Shimano ULTCI45500XTC Ultegra CI4 Plus Spinning Reel

Shimano ULTCI45500XTC Ultegra CI4 Plus Spinning Reel

Price: $344.99
Model
TD Code
Inches
Per
Crank
Gear RatioMono/Fluoro
Line
Capacity (lb test/yds)
PowerPro
Line
Capacity (lb test/yds)
Max Drag
(lb)
Ball BearingsWeight
(oz)
Price
ULTCI45500XTC
SHM-3504
415.3:110/425
12/315
16/230
30/360
40/270
50/220
335+115.5$344.99 USD
The new Shimano Ultegra Ci4+ long cast surf reels combines all of the latest Shimano technologies to provide the ultimate long distance surf casting performance. Combining Ci4+ construction, X-Protect water resistance, and Hagane gearing provides surf fisherman with a highly rigid and durable option in the most unforgiving environments. With two sizes available in the new Ultegra Ci4+ long cast surf spinning reels, you will be hard pressed to find another spinning reel capable of providing further casts to get to the fish. The 14000 size also features Super Slow 5 Oscillation, creating a near perfect line lay and allows the line to fly off the spool effortlessly on your casts, which greatly maximizes the reel’s casting distance to the next level. Both sizes come with two spools to allow for quick changing of line type in order to adapt to different conditions, techniques, and locations.
4.5 Stars based on 28 reviews
By Chris
Massachusetts
great reel except for the knob
February 19, 2022
i have seen one of these reels take literally hundreds of fish a few seasons in a row before finally giving up. the only flaw to this reel is that awful knob, who even thought that was a good idea?
Pros
  • long casting, smooth and powerful
Cons
  • terrible knob
By Jude
Orlando
Great surf spinning reel
December 30, 2021
I've been looking for a spinning reel that could withstand the rigors of surf fishing, sturdy but light weight. Tried differrent brands, most of them are heavy. The search is over when I got my first shimano ultegra ci4 xtc 14000. It's water sealed, light weight, very smooth retrieve, fast drag. My wife likes surf fishing. When she tried using this, she loves it, so much that we now have 3.
Pros
  • Water seal, fast drag, very smooth retrieve, dual spool-can easily switch from braid to mono.
Cons
  • None
By Woody
Bethany Beach DE
Overpriced
December 1, 2021
I also own Shimano XTD reels. The pricier C-14, does not perform significantly better. In my opinion the quality of this reel appears the same as the less pricy XTD surf reel. I recently fished a tournament and used both reels for two full days. I could not tell much difference if any at all between the two reels. I believe both reel's come with a spare spool and the same amonnt of line reduction spacers.
Pros
  • A useful reel in the hands of a competent distance caster, due to it's long spool.
Cons
  • OVERPRICED!
By John494
Saint johns, Florida
Pretty nice reel
November 2, 2021
Pros: it does lay down line on the reel very neat and pretty. I do also like the drag, each click actually feels like it does something rather than most reels where you move a few clicks and it feels like it didn't do anything, move a few more, not enough, move a few more, etc. It is a smooth feeling reel. Lightweight.

Cons: is it a noticeable or significant difference in casting distance? No. It might be but nothing noticeable. Meaning, it's not like have an "a-ha" moment. Due to the weight and feel of this reel, it feels a little plastic-y or flimsy. I may be wrong but it doesn't feel like it'll hold up to the elements and I'm extra careful with this reel, another words, it's no saragossa or van staal or tsunami salt x.

