Need a reel for a new expride rod. Vanford or FL?

I have the FL and will say it's a great reel. Solid and smooth. The Vanford looks like another great reel with lighter weight. The expride is pretty light so the Vanford might be a good match. I would put both on the rod and see which balances best. 

Get the vanford, it’s a great reel, light and silky smooth. The fl is gonna be noticeably heavier, and from what I understand the vanford has more trickle down features. $30 is a justified upgrade price IMO 

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See which balances better in hand when put on your rod.  The Vanford is lighter by itself, but that can also result in a rod feeling tip heavy when the reel is put on it.

2 hours ago, Chris at Tech said:

See which balances better in hand when put on your rod.  The Vanford is lighter by itself, but that can also result in a rod feeling tip heavy when the reel is put on it.

That’s my thinking! I’ve heard one person say the FL being a little heavier makes the expride balance better.

5 hours ago, Rbunton87 said:

That’s my thinking! I’ve heard one person say the FL being a little heavier makes the expride balance better.

That was generally my experience with previous generation Stradics compared to their Ci4+ brethren. I would either have to step up a size or two on the Ci4 or run a Stradic to get good balance. It is the biggest thing I've never understood about people running less than 3000 sized reels on rods longer than 7'.

 

My 5'6" UL trout rod wears a 2500 size Ci4 reel because that is what balanced it.

 

ETA: And with the above, I do realize that the C3000 size is the same body as the 2500.

The Stradic FL is like having a hot girlfriend and the Vanford is like having that hot girlfriend let you go to the bar with your friends.  Know what I mean? 

I'm putting my Vanford on a X-Ray MB-733 build and I'm going to leave the butt cap for last just in case I don't like the balance and need to add some weight.

I only have mid range rods from big box stores but the lighter reels just don't balance with any rods I have tried. The heavy stradic balances very well. While it makes the most sense to balance the rod at the very end of the handle, I find the heavier reel is enough for me. And in reality I don't find a 7.6oz reel heavy at all, it feels solid and refined. 

Vanford shines in and L and UL sizes.  

Stradic FL is the baseline workhorse reel if you need something bigger than 3000 size.  

Twin Power is worthwhile upgrade with metal rotor, but should be at almost twice the price.  

I decided to get one of each, won't be able to use either until spring.

I could embarrass myself.  

I have two Stradic and one Vanquish in UL sizes, plus a Tica Libra - they're all pimped out with double or counter-balanced handles, which I've become really fond on spinning reels, especially when takes are subtle.  

One of those Stradic, (Japan market C2000SHG) equivalent to FL1000 (but cost $60 less from Japan) fits a mid spot for me inshore for matching winter glass minnows on UL Rockfish rod, and tussles with slot redfish.  Three weeks ago throwing tandem rigs, it landed 4 seatrout doubles plus a redfish/ladyfish double - that workhorse thing.  

I have both 4000 and 5000 size for inshore and near-shore pelagic (mackerel) - the FL4000 has a counter-balanced handle and shallow braid spool.  

 

Since it doesn't come up often, here's the little Libra 1500 with Daiwa double handle.  

The Libra has spool stroke and line management arguably comparable to Shimano, but costs $90.