I am born and raised in Tassie. So obviously I hunt Trout and I love doing so on ultra light gear. So a 1000 series is a must. I usually spool with 6lb braid and 4lb leader to make things interesting! My old man and I plan to go out together for the first time in a long time this season. I would love to be able to gift him this for Father’s Day. Seeing his face receive a gift like this, would mean the world to me. Love your videos and channel, very insightful and helpful. Keep up the great work!
*Nice reel so far **enjoyable.fishing** recommend used it for about an hour after getting it from Amazon and functioned flawlessly. Very smooth retrieve and the anti reverse is perfect. Feels like a reel that would be double the price.*
The 2500 size with 10lb braid to throw some soft plastics and hard bodies for flatties, bream and winter trevally. Want to hear that drag siiiiing! Thanks for the great review of the Shimano Vanford, and the opportunity to win one as well.
2500 size will be an all rounder. Will be putting 8lbs sunline braid. Be good to compare to my old ci4. Thanks for the review. Always hit the spot when you doing the reviews.
Thanks for making an actual review rather than reading specs of the website like every other so called reviewer. I enjoyed watching your video and found it very informative.
Awesome video as usual! How you don't have hundreds of thousands of subscribers is beyond me! My fave size reel is a 4500 with 15lb braid. It's small enough to fish light and big enough to turn some King's heads toward the Kayak.
Mate you’re awesome for thinking that. Still building and learning the craft buddy. From little things big things grow! Entered and logged - thanks for stopping by and the support mate
My favourite reel is the 2500 size. 8lb braid with 10lb fluro. Another great video Byron - I’ve noticed you reply to every comment and answer any questions. Thanks for your awesome advice!
My pleasure man. To be honest mate I’m totally flattered people are consuming my content, if you take the time to ask a question or compliment the video you’re going to hear from me. If you ever have any questions, shoot and I’ll have a go!!! :)
Been fishing in shore from when I started so just been using the 2500 reel size 4eva paired up with a mono 6lb line back in the day. Now it's all braid with 4lb breaking strength. Always delivering the most informative insights in your videos. Power on!
I mostly use my 2500 (8lb) and 4000 (PE 1.2) size reels. This has given me a good range to match a few different rods, mostly for in-harbor applications. I've recently started to shore jig and the 4000 (PE 1.2) had been heaps of fun working up Trevally, Amberjack, and the odd Flathead. My 2500 (8lb) is my go-to-all-occasion that I've paired with light rods to flick soft plastics, hard body lures, and bait; around the local wharf and jetties for our bread and butter species. My 2500 Sedona has worked wonders for the last 4 years but is clearly starting to break down. I'd like nothing more than to step up to something more refined like the Vanford/Stradics. Love the content, hugely educational but more so inspirational. Keep it up and Tight lines!
Most of my spin reels are a bit bigger then this but wow! This reel punches well above its weight! What a weapon! I’d definitely be fitting it out with the exact line you did. To get nearly 300m on a reel that size is amazing. Great review as always Byron.
Nice review, I would be spooling it with some 10 lb berkley x9 crystal or Tasline. And 300 meters sounds like the plan going by your review with the bigger spool. I would be using it to chase some flatties and pinkies for a nice dinner.
I’ve had the opportunity to try out a fair few sizes such as 1000, 2000, 2500, 3000 and 5000 for the light inshore/ estuary stuff that I primarily do. However I’ve taken my 2500 ci4 out on some of the reefs that make up the bunker group in Queensland and landed a 50cm spangled emperor on 8lb. I then went in a fished some of the creeks on the same trip and caught flathead, bream, whiting and had an attack from queen fish and mangrove jack. So my favourite size would be the 2500 due to its versatility. For the line size I would ultimately leave it up to my dad if I won because he bought be the ci4 and he mentioned a while ago that he’d like one. So I guess I’d be returning the favour
Awesome to hear mate, sounds like you've tried a few reels! Thanks for the entry. Good luck, it would be a cool story if you won it and gave it to your Dad.
