Shimano Vanford 2024

[Stickperch]

I've noticed there has yet to be a discussion about the new Shimano Vanford 2024.

If any of the shimano heads out there have an opinion on the upgrades that have been made to this new version, please share. 

Additionally, what use cases would you reccomend this reel for and in what size/gear ratio.

I'm trying to decide on the perfect one to choose from on digitakas website as, I believe, there are some jdm specific versions available there. Which are jdm specific, and what benefits if any are there to one. 

I'll be using it for freshwater bass and crappie, likely in the 2500 to 3000 size with lighter lures like ned rigs in mind but also ideally versatile enough for general use. Something to fill the gap that my curado mgl 151 can't.

Tight lines folks.

[Stickperch]

There are so many combinations and abbreviations that I find it hard to identify which one would be best suited for light lure to general use.

Comparisons or different rel recommendations are welcome

[bulldog1935]

For'22 Stella and the following Shimano worm-drive models, the only change is a slight increase in spool pitch - slightly longer spools and spindles.  

[TNBankFishing]

IIRC the 2500 has felt drag washers and the 3000 has carbon. For JDM models they often include lower gear rations. On Digitaka or Japan Lure Shop just check out the image that shows inches per turn and compare it to the USDM models at alf or tw. 

[Darren.]

All I know is I'm grateful I can't afford one. Life is better 

when I'm only buying baits and not reels to replace my

already good CI4+, and other Stradics.

But all the vids I have watched, the Vanford is *sooo*

nice. That said *cough cough* if I WERE to get one, I

think I'd go for the 2000 or 3000 HGFA. The reels are

smaller these days, and I've long been a fan and user

of 1000 size Shimanos. So I think those would be very

close to preferable for fresh and salt. For me.

[FrnkNsteen]

11 hours ago, Darren. said:

All I know is I'm grateful I can't afford one. Life is better 

when I'm only buying baits and not reels to replace my

already good CI4+, and other Stradics.

But all the vids I have watched, the Vanford is *sooo*

nice. That said *cough cough* if I WERE to get one, I

think I'd go for the 2000 or 3000 HGFA. The reels are

smaller these days, and I've long been a fan and user

of 1000 size Shimanos. So I think those would be very

close to preferable for fresh and salt. For me.

I've got various size Vanfords and Stradics. It might just be me, but I honestly don't see a WHOLE lot of difference in performance between the Stradics and Vanfords, other than the Vanfords are lighter. Both are smooth, awesome reels.

 

From my perspective, the new Vanfords aren't enough of a change to warrant "Upgrading" from the previous Vanfords,...  or a good Stradic. Not saying I wouldn't buy one if I needed another reel,... but not just to upgrade!

[bulldog1935]

One thing nice about having a gang of reels from the same series - e.g., all '18 Stella series, or all '22 Stella series) - within the series and same frame size,  the spools interchange, and you can keep one spare spool for every reel in that size.  All of mine are '18, and spools are still available.  

This is my mid-frame Twin Power, with stock spool and PE#1.2 (0.18 mm, 24-lb), and with a finesse-braid shallow Vanquish spool (PE#0.6 - 0.13 mm, 12-lb) I bought just for this match.  

 

 

As far as differences between Stradic and Vanford - internally, they are identical - externally, Vanford has composite body and lighter, cut-out composite rotor.  The body also has a shorter stem, moving the reel closer to the rod - a few folks have complained about their hand fit.  

[Darren.]

11 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

I've got various size Vanfords and Stradics. It might just be me, but I honestly don't see a WHOLE lot of difference in performance between the Stradics and Vanfords, other than the Vanfords are lighter. Both are smooth, awesome reels.

 

From my perspective, the new Vanfords aren't enough of a change to warrant "Upgrading" from the previous Vanfords,...  or a good Stradic. Not saying I wouldn't buy one if I needed another reel,... but not just to upgrade!

 

Between my Stradic CI4+ and my Stradic HGFK the CI4+ is

slightly smoother, and lighter. But both are darn smooth. Does

that warrant the price difference? Probably not. Excellent 

reels any way you slice it.

[Darren.]

Thought I'd throw these in here for reference. Both 1000 size.

The CI4+ is today's Vanford, so I guess I can say I have one .

 

[TimTheGearNerd]

I had the stradic ci4+ then it was sacrificed it to the lake gods. 
 

Both old Vanford and the new Vanford was discounted so I got both. 
 

I can’t say what the differences were from the old ci4+. It was a great reel. 
 

Between the two Vanford, both 2500, I don’t think anyone will notice the difference unless it’s side by side. 
 

The new Vanford was a bit quieter and to my eyes the level wind was a bit slower so the line layer a bit better. there was also lower inertia so starting and stopping required less effort but again. I don’t think it’s noticeable especially when I’m just drop shotting or doing finesse presentation. 
 

I kept the new because it was the latest and greatest and I got a discount. Otherwise, functionally , you’d get a great reel in the old Vanford and save 100 bucks with the old model. 
 

 

[Darren.]

4 hours ago, TimTheGearNerd said:

I had the stradic ci4+ then it was sacrificed it to the lake gods. 

 

That is an awful experience. I actually caught a nice bass last week

and while I was netting it, my son nearby asked me what the splash

was, I looked down and my rod was not where I set it. Had my old

Stradic FI on it, and we were lucky to fish it out of the reservoir since

we anchored there and kept dropping rigs until we hooked something.

 

Was an awful feeling I may never see it again. Thankfully my son hooked

onto the cork handle (barely) and brought it up from the murky depths.

[Brian11719]

I've been using the VF2500HGA as a drop shot reel for a couple of months. First time going past the stradic series for me and there is a bit of a difference in weight and overall feel. It's actually the most expensive rod / setup I own and I only use it for drop shotting so haven't tried a ned or anything else with it, but have been very happy with the results. The reel is very smooth to throw lighter worms or shad lures and I can get them pretty far out there considering how long of a leader I usually use...it's also really light in the hands but at the same time doesn't feel any less 'tough' than the stradics I've got and the drag on it is nice and I've not had any issues landing anything. So I guess overall I'd suggest the 2500 hga for anything in the 1/4-3/8oz range if that helps at all...