The all new Vanford is designed to become the ultimate finesse fishing reel with a super-fast start up. Replacing the iconic Stradic Ci4+, this reel is equipped with a range of technology upgrades that sets the Vanford apart. Still drawing upon a lightweight Ci4+ body construction, the new MGL rotor makes the reel 48% lighter to turn when compared to a standard rotor design. Micromodule Gear II and Silent Drive is featured in the new Vanford and the Hagane Gear has been upgraded for added strength. X-Protect provides high-level water resistance without sacrificing light gear and rotor rotation. This has increased the durability of the Vanford’s roller clutch and line roller to an IPX8 standard. By incorporating the new Long Stroke Spool design, casting performance has also been improved.
The all new Vanford is designed to become the ultimate finesse fishing reel with a super-fast start up. Replacing the iconic Stradic Ci4+, this reel is equipped with a range of technology upgrades that sets the Vanford apart. Still drawing upon a lightweight Ci4+ body construction, the new MGL rotor makes the reel 48% lighter to turn when compared to a standard rotor design. Micromodule Gear II and Silent Drive is featured in the new Vanford and the Hagane Gear has been upgraded for added strength. X-Protect provides high-level water resistance without sacrificing light gear and rotor rotation. This has increased the durability of the Vanford’s roller clutch and line roller to an IPX8 standard. By incorporating the new Long Stroke Spool design, casting performance has also been improved.
Shimano Vanford Spinning Reel
The all new Vanford is designed to become the ultimate finesse fishing reel with a super-fast start up. Replacing the iconic Stradic Ci4+, this reel is equipped with a range of technology upgrades that sets the Vanford apart. Still drawing upon a lightweight Ci4+ body construction, the new MGL rotor makes the reel 48% lighter to turn when compared to a standard rotor design. Micromodule Gear II and Silent Drive is featured in the new Vanford and the Hagane Gear has been upgraded for added strength. X-Protect provides high-level water resistance without sacrificing light gear and rotor rotation. This has increased the durability of the Vanford’s roller clutch and line roller to an IPX8 standard. By incorporating the new Long Stroke Spool design, casting performance has also been improved.
The all new Vanford is designed to become the ultimate finesse fishing reel with a super-fast start up. Replacing the iconic Stradic Ci4+, this reel is equipped with a range of technology upgrades that sets the Vanford apart. Still drawing upon a lightweight Ci4+ body construction, the new MGL rotor makes the reel 48% lighter to turn when compared to a standard rotor design. Micromodule Gear II and Silent Drive is featured in the new Vanford and the Hagane Gear has been upgraded for added strength. X-Protect provides high-level water resistance without sacrificing light gear and rotor rotation. This has increased the durability of the Vanford’s roller clutch and line roller to an IPX8 standard. By incorporating the new Long Stroke Spool design, casting performance has also been improved.
originally posted on sportsmans.com
I really like this reel. Light smooth and well put together. I especially like the low startup effort. Big improvement over previous Shimano mid price spinning reels. The only thing I don’t like is the lack of a back reel lever. If you have ever had a five pound bass on 6 lb test line come to the boat easily and then see the boat and take off, you would understand the need to back reel that fish. Even a good drag is not usually up to that task
originally posted on ebay.com
I owned a CI-4+ 1000 model for a few years. It was a great reel. I purchased the Vanford 1000 to replace the CI-4+. When it arrived, it was obvious the Vanford was just a CI-4+ with a couple of refinements. Shimano does this from time to time. They come out with a new model reel and advertise that it is the best thing ever discovered. I guess I fell for it. Don't get me wrong, this Vanford reel is a great item but in comparison to the CI-4+, The upgrades were almost not worth spending another $247.00. I always enjoy fishing with the latest reels. If it wasn't for this personality trait, I would have sent the Vanford back and pocket the money for something else.
