If you find yourself near water with this reel, all you have to remember is: Cast. Retrieve. Fight. Land. Take selfie with big fish. Repeat. In addition to being lightweight, smooth and powerful, you have to admit these are strikingly beautiful reels! Yes, Shimano has raised the bar (or bail in this case) with their Stradic CI4+ Spinning Reel series. Built to last for freshwater or inshore saltwater use, these reels feel solid in your hand and even better when there's a fish on the other end of your line! The exciting technologies Shimano has incorporated in the design of the Stradic CI4+ 4000XGFB (and discussed in greater detail below) include CoreProtect, G Free Body, X-Ship, the Magnumlite Rotor and, at the heart of the reel, Hagane Gearing which provides greater power when reeling and smoother overall operation. CI4+ CI4 stands for Carbon Interfusion with the 4 referring to the number of electrons in the Carbon atom. Ultimately, this means CI4 is reinforced Carbon Fiber. The CI4+ is the next generation of Shimanos CI4 material and 250% stronger. Not only is CI4+ stronger, it's also 20% lighter than Shimano's regular graphite reels. And since it doesn't contain metal, it isn't going to rust. G Free Body Shimano has moved the oscillation system from below the drive gear (the typical location) to a spot closer to the rod, thereby moving the center of gravity closer to your hands which helps reduce fatigue and enhance casting comfort. CoreProtect The concept of CoreProtect is simple. Provide water resistance without creating a heavy rotation feeling. Three key areas of the reel require that kind of protection: the roller clutch, the body and the line roller. CoreProtect provides total protection. X-Ship The Stradic CI4+ 4000XGFB Spinning Reel gets its increased gearing efficiency and power through the X-Ship system which enables smooth reeling—even under heavy loads (like those you'll experience when fighting very large fish). Input power is transmitted effectively through eliminating twist and rotor flex so you'll enjoy powerful and silky smooth cranking. Shimano's unique mechanism for robust gear engagement uses an enlarged drive gear, optimum positioning of the pinion and drive gears and two-point support of the pinion gear whose ends are supported