The Vanford A spinning reel from Shimano is the new kid on the block when it comes to spinning gear, and it’s turning some heads. It turned every head at the ICAST 2024 trade show — in fact, it went on to win the award for 2024 ICAST Best of Show in the Freshwater Reel division.
I’ve been fishing with this reel for about a month and half now, and here’s the short-term testing verdict.
Shimano Vanford A Spinning Reel Specs
MSRP: $250
Model: 2500HGA
Gear ratio: 5.8:1
Retrieve: Right/Left
Line capacity: 8/140, 10/120
Weight: 6.2 ounces
Bearings: 7BB + 1RB
Features
- Infinity Drive
- X-Protect
- Cross Carbon Drag
- S-Compact Body
- HAGANE Body
- CI4+
- InfinityXross
- Available in 6 sizes (500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 4000 and 5000 sizes
- Available in 19 size/gear ratio combinations
The Vanford A: Echoes of Shimano’s Past
For starters, the Shimano faithful will know that there’s already a Vanford spinning reel in the Shimano lineup. The Vanford A (also listed as FA in some places) is the second generation of the Vanford. Though I haven’t fished with the original, it’s apparently top notch.
With 28 customer reviews on Tackle Warehouse, the original Vanford is a Best Seller and has been awarded an astonishing 4.9 stars out of 5 stars: this is extremely rare when it comes to public approval through reviews like this.
The Vanford A reminded me a lot of my favorite spinning reel of all time, the Stradic Ci4+. After doing some research, this was apparently by design.
The Vanford was actually introduced to replace the Stradic Ci4+ a couple of years ago. I knew the Stradic had been discontinued, and that perplexed me quite a bit, since it was one of the most beloved spinning reels of all time.
But, it makes sense now, since what Shimano did was pump the Stradic full of their latest technology and slapped a new name on it, keeping the core of the reel the same while making it even better.
I still have an old Stradic, and holding both of these reels, one in each hand, the similarities are apparent.
What’s New on This Reel
The handle on the Vanford A and the Stradic are almost identical, as is the body size and shape. The performance of these reels on the water is also eerily similar. And I’m glad that’s the case, really, since that means nothing really was lost along with the Stradic name.
What’s new on the Vanford are mostly improvements under the hood. An upgraded MGL (Magnumlite) rotor is one of the key differences. The new rotor is made from the Ci4+ material, which makes it 25% lighter than others, according to Shimano.
This tech, as well as several other features, has trickled down from high-end reels in the more affordable Shimano reel lineups, like the Twin Power and Stella. In doing so, Shimano has packed a lot of really advanced tech into a fairly affordable reel that is as capable as any other I’ve found for targeting bass with finesse techniques.
One new feature that you can see from the outside of the Vanford is the Anti-Twist Fin. This flexible polymer fin near the line roller has been added to help maintain line tension and help the reel spool more evenly.
More Features
Shimano’s HAGANE Gear is special because it isn’t cut; it’s cold-forged using a proprietary process. Shimano has often said this process is key to the durability and power of the company’s reels.
The reel’s InfinityDrive is also worth noting, because that’s what gives the Vanford its smooth performance, even under a heavy load.
Features including Shimano’s DuraCross, SilentDrive, X Ship, and others have also been passed down to the Vanford A from higher end models. This reel has virtually everything that Shimano’s pricier reels have for less than half of the cost.
The Shimano Vanford A On The Water
For testing, I spooled the Vanford 2500HGA with a 15-pound Sufix 832 braid and a 10-pound Seaguar leader. On different occasions, I paired this reel with both a 6’10” Medium Light/Extra Fast Daiwa Zillion Spinning Rod and a 7’6” Medium Light/Fast Shimano Expride B Spinning Rod.
On my most memorable trip with this reel, I got into a bunch of schooling stripe and bass in strong current below a dam and absolutely wrecked them. The reel handled both a spybait and even a Berkley KREJ really well. I hauled in several keeper bass with this setup that day and wrestled a stripe in the 6-pound range right up to the kayak through some intense current, but it pulled free as I was trying to figure out how to get it into the boat for a photo.
I’ve also fished a drop shot with this reel, and a shaky head. In short, this reel performed really well on the water no matter what I threw at it.
One area in which the Vanford A stands out from much of the competition is the ease with which you can begin reeling.
It may not seem like much, but having to crank the handle hard to start the reel or having to reach up to flick the bail closed with my hand frustrates me and it takes more time. You can shut the bail on this reel smoothly by simply turning the handle, and that matters to me.
Shimano Vanford A Spinning Reel: Final Verdict
This reel’s performance when using finesse techniques, even with the heavier 1/2-ounce KREJ, really impressed me. The drag and the reel are both as smooth as they can be.
Again, the Vanford A reminds me a ton of the Stradic Ci4+, and that’s a fantastic compliment. Given a little more time, I think the Vanford A has a good chance of bumping the Stradic out of its place as my favorite reel of all time, which it has held for several years.
If you’re in the market for a high-end reel at a mid-range price ($250), the advanced technologies and materials that Shimano has packed into this reel make it one of the more capable ones I’ve ever fished with.
