FS Digest

Information:

Top Left: 13 Fishing Concept C. A pretty new brand in Sweden (where I live). I was the first person over here to ever have a problem with one of their reels. I got a new one though and it’s a fantastic, problem free reel now. It palms perfectly and it’s pleasantly light.

Top Right: Shimano Curado 201i. My first perch baitcaster. It’s a robust, smooth and overall refined reel. Great breaking system. I use that one for hardbaits hence the monofilament.

Bottom left: Shimano Aldebaran BFS XG. I use this one for jigfishing with lures under 3/4 oz. It outcasts some of my spinning reels. I bought it off a friend for 220$ and it’s 1 year old. It’s a lovely reel but it’s not super versatile.

Bottom Right: Shimano Curado DC. This reel casts lures heavier than 3/8 oz really far. I tried Fluorocarbon as mainline on this reel and loved it. I love that DC whine. Palms weirdly though and it’s not a light reel.

Spinning reel: Shimano Stradic Ci4+. I’m not that happy with this reel. My Stradic FK is superior. It’s lighter than my FK but it’s not as smooth, not as robust and it sounds geary (it’s smooth and doesn’t feel geary at all though, it just makes the weird sound). I’d recommend the Stradic FK, Stradic FL or the Daiwa Tatula LT over this any day of the week. It’s still a great reel though.

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by benjamino8690

FS Digest

Lefty Gang!!!!!!!

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by befstrknauf

FS Digest

Left is where it’s at!

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by benjamino8690

FS Digest

Nice collection there. What line brands do you use?

I use all LH reels too. Saves switching hands after casting, gets a few more casts off in a full day of fishing.

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by delongpike

FS Digest

My favorite is power pro. I also use savage gear silencer braid for some spinning reels. Really pleasant line. I used to use j-braid but that sh*t snapped of 5 times last session. J-Braid in thicker dimensions is great though. I will try Sunline soon.

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by benjamino8690

FS Digest

Nice to see someone who uses left handed reels.

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by ant165234

FS Digest

I first learned left handed reels. Made no sense to switch to right handed if all my spinning reels were left. I want to get one right handed reel though as I believe you fish a little different with each of your hands. That difference may be the reason for a fish catch that day. I’ll always prefer left since I’m right handed and therefor I want to do the techniqual part of fishing with that hand.

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by benjamino8690

FS Digest

Same here. The moment the bait hits the water after the cast, I want complete control over the rod with my dominant hand. There is missed opportunity for hook set in that split second that your switching the rod between hands.

I do use right hand drive for heavy spinning and conventional reels while live bait fishing. This allows for more cranking power and torque.

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by r_shackleford95

JimRed Loc: Coastal New Jersey, Belmar area

Good collection. Tell me, is a Perch in Sweden the same fish as here in the US northeast? We have Yellow Perch and White Perch. Yellow Perch are fresh water , White Perch are able to thrive in either fresh or brackish water.

Dennisjj Loc: Kinston N.C.

Is there a lot of fresh water ponds in Sweden to fish.

John D Loc: Duncanville Alabama

Benjamin,
I guess I must have been living under a rock. I’ve never even heard of 13 Fishing gear until your post. I looked them up & see where several stores carry them including Academy Sports. I’m going to check them out.
I’ve been to your lovely country twice & have friends in Uppsala, Gallavre & Graso Island. My friend took me fishing off the southern tip of the island & we really caught tons of perch, pike & something he called breams. These breams were very large & nothing like our breams in the US. I’d like to go back again & let him take me ice fishing. He has now moved to Lulea but still has their summer home on Graso. No ice fishing in Alabama.

doc alden

Enlighten us, please, because I'm somewhat confused. With all the bad things you say about that Shimano Stradic Ci4, what makes it a great reel?

HawkOBX Loc: eastern Pennsylvania

I have Stradic FH thru FJ as well as a CI 4. CI 4 is the best of the bunch . Smooth as silk with well over a 1000 fish brought to hand in both salt and fresh water. Never had a problem with it . I do have a 3000 FI that has issues similar to your CI so you may have got a quirky one, should have sent it back and requested a replacement as it should work as well if not better than your FK.

Dame1981 Loc: Rocky Mount, NC

I'm a bit awkward...Im a lefty that fishes right handed. I also throw and shoot basketball right handed, everything else lefty. Go figure!

JimCT Loc: Connecticut

Nice collection. Lefty all the way. The crank hand only has to wind the reel and as I work out there isn’t much strength difference. Right hand does all the finesse , jerking, not to mention accurate casts. Best to keep the right hand doing what is does best and leave the uncoordinated left to do the cranking. Never understood the cast and switch hand routine. But to each their own, if you catch fish what am I to say.