originally posted on ebay.com
I have owned many Shimano NASCIs Sustains, Twin Powers, and Stellas over the years. I thought I would try a Shimano Vanford. The reel is, as advertised, very light. That said, the reel looks and feels very cheaply made. I tried the reel for the first time this week at the South Carolina four-day six-man bass fishing event. The drag sticks and at about 8 lbs of drag-tension the spool wobbles as the line is pulled from it. DON'T Buy! I recommend the Shimano Twin Power 4000 FD. It is a fair superior very smooth reel.
| Product Weight | |
| Weight | 1 lb |
I really like this reel. Light smooth and well put together. I especially like the low startup effort. Big improvement over previous Shimano mid price spinning reels. The only thing I don’t like is the lack of a back reel lever. If you have ever had a five pound bass on 6 lb test line come to the boat easily and then see the boat and take off, you would understand the need to back reel that fish. Even a good drag is not usually up to that task
I owned a CI-4+ 1000 model for a few years. It was a great reel. I purchased the Vanford 1000 to replace the CI-4+. When it arrived, it was obvious the Vanford was just a CI-4+ with a couple of refinements. Shimano does this from time to time. They come out with a new model reel and advertise that it is the best thing ever discovered. I guess I fell for it. Don't get me wrong, this Vanford reel is a great item but in comparison to the CI-4+, The upgrades were almost not worth spending another $247.00. I always enjoy fishing with the latest reels. If it wasn't for this personality trait, I would have sent the Vanford back and pocket the money for something else.
I have owned many Shimano NASCIs Sustains, Twin Powers, and Stellas over the years. I thought I would try a Shimano Vanford. The reel is, as advertised, very light. That said, the reel looks and feels very cheaply made. I tried the reel for the first time this week at the South Carolina four-day six-man bass fishing event. The drag sticks and at about 8 lbs of drag-tension the spool wobbles as the line is pulled from it. DON'T Buy! I recommend the Shimano Twin Power 4000 FD. It is a fair superior very smooth reel.
I have umpteen Stradic Ci4s in 2500, 3000, and 4000 sizes. I always wanted a 1000 series spinning outfit using a medium-light rod. I LOVE this new Vanford. It is ultra smooth and has plenty of power to go to battle with the CA Delta bass I fish for. I even brought in a 23" striper that surprised me as I worked a small swimbait through shallow grass. Took me almost 15 minutes to play him in and the Vanford held its own. This is a quality reel and is an excellent progression of the Ci4s.
As a professional guide on the White River in Arkansas, I have been using exclusively Shimano reels for the last couple decades or longer. The Vanford series in my opinion is a high quality reel that is still affordable, These reels get well over 200 a days on the river and last me a minimum of two years before they get replaced with new ones. My clients greatly appreciate the quality of equipment that I provide them and it shows with the high rate of return customers that I get. Recently i have been using TheMightyFish.com for my purchases as I am getting the right product for the right price, and the shipping has always been quick and reliable.
I just bought my second Vanford 3000 to use on the Tennessee River in North Alabama for smallmouth and striped bass fishing. I much prefer the 3000 to the 2500, since the reels weight exactly the same, but the 3000 holds 30 more yards of monofilament line. That extra capacity means that when drift-fishing in the current, I have a little cushion to keep me from having all my line stripped off my reel if I don't react quickly enough to retrieve my lure.I mounted my Vanfords on two different St. Croix spinning rods - a 6'6" Med Lt Fast Action Avid, and a 6'10" Med Lt Extra Fast Action Mojo Bass (my favorite rod) - and rig both reels with ~ 100 yds. of 8 lb. Berkley Trilene Big Game as backing and ~ 75 yds. of 10 lb. Berkley Nanofil, with 6 ft. of 8 lb. Berkley ... MoreI just bought my second Vanford 3000 to use on the Tennessee River in North Alabama for smallmouth and striped bass fishing. I much prefer the 3000 to the 2500, since the reels weight exactly the same, but the 3000 holds 30 more yards of monofilament line. That extra capacity means that when drift-fishing in the current, I have a little cushion to keep me from having all my line stripped off my reel if I don't react quickly enough to retrieve my lure.I mounted my Vanfords on two different St. Croix spinning rods - a 6'6" Med Lt Fast Action Avid, and a 6'10" Med Lt Extra Fast Action Mojo Bass (my favorite rod) - and rig both reels with ~ 100 yds. of 8 lb. Berkley Trilene Big Game as backing and ~ 75 yds. of 10 lb. Berkley Nanofil, with 6 ft. of 8 lb. Berkley Trilene Big Game as the leader. I use Quadruple Surgeon's Knots for the backing to line and line to leader connections with good success.The Vanfords are extremely light, extremely durable and smooth, and fit my medium size hands much better than the Daiwa Tatula in the same spool size. (The space between the reel foot and the rotor is too small on the Tatula, which results in the bail hitting my fingers while reeling.) I own two Shimano Stradic 3000 FJ's and two Shimano Stradic 3000 Ci4+ reels, and while the four Stradics are excellent reels for the money, the Vanfords are even better.Try one and you'll be glad you did.
