San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Hello everyone new to fishing is my first time trout fishing and loved it. I got a new Phenix elixir 7’6 rod and looking in getting a new reel for it. I got a Sedona 1000 and looking to get something better and smother any suggestions. Looking to get a spinning rod

Is there something particularly wrong with your Sedona. I have several that I use in both fresh and saltwater (500, 1000, 2500, 4000 sizes) and they are a smooth as anything I have used from any brand until going up in price about 3X+ to something like a Shimano Vanford.

My Sedona's have been used for trout, LM bass, SM bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, striped bass, bonito, barracuda, mackerel, and even some small small skipjack and yellowfin tuna. The latest version, I just got a Sedona SE2500HGFI for mostly saltwater work, does seem slightly smoother than my older versions, but that may just be because it is new out of the box. Even with the older ones I have never lost a fish due to the reel.

No nothing is wrong but I have it on a different rod. Want to try something different.

If you like the 1000 size, try the Vanford 2000.... Same as the Vanford 1000, but with a larger spool... It is 1 oz lighter, more line capacity, more than double the bearings, and a faster gear ratio than the Sedona... I love both the Sedona and the Vanford, and believe they are the best in their class...
Butch

I use sienna and sedona 1000 and 2500 respectively and love them both, I might check out the stratic when its time to upgrade/replace but I have never retired a shimano reel of any kind that I bought new or used.

Have you guys used the Stratic

How’s the vanford do you guys like it? does it live up the height of being so smooth and light?

Tony6469 wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 10:35 am How’s the vanford do you guys like it? does it live up the height of being so smooth and light?

I love it… I use the 3000 for 95% of my fishing.. Mostly surf for corbina, croaker and perch…. But I’ve caught some decent halibut, large SNGF and pretty good size leopard sharks with it… I bought the 5000 for an upcoming Cabo surf fishing trip.. And the 2000 is my trout, ultra light, and sometimes surf reel… Very nice, light, and smooth reels…. Go to a shop and see what you think…
Butch

If you want smoother reel, I recommend Daiwa. Budget, 2023 Legalis or Exceler would do good, mid end old Tatula LT. I also go with 2000 size same body as 1000.
I had Vanford 2000 for a year even though I like the loud drag sound but not as smooth as any of Daiwa.

I have a Shimano Ultegra 1000 on my Phenix 771 mirage. Amazing reel. It also has a lot of the same technologies as the Vanford at a much cheaper price point.

I think you’ll be happy with a 1000 size Vanford. I have the Stradic Ci4+(Predecessor to the Vanford) and it has an incredibly smooth drag. It’s loaded with 5lbs Phenix Iron Feather braid topped with 2lbs Sunline FC Sniper, mounted on an Okuma Guide Select Pro 7’6” ultralight( very similar to a Phenix Elixir). I wouldn’t go too big on a trout reel since you’ll be using 2-4lbs test most of the time. Keep it small light and most of all FUN!

Look for a used Stradic Ci4+. Pretty amazing reel.

Is there a reason to go with the 1000 size Vanford over the 2000?.. Same size, and weight reel, only more capacity, and faster gears... I would think that the 2000 would be a more versatile reel with the added capacity and speed, but don't see any downsides... Maybe I'm missing something... Maybe cost, and weight of extra line?... Is the higher gear ratio a negative?... I have the 2k, 3k and 5k Vanfords and like them all...
Butch

I don’t see no wrong of going 2000 size over 1000. Old timer always think about ultra light with smallest reel such as 500 or 1000. Reasoning lighter weight and smaller reel to match better with ultralight rod. Going with 2000 size Vanford, you would get larger diameter spool for better line management or line selection but the body is actually the same(spool is interchangeable). I don’t really see downside here and I believe they won’t even know 1000 vs 2000 if they don’t look at label.
Gear ratio I like mine slow for steady, slow retrieve.