Mullatt Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Hi all, I'm looking at adding a new reel to my tackle bag. Will be used for light estuary, possibly calm beach for bread and butter species. Originally was going to get the Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 2500FB but have researched the newer Shimano Vanford 2500 HG and now not sure. The Vanford claims to have a few more features plus also uses the Stradic body and also claims to be lighter to turn and feel. Guess I'm just looking for first hand recommendations/observations of the two from those that may have used/own both. I'm a little torn between "stick with the tried and proven Stradic, that's been around for ages" or "Get the Vanford as its apparently an improvement on something that was already great". Price is almost identical, so that's not an issue. Appreciate any advice comments from those that know heaps more than me. Thanks Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirvin21 Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 My thoughts with reels are more features for the same price often means poorer quality features, not always the case 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mullatt Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share Posted January 12, 2022 13 hours ago, dirvin21 said: My thoughts with reels are more features for the same price often means poorer quality features, not always the case Yep agree that can be the case, with lots of things not just reels. Have you had/used either of these models, in any size? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Can't go wrong with a Stradic. Proven reel. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mullatt Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share Posted January 12, 2022 1 minute ago, Rebel said: Can't go wrong with a Stradic. Proven reel. Yep that's been my thinking too. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berrero Posted January 13, 2022 Share Posted January 13, 2022 I own both reels and logged quite a considerable amount of hours on both. While they are comparable and roughly equivalent my personal preference and recommendation would be for the vanford. The ci4's have been around for a while but the vanford have been built from the ci4 body so there is little to worry about it being new & 'untested'. But as with all things it's really down to personal preference 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted January 13, 2022 Share Posted January 13, 2022 Ive got several stardics, including three ci4 models and love using them. The 3000 ci4 which is the same as the 2500 only with a larger capacity spool has handled all manor of fish from long tail tunas (northern bluefin) tailor, salmon and plenty of bycatch species while using plastics intended for snapper. I also have the fl stradics and older versions which I prefer over the saragosa. Haven't used the the model so can't comment on that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenHourFishing Posted January 13, 2022 Share Posted January 13, 2022 (edited) I have put many hours through the vanford 2500 and the Stradic FL 2500 and I can honestly say the stradic FL feels like a higher quality reel at a lower price point. The vanford is definitley lighter but it also feels and looks cheaper. Theres even a visible assembly seem down the middle of the reel on the vanford. I dunno to me it just doesnt feel like it warrants the price point. But thats just my personal opinion. Edited January 14, 2022 by GoldenHourFishing 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob81 Posted January 13, 2022 Share Posted January 13, 2022 The Stradic Ci4+ should be phasing out, and the Vanford F filling that void. The way I look at the Vanford, its somewhat a hybrid between the Stradic Ci4 & Vanquish (JDM reel). The concept is more towards the Finesse light duty range, so I wouldnt really compare either 2 reels against the FL, where it is built for a slightly heavier duty type role. I own both Vanquish and Stradic Ci4+, but was excited when they came up with the Vanford, but as I have no reasoning for that reel, I hadnt purchased one. If Id had to chose one between the two, I'd go Vanford as it should feel like a cheap version of the Vanquish. Low interia and ultra smooth for finesse/light type applications. Regarding weight, it is roughly 10g lighter, however sometimes too light can be a nuisance as finding the right rod to balance it when can be a pain. I find this is most so the case for the larger size reels in that light range. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mullatt Posted January 13, 2022 Author Share Posted January 13, 2022 7 hours ago, Berrero said: I own both reels and logged quite a considerable amount of hours on both. While they are comparable and roughly equivalent my personal preference and recommendation would be for the vanford. The ci4's have been around for a while but the vanford have been built from the ci4 body so there is little to worry about it being new & 'untested'. But as with all things it's really down to personal preference Interesting @Berrero thats exactly the type of feedback I was looking for. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mullatt Posted January 13, 2022 Author Share Posted January 13, 2022 @JonDthanks for the reply. It seems a common theme that the Stradics are a great product. Been around for ages so I guess the old ..if its not broke don't replace it, is applicable hey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mullatt Posted January 13, 2022 Author Share Posted January 13, 2022 @GoldenHourFishingthanks so much for your reply. A very interesting observation on your part through many hours, as you said of testing both. Appreciate your reply mate. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mullatt Posted January 13, 2022 Author Share Posted January 13, 2022 @Rob81thats an interesting take on the 2 reels. I guess 10 g lighter is really sfa, but admit never considered the Vanquish at all. It doesn't seem to get as much publicity as its cousins. Thanks for your reply mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob81 Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 Vanquishes are grey market reels here. So theyre not as easily obtainable compared to stradics or vanfords where you can easily walk into a store and find one. yeah in the light game range 10g isnt much and wont have any affect. All the best with making a decision. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xerotao Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 1 minute ago, Rob81 said: Vanquishes are grey market reels here. So theyre not as easily obtainable compared to stradics or vanfords where you can easily walk into a store and find one. yeah in the light game range 10g isnt much and wont have any affect. All the best with making a decision. Don’t forget about warranty also 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 The Stradic might have been around for a while but it is a proven reel, similar to the Sienna, been around forever and still going strong. Some manufactures produce a new reel and it is a dud. I have four Fin-Nor reels. I bought the LT100 to start with and ended up buying the rest. Bullet proof reels. Cheers. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Sydney Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Few months back I purchased Vanford 2500 and a 3000 Stradic, with the Vanford replacing my Sedona on my bream gear. For me, the Vanford is ‘just Ok’ and doesn’t feel like that much of an upgrade over the Sedona whereas the Stradic really does ‘feel’ like a top class reel. I have buyers remorse on the Vanford, really only choosing it over the 2500 Stradic due to the colour and if I had my time again I’d be going the Stradic. Specifically on the issues with my Vanford - the ‘line keeper’ doesn’t hold the line tightly and I often get it out of the car with the line now free and tangling in the spool, and the handle unscrews too easily / doesn’t tighten enough. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Remember Shimano have 10 years warranty on their reels. If you are not happy with it send it back. In my opinion Shimano gear is not as good as it use to be. I use other gear now. Cheers. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Sydney Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 That would mean not fishing for a brief period Rebel….🤭 though currently struck down with Covid, it’s probably the perfect time to do a warranty claim. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Shimano are ok with warranty. Get better mate. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mullatt Posted January 20, 2022 Author Share Posted January 20, 2022 20 hours ago, Mike Sydney said: Few months back I purchased Vanford 2500 and a 3000 Stradic, with the Vanford replacing my Sedona on my bream gear. For me, the Vanford is ‘just Ok’ and doesn’t feel like that much of an upgrade over the Sedona whereas the Stradic really does ‘feel’ like a top class reel. I have buyers remorse on the Vanford, really only choosing it over the 2500 Stradic due to the colour and if I had my time again I’d be going the Stradic. Specifically on the issues with my Vanford - the ‘line keeper’ doesn’t hold the line tightly and I often get it out of the car with the line now free and tangling in the spool, and the handle unscrews too easily / doesn’t tighten enough. Thanks mate. I'm pretty well convinced i will go with tried and tested Stradic. Appreciate your input. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mullatt Posted February 8, 2022 Author Share Posted February 8, 2022 Well I ended up going with the Stradic 2500. Feels awesome .....I'll be giving it a good test the week after next as we're going to Sussex Inlet for a week and weather permitting hope to get the boat out onto St Georges Basin. Haven't fished there before so looking forward to exploring the area. Thanks to all that contributed and gave me feedback and experience on the Stradic, very much appreciated. cheers Dave 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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