Shimano Brings ‘Carbon Interfusion’ Material to Fishing Tackle
IRVINE, Calif. — ICAST Show Intro – New for ‘09/‘10 – When the situation is lightweight finesse bait fishing, Shimano adds two new Stradic spinning reels to its line-up, both constructed with ‘CI4’ – a reinforced carbon fiber that allows its reel development staff to design ultra-light frames and sideplates. Two front-drag models are available, including the Stradic CI4 1000F and CI4 2500F.

At the 2009 ICAST Show, the Stradic CI4 reels received the freshwater reel ‘Best of Show’ honors in the New Product Showcase awards voted on by tackle buyers and media attendees. It’s the eighth year in a row a Shimano reel has been recognized with an award in the ICAST’s flagship event.

“When you’re using Shakey Head, drop-shot or light Texas rigs, the idea is to keep the tackle as light as possible to add to overall sensitivity,” said Jeremy Sweet, reel product manager for Shimano. “With our Carbon Interfusion process — CI4 — we’ve come up with the lightest carbon fiber material to use in the construction of fishing reels.”

Sweet notes that Shimano originally developed CI4 for its higher-end bicycle components, to provide durability and lightness to brake brackets and front chainrings. “This material technology has proven itself on Shimano bicycle components used by world class cyclists including Lance Armstrong,” Sweet said, “ and through the use of CI4 in these new Stradic spinning reels, we’re able to provide the durability and lightness that finesse bait anglers have asked for.”

Along with CI4 construction, the Stradic CI4 1000F and CI4 2500F reels features Shimano’s Paladin Gear Durability Enhancement, Propulsion Line Management System and shielded A-RB anti-rust ball bearings. “As these proven features have shown in other spinning reels series from Shimano, we offer the ability to make gears with less metal for reduced weight, along with nearly eliminating any line twist,” said Sweet. “And while anglers will appreciate the overall lightweight of these Stradic CI4 reels, they still offer plenty of capacity for either mono or PowerPro braid.”

Anglers will also appreciate a lightweight EVA handle grip “that will help provide all-day comfort when finesse fishing,” notes Sweet. “It matches the ultra high-end rod designs and trends that anglers are seeing.”

Additional features on the Stradic CI4 reels include Shimano’s Aero Wrap II Oscillation System to provide uniform line lay and winding shape, a waterproof front drag, a maintenance port, Fluidrive II, Dyna-Balance, Super Stopper II and a repairable clicker. Both reels have 6.0:1 gear ratios.

The Stradic CI4 1000F will hold up to 110 yards of 6-pound test mono – with PowerPro braid, it will hold from 190 yards of 5-pound and up to 65 yards of 20-pound — and will retrieve 29-inches of line per crank. The CI4 2500F holds up to 120 yards of 10-pound test mono — and from 330 yard of 5-pound and up to 95 yards of 30-pound PowerPro — and will reel in 34-inches of line per crank.

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

For more information on the new Stradic CI4 1000F and CI4 2500F spinning reels, visit the Shimano web site – http://fish.shimano.com – call Shimano’s product support team at 877/577-0600 (6 am to 5 pm Pacific Standard Time) – or see your local fishing tackle dealer.

Tags: Ball Bearings, Bicycle Components, Fiber Material, Fishing Reels, Fishing Tackle, Flagship Event, Freshwater Reel, Icast Show, Lance Armstrong, Light Frames, Line Management, Material Technology, Product Showcase, Reels Shimano, Shimano Reel, Shimano Stradic, Show Intro, Showcase Awards, Spinning Reels, Stradic CI4 1000F, Stradic CI4 2500F, Sweet Notes