Looking at treating myself with a new lightweight setup and am having trouble pulling the trigger. I�m trying to decide on either a new Stella FJ or Exist LT in compact 2500 size or compact 2000. Rod choice isn�t nailed down but will probably be 7� UL/L will be spooled with 6lb. Since compact reels aren�t prevalent in DFW, anyone have some insight? I have a Stradic 1000 and an exsence c3000s and looking for a bit more reel than the 1000, more from a balance standpoint for the longer rod.

I like 2500's, I use the 1000's for ultra lights,....and the 4000's for the heavy lifting.

Me, too, like Jim Sr. says.

While I do use 1000s for my ultralights, other than weight or balance considerations, there is no disadvantage to using 6 lbs. test on a 2500 or 3000, heck, even a 4000 series spinning reel. The line peels off the same; it'll just take a whole lot more of it to spool it up.

And, a 2500 would likely be smack dab in the middle of the range for a reel you could use, for now, on your L or ML rod but might later want to move to an M or a MH. It'd be my choice as the most versatile of the reel sizes.

*** If you mean 6 lbs. braid, I'd add that I have had super luck using Sufix Nanobraid (not the same as Berkley Nanofil, another good light line). I have yet to break off some big bass and reeled in a big catfish using 2 lbs. on ultralight tackle. So strong. And, it is available up to 14 lbs. test which is about the same diameter as 10 lbs. Sufix 832 braid, another great and popular braid.

6 lbs. Nanobraid is likely the diameter of others in the 4 lbs. class, strong as others in the 10 lbs. class. What a line!

Brad

Brad, yes, I�ll be using braid. For braid I spool only suffix, love the stuff. For my M rod I have my a compact 3000, very nice size as it�s a 2500 size body with a 3000 spool.

I�ve never seen or held a 2000 size shimano which is what a c2500 shares its body size.

Pulled the trigger on an Exist, they have a new 2500 that weights the same as my ci4 Stradic 1000. See how it goes.