Shimano Expride & Vanford combo is a dream!

[MUSLENUTZ]

I received my 7ft M Expride Spinning last week along with my 7’2 MH BC Expride. I also received my 2500 Vanford today to pair it. I can’t imagine much being better and lighter for the money. Also a very sensitive stick. I’ve always been a BC guy and I literally didn’t want to put it down tonight. Simply an amazing combo! The BC is also very light and pretty sensitive. I sold my Dobyns 734 XP and I will say the Dobyns feels tougher, but the Expride is a dream. My goal was to get light and sensitive and reduce fatigue on the water while getting the best quality for the buck. Only one night of fishing, but I am happy I invested and happy I waited. Appreciate everyone’s advice on the forum. 

[JustJames]

Look good and congrats for new combo. I might get one myself.

[MUSLENUTZ]

Can’t stand it doesn’t have a keeper but the Fuji add on works. I may have a local shop put them on though. It made me look at my bc set up like it was my ugly stick, I didn’t want to touch it lol.  Both super light though. I’m 46, bad feet, bad knees, bad back. Tonight was the first night in years I felt no pain after a night of fishing. Even hiking through two reservoirs after the tropical storm weeks ago with so many trees down. I’m sharing to help those fellas like myself and also those who seek an amazing set up. Grab one or even two!

[Rodney Smith]

I am looking at getting a Vanford 2500 for my Expride Medium. How is the balance on that combo?

[Chris Carey]

How did u get ur vanford already? Ordered mine pretty much when they started taking orders and it’s no where in site. 

[NHBull]

I am looking at 2 , 2000’s.  Wish someone had input on that size.

 

Thoughts?

[JLewis134]

1 hour ago, NHBull said:

I am looking at 2 , 2000’s.  Wish someone had input on that size.

 

Thoughts?

2000 is sweet! Definitely recommend

[MUSLENUTZ]

1 hour ago, NHBull said:

I am looking at 2 , 2000’s.  Wish someone had input on that size.

 

Thoughts?

I received mine and almost regretted not getting a 3000. But she holds plenty of line and is perfect. No regrets. JP from Shimano has 2000 in a YouTube video from other day. 

[NHBull]

11 minutes ago, MUSLENUTZ said:

I received mine and almost regretted not getting a 3000. But she holds plenty of line and is perfect. No regrets. JP from Shimano has 2000 in a YouTube video from other day. 

Thanks for the input,,,,,why 3000? Balance?

[JustJames]

2000 would be my choice too, the drag is plenty for bass, line capacity is not matter when using braid, the long stroke spool should cast as good as old 2500.

Im thinking of 500 to replace my Sahara 750 since I have 4 of 2000 size Daiwa already.

[MUSLENUTZ]

10 hours ago, NHBull said:

Thanks for the input,,,,,why 3000? Balance?

Not at all. Glad I got the 2500. I live in an area where a river meets the Atlantic. So it’s a breeding ground for smallies. So I occasionally do freshwater. Plenty of line on the 2500 for that. It just looked smaller before I spooled it. I think you can’t go wrong with any size. If you have concerns you can wait until they are on shelves or go with your gut and return if necessary. 2000 might be enough but personally I spoil full braid with no backing so I just like a lot on because I’m lazy. 

[gall]

Dang that is a beautiful set up.

[MUSLENUTZ]

8 minutes ago, gall said:

Dang that is a beautiful set up.

It’s a dream man. I need to learn how to be accurate with with spinning like I do my bc. I think I’ll be using it more than the bc now. Love it. 

[gall]

1 hour ago, MUSLENUTZ said:

It’s a dream man. I need to learn how to be accurate with with spinning like I do my bc. I think I’ll be using it more than the bc now. Love it. 

See that's the exact opposite for me I can do so much with spinning rods where bc I can do the basics ha 

[JustJames]

2 hours ago, MUSLENUTZ said:

It’s a dream man. I need to learn how to be accurate with with spinning like I do my bc. I think I’ll be using it more than the bc now. Love it. 

You know what, you might be right about that. I’ve been using my spinning for a months (Daiwa OG Tatula medium pair with Ballistic FW) caught a bunch of bass from 1-5lb. The last two 4-5lb bass caught on chatterbait and jig with MH rod pair with bantam MGL and it was half the fun. I felt over power the fish and the landing was too quick lol.

[michael1]

I was literally eye balling this exact same combo. Happy to hear the positive review!

[Derek1]

Congrats man, that’s a sweet combo. It looks sweet. without being to flashy. I might have to put that on my off season list. 

[gall]

On 8/22/2020 at 10:49 PM, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

You know what, you might be right about that. I’ve been using my spinning for a months (Daiwa OG Tatula medium pair with Ballistic FW) caught a bunch of bass from 1-5lb. The last two 4-5lb bass caught on chatterbait and jig with MH rod pair with bantam MGL and it was half the fun. I felt over power the fish and the landing was too quick lol.

Fishing the river and creeks for smallies where it's been super clear has made me finesse hard-core. Nothing more fun then a 2-3# river bruiser on lighter tackle

[JustJames]

13 minutes ago, gall said:

Fishing the river and creeks for smallies where it's been super clear has made me finesse hard-core. Nothing more fun then a 2-3# river bruiser on lighter tackle

I like light line fishing for quite sometime. Before it has been done with mostly casting gear which still can feel over power the fish even with ML rod and 6-8lb line. I turned to spinning late last year and enjoy it more and more. I decided to sold my big swimbait setup and all of it earlier this year. I use less and less casting gear for ultralight and finesse, man I don’t even know what to do with all those 8-10 casting setups.

[gall]

1 hour ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

I like light line fishing for quite sometime. Before it has been done with mostly casting gear which still can feel over power the fish even with ML rod and 6-8lb line. I turned to spinning late last year and enjoy it more and more. I decided to sold my big swimbait setup and all of it earlier this year. I use less and less casting gear for ultralight and finesse, man I don’t even know what to do with all those 8-10 casting setups.

For me casting I got it down to a fee select set ups where the spinning year won't hack it like top water or cranks or spinner baits.

[bunz559]

Both great rods! I have 1 of each and can say that the 7ft Medium spinning is one of my favorites. When fishing on other people's boats and I can only bring 1 spinning rod, the Expride Medium is my go to. I have it paired with a CI4 and it's an awesome combo. Can't wait to try out the Vanford.