Finally used this while on a beach holiday, put it on a nine foot Shimano rod and loaded it with braid and used it as my second surf rod (not what I’d brought it for!). My 13 foot rig obviously cast further, but I was very pleased with the distance the 9 footer was getting in windy conditions with a heap less lead. I didn’t leave much of a lip on the reel after putting the braid on, and expected some wind knots, but no problems so far. Even with a fish on this reel is smooth. Love the big handle!
I was looking for a medium priced light spin reel, and this one ticked all the boxed for me on paper. Loaded it with 200m of 3lb Sunline Sniper FC. Been using it for land based flats flicking small weightless plastic on a 1-3k ultralight rod. Casts far and smooth. Have not need to adjust the spooling bias at all. Drag is precise and handles like a dream, only need a 1/4 turn to go from medium to max or medium to light. . Bail arm action is very light, have had it out 3 full days without any issues. Not sure what else I would want in a light spin reel. It's perfect for the job.
This review concerns the Vanford 500. I have no experience with the other sizes of Vanford.I have several Stradic Ci4+ reels from the 1000 up. There's never been a Ci4+ available in a 500 size, so I've been using a Symetre 500, which, after many years, is badly worn. So I was thrilled when Shimano announced the Vanford 500. I ordered one. There's a irritating pulse with each turn of the crank. It took me a few weeks to find the cause of the problem. There is play in the main gear bearings. The handle can be rocked back and forth a few thousandths. This causes the pulse when retrieving. None of my other reels have this problem. I showed it to the fishing guys at Basspro. They proclaimed it a manufacturer's defect. Since they didn't have a replacement in stock, ... MoreThis review concerns the Vanford 500. I have no experience with the other sizes of Vanford.I have several Stradic Ci4+ reels from the 1000 up. There's never been a Ci4+ available in a 500 size, so I've been using a Symetre 500, which, after many years, is badly worn. So I was thrilled when Shimano announced the Vanford 500. I ordered one. There's a irritating pulse with each turn of the crank. It took me a few weeks to find the cause of the problem. There is play in the main gear bearings. The handle can be rocked back and forth a few thousandths. This causes the pulse when retrieving. None of my other reels have this problem. I showed it to the fishing guys at Basspro. They proclaimed it a manufacturer's defect. Since they didn't have a replacement in stock, Basspro gave me a refund and I ordered another one online. The replacement had the same problem right outa the box. I showed it to the same experts at Basspro and got my refund.If I can find a Vanford 500 in a store where I can examine it before I buy it, I'll buy it, IF I can find a good one.
Bought the Shimano Vanford Spinning Reel - VFC3000XGF a year ago and have just now been able to use it. When the spool is at its high point, the bail will not clear it; when loading new line, it’s not even from top to bottom of the spool. It loads the majority of line on the lower part of the spool; when casting, the bail is not out of the way for line to pass causing backlash. This reel is a complete waste of $259.00!
| Product Weight | |
| Weight | 1 lb |