Just like everyone else here mate , the 2500 size is a go to for me. Such a versatile reel and suits me perfect being primarily fresh water chasing bass , yellas and redfin , but also great for when I hit the salt chasing bream and flatty etc. I'd be throwing 10 lb berkley x9 on this Stanford. Great work and thanks for another informative vid. 🤙🤙🤙
2500 sized reels are my favourite size for sure! Super versatile, covers so many applications for so many species, Bream to Perch, Snapper to school Jew, even the mighty Carp. I’d be throwing on some Varivas max power PE 0.8, a braid I’ve recently tried and absolutely love. Great vid, and a great little reel 🤙
Great review as always! Favourite size reel will always be the 2500. The standard 9kg drag is super useful for both light and medium setups. I would put PE0.6 Tasline on the reel - strong enough to chase a majority of fish in the Aussie systems
Best sized reel is easy the 2500 especially in shimano. The drag and size can do everything from bass in the dams to some decent sized pinkies. Run with a thinner 15 lb and you can almost do it all! Anyways awesome vid again, keen for the next one!
My favorite size reel is the 5000 and 4000 because I'm always in the surf, on this 2500 I would probably go with 30lb braid for pier fishing. great video thank you.
You just can’t beat a 2500! They’re such a great all rounder and the vanford would be so capable! Spoiled with 8-10lb (cramming as much line on there as possible) would be fantastic!
Good to see a post-usage unbiased review on this reel. 2500 is a great size with 9kg drag, that's plenty for flattys and bream. Braid size would have to be 12lb, keeping it light, and enough strength with braid colour not decided yet🤣
This is what I call a nice balanced review, thank you. To me the 2500 size is an absolute versatile one and when I fish in the bay I usually use 8lb braid and 8lb fluoro. I find it still works for bream but has a bit of extra capacity and abrasion resistance to cope with flatties and sometimes the odd pelagics
8-10lb braid as a general all-rounder as I fish both fresh and salt water and mixed species. A 2500 size also allows you to tackle alot of these scenarios from bream and fatties to yellow belly and trout in the fresh.
I generally use reels between 1000 to 2500 but love my Luvias 2004. I run a 6lb on the bigger reels and a 4lb on my 1000. The 2004 has a 14lb Gosen braid on it. Works a treat. Thx for the review. Food for thought.
This is the best review on this reel. Heard everything I needed to know about one. My favorite size is the 2500 as it's finesse enough for chasing bream and has the drag capacity of chasing Snapper and Jew. Would spool it with either 4lb braid or 12lb dangan x8. Cheers for the review Byron!
Great review mate...just a touch on the centre of gravity on this Vanford, I did not notice this until u actually pointed it out...it does have an equilibrium issue but very settled...still a good reel and a great feel for noticing it👍
g'day, mate, I appreciate your honest impressions about this reel, I got the 3000 model and I am very happy with it. I usually spool with J BRAID 8 GRAND which was good for me in the past years. if it would be to have another reel I would prefer the 5000 one for using it on a 5-9 kg rod which I bought and is waiting for a good reel but I need to wait for a couple of pensions to come. in this way, I will have 2 perfect combos from whiting to jack and maybe bigger fish. i am waiting for more videos from you which I enjoyed watching. all the best
I’m bloody pumped you enjoyed the content mate! Thanks legend. I usually throw a video out every week, but I do have a break every now and again :) Thanks for entering the comp, tight lines.
I definitely need one of these in my tackle box!!! These look great and by your review sound like a great quality reel!!! I think the 2500 is the perfect size for being able to chase the bread and butter species, spooled with 8lb quality braid and you are looking at an awesome day out. Great review mate looking forward to many more.
Byron, let me share something with you. Everytime I think I possibly heading in the right direction. I watch your vids, and I do a hole new correction. Cheers again 👍 for your help your vids are great. I'm definitely looking to lightening more of my set ups. I'm thinking 10p on this 2500. I'm running with a 2000 diawa legalis at moment 8p. I'm hooked on the 2000 size reel at moment, they are my favourite. I keen for a 1000.
Another great review mate! Love the video quality and editing. 2500 is such a versatile and fun reel size to use, especially with the amount drag they have. I would use it with some 8-10lbs braid for some light lure fishing but also be able to chase smaller kings or Jews and have a great fight.
