Freshwater angling can often be about fooling
wary fish with light tackle
in pressured waters.

Finesse would be
the word.

“Finesse fishing” has
even become a term
that freshwater anglers
use to mean fishing with ultra-light tackle for sensitivity and stealth.

Shimano this year introduced the Stradic CI4 Reels for finesse fishing in freshwater with small baits such as rubber worms and light lines.

The spining reels, available in two sizes, are made from a reinforced carbon fiber, the lightest available, the company says, for light weight
and durability.

The “CI” stands for Carbon Infusion, the process used to make the carbon fiber, and the “4” is the number of electrons in the carbon atom.

Shimano originally used CI4 to build high-end bicycle components such as gears and brake brackets for lightness and durability.

Stradic CI4 Reels come with features developed and tested on other Shimano reels, including: Paladin Gear Durability Enhancement, using a combination of metals for better durability to keep the reel’s smoothness longer; the Propulsion Line Management System, a spool lip for longer casting and fewer tangles; the Aero Wrap II Oscillation System for uniform line lay; Shielded A-RB Anti-Rust Ball Bearings; Fluidrive II that polishes the gear surface to maximize tooth contact for better performance; Dyna-Balance to eliminate wobble on the retrieve; and Super Stopper II anti-reverse to eliminate back play.

The reels come with a waterproof front drag and other features.

The rubber handle is built for light weight and finesse.

The line capacities for the two sizes are:

Both models have a 6:1 gear ratio.

“Lighter and more durable than our magnesium spinning reels, we see the Stradic CI4 reels becoming the standard spinning reels for avid finesse bait anglers,” said Jeremy Sweet, Shimano reel product manager.

“When it’s all about tackle that is light, sensitive and able to be fished hard, anglers can find it with these,” he said.

The reels were especially made with the Shaky Head and drop-shotting techniques in mind that have become all the rage in finesse fishing for largemouth bass. Finesse fishing with light, Texas-rigged rubber worms was also in mind.

For more info, visit the Shimano Stradic CI4 Web page.