I really like this reel. Light smooth and well put together. I especially like the low startup effort. Big improvement over previous Shimano mid price spinning reels. The only thing I don’t like is the lack of a back reel lever. If you have ever had a five pound bass on 6 lb test line come to the boat easily and then see the boat and take off, you would understand the need to back reel that fish. Even a good drag is not usually up to that task

Amazing performance

I bought the 5000 after reading the reviews and wanting the round knob. I must say I was surprised to open the box and see how small the reel was, and I was a little disappointed. It was smaller than other 4000 size reels I have. It's super light as well and felt very strong, weighed 240g after loading it with PP Super Slick braid over mono backing. I paired it with my Palms ShoreGun 10'3" rod and went shore jigging. Now I have no regrets at all! This combo casts like a dream, much farther than I expected, and absolutely no issues at all. No wind knots, very quiet and super smooth. It also proved to be very strong and the drag works beautiful. The knob is a bit small for my hand but it's not a big issue. Like others have said, if you're hesitating between the 4000 ... MoreI bought the 5000 after reading the reviews and wanting the round knob. I must say I was surprised to open the box and see how small the reel was, and I was a little disappointed. It was smaller than other 4000 size reels I have. It's super light as well and felt very strong, weighed 240g after loading it with PP Super Slick braid over mono backing. I paired it with my Palms ShoreGun 10'3" rod and went shore jigging. Now I have no regrets at all! This combo casts like a dream, much farther than I expected, and absolutely no issues at all. No wind knots, very quiet and super smooth. It also proved to be very strong and the drag works beautiful. The knob is a bit small for my hand but it's not a big issue. Like others have said, if you're hesitating between the 4000 and the 5000, definitely get the 5000. I wish they made even bigger sizes, like 6000 or 8000, I would buy them too.

Awesome - must have mid range fesh/salt reels

I HAPPILY own four(4) of these bad boys, 2x C5000xg's, and 2x C3000xgf's. ( I buy everything in pairs :) ) The first thing that grabbed me was the weight, 6.3 ounces on the C3000xgf, it felt like a panfish reel. I was concerned until I ripped in a 31" red using 15# Power-Pro SuperSick II braid. Lightweight, but way more powerful than you would imagine. Great looks, and superior manufacturing from Shimano, and will last a lifetime if you care for them properly. with 7 to 24 pounds of drag, 6+1 smooth gearing, C14+, and salt resistant.I you are like me and like to have just a few versatile reels that can handle any species of freshwater and inshore saltwater, the C5000xgf and the C3000xgf can do it all.

Great reel

As with all the Vanford line, this reel is smooth, light, and built strong! I loved the fighting handle, and the amazing quality just like my Vanford 4000's that I use for bass fishing, so I bought this one for inshore fishing. Unfortunately, and the reason for just 4 stars, this reel isn't akin to other 5000 size reels. It's actually just the 4000 frame but with a higher line capacity spool and a fighting handle. It's definitely a great reel, but I was hoping it would be a little bigger...

Great reel / Update after 6 months

After 6 months of use here in N/W Oregon on the coast of the Pacific Ocean my Vanford 5000 has been great. Smooth drag and it cast far with my 9 ft 6 in G.Loomis Steelhead med/light action even with 40 lb Berley X9 Braid. I caught many Steelhead up to a trophy 20 pounder and recently a nice 12 pound Spring Chinook Salmon. I plan on getting the Vanford 3000 model for summer steelhead and summer fishing with a light 9 foot spinning rod, the ultimate light weight outfit that can still land a large fish. I also have a Daiwa Ballistic and a Shimano CI4 Stradic and though they are high quality reels the Vanford beats them in all areas, and it is the smoothest spinning reel I have ever owned and I'm 70 years old, been fishing since I was 6. You can see the reel in action ... MoreAfter 6 months of use here in N/W Oregon on the coast of the Pacific Ocean my Vanford 5000 has been great. Smooth drag and it cast far with my 9 ft 6 in G.Loomis Steelhead med/light action even with 40 lb Berley X9 Braid. I caught many Steelhead up to a trophy 20 pounder and recently a nice 12 pound Spring Chinook Salmon. I plan on getting the Vanford 3000 model for summer steelhead and summer fishing with a light 9 foot spinning rod, the ultimate light weight outfit that can still land a large fish. I also have a Daiwa Ballistic and a Shimano CI4 Stradic and though they are high quality reels the Vanford beats them in all areas, and it is the smoothest spinning reel I have ever owned and I'm 70 years old, been fishing since I was 6. You can see the reel in action on youtube under Fontana Outdoors.

Quality At Its Finest!

I have umpteen Stradic Ci4s in 2500, 3000, and 4000 sizes. I always wanted a 1000 series spinning outfit using a medium-light rod. I LOVE this new Vanford. It is ultra smooth and has plenty of power to go to battle with the CA Delta bass I fish for. I even brought in a 23" striper that surprised me as I worked a small swimbait through shallow grass. Took me almost 15 minutes to play him in and the Vanford held its own. This is a quality reel and is an excellent progression of the Ci4s.