Would I recommend this reel? For the money, I would say although a nice reel, I would recommend a saragossa or something else but would still say this is a nice reel though. Just wish it was a bit less expensive to hit a different market.
By Joseph C.
Colima mexico
Excellent reel
October 16, 2021
El mejor carrete Long casting, lo recomiendo usar con l?nea 30lb power pro!.
Pros
  • The best Long casting reel, I recommend using it with 30lb power pro line !.
Cons
  • The plastic bushings!
By Donald
Houston, TX
Worth the money if distance and light weight is your thing
August 5, 2021
Been using the 14000 for over a year for Jetties and surf with no issues. The reel is amazingly light for the size and easy to cast repeatedly for long casting sessions. The retrieve has always been very smooth and it has more power than it looks like it should. I use a 12' and a 10' rod and it is always fun to see people react to 100+ yard casts that have not seen it. The drag tightens significantly in around half a turn which is great for tightening it up for casting out heavier weight to save your finger from line burn. It makes it easy to transition from casting to fishing levels of drag and be consistent cast after cast. The only thing I would change is the handle knob. I feel like a larger knob would make fighting a larger fish a more pleasant experience. Largest fish so far on this reel was a 40" bull red and it handled it like a champ. I also use a Penn Spinfisher VI 5500 LC and although I love my Penn, this reel is on a whole other level...as It should given the price. If you have the budget this reel is a winner. I like it so much I recently purchased the 5500 from TD recently and now I have the family. Excellent reels and service from TD!
Pros
  • Spare Spool - I've come to wanting a spare spool for all my reels after using this.
  • Reliability and smoothness has been as expected for a Shimano so far (over a year of and used for long days at least once a month)
  • Looks slick with the all black finish.
  • Very light weight and strong for the size.
Cons
  • Cost is on the higher end.
  • I'm not the biggest fan of the flat key knob.
  • Finding a reel cover or container is a pain as the size is much larger than my other reels. It's expensive and worth investing in some protection.
By Ashley
NEW ORLEANS, LA
A well-built reel, built for strength, power, and versatility. Light-weight. Worth every penny!
July 25, 2021
A tip about the included line reducers: They come in sizes 10000, 6000, and 3500. If you chose not to use the reducers, you can fit around 460 yards of 50lb. PowerPro braid on the spool, according to the specs. I only wanted 250 yards of 50lb, so I had to look through the specs of other Shimano spinning reels on the Shimano website to see what size reels could accommodate 250 yards of line. The 6000 size reels were the closest. So I used the 6000 line reducer to fit 250 yards of line.
But, I also found these reducers have another purpose. Knowing that I only wanted 250 yards of 50lb. braid, I used the 6000 line reducer. BUT, before popping the reducer on the spool, I tied my braid directly onto the spool (normally, you'd want to add mono backing to your spool before adding the braid to eliminate line slippage around the spool). After tying a Uni knot of braid directly onto the spool, I then placed the reducer on the spool OVER the knot. There is even a small notch at the joint of the reducers so that your line can come up through the reducer. Once the reducer was tightly fitted in place (Uni knot aligned with notch), I then had a tight and secure fit of braid spun onto the reducer without the need of backing! Extremely tight fit, and absolutely no slippage around the spool!
Since the specs of this reel indicate 41 inches per 1 crank of the handle, I ended up cranking 220 times to achieve about 250 yards of line (250 yds. X 36in. = 9000in. Then 9000 divided by 41 = 220). However, this info. is only helpful (in relation to the reducers) if you already know the line capacity for a certain size reel. In my case, the 6000 worked out beautifully so that I could take a 500yd. roll of 50lb. PowerPro and divide it equally between the 2 spools that this reel comes with! Your results may vary, but in my case, I had some line left on the PowerPro roll, indicating that it is probably slightly less than a perfect 250yds. on each spool. But the fit is good and about as perfect as I need it to be!
Pros
  • Put this reel on a Shimano Tiralejo 12' and you simply have, in my opinion, THE best of the best!
Cons
  • None.
By Cary
Costa Rica
Solid Reel
July 12, 2021
I own two Ultegra Ci4 reels now & have had no problems with them. I bought my first 3 years ago and the other recently. I like the new blacked out design, it feels even a little more solid. As long as you have the spacing right on your guides, these reels cast really far.

