Shimano Vanford Spinning Reel Review
Shimano’s Vanford series of spinning reels are designed around the needs of inshore anglers chasing specks, reds, flounder, blues, and the like, as well as freshwater fishermen who need a reels capable of handling everything from nasty pike to finesse largemouth applications to panfish.
Specifications
Sizes: 500, 1000, 2500, 3000, 4000, and 5000
Maximum drag: 6 lbs. (500), 7 lbs. (1000), 20 lbs. (2500 and 3000), 24 lbs. (4000 and 5000)
Gear ratio: 5.6:1 (500), 5.1:1 (1000), 6.0:1 (2500), 6.4:1 (3000), 6.2:1 (4000 and 5000)
Retrieve: 27” (500), 25” (1000) 35” (2500), 37” (3000), 40” (4000 and 5000)
Capacity: 4/100 (500), 6/110 (1000), 8/140 (2500), 10/140 (3000), 12/160 (4000), and 14/165 (5000)
Material: carbon-fiber reinforced proprietary
Weight: 4.9 oz. (500), 5.5 oz. (1000), 6.3 oz. (2500 and 3000), 7.6 oz. (4000), and 7.8 oz. (5000)
Bearings: 6 + 1 (500),7 + 1 on all other models
Sizes
To accomplish this, the Vanford is offered in sizes ranging from a tiny 500 all the way up to a big 5000, covering all your bases with uncompromising Shimano tech. One thing to note, however, the little 500 skips some of the more refined features of its larger relatives, dropping the MGL Rotor, MicroModule Gear II, X-Protect Body and Long Stroke Spool.
Honestly, that’s not a big deal, as cutting vibration, reducing rotational inertia, and increasing casting distance aren’t critical when you’re running a 500-size reel for trout or panfish.
Drag
The entire Vanford line-up is equipped with Shimano’s excellent cross carbon drag system, and just as with the Sustain FJ, you can expect legendary performance from its high-quality washers. They produce reliable, ultra-smooth performance at every setting across their range, making them ideal for light lines and hard fights.
The larger models in this series offer 24-pound maximums, allowing you to use very heavy lines if you wish. They’re more than capable of wrangling a big muskie into your net or taming a bull red or massive striper.
On the other end of the size spectrum, the 500 and 1000 have no trouble with settings as light as one pound, making them perfect choices for ice fishing crappie or casting to panfish of all kinds.
The 1000 and 2500 are as good as it gets for finesse applications in freshwater, and the super-light bodies and very low initial spool inertia just scream to be used for drop shots, shaky heads, Ned rigs, and the like.
Whatever you ask this drag to do, it’ll do well.
Gear Ratio
Gearing is accomplished via precision-cut Hagane teeth that provide remarkably smooth performance while delivering fantastic torque. In the larger sizes, you’ll really notice the steps Shimano has taken to reduce vibration and smooth things out.
Gear ratios vary from size to size, with the 500, 3000, 4000, and 5000 offering remarkably fast retrieval rates. That makes the 500 quite adept for ice fishing, where time spent picking up your jigs will be decreased tremendously. And of course, the 3000, 4000, and 5000 offer the speed you need to keep your lines tight with big, fast fish.
Spool
Each size reel wears an excellent spool, but frankly, mono capacities are just OK. Loading them up with braid will go a long way, but I can only suppose that Shimano was more worried about weight and balance than the absolute yardage of line they could pack onto each reel. For instance, size-to-size, you’re not going to be impressed with comparison to Penn’s Pursuit IV.
Is that a deal breaker? Not by a long shot!
Water Resistance
The water resistance of the Vanford is on-par with the Sustain FJ, and I wouldn’t worry a bit about saltwater intrusion.
Final Thoughts
Overall, these are extremely good reels that take smooth, reliable performance to a whole new level, and they’re the best Shimano offers for freshwater fishing.
Source: usangler.com