Shimano Vanford 2500 series

As a professional guide on the White River in Arkansas, I have been using exclusively Shimano reels for the last couple decades or longer. The Vanford series in my opinion is a high quality reel that is still affordable, These reels get well over 200 a days on the river and last me a minimum of two years before they get replaced with new ones. My clients greatly appreciate the quality of equipment that I provide them and it shows with the high rate of return customers that I get. Recently i have been using TheMightyFish.com for my purchases as I am getting the right product for the right price, and the shipping has always been quick and reliable.

Shimano Vanford 3000 Spinning Reel

I just bought my second Vanford 3000 to use on the Tennessee River in North Alabama for smallmouth and striped bass fishing. I much prefer the 3000 to the 2500, since the reels weight exactly the same, but the 3000 holds 30 more yards of monofilament line. That extra capacity means that when drift-fishing in the current, I have a little cushion to keep me from having all my line stripped off my reel if I don't react quickly enough to retrieve my lure.I mounted my Vanfords on two different St. Croix spinning rods - a 6'6" Med Lt Fast Action Avid, and a 6'10" Med Lt Extra Fast Action Mojo Bass (my favorite rod) - and rig both reels with ~ 100 yds. of 8 lb. Berkley Trilene Big Game as backing and ~ 75 yds. of 10 lb. Berkley Nanofil, with 6 ft. of 8 lb. Berkley ... MoreI just bought my second Vanford 3000 to use on the Tennessee River in North Alabama for smallmouth and striped bass fishing. I much prefer the 3000 to the 2500, since the reels weight exactly the same, but the 3000 holds 30 more yards of monofilament line. That extra capacity means that when drift-fishing in the current, I have a little cushion to keep me from having all my line stripped off my reel if I don't react quickly enough to retrieve my lure.I mounted my Vanfords on two different St. Croix spinning rods - a 6'6" Med Lt Fast Action Avid, and a 6'10" Med Lt Extra Fast Action Mojo Bass (my favorite rod) - and rig both reels with ~ 100 yds. of 8 lb. Berkley Trilene Big Game as backing and ~ 75 yds. of 10 lb. Berkley Nanofil, with 6 ft. of 8 lb. Berkley Trilene Big Game as the leader. I use Quadruple Surgeon's Knots for the backing to line and line to leader connections with good success.The Vanfords are extremely light, extremely durable and smooth, and fit my medium size hands much better than the Daiwa Tatula in the same spool size. (The space between the reel foot and the rotor is too small on the Tatula, which results in the bail hitting my fingers while reeling.) I own two Shimano Stradic 3000 FJ's and two Shimano Stradic 3000 Ci4+ reels, and while the four Stradics are excellent reels for the money, the Vanfords are even better.Try one and you'll be glad you did.

Twice Disappointed

This review concerns the Vanford 500. I have no experience with the other sizes of Vanford.I have several Stradic Ci4+ reels from the 1000 up. There's never been a Ci4+ available in a 500 size, so I've been using a Symetre 500, which, after many years, is badly worn. So I was thrilled when Shimano announced the Vanford 500. I ordered one. There's a irritating pulse with each turn of the crank. It took me a few weeks to find the cause of the problem. There is play in the main gear bearings. The handle can be rocked back and forth a few thousandths. This causes the pulse when retrieving. None of my other reels have this problem. I showed it to the fishing guys at Basspro. They proclaimed it a manufacturer's defect. Since they didn't have a replacement in stock, ... MoreThis review concerns the Vanford 500. I have no experience with the other sizes of Vanford.I have several Stradic Ci4+ reels from the 1000 up. There's never been a Ci4+ available in a 500 size, so I've been using a Symetre 500, which, after many years, is badly worn. So I was thrilled when Shimano announced the Vanford 500. I ordered one. There's a irritating pulse with each turn of the crank. It took me a few weeks to find the cause of the problem. There is play in the main gear bearings. The handle can be rocked back and forth a few thousandths. This causes the pulse when retrieving. None of my other reels have this problem. I showed it to the fishing guys at Basspro. They proclaimed it a manufacturer's defect. Since they didn't have a replacement in stock, Basspro gave me a refund and I ordered another one online. The replacement had the same problem right outa the box. I showed it to the same experts at Basspro and got my refund.If I can find a Vanford 500 in a store where I can examine it before I buy it, I'll buy it, IF I can find a good one.

Worse Shimano reel I ever purchased

Bought the Shimano Vanford Spinning Reel - VFC3000XGF a year ago and have just now been able to use it. When the spool is at its high point, the bail will not clear it; when loading new line, it’s not even from top to bottom of the spool. It loads the majority of line on the lower part of the spool; when casting, the bail is not out of the way for line to pass causing backlash. This reel is a complete waste of $259.00!