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For those that fancy the 4000D but baulk at the price.

I use my own 4000Ds for all my barbel fishing outside of the really big rivers. I also use them for light carping. If I had a spare spool I'd be using them for general specimen fishing too. I hadn't planned to buy them, it wasn't that long since I'd bought 5000 GTECs, but when I tried them it was fairly plain that they were a cut above. I love them, they've rendered a pair of 5010GTs and 5000 GTECs all but redundant. The slightly smaller size than the usual 5000 baitrunners has never been an issue.
 
I'm sure they are well built enough. I had a play with one in a shop but they did seem small.

But not as small as the invisible and weightless barbel ive been catching lately..
 
The 4000d's look good but prob a bit small for the Trent (IMO)
What about the ultegra xtb??? same price.......ish!!
 
Jason i have a pair of 4000D's which i do use on the Trent, cracking for fishing short in low and clear conditions, any more than L & C and the Big Guns make an appearance. XTB's in the 5000 size are superb, great winding power, clutch and a good big river reel. IMO
 
Thanks for that jon i think i will go for the Xtb's.....after chrimbo that is:D

Are you sure your not a shimano rep chris:D:D:D
 
Thanks for that jon i think i will go for the Xtb's.....after chrimbo that is:D

A little birdie told me that the shallow spooled Super Ultegra (6000) was due for replacement in the range. Might be worth hanging on for a look at that if you are a braid user.;)

Are you sure your not a shimano rep chris:D:D:D

Chance would be a fine thing but are you sure I'm not a Fox rep?;):D
 
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Hmmm......not sure but if so i will have some freebies:D:D
 
just picked my shimano 4000d up for £100 posted erics angling cheapest around ill think you will find
 
Had a play with an XT FA in 2500 and 4000 size this afternoon. Bodies are the same size just the spools are different. A bottle green colour that will go with my Fox Duo-Lite rods very nicely:eek:;). Doesn't feel any different to the 4000D, bail arm, double handle and colour are the obvious external differences. Billy bonus over the D is that they come with a spare spool. Price in the place I was looking was £85. I suspect that I'll be having a pair in the 2500 size for method feeder and lighter specialist legering. Crazy to think that a pair of spare 4000D spools would cost nearly as much as one XTFA which comes with two spools that I suspect will be interchangeable.
 
I own a pair of okuma epic which ive had for a year or two. But i fancy a pair of shimanos and everybody seems to use them so they must be better than the okumas?. It was the new shimano 4000ds which look great and are small and light!!

But i also thinking stuff it! buy the top of the range xtrra in the smallest size because you get what you pay for and they will last for ever??.
Anybody got any thoughts on this? pointers??

cheers jamie
 
But i also thinking stuff it! buy the top of the range xtrra in the smallest size because you get what you pay for and they will last for ever??.
Anybody got any thoughts on this? pointers??

No harm in that at all, if that's what you want. The XTR RA is the replacement for the very well regarded XTEA which plenty of folks have enthused about for the past couple of years.
One area in which the XTR RA is likely to leave the 4000D/XT FA for dead is the line lay, if that's important to you. Personally, I've come to prefer the front drag models over the rear drag, hence 4000Ds and looking at the XT FA.
I value the quality of the clutch over the superior line lay.
 
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Hey chris
Is there a big difference in performance still between rear drag and front reels?

Depends on who you ask and depends on the reels in question. I believe that there's a noticeable difference between the 4000D and the rear drag Shimanos but it's not as huge a difference as some make out. Similar to line lay, some think it's a big deal to have the ultimate line lay. The 4000D definitely doesn't have the most stunning line lay but I have no problem with that at all. It comes down to preference and priorities.
 
Hey chris
Is there a big difference in performance still between rear drag and front reels?

For me front drag wins every time! I have a pair of 3500B's, the line lay is cr*p compared to my 5010's but the clutch is superb. Even after a Felindre service the 5010's don't inspire confidence as to when the clutch will slip whereas with the 3500B they are spot on.
 
If you have a good actioned rod, the right BS of line and hooklength, a good hook and the clutch set properly to match the set up, does it really matter whether it is front or rear drag??

I use Shimano XTEA 5000 reels, have done for a few years and find them absolutely superb, I keep contemplating getting front drags but always come back to the same conclusion: I don't lose fish as a result of a bad clutch so why spend more money??
 
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