Luv your channel. I bought the 5000 after watching this vid. It's way tougher than it feels. Iv had it in the boat heaps now, in holders getting slammed by salt water for hours heaps of times now. Casting for small skip tuna and some good battles with medium size bluefin. The drag is very good for a small reel. If someone is new to the reel, the drag knob is a bit small to use while fighting. It got left at camp in the sand for days. After a year it's still smooth and tight. Thanks
Another great review Byron! My mate has the Vanford and absolutely loves it. If I was able to afford one of these reels I’d definitely go for the 2500 model and chuck on 10lb braid for chasing those bread and butter species! Keep up the good work mate!
Definitely 2500 size, and I would really keen to get a high-end reel as I've only ever had budget ones like Shimano Siennas and Daiwa Aird LTs. I would whack 300m of 10lb braid to cover bream in the canals and flatties and whiting on the flats, as well as small tuskies and snapper on the reefs. Great video Byron, keep up the sick work and I can't wait for the New Zealand videos.
The 2500 is my preferred for sure, for me on a budget it’s versatile. I can catch bream to my favourite Aussie bass! I would whack on 10lb braid again so I can just change leaders to any situation. Another great video mate and awesome prize coming out of lockdown to whoever wins!! Hopefully 🤞🏻🤞🏻
Great video Byron! Looks like a winner from Shimano. I reckon the 3000 compact looks like a true all-rounder running PE 1 braid - same size as the 2500, but a bit more line cap to tangle with a wide range of species.
Great review .. thanks Byron .. looked at these a few months ago and others have said it’s a great reel .. 2500 is my usual size for what I do .. and loaded with a quality 10lb braid for whacking bass/ bream / estuary species … love your work!👌
Hey Byron, thanks for the review most appreciated (as always). I've recently pulled my son into the fishing fraternity and was so relieved as he's loved the experience (Greenhead WA was his first serious effort). If we (he) won the real it puts us on a level ground in terms our kit. His favourite size is 2500 as that's what he knows and he's tried my Vanford 1000 and was impressed with the action and weight (could cast all day long). We'd be down to the tackle shop to for advise but would be looking to spool up with some Bulk Sunsiglon PE8 10lb PEO.6 (or similar). Were chasing bream / flathead in he local swan river.
My favourite size in the shimano vanford range would definitely have to be the 2500, this is because it will suit my all round style of fishing, bass, flathead, mulloway and snapper, for that reason i would spool it up with 12lb Tasline. Awesome vid mate, keep it up, yew🤙
great vid, very informative, I already have a 2500hg and I'm so happy with it. I paired it with a Diawa 20 infeet 6ft 10" $189 model and had never spent as much for my equipment before not realizing how it would improve my fishing experience, initially I had a cheap Piscifun reel and thought it was good but then decided to buy the Vanford and was blown away by the overall performance and feel of it, my casting accuracy was instantly improved, the comfort and weight of both rod and reel is so light just a dream to use, so much so that I intend on buying another 7ft infeet rod to match with another Vanford to throw soft plastics and hard bodies. keep the great vids coming, Cheers. P.S I like to use 6lb platypus pulse braid on my reels at the moment as I have only just started throwing soft plastics and find it the easiest to control and not lose fish for now. Cheers.
It's amazing Dary how much value for money you get by stepping up a level or two with the standard of reel we purchase. there's a really nice gravy area of value for money at the moment.
Gday Byron, great review! The new vanford looks super schmick and I think it might just be the beginning of another cult hero shimano reel! My all time favourite spinning reel was a 1000 size pfluger Trion which I have had since I was 14 years old and was the first reel I remember buying with my own money. The poor reel recently gave up the ghost on a trout trip and has been retired to office desk. I reckon I’d run 300m of 12 pound orange sunline siglon. As you said in your review the extra line will be great to make the reel a nice all rounder. Being in the yak on Sydney harbour I reckon having a reel that can just as easily handle a rat king as a big blue nose bream is a great asset and I’d love to get my hands one one of these new vanfords!
I believe I have 8lb braid on my 2500 vanford, did need backing but doesn't bother me. I love the 2000 size however, trout fishing is my passion and the feel of the fight on a 2000 size reel is so awesome.
My favourite size spinning reel at the moment is a 5000. I was targeting winter kings before the lockdown in Sydney and found that it was the perfect size and weight to not tire me out when casting for hours. In terms of braid size, I'd probably put on 10lb braid with some mono backing as it would be sufficient for light tackle fishing in creeks and canals whilst also having the option of using it in the harbour for some late night squidding.
