The longcast xtb version...
Hi all, I've currently fishing with Okuma 6k freespool baitrunner reels recently bought which are great but am just feeling the cushion of a bigger spool helps for distance casting.
I bought the okumas after getting an 8k reel for spodding which is a brilliant (if a little heavier than I'd like) reel with lovely line lay too but doesn't have a baitrunner option (much prefer the rear B/R and not messing with a front drag).
So, having been brought up on shimano's which I love, am thinking of going for longcast big baitrunners (maybe ci4 if I can get them for reduced weight,) but just wondering if the spool length and stroke of these are bigger than the medium size version, or is the spool just deeper for higher line capacity?
I'm thinking it's a daft question but maybe the Xmas booze is affecting rationale thought! 🥴
I couldn't find any stroke lengths on line for the two versions...
I bought the okumas after getting an 8k reel for spodding which is a brilliant (if a little heavier than I'd like) reel with lovely line lay too but doesn't have a baitrunner option (much prefer the rear B/R and not messing with a front drag).
So, having been brought up on shimano's which I love, am thinking of going for longcast big baitrunners (maybe ci4 if I can get them for reduced weight,) but just wondering if the spool length and stroke of these are bigger than the medium size version, or is the spool just deeper for higher line capacity?
I'm thinking it's a daft question but maybe the Xmas booze is affecting rationale thought! 🥴
I couldn't find any stroke lengths on line for the two versions...
In reply to Post #2
Both 14000 and 5500 is diffent in spool size and gearing ratio... This in turn diffent retrieve ratio.
Love Shimano and trust the brand. New XTB LCs don't feel the same as the XTA LCs.
Me personally I won't pay extra for Ci4 in comparison to the XTB for a few gram difference. Both do the exact same job in bringing in the fish. I use diffent XTA LCs mainly for the ability to hold line so can fish at distance. As for casting the big LCs has a longer spool and good line lay with will cast further than the medium lc with the right rod setup along with the reel.
Both 14000 and 5500 is diffent in spool size and gearing ratio... This in turn diffent retrieve ratio.
Love Shimano and trust the brand. New XTB LCs don't feel the same as the XTA LCs.
Me personally I won't pay extra for Ci4 in comparison to the XTB for a few gram difference. Both do the exact same job in bringing in the fish. I use diffent XTA LCs mainly for the ability to hold line so can fish at distance. As for casting the big LCs has a longer spool and good line lay with will cast further than the medium lc with the right rod setup along with the reel.
In reply to Post #3
Thanks for the clarity. The weight difference between standard and ci4 is not as big as I thought being about 80g, I had thought it was 200g, nevertheless, it's the same as my 8k reel which is 720g and is a bit of a lump.
I also recall some other comments rating the xta better than the xtb, not sure why, is it materials/reliability or something else different?
Thanks for the clarity. The weight difference between standard and ci4 is not as big as I thought being about 80g, I had thought it was 200g, nevertheless, it's the same as my 8k reel which is 720g and is a bit of a lump.
I also recall some other comments rating the xta better than the xtb, not sure why, is it materials/reliability or something else different?
Check Daiwa Emblem BR 25A.
In reply to Post #4
I have the XTA's mediums.
Bought them just when the XTB's came out and the XTA's where on discount.
So I took that deal, I also preferred the XTA's because I rather have a normal drag instead of the quick drag on the XTB's.
I have the XTA's mediums.
Bought them just when the XTB's came out and the XTA's where on discount.
So I took that deal, I also preferred the XTA's because I rather have a normal drag instead of the quick drag on the XTB's.
In reply to Post #4
80grams is near 3 ounces and a big weight saving considering both reels are the same size but the lighter weight one has 2 more bearings.
80grams is near 3 ounces and a big weight saving considering both reels are the same size but the lighter weight one has 2 more bearings.
