Gregoire

Today I went out to buy a new reel. I was torn between the Shimano Stradic CI4F1000 microline and the Pflueger Patriarch 9525. I dragged my sorry to LeBarons Markham to compare the two and make a choice. Lesson learned: call in advance to make sure that they have the reels that you want. When I got to LeBarons I learned that they do not carry the microline and they were sold out of the 9525. Oh well I can go to bass pro. Called ahead and they were sold out of both. I did get to hold the CI4 1000 in my hand and compared it to the FI 1000. In my opinion the CI4 was much lighter. Called the Missisuagua LeBarons, they won't have any more 9525's till March. I had the new tackle high going and was pissed that I left empty handed. I wanted to use the reel ice fishing, and waiting till March was too long. I decided to order online. Probably won't get it till mid February, as it is coming from Thailand. Looked to order from the US but was 20 bucks more. In my search I noticed that the reel was low stock or sold out from many retailers. Is a move towards finesse fishing with light lines and lighter reels/rods the latest trend? My next quest will be a search for a softwater rod to pair with this reel. I'm already preparing my rant for that experience.

Tell me about it. We need a big third.

How many power plays are the Ducks going to get? This is Bull!

Anyone can make a mistake...it takes a big man to admit when he has made one. Well played sir.

Tied game

Great show Mike. I loved the Central Park show. When are you going to do a Toronto Pike fishing show?

Good dig

I need to subscribe to RDS. The feed is ok, but nowhere near the quality of the Leafs game. Like a good picture will make the Leafs suck any less.

Thanks for sharing

Thank you for clearing that up for me. Some very good information there.

Well stated. I guess I'm worried that eventually we will be put in a position where the companies will say..."You will take what we give you, and you will like it"

I guess I'm concerned about how this consolidation affects the consumer. I have had nothing but great customer service with Rapala. Stopped by the Normark factory in Oshawa and had a reel and rod replaced. I've also dealt with pure fishing. It took a while for me to get in contact with someone, but when push came to shove I had the reel replaced and sent to me free of charge. I guess large companies owning almost everything is the way of the world. In some ways I knew this, but it doesn't really hammer home until you look at the products that you use and who provides them. Gone are the days when buying fishing products from people who are passionate about fishing was the norm. Do far my experiences have been good, so not much effect on me. Just wondering what people think may come in the future. I am thinking less brands, as the promotion and cost to create different brands is high. I also think brands may become divided according to cost/quality. For example with Pure Fishing I see the current divide in terms of reels: Abu Garcia: Higher end Freshwater Pflueger: Mid Range Freshwater Mithchel: Low end Freshwater Penn: High end Saltwater Shakespeare: Low end Saltwater I think the issue with making these distinctions for the company is that some people who have brand loyalty might see their favourite product removed from production. For example a lot of people like the Abu Cardinal, but this is a low to mid ranged reel. Also in terms to Shakespeare, some people swear by the Ugly stick. It is one of the most reliable fishing brands out there. When I was younger I thought these were the best rods money could buy. Brand loyalty is one of things a company values the most. So how do companies evolve while keeping their loyal customers. One such example that I don't understand is Shimano. They bought G Loomis, a very high end rod manufacturer, but are also expanding their rod brand into the higher end market (the Cumulus for example). Would it not make sense for them to release their higher end products under the G Loomis brand? Also they did not seem to keep the exclusive rights to the Loomis name, as I saw the founder of the company is making rods again under his own name. (My information on this last point may nit be accurate, please correct me if I am wrong). Anyway that is all my ramblings for now. Thanks for reading. I don't know why this topic interests me, but it does. I need to find something better to do with my time...like go fishing.

That is a fairly substantial list

I'll bite...what am I missing here?

Recently I have been researching the purchase of a new spinning reel. While I was browsing the Tackle Tour Forum I came across a reference to Pflueger and Abu Garcia being owned by the same company: Pure Fishing. They own, Abu Garcia, Pflueger, Penn, Mitchell and Shakespear. They also own Fenwick and All Star Rods. They own Stren, Spiderwire, Trilene and Fireline. They also own the Berkley line of products. Is it me or those this sound a lot like GM before they went bankrupt? I can understand having discount, quality and high end brands. I can also understand having different brands for different techniques, but why would you put one brand directly in competition with another brand that you own. Other companies that own many brands are Normark who own Rapala, Storm, Lurhjensen, Gamakatsu, Bluefox, Cortland and Sufix, plus a few others that aren't mentioned on their website. I know that Shimano recently purchased G. Loomis. Zebco seems to own Quantum. Is this ownership model good for the consumer? I think it is important to consider quality and the health of a brand if you are going to purchase their product, especially if it is going to be a higher end product. A lifetime warranty is only good for the lifetime of a company, and the lifetime of a product line for that matter. These are things that I consider now that I am spending more money on my gear.

Gotta agree with Grimace on this one. No need to give the guy flak over a fish of that size. I love it when people post pics and videos. Giving them a hard time gives them a reason not to post.

I wish I could be in your position. My plan is to get the two reels in my hand and find which one I prefer. By the way IMO women are the downfall on makind...just saying

Easy there Chachi. For me this is a big investment and I am trying to get as much info about the reels that I am considering. By all means if you are offering to buy this reel for me go ahead, otherwise I would appreciate positive comments.

Anyone else? I am still leaning towards the patriarch. I'll definitely post with my thoughts on the reel, whatever one I end up with.

Has anyone on tried the Pflueger Patriarch? I am seriously considering this reel, but would like to hear some feedback on it. There seems to be very little information online about it, I can't seem to find a decent review of the reel.

What retailer did you use?

Really interested if anyone can compare the Patriarch to the CI4. Also any input on Hardwater us would be great.

Hello all, I have decided that I am going to purchase a higher end spinnig reel. I will be pairing this reel with a high quality ice fishing rod for the hardwater (hopefulley lakers and Whitefish) and a finess rod on the softwater (Weightless applications and river fishing). I have been considering the following models and would like people's input and experiences regarding the following reels: Shimano: Stradic F11000 Stradic CI4F1000 The reason why I am considerign the CI4 is because it is so light. I am wondering if anyone has tried both these reels. If the CI4 worth the extra money? Also wondering what the difference is between the CI4 and the microline version. I would also consider the Sustain, but am not sure that it is worth the price. I also am looking to get a newly designed reel, if I am going to spend nearly $200 I want it to have new technology in it. I just get the impression that the F1 and the Sustain, although great reels, are using some older technology. I also do not like the fact that the CI4 does not come with a spare spool. Abu GarciaSoron STX10 This reel is a bit heavier but seems to be reliable and well built. Quantum Energy PTI-B From what I hear this is a great reel. The model is a bit old and the reel is a bit heavy. Pflueger Patriarch 9525x By far the lightest reel that I am considering (5.6 oz compared to 6.1 for the CI4) I am just worried about how reliable this reel would be. I have not been able to find a great deal of info online about this reel. I am really looking for your experiences with these reels. I am willing to spend up to $250. As of right now I am leaning towards the CI4 or the Patriarch, due to how little they weigh, but I do not want to buy a reel becuase it is light and find out that it is not as good as a heavier reel. I really appreciate any information that you can provide. Greg

Nice report thanks for sharing

the reel was a shimano sedona