Favourite size is 2500 as a solid allrounder for the estuary type fishing that I do and I am a fan of more light weight braid probably 8lbs. Althought it might look like I'll need some backing to make up for the underspooling issue you mentioned in your video. Great job as always Byron!
I’d go for the 2500 because its so versitile. I would run 10lb braid catching bream, trevally, flathead and snapper on lures. Keep up the great work! 👍 Love the vids.
Enjoyed this review Byron, unbiased and informative. I’d like to see you do a review on some high end Daiwa reels like the Luvias Airity and Certate LT. Also be good to see a full run down of your favourite rod/reels you’ve been using for a while. Cheers
G'day Byron, found this review via fb. I've been eyeing a Vanford for a replacement to my 3000 Symetre FL. I would definitely look at the 2500 HG size going of your review, and as you said it will be a good versatile, good all rounder reel. I haven't had the chance to hold a Vanford or give it a good spin at the shops as I have been in lock down in NSW, so winning this reel would be awesome. I would be planning to put 300m (I've been listening) of J-braid grand 8lb braid on it. Cheers Ron and good luck to everyone else 👍
Ron! Ahhh man lockdown does stink like that. We just went into lockdown here also. Glad you enjoyed the review mate, if you don’t win then I’d def recommend you give it a spin at a tackle store or three. If you do! Well then, you’ll spin the reel lots 😂🤣😂 good luck in the giveaway mate and thanks for commenting.
Hey Byron! Might’ve given my stradic a salt/ sand bath a year or so ago 😅 unfortunately she never fully recovered even with a service 🪦 I’d love a 2500 spooled with some 8 or 10lb braid for bream and flatty sessions. Great video (as always)
Hey Byron- great honest review! As most of my fishing is impoundment bass and light estuary fishing in south east Queensland, the 2500 size is ideal for chasing bass, golden perch, whiting bream and flathead. I’d spool it with 10lb braid to cover pretty much all scenarios and techniques!
Hey Byron, my favourite size is probably a 2500 due to the versatility they provide and how many different species you can comfortably catch. I would probably spool with 12lb Daiwa j braid grand as I love it and allows me to chase squid,whiting,pinkies, bream and perch. Cheers mate
2500 is my preferred allrounder for estuary fishing. Loaded with a good quality 8lb braid you get great casting distance and the benefit of braid is it breaks a lot higher than it's rated to anyway.
Loved the review! I haven't ever really moved away from the 2000s and at this point in time, I don't really see a need to. But would load it with 6lb j-braid, with backing of course
Can’t go past a 2500 spooled up with some 6lb it’ll get the job done on most fish! I’ll just say each to their own when it comes to brands about braid but I’m a Shimano fan so I’ll be getting a vanford anyways fingers crossed this is my time 😂🤞
My favourite sized fishing reel is a 2500. Why? Because it's great for bream and whiting (the larger spool sized allows for better casting distance over a 1000) and holds enough line to really have some fun with small pelagics. I like to fish braid about the 10lb mark or slightly heavier so that I can use one setup for multiple species and techniques and save some dollars. Great review. Can't believe I've not seen your channel before!
I have the stradic FL in 1000HG on a 1-2kg rod & 3000HG on a 3-6kg rod and i find them excellent, for $269 I couldn’t see enough difference to buy the vanford for the extra cost. The only other reel I would rate close to my stradics in that $300 price range is my Diawa caldia 2000s that I have on an infeet Z. as For the vanford if I was going to buy one, it would be in the 2500 as I don’t actually own a reel in that size 🤷♂️ I’d load it up with 10lb braid. BRING ON THE NZ FOOTAGE!! Can’t wait to see the kings and the snapper 💪
mate I can't wait to share that NZ footage! end of the month buddy! thanks for the comment and your thoughts on the gear. Price vs specs is important. Tight lines man
Currently working 4-6000 spinning reels but mainly working off the rocks for those bigger fish. I’d love to pair a 2500 with some light braid - 0.5-1.5PE and throw around some 20g micro jigs and really work the water columns. This would also give me something that I can throw on my smaller rods and go for a fish in the kayak and have a bit of fun out on the water
Wow a 2500 - outta my my comfort zone. I am normally a 1000 with 6lb or 2000 with 10lb sorta guy - land based. Been thinking about step up a notch - so a 2500 would be a 10lb or maybe get crazy with 15 lb. Quite liking the Berkley X9 I last spooled with. Thanks again for an unsponsored review
My favourite size reel is a 2500. Mainly fish for bream, but also chase all the estuarine species, flatties and jewies in particular. So this reel would be a perfect addition to my arsenal. Would spool with 8lb j braid.
