I have been fishing for winter Steelhead here in N/W Oregon, with my Vanford 5000 spinning reel. I purchased it about 3 months ago. Lightweight, (7.8 oz) fast retrieve 40 inches per turn, and super nice drag as well. I matched it with my G Loomis E6x 9ft 6 in med light action rod. This reel is the best reel I have ever owned, I'm 70 years old by the way, and recently landed 2 Steelhead one close to 15 lbs and the other one pushing near 18-20 lbs both natives of course. I also have a Stradic as a spare.
Nice dude! I'm glad people are catching on to this set up. We're essentially running same exact rig. Rod and reel but being from upper Michigan and fishing the tributaries that feed lake Superior the 3000 series suites me perfect for steelhead, browns, Cohos and kings. Also, if you haven't yet. Don't sleep on this set up for bottom bouncing beads! I'm a float guy too, center pinning and on this rig but I catch ALOT of fish drifting bottom with Death Roe soft beads because they're nutral buoyant and with this rig you can feel the lightest of pickups!
Awesome, it’s a great setup and thanks for the tip! Our winter season in Oregon is mostly over at the end of March. We do have a few summer runs starting in late May through July or so. I’ll have to try it! 👍🏻🎣
@@theoldbankfisherman I have a 6’6” IMX that a Vanford would be perfect for. If you look at my ‘Crane Prairie Bass’ video, that’s the rod I’m using. It’s got an old Symetre on it. Next year goals! 🎣
I have the G Loomis E6x inshore 7' 6" med. paired with a 4000 Stradic Ci4+ Those rods are probably the best bang for your buck as they are super light and sensitive, I can feel the shrimp jumping around under water when being chased. I'm thinking about putting the Vanford on it soon but the Stradic is still in mint condition. My other light weight set up is the St Croix Avid 7' med heavy but is as light as a Medium Loomis paired with the Stradic FL 4000 and I use that for live bait or larger paddle tails/ swim baits. Cant go wrong with a Shimano and G Loomis or St Croix.
I have a Ci4 3000, it’s probably 10-12 years old?? It’s still flawless, great reels. The Vanford is just the new and improved version. And yes, it’s hard to go wrong with Shimano and G.Loomis.
You’ll be happy with it. I have a couple reels on lightweight trout rods I’d like to replace with Vanfords. That 3000 got a lot of work this year on steelhead, it’s my favorite reel for sure.
I just ordered a 500 for my G.Loomis TSR801-2! I’m planning some hike in fishing trips this summer and it will be prefect. It has a better gear / retrieve rate than the 1000! 🤔 All at 4.9oz!
@@RAGEFISHING sounds like the perfect backpacking setup! Hope there's video evidence haha I'll be out in the Cascade Mountains making vids this summer too.. Hopefully with a Vanford!
@@CascadeBackcountry I received the 500, it was so small I returned it! For a 6’8” extra light rod, 2-6# test rated, I want casting distance for back country lakes, so I think the 1000 is the way to go, larger spool. They were out of stock at Cabela’s, but I’ve got it on my wish list and plan to get it when they are back in stock. The 500 would be cool for a 4’6” to 5’ rod for small creek fishing. 🤔🎣
Hey there new too steelhead fishing! Trying to catch a hatchery steelhead for a skin mount as a memorial for my father who passed last month. I was wondering if you knew any decent spots near the Clackamas/sandy area for steelhead this year! Any info would be appreciated thanks a ton -Cannon
Unfortunately I do not, never fished those rivers, however there is lots of information online regarding both rivers if you do a search. It might just mean a scouting mission to see access locations. Might even be worth calling the biologist for that region, Ben Walczak at 971-673-6000. He should have some good info on those runs. I hope that helps!
