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| product review: shimano thunnus ci4 8000 by compleat angler |
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Dated: 29 September, 2010
Shimano Thunnus Ci4 8000
Reviewed for Compleat Angler Melbourne by Chris Baty
If you’ve been a fishing tackle junkie for some time you’ll remember Shimano’s earlier version of the Thunnus Baitrunner. This was the spec’d up version of the Baitrunner that we were all using on species like Snapper. The Thunnus series however was being used on the likes of Yellowfin Tuna, Kingfish, Spaniards and Mulloway. And so it is once again that the new Thunnus Ci4 is aimed at those who need to feed a bait to big fish undetected yet still having the stopping power to win the battle once the hook is set.
So what features does the new incarnation have?
 | | Shimano Thunnus Ci4 8000 |
4.8:1 Gear Ratio
4+1 S-ARB Ball Bearings
10kg Max drag
550 gram
Lightweight Ci4 Frame and Rotor
Paladin Gear Durability Enhancement
Propulsion Line Management System
S-Concept
Varispeed Oscillation
WP Drag (Waterproof Drag)
Power Roller III
Machined Aluminium Handle
Dartanium II Drag Washers
S-ARB Ball Bearings
Superstopper II Anti-Reverse
Dyna Balance
Floating Shaft
Fluidrive II
We’ll try and put this in terms that the average fisho will appreciate. Firstly the Ci4 body and frame make this reel lighter yet stronger than any other baitrunner reel of this size. This new material is said to be 20% lighter and one and a half times stronger than XT-7 graphite. This is clearly seen in the fact that the Thunnus, while having one more bearing than the BTR 8000D, is 65 grams lighter than this reel. Ci4 is graphite that has been reinforced with carbon fibre. It is lighter than Magnesium yet still strong enough to easily cope with the stresses of saltwater use. While this reduction in weight won’t make a difference for those that leave their rods in a rod holder all day waiting for a bite it will certainly benefit those hands on anglers that drift baits down a berley trail while holding the outfit or have to lug their gear into remote rock ledges.
Obviously the use of non metal materials in the rotor and frame mean that corrosion is something you just don’t have to worry about. To take that one step further Shimano have fitted this reel with 4 S-ARB ball bearings (read Sealed-Anti Rust Bearings) which can offer up to 10 times the corrosion resistance of standard stainless bearings. Top that all off with a Waterproof drag system and you can safely assume that this reel will handle the toughest environments with ease.
That Waterproof Drag houses Dartanium II washers that can give you 10kg of drag. That’s a full kilo more than the D series 8000 and 3 kilo more than the classic 6500 B. More than you’re likely to need on Snapper but when it’s big open water pelagic on the menu that extra bit of drag may a crucial element to success.
The propulsion line management system and varispeed oscillation combine a variety of features to give you longer casts, even line lay on the spool and drastically reduce the chance of tangles of any kind during the cast.
Shimano is well known for their excellence in gearing and this is evident here as well. The Paladin Gear Durability Enhancement uses a cold forged aluminium drive gear with a hardened brass pinion gear. This is said to make that out-of-the-box smoothness last much longer than reels with conventional gearing; even those that use an all-stainless steel drive-train.
Straight from the box this reel feels light and very smooth. It also looks amazing when it catches the light. The Septon grip handle is non skid and comfortable to hold. Coupled to the machined handle the reel definitely feels robust enough to back up the 10 kilo drag capability.
If you’re in need of a threadline reel that you can freespool baits to hard fighting, long running pelagics we recommend you have a serious look at Shimano’s Thunnus Ci4 range.
For more information contact the team at Compleat Angler Melbourne (03) 9620 3320 melbourne@compleatangler.com.au
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