Spinning Reels $100-$250 for ML and M 7' Rods?

[Reshi]

I recently purchased a 7' Dobyns Champion XP 702SF ML, which I plan to use for drop shots and ned rigs.  Now I am looking for advice on spinning reels under $250.  I'm planning on using 10 lb braid to 8 lb fc leader on the ML.  I occasionally fish spots in the U.P. with fallen trees and sunken timber, so sometimes I do need to get smallies in quickly.  

 

I was thinking possibly a Stradic FL 3000 (I've read the handle is nicer than the Stradic FL 2500) or the Vanford 2500?  I used a President XT C30 with my ML setup last year, and I hated it.  The reel itself felt cheap - I'm not sure how to describe it, but it was as if it was a bit wobbly when I'd reel.  I also hated the handle.

 

I went to Sportsmans Warehouse to compare the Vanford and the Stradic FL, but they only had the Vandords in stock.  The 2000 felt tiny, they didnt have the 2500, and the 3000 felt really nice.  I have heard that the Vanford feels less durable than the Stradic.  Thoughts?  Any other reels that I should consider?  Has anyone fished the Tatula, Stradic, and Vanford?

 

I also just purchased a 7' Dobyns Sierra M 703 SF.  I'll be using 15 lb braid with 8 lb fc leader with primarily heavier drop shots and wacky rigs.  I have an old 3000 Symetre FJ that I have always really liked, but I'm wondering how much of an upgrade some other reels might be.  Looking to stay under $250 for each reel.

 

Thanks!

[uglyasheck]

I have a Tatula and love it is really light and no issues so far. I have the 2500 but i think I will get the 3000 next time. If I was you I would take a spinning reel that you already have and mount it on the rod, line it with the line your going to use and put all the of the main baits on it that you plan on using so you you can check the balance of the set up. Then you would know if you needed a heavier or lighter reel. Just a thought. 

[bulldog1935]

If fishing light braid is your goal, 20-lb X-braid or 15-lb Sufix 832, or smaller, the JDM-only Shimano 3000MHG size is the most desirable spool. 

Since they make reels in batches, you won't find every model in stock at once, anywhere. 

 

My buddy just bought a Twin Power 3000MHG for ML and loves the reel. 

He bought his on a Friday, and it was delivered on Monday. 

Asian Portal currently has 4 Vanfords in stock in this size. 

This means something. 

 

...make that 3 reels in stock - somebody owes me a like

Edited November 30, 2021 by bulldog1935

[Reshi]

6 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

If fishing light braid is your goal, 20-lb X-braid or 15-lb Sufix 832, or smaller, the JDM-only Shimano 3000MHG size is the most desirable spool. 

Since they make reels in batches, you won't find every model in stock at once, anywhere. 

 

My buddy just bought a Twin Power 3000MHG for ML and loves the reel. 

He bought his on a Friday, and it was delivered on Monday. 

Asian Portal currently has 4 Vanfords in stock in this size. 

This means something. 

 

...make that 3 reels in stock - somebody owes me a like

 

Thanks so much for the reply!  I'm really tempted to purchase one of the 2 remaining Vanfords on that site, but my issue is that I was planning on using Cabelas gift cards to make my purchase.  Will fishing 10lb Suffix 832 braid be feasible on a regular Vanford 2500?  Also, this might be a stupid question, but is it possible to purchase a Vanford 2500 or 3000 from Cabelas, and then later purchase the JDM 3000MHG spool?

 

Thanks for your help!

[bulldog1935]

You absolutely can buy the 3000MHG spool from many Japan vendors. 

You can fit any Shimano 47-mm-dia, 17-mm-stroke spool to the reel body - Shimano Yumeya S-20

The Yumeya I linked, 1215 S-20, is perfect for 10-lb Sufix 832, 120-m capacity (same diameter as PE#1.5)

 

The vendor I linked to above, Plat, will contact Shimano and get any spool you want. 

 

Here's the complete skinny on JDM Vanford

 - note the sizes are the same for '18 Stella (magnesium spool), '19 Stradic, '19 Vanquish (magnesium spool), '20 Vanford and '20 Twin Power. 

 

[Columbia Craw]

I would not overlook the Daiwa Ballistic MQ LT 3000.   Superb reel.

[NorcalBassin]

Stradic or Vanford would both be great on that XP. The silver/blue on the Stradic would match nicely with the Champion, and if you don't care about that stuff you can't lose with the Vanford.

[Spankey]

Spinning reels I primarily fish Shimano. Do not own a Vanford. I fish an older and newer Stradic along with Symeties. Had always felt the Symetre was the best reel for the money. It was discontinued and replaced by the NASCI. My opinion only but it is as good if not better than the Symetre. I fish a few of them now. 

[padon]

nasci is a nice reel i own a couple. i also have 6 stradics. to me they are the best reel there is . you can spend more but i dont think you really need to. now thats jusst my opinion . doesnt mean im right. but i will say until 2 years ago i had stradics the old white ones from around 2001. and when i finally upgraded them the were all still working.

[inferiorfisherman]

I have a few of the models mentioned above in different sizes. stradic, vanford, tatula, ballistic. 

Let me first say that I consider the stradic the absolute standard at the $200 range as a do everything reel.  For the size and weight it is a very tough and very smooth reel.  I prefer the handle on the 3000 over the 2500 and I also prefer the carbon drag on 3000 over the felt drag on 2500, but both work well.  i use my stradics on my 3 piece travel rods.  they have fished ponds and lakes and go on airplanes with me when i go on vacation to fish saltwater.

The vanford is also very nice, like a finesse oriented stradic.  lighter in hand and because the rotating mass is lighter the handle requires less power to spin it.  although the reel is plenty tough for bringing in large fish.  I have never felt like I was going to break it or I was stressing it out.  I also have a few sizes of these but for the rods you listed I still like the 3000 for the same reasons as the stradic.  handle and drag.  Although the 3000 holds a lot of line and can get quite expensive to spool it full of highend braid.  both the vanford and stradic lay line on the spool absolutely perfectly in both 2500 and 3000.

 

The tatula lt is also a fantastic reel.  It is almost as light as the vanford but has an aluminum spool which I prefer over the vanford spool.  the 3000 size of the tatula is perfect for me.  it holds less line than the 3000 shimanos because it is more shallow and offers the T handle and carbon drag.  For the price there is no better reel in my opinion.  They can be found on sale for quite a bit cheaper than the shimanos which is why it is my winner for fresh water fishing.  in fact I just bought more on cyber sale this past weekend and don't even have rods for them.  

the ballistic to me is a tatula with sealed bearing making it a tatula that is saltware capable. but costs quite a bit more and is harder to find on sale.  great real, just not the best value.  

For my money I will be buying more tatula 3000's unless i have a specific need for something saltwater capable (stradic or ballistic), plan to reel in 30lb catfish(stradic), or I want to go ultra finesse (vanford)

[JS8588]

In that price range I'd probably track down a Kage LT 2500 for the purposes you intended. I have a 2000 I use for lightweight work & it's been superb. You won't find one at Cabelas or Bass Pro, though.

[Reshi]

Thanks for the replies!  I will probably make the drive to Cabelas and test out the floor models of the Tatula, Stradic FL 3000 and Vanford 3000, and make my decision from there.  I've read a lot of great things about all of them.  I appreciate all the help!

[bowhunter63]

Bass Pro Shops Carbon Light 

[jcjunior]

In that price range you really can’t go wrong with a Stradic or the vanford (vanford is basically a lighter Stradic)