Shimano Fishing SYNCOPATE 4000FG Spinning Reel [SC4000FG]

These Syncopate reels are built fairly well for the price. I have always liked the Quickfire System on Shimano's, it's really helpful when you want to cast fast. I prefer the Shimano Spirex RG reel over the Sycopate because of its fighting rear drag.The Spirex model also seems like a much smoother reel when you are retrieving on it. The Spirex is defenitly better reel but it cost twice as much. The Syncopates is good value reel, and it cast really well, and it works good with braided line. I have heard people make comments that the braided line slips on these reel. On almost all spinning reels you have to put on a backing tape or a small amount of monofiliment on the spool so that the line doesn't slip. For the money you can't go wrong with a Syncopate. If I lose one, or tear it up, I will be replacing it with another one.

This reel did not arrive in the blister pack, but in the boxed version. This means that the parts list and full instructions were included--nice! This is absolutely the best reel that I have ever owned, save for the 2000FG model, that is! I purchased this reel to replace an aging Shakespeare Cirrus reel that had the same QuickFire-like trigger system; however, this reel is superior in that the line does not wrap around the trigger as the Shakespeare model did. This reel is far more balanced and smooth when compared with the Shakespeare. At this time, it is a little tough to get the bailer to reset on retrieve, but this should soften after use. The best feature of this reel is definitely the Quickfire II; for a kayak angler, setting the bailer at the right position is one less thing to have to worry about!