My favourite size spinning reel would probably have to be 2500 as this is what I'm most familiar with. Saying that I dont mind 3000 and 4000 sizes. For the reel i would probably load it with 6 or 8 pound braid for an all round estuary reel.
Very true about the confusion around some of the Stradic models. If your wife likes the vanford it must be the goods 😅. 2500 size with 16lb braid sounds like a pretty perfect all rounder. Great video Mate 🤙🏼🐟
Great review mate. You can never go wrong with 2500. The perfect all rounder. I would spool it with 15lb tasline for the ultimate combo as I just ordered the new zodias 😍
Very nice review! love the honesty! Have you ever tried some of the Okuma reels? They price similar to lower middle end Shimmanos but (in my experience) perform at an extremely high level
great review. i like the 2500 size reel with 10lb berkely pro for allround saltwater and also bass fishing at st clair and glenbawn. keep up the good work
Great review Byron, always thoroughly put together. Being more of a bass fisho, smaller reels are my go to, the 2500 is generally the size I'd go for, and semi light braid in around the 6-8lb mark. That would cover catching bass as well as bream and flattys. Thanks mate.
I’d go for 2500 reel running 10lb braid. Also love the feel of buttery smooth retrieve that I would imagine this reel has by the sounds of it. Living in Sydney in hard lockdown atm so free spinning a reel at home like this would at least kill some boredom lol. Thanks for the vid and opportunity to win a reel. 🎣
Love the unbiased review. Just bought this reel and went down to Pottsville to try it out, caught a mid sized bream but the next fish was a chopper Tailor which really gave the reel a good run. I was SO impressed with the smooth drag, I caught the fish on a bream hook and it fell straight out of its mouth once I landed it on the beach and gave it some slack. I put 12lb braid on it which seems perfect, def gonna give it a run on Fraser this year on a longer rod. Also where did you get that hoodie from its boss af I need one haha!
My fav size reel for the fishing I do in estuaries would be a 2500. I already own a 1000 and 3000, but both either slightly too small or too large. I would probably put some 8lb braid on cause I usually fish for EPs and bream. Love your channel and content. Keep it coming!
I would have to say that 2500 o or 3000 sized reels are my favourites, not too big for the smaller fish but can still handle the bigger fish. I would spool this Vanford with 10lb or 12lb Sufix 832 line
I love 2500 reels with 6-8 lb braid. Nice and light for pylons and estuary fishing. 4 lb leader for chasing bream around structure and switch it up to 10 lb leader when chasing flattys.
Enjoy the style and breakdown of the review Byron 👌 Whilst 2500 is a great versatile option, I'm a big fan of the 1000's, spooled with 6lb Sunline Siglon x8 and chasing YFW on the flats 😍 I have heard some good things about Tasline, do you have any thoughts / 1st hand experience on where it sits in comparison to Sunline's Siglon range? Keep up the great content. Hanging out to see the NZ stuff.
Hey Paul, I am still playing around with TASLINE its a very offshore product at the moment, specialises in heavy lines but they are breaking into the light game. I'll formulate an opinion at some stage and fill you in. Thanks Paul, I'll get to the NZ stuff in the next month
Thanks for the review Byron - had my eye on these reels and weighing up against a TD SOL. I have a couple of 2000s and 3000s in lower quality reels and believe the 2500 will be the sweet spot for my bream and flattie fishing - 300m of 10lb braid in case I'm lucky enough to tempt something will a bit more pull.
I’d have to go the 2500 size, nice all rounder! I’d be teaming it up with my 14lb rod, so 12lb braid works well for me. Excellent review mate, keep up the great content!
I've had the opportunity to use many sized reels but I feel like the 3000 would be the best size to for an all around. The 4000 is best for surf fishing in my opinion. 1000-3000 would be best for kayak fishing which I just started. 10lb braided would be awesome for a 2500 sized reel.
