking lures all day I recommend the stradic. I have the C3000HG stradic and love it. Also have a shimano Ci4 that is also great and light. Pair it up with a Laguna liquid series rod and you will have a light set up. You can get the rod for under $150 and I got my stradic for $120 on eBay.

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Boy, the Stradic model numbers, even when just talking about a CI4+, are pretty confusing. The new Stradic model - that just came out a month or so ago - is STCI4C3000HGFB. That's for a 3000 size. Tackle Town is carrying this new model, that has flat handle, and the cutouts on the spool are diagonal. They aren't being discounted on-line yet, and run $230. "FEATURES vs previous model: Upgraded water resistance with Core Protect. New Magnumlight ROtor is 25% lighter and offers better balance with 22% less intertia. This means reeling is "light" feeling from the first turn. G-Free Body shifts the reel's center of gravity closer to the rod, reducing fatigue and creating a "lighter", more comfortable feel."

Some people still have the previous CI4+, which is a STCI43000FA, for around $200. Appearance wise, they have the rounded handles, and the openings on the spools are cut different. And not the features, shown above.

And I guess there was a CI4 that was out not that long ago.

 

There is just one Major thing to think about with just one rod it is easy to screw your self with the rod or reel Even new ones. S--- happens I have had more than one rod break a tip or eye or reel cr-- out. I was in Port Mansfield wading and catching smaller trout right and left and my Shimano reel fell apart. Good news I was on just trout and not Big trout but I had waded with just one so I was thru fishing till I went back to the boat.

Two or three times I have had tips break off a rod over the years. You are screwed if you do not have a spare. I do carry a couple of spare tips and an easy fix but you are thru fishing till you fix the problem.

Much of the time I wade with with two and when Kayaking Always have a spare in the kayak with me. Most of the time one is rigged for plastics and the other with topwater or corky. In the Baby cat I have three and all rigged differently.

You do not need to break the bank but you really need a spare rod and reel for WHEN Not IF you have your reel or rod fail.

If you have not kayaked a lot then get the Academy rod floats for like 3 /9 dollars.

Easy to lose a rod out of a kayak for a number of reasons and the floats look like cr-- but they work. I have knocked or dropped rods out of the kayak more than once.

 

There is just one Major thing to think about with just one rod it is easy to screw your self with the rod or reel Even new ones. S--- happens I have had more than one rod break a tip or eye or reel cr-- out. I was in Port Mansfield wading and catching smaller trout right and left and my Shimano reel fell apart. Good news I was on just trout and not Big trout but I had waded with just one so I was thru fishing till I went back to the boat.

Two or three times I have had tips break off a rod over the years. You are screwed if you do not have a spare. I do carry a couple of spare tips and an easy fix but you are thru fishing till you fix the problem.

Much of the time I wade with with two and when Kayaking Always have a spare in the kayak with me. Most of the time one is rigged for plastics and the other with topwater or corky. In the Baby cat I have three and all rigged differently.

You do not need to break the bank but you really need a spare rod and reel for WHEN Not IF you have your reel or rod fail.

If you have not kayaked a lot then get the Academy rod floats for like 3 /9 dollars.

Easy to lose a rod out of a kayak for a number of reasons and the floats look like cr-- but they work. I have knocked or dropped rods out of the kayak more than once.

Good advice Jim. I'm planning on buying some equipment from Tackle Town to give them some business. I want to see the new C14 that jumanji was talking about.
Good fishing:an5:

 

Things MAY have changed in recent yrs, but Shimano used to keep tight control over what could be charged for current models...no discounting. I've no problem buying a new "last years model" at a discount

 

Things MAY have changed in recent yrs, but Shimano used to keep tight control over what could be charged for current models...no discounting.

Nope, that is still pretty much the program.