37 minutes ago, pauldconyers said:

Has there been any word as to when it will be available to order at most places?

Shimano Facebook said September, but I don't know if places will allow preorders. 

http://fish.shimano.com/content/fish/northamerica/us/en/homepage/Shimano_Product_Page.P-VANFORD_F.html

 

Looking at these models the ones towards the bottom have a "C" in them. What does that signify?

C mean compact,

3000 spool in 2500 size body or 2000 spool in 1000 size body, just like Daiwa.

8 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

C mean compact,

3000 spool in 2500 size body or 2000 spool in 1000 size body, just like Daiwa.

Good! I was hoping they would do something like this!

Would you guys say the Vanford is clearly superior to the Ci4+? What about compared to the Stradic FL? I am in the market for a new Shimano spinning reel and trying to figure out which route to go.

yeah but it still need more red, especially in the front drag dial and body guard. MSRP is very high 300 up, and I don’t think I’m gonna go for it. This look like Kage from Luvias with Monocoque body and Zaion rotor. 

7 minutes ago, michael1 said:

Would you guys say the Vanford is clearly superior to the Ci4+? What about compared to the Stradic FL? I am in the market for a new Shimano spinning reel and trying to figure out which route to go.

If you can get a Ci4+ for closeout prices (around $150) then snag one of those. You'll get a little better casting distance with the FL, but not that much more, and the startup inertia on the Ci4+ is noticeably less. It takes almost no effort to turn the handle which helps take up slack quickly. It just feels crisper to me. I don't think the Vanford will be that much different than the Ci4+ - better, almost certainly, but if it's between a $150 Ci4+ and a $240 Vanford, the Ci4+ wins in my mind.

 

I like the look of that round knob at about the 15 second mark. I wonder what models it is available on?

3 minutes ago, pauldconyers said:

 

I like the look of that round knob at about the 15 second mark. I wonder what models it is available on?

That might be 4000 and 5000 (mostly target heavy fish) typically 3000 size will get T knob 2500 and down get regular knob.

Just now, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

That might be 4000 and 5000 (mostly target heavy fish) typically 3000 size will get T knob 2500 and down get regular knob.

Do you have a preference between the T and regular knob?

29 minutes ago, pauldconyers said:

Do you have a preference between the T and regular knob?

I used to like the regular knob but I was curious about the T, as sometimes I "miss" the knob when reaching up to take up slack, especially on hookset. I ended up getting a 3000 Ci4+ and found that I like the T more. The T is larger and makes it easier to find and grab.

26 minutes ago, bwjay said:

I used to like the regular knob but I was curious about the T, as sometimes I "miss" the knob when reaching up to take up slack, especially on hookset. I ended up getting a 3000 Ci4+ and found that I like the T more. The T is larger and makes it easier to find and grab.

I guess part of my hesitation is is I think it would be weird to me to be fishing a dainty, finesse bait and be holding on to some large knob. I think I'd work it like a larger bait holding a larger knob but IDK .

1 minute ago, pauldconyers said:

I guess part of my hesitation is is I think it would be weird to me to be fishing a dainty, finesse bait and be holding on to some large knob. I think I'd work it like a larger bait holding a larger knob but IDK .

I get your thinking, but my thought is more like this... I'm hopping and dragging or twitching something light. I don't always have my hand on the knob. I'm working the rod and then taking up slack, sometimes leaving my hand by my side, or near the reel but not on it. Regardless of the bait, I still need a firm grip on the knob when taking up slack, and when I feel a bite, I need to move quickly to set the hook and take up slack and start fighting the fish. Like I said before, sometimes I miss the knob and end up half-slapping it with my hand just so I can readjust my grip and start taking up line during the fight. With bigger baits yeah I might appreciate having more of my hand on the knob when reeling just so I can apply more force, but spinning reels are really more for taking up line than they are for winching in baits, so usually you're not feeling tons of force while reeling (on a spinning reel). In this case, it doesn't matter too much whether the bait is a little 1/16oz jig or a 1oz spook. In the end it's personal preference, but I find the larger handle helps me find the handle and get more purchase on it regardless of the size or weight of the bait.

I wonder if we will actually get the low gear ratio 1000 size?

I prefer the lower gear ratios. It seems like it has a lower start up inertia.

Also will in actually weight 5.3 oz?

The stradic 1000ci4+ is suppose to weigh 5.6 oz. Both of mine weigh 5.8 oz.

Looks like there will also be a 500 size. Great for those of us who like ultra light reels. About time shimano has a decent quality 500 size reel.

Will definitely have to get one to try out.

Yeah I was looking at Soare Ci4+ 500 very hard after tried one of my friend. I might get that to replace my Sahara 750. A spinning reel under 5oz, why not?

34 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

Yeah I was looking at Soare Ci4+ 500 very hard after tried one of my friend. I might get that to replace my Sahara 750. A spinning reel under 5oz, why not?

I looked at the Soare 500 as well but its a shallow spool and would not hold enough line for me. The 1000s doesn't hold much line either.

I just prefer the regular 500 and 1000 size spools for my small reels.