Shimano FX4000

[Bugman63]

while fighting 8lb bass in Lake Trapon my bail came out of my guess you would call it the ball. put it back in but keeps popping out, anyone know a reason the this, of course I lost the fish, but rather have reel back in working order, I will catch that sucker later

[FloridaFishinFool]

Mike can handle this!

[Mike Cork]

A 4000 is a big spinning reel and should handle bass just fine?

I'm not sure exactly what you're discribing. I'll look at some schematics and see if I can figure something out.

[Pferox]

I'm sorry to inform you that your reel is toast.  It isn't cost effective to get repaired, and parts aren't available for them as far as I know.

I've owned three of the older Fx4000s, back in the day when they still rated them for saltwater.  I paid around 10 bucks for them on clearance.  I really liked them, but, all three didn't last long.  Two of them lasted a year or two and then some part or other broke on them.  The third, lasted a few weeks, it had the spool pulled off by a very big fish, probably a dolphin, but I don't consider that the reel's fault. 

The FX line has had quality control problems off and on for a number of years, there were problems with rods having bad spots in their blanks, eyes popping off. things like that.  There are work arounds which you have to do to keep them from failing, and after doing that, the rods hold up pretty well for quite a while.

After saying all that, they are nice rods and reels for the price, and you are getting the Shimano name for a small price, but that line is a starter product sold with the intention of being upgraded quickly as someone's interest in the sport increases.

I've learned over the years that most reel manufacturers put out about the same quality per price point.  If you spend around $40 to $50 you get a good reel that will usually last a while, start paying around $80 and up you start getting into the lifetime investment reels.  Of course, one stellar reel comes around once in awhile where you are getting a huge bang for your buck.

If you play the clearance game you can do much better, I have walked into Academy and bought $80 Penns for $20 or $30.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[Bugman63]

the worst part was I heard that SOB laugh as swam away,LOL

[Pferox]

Yea, I have had my share of that cackle they put out when they get away.