I picked up a 2019 Shimano Vanquish 2500SHG a few weeks ago. First impression was crazy light it and Stella smooth.  It actually is 40g (1.4oz) lighter than the Stella. I got to fish it 4 days in Guntersville last week along with my Stella on comparable rods...NRX 852s and Conquest 842s. I caught on them both, but nothing huge. They are both super smooth, cast a mile, and perform perfect. The Vanquish feels lighter, but the Stella feels more powerful. I would feel more comfortably going for larger species than bass with the Stella before the Vanquish. I could definitely make the argument for the Vanquish being the better bass reel.

Interesting note: I handed them both to my occasional fisherman father and when asked which one felt smoother, he said the Vanquish.

The Vanquish is my favorite spinning reel ever.  The 19 Vanquish somehow feels even better than the 16 Vanq.  It will haul in 5 and 6 lb bass with no problem. Its lightweight but under load it feels somsolid. Mine is used for Ned Rig and drop shot duty, but wouldn't hesitate to use it on more powerful rods with heavier presentations.

 

3 hours ago, offsidewing said:

The Vanquish is my favorite spinning reel ever.  The 19 Vanquish somehow feels even better than the 16 Vanq.  It will haul in 5 and 6 lb bass with no problem. Its lightweight but under load it feels somsolid. Mine is used for Ned Rig and drop shot duty, but wouldn't hesitate to use it on more powerful rods with heavier presentations.

 

Those are the same techniques I use mine for and it is perfect for them.  I agree, it feels crazy solid for how light it is...to me it feels like a Stradic Ci4 FB in terms of solidity, just lighter and much smoother. 

 

The Yumeya cork handle to match the Stella came in...

 

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Just ordered a c2000SHG.  It will be going on a Megabass Destroyer Addermine.  It'll be a ned rig/whacky setup.  This will be the first non Loomis rod I have bought in a few years.