My usual reels are Stellas so I use the Ultegra's more for long cast situations.
Pros
  • Light, solid, casts far
Cons
  • for the money, there are none
By Dominique
Fairfield, CA
Got the 14000, a reel for KINGS
November 13, 2020
absolutely wonderful reel! incredible strength and ease of use. this monster just keeps reeling with minimal power on even the heaviest of fish! pair this with the Shimano Tiravejo 12ft for a match made in heaven!
Pros
  • build quality, craftsmanship, ease of use.
Cons
  • none whatsoever, its expensive because its worth it.
By Rafael
Bayamon, PR
Ultegra 14000 CI4 amazing reel for surf fishing.
October 27, 2020
From the first time I used it, this reel became my favorite without a doubt. It's a lightweight and smooth yet powerful reel that can tame any trophy fish.
By Ray S.
Sinking spring, pa
Ultegra 1400
October 15, 2020
Teamed with a Daiwa emcast rod loaded with 40 lb braid, this reel casts well over a hundred yards with minimum effort. I have surf fished for over 35 years and this reel is the smoothest, longest casting reel I have ever used. Well worth the money. Extremely well satisfied with this purchase from tackle direct
Pros
  • Smooth, Long cast. You can feel every bounce on the bottom.
Cons
  • None
By updateCategoryParet L.
Ormond Beach Fl
Outstanding reel for long casting surf fishing.
October 5, 2020
Outstanding reel for long casting surf fishing, excellent drag system and very very smooth action.
Highly recommend you won't be disappointed!
Pros
  • Excellent line lay on long spool.
  • C14 light weight
  • Very smooth
  • 1/2 turn drag from free to locked
Cons
  • A little pricy, but you get what you pay for and much more with this reel!
By Duke
Tampa, Florida
Casting
September 3, 2020
This is overall an excellent reel, casting distance is immaculate. The line lay smooth to the spool with supreme oscillation. Retrieval is extra smooth even when brining the big black tips in, no stress on the reel. I recommend this product.
Pros
  • Smooth line lay
  • Supreme casting distance
Cons
  • A little pricey but you get what you pay for.
By Chris C.
Brookfield
Surf fishing
June 29, 2020
Great reel worth every $
Pros
  • Very smooth and lite
Cons
  • None so far
By Cam
High Point, North Carolina
Best surf reel.
June 8, 2020
This bad boy is as smooth on the cast as it is on retrieve. I never thought I would spend this much on a reel because it wouldn't be worth it.... I was wrong! Worth every f'ING penny.... well, almost! It is expensive in my book, I have caught a lot of fish on MUCH less pricey reels. But never have I felt the buttery goodness that this reel represents. If you are on the fence... BUY IT! I can assure you after decades of chucking big baits this one has the stuff to back it up for a very long time. I've used it for several trips now, and it feels as good now as it did when I first cast it! Saving up for the smaller one now to use soundside. (Highly recommend using with super 8 slick braid)
Pros
  • Smooth
  • Long cast
  • Easy, powerful drag
  • Best surf reel
Cons
  • Wish there were more sizes available
9 Questions & 10 Answers
Bob Hinckley
from westfield,ma asked:
December 26, 2018
Does the bail have to be flipped by hand after casting or should it flip with handle when you reel?
2 Answers
The bail is manually closing (by hand)
Submitted by: Bernie on December 28, 2018
These reels are manual bail and need to flipped by hand.
Submitted by: Ricky on December 28, 2018

Aaron
from NJ asked:
August 16, 2018
I wanna go surf fishing in the north east for several species including stripers, blues, fluke, etc. I am getting the St Croix mojo surf 11’, what size reel would I get, 5500 or 14000???
1 Answer
The 5500 would be good for surf fishing in the North East
Submitted by: Bernie on August 17, 2018

Gil
from Long lsland asked:
February 26, 2018
Is this real good 4 any fish Striper
1 Answer
The Shimano Ultegra Ci4 would be a great reel for striper.
Submitted by: Bernie on February 28, 2018

Jeff
from Pennsylvania asked:
November 15, 2021
Would this reel be to big for the tsuanami airwaves elite 96?
1 Answer
Hi Jeff, The Shimano ULTCI45500XTC Ultegra CI4 Plus Spinning Reel would pair fine with the 9'6" Tsunami Airwave Elite for any surf fishing applications. Please let us know if theres anything else we can assist you with. Tight Lines.
Submitted by: Brendan - TackleDirect Customer Service on November 17, 2021

Garth
from lebanon, CT asked:
July 5, 2018
does this have a manual bail?
1 Answer
Yes this reel is a manual bail.
Submitted by: Ricky on July 6, 2018

John
from New York City asked:
June 8, 2018
I have 2 ODM rods, one 9 foot, one 10 foot. Which rod would be the better fit for this reel ?
1 Answer
I would recommend using the 9ft with this reel.
Submitted by: Ricky on June 11, 2018

Tony
from Fremont, CA asked:
April 26, 2018
Does it come with a spare spool
1 Answer
The Shimano ULTCI45500XTC Ultegra CI4 Plus Spinning Reel comes with 1 spare spool.
Submitted by: Donald on April 26, 2018

Dee K
from Mass asked:
April 14, 2018
is this reel sealed? I do get into the water a lot and sometimes the reel with be submerged while i swim across to fishing spots.
1 Answer
This reel can be used for ocean fishing. I would avoid dunking the reel. This reel is water resistant not water proof. Avoid any situation where there may be a lot of salt water splashing.
Submitted by: Donald on April 14, 2018

Wayne cutting
from Narragansett R.I. asked:
February 28, 2018
What is the difference between the 45500xtc and the 4500xsb?
1 Answer
The 4500 XSB is the older model. The newer model available for pre order is the 4500XTC which has the latest Shimano technologies to provide the ultimate long distance surf casting performance.
Submitted by: Donald on March 8, 2018

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