In reply to Post #5
Just checked out the emblem br 25 which has a shorter stroke (25mm) than my current okumas so unless a much bigger diameter spool, would actually shorten casting distance.
Nice looking reel though 😊
Just checked out the emblem br 25 which has a shorter stroke (25mm) than my current okumas so unless a much bigger diameter spool, would actually shorten casting distance.
Nice looking reel though 😊
In reply to Post #7
I guess 3 ounces is not to be sniffed at although not sure just over 10% how noticeable it would be for the price premium. Interesting the ci4 version has 2 more bearings though, I hadn't realised that. 👍
I guess 3 ounces is not to be sniffed at although not sure just over 10% how noticeable it would be for the price premium. Interesting the ci4 version has 2 more bearings though, I hadn't realised that. 👍
In reply to Post #8
Gets good reviews on many sites, also for distance casting
Gets good reviews on many sites, also for distance casting
In reply to Post #9
I think the ci4 has also an extra spool.
Can be handy.
I think the ci4 has also an extra spool.
Can be handy.
In reply to Post #4
Let me explain why when you fish this the LC you won't ever buy anything again.
If been using the LC baitrunners for a few years. If never ever had the reel fail me to this date. If used the medium LC for all my fishing and it's brilliant for stalking to anything up to 300m fishing. It's a powerful reel and it won't strip gears or bend on a take from a big fish. If seen some spools and reels not able to take the pressure exerted on them from big fish... The LCs hold their own here especially in big rivers with big fish.
The onky downside to the medium is that it doesn't hold alot of line for distance fishing. This is why I own a set of big LCs as well. Load some dacron as backing or a good mono and you will be able to load 800m on them. Braid I recommend here is Berkely Whiplash as it's thin and strong. Ps "don't forget to use a strong leader when you use low diameter braid... Braid doesn't respond well to snags like rocks,trees mussel beds etc... they perform well for grass and Lilly pads...
All in all Shimano makes a good reel. Every person is diffent and prefers different tackle to the next... At the end of the day as long as the tackle we use are able to safely land our query then use it...
As to respond tomyou question I believe some people expierance difficulty with the line getting stuck at the back with the new attachment thingy they added which the old LC doesn't have.... Also if seen and read about the clicker inmthe reel that is a challenge for some as it breaks...
Let me explain why when you fish this the LC you won't ever buy anything again.
If been using the LC baitrunners for a few years. If never ever had the reel fail me to this date. If used the medium LC for all my fishing and it's brilliant for stalking to anything up to 300m fishing. It's a powerful reel and it won't strip gears or bend on a take from a big fish. If seen some spools and reels not able to take the pressure exerted on them from big fish... The LCs hold their own here especially in big rivers with big fish.
The onky downside to the medium is that it doesn't hold alot of line for distance fishing. This is why I own a set of big LCs as well. Load some dacron as backing or a good mono and you will be able to load 800m on them. Braid I recommend here is Berkely Whiplash as it's thin and strong. Ps "don't forget to use a strong leader when you use low diameter braid... Braid doesn't respond well to snags like rocks,trees mussel beds etc... they perform well for grass and Lilly pads...
All in all Shimano makes a good reel. Every person is diffent and prefers different tackle to the next... At the end of the day as long as the tackle we use are able to safely land our query then use it...
As to respond tomyou question I believe some people expierance difficulty with the line getting stuck at the back with the new attachment thingy they added which the old LC doesn't have.... Also if seen and read about the clicker inmthe reel that is a challenge for some as it breaks...
Shimano is the benchmark for baitrunner/bite and run reels.
The ci4 body is lighter AND stronger, it flexes less under load.
The D or OC would be my choice if using braid or mono up to .33ish, medium or big bait runner for thicker mono or needed to cast a long way due to spool shape
The ci4 body is lighter AND stronger, it flexes less under load.
The D or OC would be my choice if using braid or mono up to .33ish, medium or big bait runner for thicker mono or needed to cast a long way due to spool shape