Shimano Spheros 4000

kyfisherman · Post by **kyfisherman** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:06 pm

Well someone beat me to the 8000, he also has a 4000, do you all think a 4000 is big enough for casting lures in the surf at snook and jacks??? It holds about 200 yrds of 10 # test. I plan on using 14 or 15#, do you think I will have enough line capacity if I hook up on a 15 or 20# jack????

fishnfool73 · Post by **fishnfool73** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:11 pm

The 4000 will work if you use super braid on it I am using berkley crystal braid now and it does not give me the wind knots that power pro did. No structure on most beaches up there except for Blowing Rocks so no need for heavy mono for jacks and snook on the beach. Some 20 lb. braid and 30 - 50 lb. leader and you are set for most of what you will hook on the beach except for big sharks or big tarpon.

kyfisherman · Post by **kyfisherman** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:19 pm

yeah i just hate braid, might have to go with it though, I guess I could go with a topshot of mono, just like 30 yrds to help eliminate wind knots, we' shall see.

fishnfool73 · Post by **fishnfool73** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:40 pm

I got sick of the pp wind knots but the tackle guy recommended the crystal as he stated it elimanted the knots no problems with the 10 lb. I use to throw crappie jigs for mackeral and it has performed well so far. I just use 3- 5 ft. of mono as long as the knot is not coming through the last eye it doesn't effect your casting.

kyfisherman · Post by **kyfisherman** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:56 pm

may give that a try if I end up buying a 4000... I wonder why the crystal wouldn't have wind knots and power pro would. hmmmmmm

fishnfool73 · Post by **fishnfool73** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:53 pm

The shape of the line and lack of memory is how it was explained to me. It is alot softer than pp.

Prowler13angler · Post by **Prowler13angler** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 7:55 am

Isn't the crystal braid the same as fireline?

Power pro is braided line, fireline is not considered a braid, a "mirco-filament".

I couldn't stand using fireline...it was very stiff and had memory to it.

Cookinman · Post by **Cookinman** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 8:36 am

fishnfool73 wrote:The 4000 will work if you use super braid on it I am using berkley crystal braid now and it does not give me the wind knots that power pro did. No structure on most beaches up there except for Blowing Rocks so no need for heavy mono for jacks and snook on the beach. Some 20 lb. braid and 30 - 50 lb. leader and you are set for most of what you will hook on the beach except for big sharks or big tarpon.

I agree 100%

Except that for PP spooling to just over 3/4 capacity and NOT full will eliminate wind knots.

Line is a preference, but ya 4ooo class in the surfline paired with braid make for some nice reel screamin action !

krash · Post by **krash** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:27 am

A 4000 series Spheros is fine for walking beach and casting lures, jigs, or soft rubber to the general species like jacks, ladies, bluefish, ponmp's, snook... That reel has a drag that max's out at 15#'s... so anything heavier than that is pushing the limits of the reel, but 15# mono is to heavy for casting 3/8 oz lures.

Now if your plan is to set up a spike and surffish with baits out for the big boys it may be to light, but its always a thrill to get spooled and mono is cheap.

krash · Post by **krash** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:36 am

Prowler13angler wrote:Isn't the crystal braid the same as fireline?

I couldn't stand using fireline...it was very stiff and had memory to it.

P13, I tried Berkley FireLine Crystal, supposed to be translucent according to Berkley, but its far from clear its white, and does not become invisible in water its still white.

I found it to be rather stiff and has a waxy like coating of some sort. I used it on several fishing adventures, fresh & inshore, its has not softend up like someone told me it would. However I did not get even a single braid like knot

, but still its being unspooled and donated to my son who like's braid.

After trying PP, Suffix, and FireLine I am going back to all mono lines.

Sorry did not mean to derail the thread about the Spheros 4000 reel being good for Surf Casting.

fishnfool73 · Post by **fishnfool73** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:39 am

Not sure what the makeup of the Crystal line is but I am very happy with it so far. I will never buy power pro again as the wind knots are a nightmare. No wind knots with the Crystal at all and the stuff I have is softer than the green p.p. is. The Suffix braid also gets good reviews but haven't tried it yet.

kyfisherman · Post by **kyfisherman** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:23 am

guys i'm starting to feel that the bottom line is that if you want to use mono you need more line capacity than what the 4000 has if you use 15# test. May just have to wait and try to find a 6000 or 8000

fishnfool73 · Post by **fishnfool73** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:13 pm

