Looking for light reels to put on 12 ft , 3 lb rods can't decide on Shimano ci4+ 5500 or Daiwa cast'imz 25 qda .

In reply to Post #1
Shimano.

In reply to Post #1
I have the Shimano Ci4 XTC 5500s and I love them. Great little reels. Have had fish to over thirty pounds on them and they always put in a faultless performance.

Took me a fair while to get used to the quick clutches mind you and at first I hated them.
But now, playing a fish on them is second nature and It was was worth the effort in my humble opinion.

Had Tournies many years ago and swapped to Shimano after those. Shimano's have always been a lot smoother. Again just my opinion.

No experience of the shimano model you mention but I went from Shimmy Medium Baitrunner C14s to Cast'izms - the Cast'izm were in a different league. Lighter, feel better built, smoother - my only critism is that the drag is a little fast for my liking.

I compared the cast'izm to a few shimano reels in the shop and felt it was a nicer reel that all others in stock (including power aeros and alike).

All good reels which are far in excessive of what's needed for carp fishing so sure you'll be happy with either.

In reply to Post #1
Daiwa castizm everytime,I absolutely love mine

Owned both and the castizm wins hands down for me.

In reply to Post #1
I THINK THE CASTIZMS ARE A BETTER REEL BUT IF YOU WANT TO SAVE SOME CASH GET THE SHIMMY'S FROM BOBCO AND STICK THIS CODE IN WHICH BRINGS A SET OF 3 DOWN TO £432

CODE - DEFETPTYF

In reply to Post #1
Also worth considering the Daiwa Emcast 25a. Nearly as good as a Cast'izm but more friendly on the pocket (and a slower clutch)

In reply to Post #4
Out of interest James, what did you not like about the shimmy med br? Heard only good things, apart from the spool clicker issue. Tia.

In reply to Post #9
I really liked the Shimano's - was very happy with them and they performed with no issues. I changed to the cast'izms as I treated myself to some custom rods and thought I'd get some new reels to go with them.

Whilst I could happily have continued using the Shimmya the cast'izms are in my opinion simply better in most ways - they are lighter, feel more rigid and generally better built, are smoother on the retrieve and just overall felt a nicer bit of kit.

Cannot comment on those particular Shimano reels, but I have 3 Castizm 25QDA's and they are quite simply a stunning reel.

What would you guys who have the castizm reels say the max distance you could cast with them?

In reply to Post #12
Had cast'izm didn't get on with them, sold them now have ci4 xtc 5500's and am happy. Don't know why I didn't like the cast'izms as everyone else loves them.

In reply to Post #12
I did a test a few years ago and I put my castizm on my 12'6 3.25 hi's and had one of my black mags on the other rod and i could only get approx 5 yards further with the mags so nearly no difference at all. I even thought my castizms were a better reel than my black mags. Theres only one reel that i prefered over my castizms and that was my original isos.

In reply to Post #1
The Shimano is cheaper than the Daiwa plus look at the spec...
Shimano ...
Weight (g): 440
Capacity (m/mm): 390m-30/100
Retrieve cm/tm: 105
Bearings: 5+1
Reel size: 5500

Daiwa ....
Weight (g): 450
Capacity (m/mm): 270m 0.35mm
Retrieval cm/tm: 96cm
Bearings : 6

I know what I would pick , the lightest , fastest out of the 2 don't think you get a spare spool with the Daiwa neither

In reply to Post #12
Depends on the line diameter, once you start using diameters over .35mm distance drops off.