2500 has been my go to size for a while now. It’s just so versatile. I actually just saw the price had come down at some stores and treated myself, the only thing holding me back from buying one was the price. I ended up spoiling mine with 200m of 8lbs j-braid with some backing. I’d probably do the same if I win.
Loved the review mate. Such a shame Shimano don’t offer genuine shallow spool option for the Vanford here in Aus. It’s the reason I purchased my first Daiwa reel. My favourite size has to be 2500 with 6lb braid would cover both fresh and saltwater options.
Hey legend! happy to hear buddy. It's an interesting one. TBH whilst being a bit of a hybrid shallow spool, it did work a treat, you've got a good point - curious why they don't. Entered and as always thanks for the comment mate
2500 of course, total weight of an outfit is important. Obviously price point helps the weight but having a ci4+ and a light blank 1-3kg for bream is amazing, can cast all day and work those 1/20th and below weights Also between 8-10lb braid, mainly cause it has great knot strength holding capabilities while still being able to cast far, depends on rod to get the balance But that's what I'd do Tight lines
I think you're completely on point. the total feel to your setup is really important. Thanks for sharing your thoughts buddy. Tight lines and youre in the giveaway!
My main size I do use in my reels are daiwa 2004’s but my latest reel I decided to go to a 2500 size and absolutely love it with the different gear ratio etc. I’d load this shimano up with 14lb gosen but would definitely take into account what you noted about the under spooling etc Love ya work brother
Wow, My dream reel,many thanks for the review! I bought the sol 3 after your review on that last year :). I would spool with major craft dangan x8 0.6 pe 200m with bit of backing. 2500 is my go to size.
G day Byron, the 1000 ci4 has always been my favourite. My go to braid is the ygk jigman grand PE 0.4 6lb. Risky choice of line but the casting distance is unmatched to any other braid I've encountered. Cheers
Great video review as always, Byron. I’ve had the opportunity to try this reel only last weekend. The weight of the reel was quite good. One constructive feedback I would say is the line retrieval could be a little slower. I have the Stradic Ci4+ FA and FB - both have lasted and still going - similar feedback on the line retrieval. I wished Australia carries the Vanford 2000s model which mimics the Daiwa Luvias (and I love this reel) but at 2/3 of the price. With the 2000s, it is effectively a 1000 size reel which has slower retrieval but a bigger spool. Since I mostly do estuary fishing, my line would be around the 6-8lb max depending on its thickness.
Awesome thoughts Eric, I flicked shimano a message about the 2000, but you are right - they are doing it here. You are right though the reel sits between the Luvi and the Freams. Tight lines mate thanks for the comment and the entry
hey Bud , good review mate , they look pretty good ! I used to like a 1000 size reel but have gone up to the 2500 size as it still performs like a 1000 size without much weight difference but you have the option to chase much larger fish with the change of line weight on the same reel , i have a 2500 that has accounted for a few rat kings quite easily. Keep up the good stuff mate , cheers
I love 2000 reels loaded with 6-8lb braid. This setup has done me well in both my local freshwater dam and on my yak in Saltwater rivers. If I was lucky enough to win the Vanford I would load it up with 8lb braid, might even try 10lb braid🍻👍
Here in South Louisiana the 3000 size ci4s are the go-to for throwing soft plastics inshore all day long. Since we occasionally run into big redfish I opt for the slightly deeper spool and bigger handle of the 3000 size, but the 2500 is so similar we don't turn out noses at them. Braid strength varies, but an all around dependable strength is 20lb with a 20lb flouro leader. It hasn't served me wrong yet!
Great Video Byron! I'm glad you mentioned that the new Shimano long stroke spool design makes the reel feel off balance and makes flipping out a cast harder than the older model's. I will not buy another Shimano spinner until they fix that problem. It's on the Stradic FL all the way up to the Stella. My older model's (Although a little heavier) feel much easier to fish with and balance better with my rods.
Probably favourite size would be the compact bodies, c3000, all around reel for pretty much anything. The vanfords have hit the sweet spot with the 2500 size being light and capable for all styles of estuary or bay fishing, as you mentioned. I'd spool it with x9 Berkley braid 8lb using a 300m spool to get as much line on there.
