Shimano Cardiff Ci4 or Soare?

[ftl1951]

I am going to try a Shimano ultra light reel and have narrowed my choices to the Cardiff Ci4 1000 or the Shimano Soare Ci4 500. I am planning on using it on a Tenryu Lunakia rod that weighs in about 2.5oz and would love some feedback about these choices. I am a diehard Diawa fan and have wanted to try the Shimano reels for awhile now. If anyone has some ideas or suggestions, please feel free to sound off. Thanks.

[ftl1951]

Made up my mind...

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[StymoDe]

very nice! how does it feel against comparable Daiwa reels?

[ftl1951]

very nice! how does it feel against comparable Daiwa reels?

It is very smooth and almost surprisingly so. Almost no effort (inertia) to start the reel. I am waiting for the delivery of a Ballistic FW 1000 this week and have a bearing upgrade to install and want to see how that they compare against each other. I got the Ballistic FW on sale and the bearing upgrade will bring the price to right at the same as the Cardiff. If I compare it to my 20 Luvias FC 2500, it has a different feel, as the Luvias has a completely different kind of smoothness. All in all, I am very pleased with this reel. Very nice looking, light, and smooth. Already has lots of bearings and nothing really left to do other than fish it.

[ftl1951]

very nice! how does it feel against comparable Daiwa reels?

It is very smooth and almost surprisingly so. Almost no effort (inertia) to start the reel. I am waiting for the delivery of a Ballistic FW 1000 this week and have a bearing upgrade to install and want to see how that they compare against each other. I got the Ballistic FW on sale and the bearing upgrade will bring the price to right at the same as the Cardiff. If I compare it to my 20 Luvias FC 2500, it has a different feel, as the Luvias has a completely different kind of smoothness. All in all, I am very pleased with this reel. Very nice looking, light, and smooth. Already has lots of bearings and nothing really left to do other than fish it.

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So, got the Daiwa Ballistic FW 1000 today. Added the bearing tuning kit. Total weight is 157g. These two reels really represent the smoothest “Trout”-centric offerings from these two outstanding manufacturers. I can say without hesitation that they both are just amazing. The Shimano (weight 168g) has no anti reverse switch and the Daiwa does. If you turn off the anti reverse on the Daiwa, then it is slightly, and I mean almost indiscernible, smoother than the Shimano. With the switch on, they are nearly identical. The only difference in the two is that the Daiwa’s handle (even as light as it is @ 15g) falls free from the top on its own weight and spins the spool. The Shimano’s handle (@ 20g) does not make the handle fall freely to the bottom and spin the spool. I know it’s my opinion, but you cannot go wrong with either one for ultralight fishing. They are just fantastic!

[StymoDe]

If you turn off the anti reverse on the Daiwa, then it is slightly, and I mean almost indiscernible, smoother than the Shimano. With the switch on, they are nearly identical.
[/quote]

Interesting observations on the anti reverse on/off. my presso LTD 2025 and Gekkabijin EX 1003RH also feels slightly but noticeable more smooth with anti reverse off... which annoyed me a bit since I couldn't figure out any explanations.

All great reels though

[ftl1951]

If you turn off the anti reverse on the Daiwa, then it is slightly, and I mean almost indiscernible, smoother than the Shimano. With the switch on, they are nearly identical.

Interesting observations on the anti reverse on/off. my presso LTD 2025 and Gekkabijin EX 1003RH also feels slightly but noticeable more smooth with anti reverse off... which annoyed me a bit since I couldn't figure out any explanations.

All great reels though
[/quote]

The information in the link can give clues to why rotation is different with the anti reverse engaged. It’s all about friction.

http://www.tackletour.com/articlebearings301pg4.html

[DavidFishingCA]

Great choice! I have a Lunakia and the Cardiff paired as well and think they balance rather nicely.

[ftl1951]

So, I got another Cardiff Ci4 1000 to pair with my Tenryu Rayz 6’8” LML. The dark green in the reel and in the rod compliment each other and make a super nice outfit. I am still really pleased with how smooth the Shimano is. The only small criticism is the handle is just a little larger than what I prefer. I do, however, like the cork knob even though I was skeptical at first. It really goes nicely with the cork handle on the Rayz and has a great feel. I use this set up for fishing small plugs when targeting trout and it is a lot of fun.

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