Most of the fish you hook off of the beach casting lures up there you will be able to handle on 10 lb. mono. Casting small lures with 15 is ok but easier for distance with the 10. Most of the snook you hook will be around slot and I have never had a snook spool me nor make a 100 yard run. Go with the 4000 and either a super line or the 10 lb. mono should be fine on most of the fish you hook. The jacks will average 5 - 7 lbs. on the beach and will be loads of fun on casting tackle. Throw out some live baits on bigger rods and reels and use the 4000 to cast lures in between hits. That tiime of the year the snook will usually be 10 ft. or less from the shore so don't sweat line capacity on them or the jacks......besides if you do get spooled think of the story in that. I would rather have one nice fish one lighter line on the beach than winch in fish all day on heavier line.

canes4lyfe3 · Post by **canes4lyfe3** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:03 pm

I have that reel with 10lb ande and gave it quite the work out with snook and mackeral on the west coast. It held up fine. I love the reel.

Cookinman · Post by **Cookinman** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:24 pm

fishnfool73 wrote:Most of the fish you hook off of the beach casting lures up there you will be able to handle on 10 lb. mono. Casting small lures with 15 is ok but easier for distance with the 10. Most of the snook you hook will be around slot and I have never had a snook spool me nor make a 100 yard run. Go with the 4000 and either a super line or the 10 lb. mono should be fine on most of the fish you hook. The jacks will average 5 - 7 lbs. on the beach and will be loads of fun on casting tackle. Throw out some live baits on bigger rods and reels and use the 4000 to cast lures in between hits. That tiime of the year the snook will usually be 10 ft. or less from the shore so don't sweat line capacity on them or the jacks......besides if you do get spooled think of the story in that. I would rather have one nice fish one lighter line on the beach than winch in fish all day on heavier line.

I agree - 10# mono is fine!
I actually use 12# for most mono applications in that arena and it is strong enough !

krash · Post by **krash** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 5:30 pm

kyfisherman wrote:guys i'm starting to feel that the bottom line is that if you want to use mono you need more line capacity than what the 4000 has if you use 15# test. May just have to wait and try to find a 6000 or 8000

If you are set on using heavier lines you are correct look for a 6000, IMHO above 12#, (and even some 12#), mono would be to heavy for that reel and affect your casting distance.
I've never been spooled, nor can I remember a break-off, with 8/10/12# mono casting the shoreline while walking the beach due to a line break. 200+ yards of mono is 2 football fields long, just be sure use 2' 20# or 25# fluro/mono leader. You will get a bite through with some toothy critters, but most of these will bite through 15/20 or even 40# leader.

Don't get me wrong, I'm simply like mono... there are many people who love and swear by braid, 15/20# braid would be good on the 4000 reel.

fishnfool73 · Post by **fishnfool73** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 5:52 pm

The 6000 and 8000 are the same reel just different spool capacity. Use the 10 with leader on the 4000 and you will be fine .

kyfisherman · Post by **kyfisherman** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:00 pm

dangit, my mother came over to get on the net and caused me to miss out on the 4000, it sold for 35 bucks, looked brand new only used a time or 2

krash · Post by **krash** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:39 pm

I just picked up a 3000 on ebay, will let you know how I like it in a week or so.. It'll be spooled with 8# Trilene XL.

Actualy it will be a replacement for my son who had a Sahara 4000 that was showing to many signs of salt-water use, bail was sticking. He uses it in the skeeter-goon mainly for trout and reds. Gave him my Symetre 2500, but I want it back. Picked up the Spheros which Shimano list as a Saltwater reel, I'll keep the Sahara, add it to my fresh water arsenal.

Same guy had a 4000 listed, but its ended now too.

fishnfool73 · Post by **fishnfool73** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:18 pm

Hey I may be selling either my Shperos 6000 or my Stella 4000 either one would work great for that if I deceide to sell them will let you know if you are intrested. I am doing an inventory of my stuff and I have 37 rods and 31 reels so I need to get rid of some things I no longer use to make room.

kyfisherman · Post by **kyfisherman** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:26 pm

Let me know, is the spheros in good shape?

fishnfool73 · Post by **fishnfool73** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:39 pm

It is in good shape don't use it as much since I picked up a pair of Stellas I love the reel but I need to make space as the living room of my 1 - 1 condo is fishing stuff.

gotants? · Post by **gotants?** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 1:01 pm

After having PP on my Spheros 6000 for over a year, I decided to go back to mono. Currently have Ande 20# pink on it. Way easier to manage, and if you need to cut it off and re-rig quickly inb a hot bite, I can snip the mono with my teeth and not have to worry about digging up the Gerber scissors to cut that frigging PP.

I think on the beach, you probably won`t be casting that far, and won`t get spooled so I`d even recommend using Ande 12 #